Show me how to be whole again

The shocking murders of Deimos and Ikigai had sent a shockwave through Elysium that uprooted the pack's very foundation. With the alpha couple deceased and his own parents refusing to take up the mantle of leadership, the future of the Mendacium family looked bleak and uncertain. It infuriated Daemon to no end to see his own parents, the rightful rulers of the pack, refuse their birthright because of what? Because they were still too sad over his brother's death. It was pathetic. Daemon had loved his brother, sure, but Thyrus had been half-dead from birth. He was a weak link in their family's bloodline. He would not cry over the weak being winnowed if they were unfit to survive. And now his brother was fucking things up even more by crippling his parents' ability to take charge. Infuriating!

Whether it was his raging hormones or the sudden spike of aggression and hostility Daemon had discovered in his adolescence, the whole situation had the Mendacium brute restless and agitated. He couldn't bare to stay around his family's den with his parents sulking and everything going to shit around him. So he didn't. Daemon left the family den just after supper and trudged out into the cool autumn evening, going nowhere in particular. His wandering paws brought him around the coast of the island, then across to the mainland, just walking to clear his head and even his temper out.

Amidst his wandering, Daemon began to pass by the Firefly Lake, watching as the last of the summer fireflies danced like little stars over the water's dark surface. It was quite a sight to be sure—but the even greater sight to behold was the wolf he spied across the lake thanks to his sharper vision. Lying on a cushion on the lake's shore, dressed in one of her family's kimonos, was Darika. She seemed to be alone, and a quick sniff of the air confirmed she was the only one out here. For a long while, Daemon slowly walked along the edge of the lake, clinging to the darkness where his dark coat would conceal him, watching Darika. His eyes roved over her, taking her in. She had hit adolescence too; no longer the chubby puppy he would bully, but a young woman. Long legs, subtle curves he could just make out beneath her flowing gown, a lean and slender form... Daemon's face marking began to glow a little brighter as his heart rate picked up, feeling those urges starting to bubble up inside him again.

Tamping them down, Daemon made his way leisurely around the lake until he could approach Darika from behind, wondering if she'd noticed his glow or if he'd been camouflaged amongst the fireflies. His paws crunched on the pebbly shore, announcing his presence to her. When she turned to face him, Dae offered her a half-hearted smile. "Y'know sulking isn't very becoming of a princess," he greeted her with a touch of teasing, though it was evident from his tone that his heart wasn't fully in it. "You look a little lonely out here. Want some company?" Daemon wasn't exactly the emotional type, but he knew losing both your parents in one go was tough. If she wanted someone she could bitch and vent to, he could be it. Or she might want to be left alone. The ball was in her court now.

"Daemon Mendacium"