Outside perspectives

Asla listened as Briar began telling her of Artorias coming to visit and bring supplies. Her sister then began bringing up her concerns as to his behavior. The smaller woman continued to listen, absorbing the information. First Art had mentioned a new pack. The leader had a harem of women. Asla already knew of this pack, though she hadn't known that the man had a whole harem of women. "That would be Chimera. He's the brother to Venom, the Empress of Ashen." Since Ashen and the Armada were allied, it hadn't been a secret that the brute had split off on his own.

What was really bothering Briar came out next. Apparently meeting the man had brought some of Art's baser urges to light and he had chosen to share them with Briar. Well, she supposed that the honesty was a good thing. At least he'd cared enough to tell Briar about these urges. As her sister spoke, Asla blinked her swirling purple eyes in slight surprise. Lusting after a slave girl was one thing, but he admitted to lusting after his sister? Interesting. Asla watched more closely, searching Briar's face to see if she could discern just how the antlered girl felt about that particular bit of information.

Uncertainty filled Briar as she told Asla what her decision had been. She'd agreed to allow Art to sleep with other women as long as he told her who and as long as Briar remained the most important. She then asked Asla's opinion on the whole matter. The striped fae had remained silent through the whole explanation, but sighed as Briar met her gaze. This was a tough one. Asla accepted everything that Art wanted and everything that he felt, but not many other wolves would be as understanding. After collecting her thoughts for a few moments, she began to speak.

"It was good that he trusts you enough to share his feelings with you. It's not an easy thing to do. It was even better than he told you before he acted on those urges." She'd have to give the boy a pat on the head for caring enough about his sister to share his warring thoughts and insecurities. With a sigh, Asla continued to speak. "I'm going to tell you something that can never leave this den. A secret that I keep, but because you're my sister and I trust you, I'm going to let you know." There was no shame in Aslatiel for the affection and love that she felt for Indigo, she simply kept silent to keep the peace. "I have been in love with Indigo since we were pups. Hell, since before we were born if I could remember back that far. We've been sleeping together for the past year. Or at least we were." The woman's brow furrowed for a moment and she gave her head a shake. "My point is that this isn't as foreign a concept as you might think. Emotional connections are heightened in families. I just don't want you to feel strange about him after hearing that he's attracted to his sister."

Asla took a deep breath, collected her thoughts, raised her brows and continued speaking. "As for wanting multiple partners... that's not a foreign concept either. Briar, I have two lovers within the Armada. I have two lovers stashed out in the Soulless Forest. I had Indigo, and I've had others. Some wolves just aren't meant for one partner. I personally couldn't be happy with just one wolf for the rest of my life. It would feel like I was denying who I am." The cream and grey fae canted her head slightly. "That being said... You need to do what makes you happy. If knowing that he is sleeping with other women truly bothers you, then don't accept it. Don't forego your own happiness just so that you can stay with him. Yes, you love him, but in the end, your happiness, or lack thereof, might destroy that love." Asla's brows pulled together again and she searched her sister's sweet face. "Do you understand?" She didn't want to keep going until she was sure that Briar was caught up.

"Aslatiel"