Bend my ear

His ice blue eyes studied her, even in their stark chill he was a warm presence. She nodded and yet something was intensely weighing on her still. She struggled with the idea of starting new, the pain of losing her son, her father, their safety, and her recent trauma's were all sunk into her bones like a slick black oil that refused to be let go. He knew the type, her mother and Haydee were all cut from the same cloth, holding on to transgressions as if it was their lifeline.

Her words shifted to the fate of her mother, Ballamy. He nodded sagely, he had not forgotten.

He looked down the corridor as he heard of her worries about Bae-Syl taking his pound of flesh when he was enraged. He could see the hearty warrior doing as much, his vigilante mission was a testament to his tenacity and chaotic nature.

He tilted his head back to her, his eyes searching through the anxieties into what she was truly clinging to, what path was it that she needed to open herself to in order to stand up from her grief? He brought his breath into his core and let the wind take what it was he couldn't control in this instance. Her reactions, her hopes, and the path that she faced.

"I hear you." He rumbled soothingly, "If I could see into the future for you I would. As it is, I cannot, and I cannot lead on the basis of what-ifs. We will be raided on occasion, We will have enemies. We will have trespassers and attacks on our borders regardless of our peaceful natures. That does not mean we will lie down and take it. To establish our peace we must establish our strength to defend it. Our guests of Norad know that intimately. We must fight for our peace. And if that means we take our pound of flesh after we have tried other means then so be it. My focus is peace in our pack. Peace for what is ours. Maims as a last resort, death is righteous in the face of our survival." His baritone voice had grown passionate and his eyes hard as he glanced away from her. But as he finished he looked somewhat taken aback by his own ferocity, but he knew he meant every word.

"This is a land of blood and bones and if I dare to place myself as a pinnacle of peace, I will have to fight for it." He turned to Lucette, determination aflame in his cold eyes. But his demeanor softened, not wishing to scare her.

"I will, of course, wish for you and Bae-Syl to remain with Haydee and I. But if you both wish to be released from these pack obligations I will not hold it against you, and you both will always be welcome back. Know, though, that I cannot protect you if you do not intend to be a member, and you will not be able to speak for this pack once released. Those within these borders are under my protection, and those who devote themselves to the strength and well-being of the pack are under my protection. We cannot save the world Lucette." He had landed on these shores with the belief that he could. He knew now, he could barely save what was in front of him.

"Speaking of Haydee..." He started, knowing he was about to tread on sensitive ground.

"Now, know that I tell you this not for you to rush off to her side, but hear me out first. She has been given excellent care and I wish for you to see her as soon as we are done here. She grew severely sick, more so than the darkness that haunts her and your mother. Lia, an accomplished and knowledgeable healer has just been welcomed into the pack and I had her treat Haydee. And the girl Alexa watches over her when I cannot. She is recovering and would very much enjoy seeing you again." He finished with a measured tone.

"Speech!"