Shattered

His eyes remained locked on her face, reading the emotions in her eyes and body. They were true emotion, certainly. Remorse, shame, regret. It eased some of the chill in his stare, but he shook his head in response to her words. “There is such a thing as alternatives. Auster will be out of the dry season, now, yes, and would have been by the time Talis came here on that raid? Prey, herbs, and other resources will have already begun replenishing themselves.

"The prey may be thin, the plants wilted, but they are still resources closer to home, with less chance of harm or bringing hostile relations with another pack to one’s doorstep. You just have to range further, and be better prepared.”

He finally released her from the weight of his chilled stare, asking with a growing weariness, “Did no one speak out against this raid? No one of the Ancora family, or are they all as loyal as a coyote? And… no. You couldn’t have known. But you recognized my surname when we met. I noticed that. Can you imagine one of your own family stealing from you, Sterling?”

He turned away and picked up the meadowsweet root ball, setting it on the hide and turning back to face her. Of all the things he had thrown at her, he hadn’t added his worry for his mother, or the fact that Celestial was going to need to make room, or expand, or starve because they were too large for the lands they claimed.