Jupitersmoke fought to keep the fur on her hackles flat as her father motioned with his tail at the edge of the territory. "We have not crossed, therefore we have every right to be here." He began, his deep voice rumbling in his throat like distant thunder. His fur, which was an exact copy of her sisters, was rippling with the muscles underneath the skin as he turned his head towards Snowclaw, a large white and black spotted female.

She dipped her head and the warriors rose and grabbed the prey from behind the bushes. "I've come to offer a trade, if you are willing. It is a one time offer before things grow ugly. And believe me, you do not want that to happen." The warriors all laid their catches along the boundary, just a tail length inside their territory. Dappleheart also stepped forward, her small frame a stark contrast to the large and powerful warriors that stood next to her. She laid the herbs at her feet before taking a step back, her eyes held no sign of nervousness. She actually seemed to be enjoying herself somewhat.

"You can bring her back and take these as a peace offering, or you can choose to fight. Regardless, Cinderstep will be coming home with us." Glassstar continued, his voice cool and collected, despite the fire shining in his green eyes.

The large grey male would nod and take off after Eros.

They group would stand in about 5 minutes of silence before four pairs of eyes showed up, as well as two more pairs as Branam was used as bait practically, standing in front of Cinder. He attempted to look big and bad like the rest of his fellow colleagues, though he knew he was failing.

Fantasia stepped forward, her teats still swollen even though she couldn't feed anything she'd have too wait for them to dry up on their own. Looking at the pack, she looked over at Cinder before back at her clan.

Eros would soon come up on the side of his pack members, Ashla and Laia bringing up the rear.

Branam was sad, knowing either way he was going to lose Cinderstep. Though, he wasn't sure why he cared so much, he knew it wouldn't of lasted forever anyway. Looking back at her, he frowned with saddened eyes before he looked back at his packmates.

Jakop would look at his mate, looking for some sort of guidance from her.

Fantasia would sigh before looking at the group with pain and exhaustion filled orbs. "We've already lost so much.. there is no need for anymore death for our pack.. You may take your member and go back peacefully.. Take your peace offerings with you.." She spoke softly yet loudly enough for the clan members to hear them. Jakop didn't seem too happy about it but would follow along with his queens words.

Branam would lower his audits at the wordsand step aside, "Goodbye.. Cinderstep.." He whispered too her.

Cinderstep was woken from where she lay in the den, her tail resting on top of Branam's lower back, by a male sticking his head in. The news that her Clan was at the border waiting for her sent a thrill of excitement through her. But when she looked at Branam's eyes she felt something inside her die. Confused at the emotion she shook her head and stood, stretching her legs and following Eros out of the camp with several other wolves, including Fantasia.

The Queen's nipples were swollen and waxed with milk that would never be fed on and Cinderstep felt that same gut punching grief that she carried with her always. She followed the pack wordlessly towards the border. She listened to Fantasia's words. She stared at her fathers releived eyes, at Jupitersmoke's excited face. The wolves parted to let her pass. She turned towards Branam, watched the male lower his ears in sadness as he said goodbye.

But she wasn't ready for that yet. "No." She said, her voice ringing clearly through the trees. She didn't realize she had made the decision until she spoke. "Not yet." She turned to look at her Clan, seeing the despair and confusion on her father and sisters face. The shock in her Clanmates fur as they bristled with surprise.

She moved to stand between the two packs, looking back and forth between them. "I was on your territory intending to hunt and kill freshkill that belonged to you. For that I need to pay the price. The least I could do is help your pack for a period of time to pay back that debt." She turned towards her father.

"And I believe this pack could benefit from having a Clan wolf stay with them for a while. Not to change their ways, but to open their eyes to our way of living. To show them the other side of the boundary line. But most of all, I think they could use my help. I know some things they might not know. I can help them."

"Cinderstep, your punishment could be carried out here. Among your pack. What makes you think they want your help." Glassstar asked, his voice rough with frustrated emotion.

"The code of the Clan is to help those who need it, even if they don't want to ask." Cinderstep argued. She then turned to Fantasia, her voice lowering so that only she and Jakop could hear her. "I understand what you are going through. Probably more than any other wolf here. I can help. I can lend support that the other she-wolves might not be able to give. I know of herbs that can dry your milk so that you aren't constantly assaulted with the grief when you feel the need to nurse. I know of coping mechanisms, ones I had to figure out on my own. If you will have me, I will help you."

She turned towards all the wolves then. "I propose that I stay with this pack for the next two moons. With the freedom to visit my Clanmates every half moon to let them know how I am doing. If you do not find this acceptable, then I will go home. But I insist you take the prey and herbs my leader has brought to you."

Hearing Cindersteps words, Branam perked up a bit, his tail beginning to wag until he heard Ashla snarl at him for being so happy. Looking over at her, he sighed and backed up a few paces.

"Go back to camp, Omega.." Ashla told him in a harsh toned whisper before cutting him off.

Branam would go around Ashla, knowing she wouldn't do anything with the alphas around. It was then saw Cinder talking to his King and Queen. Flicking his tail, he smiled a little at the look in Fantasias eyes.

The queen had a gentle gaze in her orbs as she looked at the other female. Her heart shattering all over again as tears welled into her eyes. "I.." She couldn't even speak, looking to Jakop, she just sighed and looked at her paws.

The dark male sighed and nodded, "If your pack promises to not cross unless I give the okay.. I do not care.." He stated.

Cinderstep was overwhelmed with relief as Jakop nodded, giving his permission. She turned to look at her father, the raw despair in his eyes tugging at her heart. She moved towards him, her nose brushing against his. "I promise, I will see you at half-moon." A tongue rasped along her cheek as her sister stepped forward. "Please, let me do this."

Glassstar sighed and dipped his head. "I trust you Cinderstep. And I am proud of you." He looked across the border at Jakop and Fantasia. "My Clan promises to not cross your border for any reason without your permission. Take care of her please." He added to them softly, his tail flicking. The Clan wolves all grabbed their prey, Dappleheart picking up her herbs, and they all layed them at the other side of the boundary line before they made a slow retreat.

Glassstar and Jupitersmoke stopped at the end of the group, turning to look at her. She gave them a small smile before they turned and left. Cindersteps heart ached as she watched them leave but she knew she was doing the right thing. "Thank you." She said to the two leaders, her head bowing gracefully towards the earth. "I promise, you won't regret this choice."

Flicking her tail about, Fantasia sighed, "Thank you.. Uh..."

"Cinderstep.. Is her name.." Branam spoke up, his eyes trained on the clan member.

Jakop looked back at Branam "You- You knew her name? You asked for it? You know the rules Branam!" The large male snapped at the Omega. "Take him back too camp." He stated to Ashla and Laia, "You know how to punish his ways." Jakop sighed before turning back toward Cinderstep.

Ashla and Laia grinned, harshly nudging the omega back towards den.

Branam would go willingly, not wanting to get hurt more than he already was.

"He didn't ask for my name. I told it to him. He didn't speak a word to me other than to tell me where to sleep and when Fantasia came into the den last night to check on the new pups." Cinderstep's voice was calm despite the surge of adrenaline that rushed through her veins. "I'm talkative, especially when frustrated like I was last night."

She kept her gaze on Branam's hoping that her words would at least ease the tension. "He's been perfectly aloof towards me since I arrived. I swear that by my Clan's name and the stars our Ancestors walk amongst."

"He doesn't need it.. That omega may be weak minded.. but he sure as hell doesn't know how too die.." He growled lowly.

Spirit just nodded and turned to take the herbs too the medic den, where she separated them and then trotted back out and over too her mate, Guardian who had their share of their meal for them already.

The camp was now quiet, leaving Fantasia laying on the small ledge outside of hers and Jakopas den whilst the big male went to rest.

Cindersteps belly tightened as they entered the camp, the sound of Branam's yelps were like ice cold claws digging into her belly and heart, filling her blood. She shook her head and turned to look at Jakop with what she hoped was a wry smile. "No thank you, I have no interest in taking a mate any time soon." It was a half truth. The whole of it was that she was not ready for that sort of emotional investment. A mate brought pups, and she was terrified of losing another litter.

She turned to look around the camp, finding Fantasia laying on the small ledge outside her den. She moved slowly towards her, dipping her head in a respectful greeting. "I meant what I said your majesty. If you ever want to talk about it, I am willing to try and help you."