Facing Shadows

He watched as she turned to face him, the reaction she had when he mentioned her pups. He was confused. And that confusion was painted clearly on his face, even if she couldn't see it. He waited patiently for her to speak, and when she did, that confusion grew more intense before turning into a cold, burning anger the more he listened. Shaye had attacked her? That was something he didn't know. He didn't know Shaye had returned to Abaven that day to yell at Tana, let alone that her kid had made it to the battlefield on her own. He had been too focused on his own goal that day, and that too had been thwarted by Shaye. Despite his anger, he made sure it didn't show in his voice. He knew Tana was a flighty individual, and didn't want to scare her anymore than she already was. "And with all that bullshit she says about protecting others." He scoffed, teeth baring the more he thought about it. She was a contradiction, he saw it. She was no perfect alpha despite her trying to act like one. And while he knew he wouldn't be perfect when he came to lead, he could at least be honest.

"I wonder if it's because she was jealous that you and Rhyme had pups...I know they had kids together, but she claimed it was a mistake when I know it was a choice.. Though I must admit, it took me a while to come to terms with it because I was in denial. She claims many things, and yet she's picked on you and treated you unfairly, and lied to the pack." Irresponsible and untrustworthy was what she was. Though Rhyme had some fault, too. He had been noticing the alpha male spending way less time with Tana than he used to, and he knew that must have been hurting the blind woman before him. "I'm sorry your trust was broken. And I'm sorry Shaye has been treating you unfairly..." He shouldn't have had to apologize, but he felt like he should since Shaye or Rhyme likely wouldn't do it. He didn't know Tana well, or the things she did that made Shaye react the way she had. The only logical reason he could think of on why Tana had left unsupervised was because well...she was blind and handicapped. She had three pups to look after on her own, and he thought there was someone else helping her just like there was someone helping Shaye. But maybe her help decided she wasn't worth helping anymore. He didn't know.

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