Autumn had arrived, carpeting the pack clearing with shades of red, orange and yellow. It was a most beautiful season. And to think, it had been almost a year since her arrival on the borders. She felt she should celebrate the event somehow. Perhaps return to the little alcove on the cliffs. Or to the special meadow her first ever friend had shared with her. Or to the maple groves where her new life began. The same place where she accepted her first traveller. At times she did miss her family. Her two younger brothers and her parents. The other pack members whom had educated her in the short time she had spent there. Although if they saw her now she wondered if they might recognise her. She would have been preparing to step up as Alphess. Her mother would have insisted she find a mate and have pups by the end of spring. Her father would have told her she didn't need to listen to her mother. She smiled at the thought.

There were others too. Their Elite, Koda. When she saw Helidos' old Elite Kenai she was reminded of him. Koda took on a lot of her training as a warrior and he was good to her. Or their Caretaker Mona; a sweet old thing who just loved to care for the pups. She refused to pass into the rank of Elder and swore to work until the day she died. But that life was lost to her. It was far too difficult to return to their lands in the north. Where it snowed nine months of the year. The mountain pass was the only way in. Some might have called it dangerous, but they lived well in their Lands. Instead she focused on the present.

Nnlya thought of each person she had met in the past year. Marrok who accepted her. Fel, whom she had had a rocky start but had become at the very least civil acquaintances. Eclipse, her adoptive brother and closest friend. Ace, her hunting partner. Drogo, her first love ripped from here she had not heard from him since the accident. It pained her to be so in the dark. There were Yiska and Altair, the first two she helped train. Aurora, Crystal and Shadow. She hadn't known Aurora well, but her Exile had saddened her. The pups: Lucas, Ryland, Apollo and Maia. So many had entered her life and made their mark.

But then came the first whose life she really felt she had entered and altered. Jackle. He was her first border acceptance. A sweet gentlewolf. Honourable. Kind. She had made him a healer and she couldn't imagine his soft personality being suited to any other position. She couldn't imagine his fangs bared in lethal disgust. Nor his hackles raised in anger. There was no way she could imagine him hunting for sport. His pure white fire could never be tainted. He had this innocence about him, though he was a grown brute. She thought about the male, wanted to see how he was settling. It felt only right. And so she travelled to the Healers den in search of the white knight. Her nose lowered to the ground in search of his gentle scent. She called for him with a soft voice, "Jackle? Are you there?"

A voice answered her call with his thick accent. It made her smile. The two came from such opposing ends of the lands. Eerily enough their fur colours were swapped. He held the typical snowy pelt of the north whilst she held the charcoal, coffee and cream that might be found further south. It was strange and amusing all at once, only a tidbit of thought, but one that interested her to some degree. But she was expecting him to emerge at any moment. The fae straightened her posture and allowed a sweet smile to grace her features. It was not long before the knight followed his voice through the entrance of the den. His body was tall and proud, standing the same height, if not slightly taller than her. The far more heavyset body was quite well built for a fighter, begging the question of how his pack hadn't requested he train as a fighter. Had he been born a runt? Was he uncoordinated? No, healers paws were delicate and nimble. It puzzled her. Though perhaps she might learn the answers to these questions in good time.

He immediately inquired as to her health, the sign of a good healer. Her eyes instantly shot to the ground as her head shook, still beaming. The watery orbs returned to his fiery ones. For a moment it reminded her of the first time she truly looked into Drogo's eyes. All she had seen there was strength and firm determination. They were hard but warm, like a wall of fire held back only by his corneas. They captivated her. With Jackle it was different. His eyes were softer, like molten lava, constantly shifting and glowing. They were warmer and more inviting, gentle and caring. She made her eyes travel away from his and look at his muzzle instead then back to break her intense focus. She cleared her throat. "No, no. I'm fine. I just thought I'd come see how you've been settling in. and maybe if you'd like to join me for a walk?" Nnlya enjoyed making new friends wherever they might be found. Jackle felt like someone she could be close to and confide in. He was easygoing and level headed. He didn't seem overly protective like Drogo, or brotherly like Eclipse. Not that she minded either, but she needed a happy medium. Someone who would just listen sometimes. Maybe give the occasional snippet of advice. But never judge. But would he judge? She had not had the guts to tell Eclipse. Drogo had angered quickly, but also sworn to protect her. Then he had left. What of this one?

He stood easily and waited her accompaniment, which she took in stride. One graceful movement saw her rise, turn and pad off into the trees, nudging the male with her hips as she passed. Her steps were quick and light, the product of her years of training as a warrior. Each step was distinct from the next, yet her limbs moved together perfectly. "Of course I care. Why wouldn't I?" The question was friendly and rhetorical. The male would of course follow quickly, she trusted in that. And gentle and careful as he was, he couldn't hide everything. She sensed unease in the male. Something was bothering him that he hadn't mentioned. It was serious enough that his careful healers facade had slipped. Ah, the healers facade, she thought, the artistry of a calm demeanour in the face of overwhelming adversity. The ability to tell a sick person the worst news and still maintain a positive aura. To be emotionless whilst treating the most horrific injuries. They were truly heroes.

Every role played in the pack was important, but the importance of some were often overlooked. Even Nnlya was guilty of this. Sometimes it was easy to forget just how important Healers, Caretakers and even Omega's were. Apprentices were the future. Healers the light in the dark. Caretakers the one who educated. Hunters who worked to the bone to feed the whole family. Warriors who trained and fought every day to ensure the safety of them all. Some were obvious and some took a little thought. It was little moments that could spark these thoughts. But, more often than not, it would take something major for people to realise their importance. Some even lived their entire lives without ever being fully appreciated for their work. It was only in their death that wolves could come to express just how much they meant to the pack.

She turned to the brute, attempting to keep the sadness and pity from her eyes. "Jackle, is there something bothering you? You don't seem entirely yourself. Is it something you wish to discuss? I would understand if you did not, we all have our burdens to bear that are purely our own." She watched him as they walked. Nnlya knew all too well about burdens. Indeed she had her share and very few had been graced with their details. Fewer still knew the entire story. It was understandable if he chose to brush aside her question, some things one did not disclose. On her own occasions, disclosure had been careful and discreet. First, to her border accepter, he required knowledge of her past - or as much as she chose to tell. Second was to her closest friend, he asked and she answered. Third was to her missing beloved. He knew it all and he had left. Strong as she was it hurt her that he was gone. It made her afraid to be so open with anyone again. But a fighter would never cry, she would never allow anyone to see it. Not even this gentle soul beside her.

Their fur mingled as they walked. Amicable silence passed between them for just moments before his gentle voice rose up once more. The worry and upset clear in his voice. Oh what could it be that bother him so? But it was not long to wait before the truth was revealed. His words came soft and pained from creamy lips. They paused their conversation for a few moments and they descended decline. Pieces of rock and shale went sliding from beneath her, racing downhill, tumbling until their momentum was lost. At the base came a vast disarray of boulders and rocks. A childish part of her wished to leap upon the lofty heights of solid boulders and travel across their surfaces. But the logical part restrained her and reminded her she was in the company of another. Her attention returned to his speech. His troubles buried far deeper than what she had imagined. He seemed to be settling in well that she could tell. Well enough that he was privy to some of the harshest information a healer could know.

The news of sweet Creek was indeed shocking. Enough to make her gasp. Her first thought was of pity to the poor Healer. But chasing after this was the thought of those she would leave behind. Her loving mate, Eclipse, and her dear children. The Delta would not seek out the white female, it would be rude to assume that she had any right to this information. She understood Jackles choice to tell her, as his superior, but she almost wished he hadn't. Nonetheless, motherly instinct resolved her to take upon the children as her own. They were already her niece and nephew in thought. She would take it upon herself to ensure their safety and happiness. And poor Eclipse would need her more than ever. To have lost the one he loves. She could only hope he would not embrace a darker part of himself that she knew lurked beneath the surface.

But yet another thought slipped its way into her mind. How was Jackle dealing with all of this? There was no time for her question to be asked, for the medic introduced a new topic for their discussion. It was true she felt an intense friendship growing between them. Perhaps they should explore this relationship further and become greater friends. Should she vocalise her feelings? She was not one to lie. She stepped forward to where he had stopped and stared ahead. Tossing her great wolfs head over his shoulders she gave him an approximation of a hug. Back up a few steps to look in his dark eyes before speech broke the silence. "Oh, Jackle, if only there were something I could do to help." She took a breath before saying one small thing. "I feel we would make good friends Jackle. You have a softness that is hard to come by these days.

The Delta was kind, perceptive and many other things besides. But in matters of the heart she was as ever naive. There was no spotting his disheartened withdrawal, nor the true affection behind his nuzzle. She was the friendly, affectionate sort and a hug here, a nuzzle there was all too natural to her. It was not a common occurrence for a male to chase after the Delta. At least in a sense that they would be mates as equals. Brought together in love not... other things. And almost ironically, the Healer wished to know of her. To know about her. The question was a simple one with so many layers behind it. Who was she? What brought her here? Why does she act the way she does? How many facets are there to her personality? What are those facets? Does she have a dark side? What makes her tick?

So many questions layered behind one so simple. But she would not burden him with the troubles of her past. She could only look to the future now. Her lungs would expand as she sucked in a breath, exhaling before following his gait. "There is not much to tell I'm afraid," she lied through her jaws. "I am as you see me. A pup born to an Alpha and his Alphess, whose life's journey lead her to these wonderful lands of Helidos where a new life was offered me." She kept the explanation as short and concise as she could, not wanting to make the mistake with Jackle that she had with Drogo. She had not considered him to be a potential mate. He was soft and kind. Raised to be Alphess as she was, she was predisposed to choosing a strong mate who was able to protect her pups. More likely than not someone of the Warrior ranking. Or, if she felt so inclined, a hunter.

The world around her reeled as memories assaulted her. "What of your past Nnlya. What brought you to the wondrous lands of Helidos?" When he asked for her own story she froze. Her hackles raised, muzzle twitched and limbs stiffened. "If the lady wishes not to speak of it by all means, pardon my intrusion." So long ago back when Nnlya was a Warrior. But no, she had made that mistake with Drogo. She had told too much too soon. She still wasn't sure what made her trust him. All she knew was that perhaps it was misplaced. After the accident he disappeared. She was afraid it was because of what she had said. Or perhaps he had found this fae he had loved and they had run off together. It broke her sweet little heart to think like that, but it was always a possibility. He never did tell her who she was.

No, she had made an error in judgement with him. She broke her rule once. Now it must be reinstated. No other shall know just how dark things had become at that point. Only her mate. He had the right to know she was sullied. But no other. But she felt awful for rejecting Jackle so easily. Maybe... just maybe, she could tell the other half of her story. She smirked. It was almost amusing that admitting to being the reason for her brothers death was far easier than admitting to being raped.She stepped forwards to continue the walk. "Jackle, I do trust you. But there are some things I must keep to myself, for my own reasons. If you truly wish to know more about me then ask the questions to the answers you seek. I will answer all that I can, no more, no less." Pause. "To start you off I'll have you know that I was the reason behind my own brothers death."

Nnlya was tired. Tired of telling her story in perfect detail - though it had only been thrice before. She preferred to only tell what was necessary. Provoke question and thought. Rather than just a one sided story-telling where her single audience member merely sat and soaked in the information.

Nnlya nodded. "That is true, my past and who I am are two separate things. But my past is large part of what made me who I am. The things I've seen and experienced... If it weren't for them I might be a very different wolf today. In fact, I might not even be here today. It is quite likely that had I made different choices I could have died at least three different ways. Or I might be standing in the Erenyx lands at this very moment. Having this conversation with Irrationality or Cassiopeia or Tye." They continued to walk side by side as she considered how she might improve the quality of the conversation. She should at least answer his question.

"To answer you question. I am as you see me. Nnlya, Delta of this pack of Helidos. I take my work here seriously. I train every day and work hard to earn my keep - although I could do with a little more hunting practice. And someday I hope to find a strong brute to love me and have his pups." Perhaps the last part was a little too open and honest, but what harm was there in telling a friend that she hoped to find a strong male and have children? He wished to know about her and so he shall. She considered the things she might learn about him. She didn't think there was a dark past hidden under that white fur. But maybe there was a secret hidden away in there.