god reduced to a thousand-yard stare (MEETING)

Iroh wasn’t blind, and didn’t miss the way Pyrrhic looked less sure of himself than ever before. Sarabi seemed tense as well, and though Iroh hadn’t expected the news of Malleus passing he knew there wouldn’t be pleasant words. Dark ears fell to his skull, but his eyes didn’t leave Risen’s heir as he told them what happened to their alpha. The last bit wasn’t expected at all. How could Pyrrhic think he wasn’t strong enough?

Iroh stood defiantly and moved himself closer to his mentor, and what he considered his now alpha. Benkos wouldn’t have chosen him if he wasn’t sure of the Heir’s strength. Malleus wouldn’t have named him his heir. ”I’ll follow you pack or no, Pyrrhic.” He told his cousin, his words confident as he stood tall beside the wolf he’d looked up to his whole childhood. He was young, and didn’t know how much sway he held in the eyes of his mentor or the rest of the wolves gathered. ”You’re strong, like Benkos.” Iroh added as Sarabi nodded her agreement at the invocation of her husband’s name.