Light a Fire in Your Souls [Pack Meeting/Raid Meeting!]

Cai watched as the pack filed in, giving each face that arrived a smile or grin, though in his chest there were butterflies at what he knew Aurielle would be announcing today. Not just the raid, but his promotion. He’d made it. Before the age of four, no less. His eyes found Caelia, and he sought a long look in them.

There were several faces he’d yet to meet directly, Elizabeth among them. He glanced over her, seeing some of the family similarities in her, but definitely more of the gentleness of Viviane, who, he noted, looked sad—and he knew when she was actually happy. He’d been working a lot, and he made a note to himself that he’d drag her off to have some sibling time soon after the meeting.

His sisters were the only siblings that remained in Valhalla. Artur’s surly, coldly discontented presence was notably absent… A part of him was relieved, and the other, ashamed at the feeling.

As the last wolves trickled in, he scanned the gathering as well, noting the missing faces. Aurielle waited, but then, she began speaking. He listened, grinning as she recounted the good news, and then felt his features fall as she was forced to address the bad.

He hadn’t met her mother, or her brother, though he’d known their loss and absence was a wound on her heart. He’d heard the story before. But next was Nolan’s announcement, and his eyes sought Caelia again, knowing she’d begun to found a friendship with Nolan. She’d certainly been more distant since the news.

He was glad for the brief moment of silence Aurielle gave the pack—he’d had to bite back the cry that wanted to keen from his jaws. Why was it so much easier to say goodbye to mother? Was it because they’d at least known it was coming?

He closed his eyes hard, then opened them again as Aurielle spoke once more, though his heart was still raw.

He smiled at the wolves Aurielle named that had joined and stayed with them, mouthing ‘Welcome’ to them with a grin, then looked up as Aurielle singled him out to come up beside her. Oh gods, here it came.

He bounded to the top of the boulder and took a seat beside the glowing, brilliantly white Spirit, nerves, pride and abject terror banging around in his chest, though he sat straight and tall on the stone, listening as Aurielle commended him and spoke of his dedication. His eyes snuck to Justice, wondering if she’d accept the change of rank or be annoyed as hell. He knew Aurielle had discussed it with the woman long before now, but still.

He gazed at the faces, noting that Amory and Lee had slipped in, and listened to the lengthy, detailed announcements of new Circles, planned Circles, as well as what amounted to the daily news for the past year and some that had been missed. Maybe there’d be something in there for everyone to enjoy working on in those new Circles.

He straightened, ears perking, head cocking slightly to watch the Spirit as she turned the pack’s attention to the plans to raid Aerie. He glanced to the pack, wondering how they’d take the news before Aurielle continued the announcement.

At her query to the pack at large, he knew he needed to get a few official things out there, that lined up directly with his duties as Sentinel, and he hummed, wondering if he should let the pack ask their own questions if any, but Aurielle heard him and locked onto him as she stepped aside to give him the stand.

He paused slightly, gathered his thoughts, and stepped forward. Just a few simple announcements, that was it. Think of it as planning a hunt.

He cleared his throat, then called out, “I’d like to make it known that I will be calling a gathering for the pack to take up shifts of patrol and sentry duty. Listen for me tomorrow, as I’ll be calling you here for sign ups. You aren’t absolutely required to take on any duties, but I’d be happy to see you here. I will also be making the rounds and testing each of your fighting levels, as Justice did in her term, so be aware of that.”

His eyes tracked over the hunters of the pack as he added, “I’d also like to plan a few bison and moose hunts. This winter has been colder than normal, and our stocks could use replenishing. Thank you.”

He glanced to Aurielle with a nod and stepped back, taking a seat once more, to the side and slightly behind, his piece said, though he was wondering internally of there was anything else he should have said.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think