Lamentis stumbled as she was pushed effortlessly, crashing into Mara. She yipped angrily, jumping back up to look after Frost. Her stubby tail lashed in worry for her newfound friend.

Karma felt something large land on her back, claws digging into her fur. She let out a roar, twisting around and spotting Frost again. Anger flowed through her veins.

"You bastard! Get off me," she snarled, pushing herself off of her brother and mother, focusing her attention on Frost once more. She bucked, trying to shake him off and snapping at him from over her shoulder.

The feline was caught off guard, and was knocked to the ground. Frost scrambled back to his paws, jumping away from Karma.

Mara pulled the puppy back close. "You dont need to get hurt,"

( HAHA YOU THOUGHT I FORGOT >:D)

Lamentis whimpered, not trying to run away again, and leaned closer to Mara. She was too young to see so much violence.

Karma slammed her head towards the ground just before Frost jumped off, and the excess energy from his jump caused her to crack her head against a stone. She fell, her body limp, a trickle of blood flowing from her forehead. Whisp, so focused on fighting off his mother, didn't notice his fallen sister. Hackles raised, he charged at Truth again, lunging for her throat. At the last moment, Truth dodged, causing him to slam into a tree. He stumbled, the wind knocked out of him, and Truth pounced, landing on top of his chest and pinning him down.

Whisp snapped at Frost, but Truth quickly pinned his head down. "That's enough, child," Truth growled, leaning close to his face. All he could do was narrow his eyes at her.

Iris, Truth's parakeet, appeared. Heavy pawsteps could be heard behind her, and as she swooped to land on Truth's shoulder, a small group of wolves emerged, chests heaving.

The closest and the head wolf was Blossom, her vine tendrils curling and waving about. Butterscotch was close behind, his corn snake curled around his antlers, flicking its tongue in annoyance.

The third wolf was a newer addition, his young frame trembling in excitement. Hovering just over his head was a wispy cloud, with sparkling droplets visible inside.

The fourth wolf was Fawn, her expression terrified and curious and sad all at the same time. Adina was perched on her shoulder, and when Whisp spotted her, he whined. However, the dove just looked away, clicking her beak in disappointment.

The final wolf was significantly older. Leopard markings covered his pelt, and his eyes glowed a demonic red. Yet, his expression was kind, if not a bit anxious.

"M'lady," the elder panted, his strange eyes flicking over to Truth. She smiles at him; the two were great friends. "Hello again, Hades. Good to see you again," she said, now ignoring her son. Whisp tried to wriggle out of her grasp, but she pushed down harder, and he whimpered.

"Karma knocked herself out," she said, flicking her tail in the direction of her daughter. A small pool of blood was now forming around her head. Fawn trotted close to the female, and as she bent closer to examine Karma's head injury, she noticed Lamentis and Mara. She gave them a soft smile, before pressing her antlers to the injury. It healed, slowly but surely, and eventually was completely closed. Karma remained unconscious, however, as Fawn's magic only affected wounds of the flesh.

Blossom stepped forward to Truth and Whisp, and her vines snaked around Whisp's body, ensnaring him tightly. Another set of vines shut his muzzle, so he couldn't speak. He protested in growls and whimpers, but he couldn't talk. She snapped the vines in half, and they remained tightly wound around Whisp.

More vines grew from Blossom's back, picking Karma up. Gently, she placed her on Butterscotch's back, who trembled under her weight, but remained standing. Blossom ordered Fawn to walk with Butterscotch, and Hades to stay with herself. The alpha and healer made their way back to the pack, and Blossom turned her glowing pinpricks to Whisp.

"I hope you will not punish him too much," she said calmly. She glanced at Frost. "And I assume he's taken care of as well?"

Truth nodded. "Yes, Frost is alright. I will keep my eyes on him, don't worry. In the meanwhile, would you mind taking Mara and Lamentis back to the pack?" she said, tilting her head to the small pile. Lamentis shook her head violently, before looking at Frost with a longing expression.

Frost jumped, half-heartedly swatting at Whisp. He dwindled back to the side of the tree as the wolves came through the brush, more than likely to stay out of reach. He was still rather clandestine, maybe something else was being hidden beneath it all.

Mara softly nudges Lamentis towards the pack after stretching. Two ripped ears flicked to Frost then the wolves that spoke. Something too exciting, so she bent down to the pups level. "Frost? He has fleas, and they're going to get you if you dont run along!" Mara purred, trying to sound afraid. It oddly came naturally for her, so all her hopes were set on getting Lamentis away from Frost.

She didnt want that day to repeat itself.

Being the survivor was hard enough.

Frost glanced at Mara. His fur brushed out and he jumped backwards when Blossom stepped forwards. It wasnt fear, he was just startled as everything else was so still.

Mara stood so the puppy hopefully couldn't see Frost.

Blossom glanced around at the ragtag bunch, and her eyes landed on Mara. She was very obviously shielding Lamentis from Frost, despite the pup's obvious attachment to the older feline.

"Very well. I expect to see you in a few days' time," she said, turning and picking Whisp up with her tendrils. He thrashed in the air but slumped in defeat. Placing him on her back, she glanced back at Truth, giving her a wink. "After all, it is close to Lamentis's birthday. I doubt you or Frost would want to miss it."

She flicked her tail, turning to walk towards the pack. Hades approached Mara and Lamentis, crouching low. His voice was shaky, but not from fear, rather old age. "Come now, children."

Frost slipped away into the brush, piecing eyes watching from the dark. As mysteriously as he appeared, the feline slipped away, leaving nothing behind. Noticing he couldnt hear them anymore, Frost followed the path back to the city, where he sat under a bench and waited. For them to return.

Mara was relieved when Frost left, but she still jumped at any small movement or noise. "Run along, pup." She gently pushed the pup towards the older wolf. Her hectocromatic eyes blinked softly, a swift dip of the head signaling for her to go find Frost.

For the final battle.

Lamentis flinched hard as Hades approached and she was nudged towards him. She looked back at Mara and whimpered. Hades gripped the scruff of her neck, and she allowed him to pick her up.

He padded away without another word, following after Blossom. Truth watched him leave, before looking back at Mara.

"Well?" she said, giving just the hint of a smile. "Shall we?"