These voices won't let you leave

Destruction found happiness with Deviant, a sense of self she thought lost, and a kindled light in her heart. She once more found a reason and will to live. The female carried herself, limp and all, with pride. Older, but not down. The vacation spot too was doing wonders. She missed Bane and Tahlia's family, her godchildren, but getting her mind right had been an important step. If she stopped living for herself foremost then how was she to take care of anyone else? How was she to be a good friend? A good parent?

The thought lingered, perhaps forbidden, but Destruction was named such, no? She longed for her happiness, her family. Children to run around and play at her feet. But she longed not just for that, but for things from her past as well. No, not just things. Other wolves. There were those who were not here that should have been. Bane. Tahlia. Even Arian crossed her mind time and time again. Loccian... Even Aidan came, unbidden, a time or two. So many lost days, lost love, lost friends. Time just marched on, whether you were prepared to move or not.

Destruction had finally accepted change occurred in life. It had taken her years, the majority of her existence to accept. But even still, nothing could prepare her for some of the changes life thrown at her. When she caught Arian's scent it stirred mixed feelings. It had been so long since she saw her last, and last it was after she had been maimed. She looked happy though, an alpha, a leader, as Des had once been in her own right.

But what Destruction would come to find when she approached from Arian's right side was not the proud leader she had seemed.

Des stopped dead in her tracks.

Arian looked broken. Defeated. A leaf ready to be blown away in the wind. Something had happened. She even bore freshly treated wounds. Destruction would slowly close her gaping mouth, taking a slow, dragging step forward as the words left her lips in a whine.

"Arian, gods above... Oh Arian..." The single eyed woman closed the distance between them, gently reaching out with her muzzle to touch the girl's cheek. "What happened to you?" This couldn't be happening again. This poor girl was so young, yet broken so much. Where was the justice in this world? Why couldn't she get a break? Destruction felt her heart clench in her chest, fit to break with each beat it gave.