Black Holes and Revelations

Eyes danced over the girl, not bothering to hide the fact that she was scrutinizing her. Slowly she found herself adapting to her new position; when she gazed at the girl, she silently judged whether she could be a valuable member to Valhalla. Yes, even though she was due to give birth within the next few weeks, she surely would make a splendid addition to the pack..

As she opened her mouth to speak, all her hopes were destroyed instantaneously. A slow inhalation of her scent told her that something was familiar about it -- quickly she deduced that she was of Tortuga, the pack to the northeast. Ears swiveled above her skull, taking in the stranger's words as she rose to all fours respectfully. Her eyes glimmered with pain as she explained that she was indeed from Tortuga, though came independently. She had an accent, which intrigued Epiphron slightly. Her next words, though, made her breath catch in her throat. Her brows furrowed a bit. Neo was her mate.. this was the bitch that had helped the boy betray his family? Had she brainwashed him? No, his changes had begun to occur before he'd abandoned Valhalla. And she carried his children. Eyes bore into her own, though were still void of emotion.

"And why you love him, I myself wonder," she cut in abruptly, her tones cool and distanced. But the woman continued on, saying she wanted to see Neo, to tell him. She was not asking, but nearly begging. Slowly Epiphron lowered herself to recline on her haunches, gaze never leaving Luce. "So what's your name? And why should I give Neo the privilege of seeing you?" To Epiphron, Luce's request wasn't something she would normally deny, but the thought of owing Neo such a pleasure didn't settle pleasantly in her mind. "As far as I am concerned, Neo has forfeited his rights to be treated like anything more than a slave in this pack. He not only betrayed his pack, but also his family, the very creatures that rescued him; protected him, raised him, loved him." Her gaze was unwavering, no indication given that she was of this 'family.' Even as the woman began to cry, she stood silently and steadily. She was not heartless; seeing this stranger's tears begin to spill wasn't pleasant, but she too was wracked with emotion, though she held them back expertly. Neo's betrayal was truly painful to her, and it hurt to treat him as nothing better than a slave.