a desire to go back{tag Syren}

[Stryker Loup Garou]

The quiet rain forest was what I needed in my present state of mind, leaving Arya with Midian and the clan at the Luna with a promise to return, knowing nothing could keep me away from my mate and daughter. Each night I'd been sleeping funny, always the last to fall asleep and always the first to wake up, quite frankly I was tired and slightly cranky at times, lack of sleep was wearing extremely thin. I kept it mostly under wraps, not wanting to frighten or scare Arya, and make it seem like I was taking it all out on the clan, so I struggled with it myself. Arya's small, brightly lit face swam before me as I walked along the path, small stones brushed lightly along the soles of each foot as I moved forwards, not worried about the small pinpricks of pain, they faded as soon as I took another step, the healing taking effect immediately. This wasn't home, but only meters away from the clan so there wasn't any danger of being taken like before. Anyway, Nathaniel was in the trees, watching, keeping an eye out, so I knew I was safe.

I belonged here, in the clan with my mate, daughter and family, to live like I was supposed if the kidnapping didn't occur. I knew everything would be different had I not strayed, yet, I had been a curious pup, eager to explore, perhaps a bit too soon. Yet, how could they know it was me leaving the path? That had bothered me, the fact it was I, they knew who I was. I could dismiss any of the clan members becoming a traitor, Cole and Syren would know if anyone had sold us out or the like. So the desire to go back to where I had been captured, to go back to the home where I lived and was tormented on a daily basis, it was a strong feeling. Fear was there too, and a nightmarish hatred. But I had to have answers, including more information about Jayke and why. My curiosity had gotten me into trouble before, but I was no child now but an adult. If they were after me again, if anyone was, I'd be able to fight this time.

"Lady Syren is on her way Lyra. You seem, deep in thought. I will keep watch from above, but I will not listen into your conversation if you do not wish it." Looking about, staring upwards and slightly left into the patch of trees, Nate was crouching on the tree limb, his hands wrapping around the branch near his feet, looking as if he was suspended in mid-air. "Thank you Nate. If anything, you are more than welcome to join us. You are a friend, and part of our family too." I saw his faint smile, haunted underneath his eyes, knowing he wasn't hated even though he left the clan often, going his own way, finding out things for his family so he may better himself against Zane. We were not bound to stay, we were all free to go into the world, while it worried the clan, they didn't stop us, it was our way of learning the world and none of us would be hated for that. "Thank you Lyra. But, I think I'll go see Sarah before I do anything." Ah, the werelynx. He took quite the brotherly role with her, I smiled at that.

[Syren Loup Garou]

Sarah loved being with the clan, and we were the more joyous for it. Having a werelynx among us gave us insight to how other were's lived. And sharing our ways with other lycans was something the Loup Garou had done for centuries. I'd taken to her as a daughter, my motherly instincts to protect and love always driving me to keep looking after everyone within the clan as if they were my own pups. I rarely had time for myself, but I prefered to keep busy with others of the clan. It kept me sane, kept me in mind of my duties, which were to the clan first. For a brief moment, I had a resprite. Even Amanda had adapted well, now that she knew I too held a deep darkness in me. I stole away to King's Pointe first, shedding the simple sundress I wore and baring myself to the warm rays of the sun. The wind swept through my blond tresses, making my hair dance behind me as I gazed over our lands.

Smiling, I shifted effortlessly into the wolf. Where pale skin once shone, now white fur, pure as freshly fallen snow covered me. Four strong legs, ending in massive paws, instead of arms & legs. My hearing, my sight, even my sense of smell was heightened. The wolf represented freedom from bonds, our ties with nature. Once a Loup Garou fully accepted what he or she was, the change was painless. Only when we deny ourselves is the change painful. I howled, a call of joy sounding over the hills and valleys that made up our Luna. As the howl carried over our territory and died away, I leapt from King's Pointe, toward the rainforests where the climate became more humid, the terrian more lush.

One moment my paws stood on solid ground, the next, they traveled through air. I landed easily, dust flying up from the impact my paws made when I touched ground again. Not even a second passed before I was running through a meadow, across a stream, deeper into the forest. The climate began to change, as well as the scents, the first indications the forest was giving way to the rainforests. I scented Nathaniel, keeping his ever vigilant watch on our lands and our people. I also scented Stryker, one I looked on as a daughter of my own, not just my son's mate. Everything the wolf needs to know is conveyed by scent. Stryker's scent was...troubled.

I angled my path to intersect her. If she wished to talk, we would. If she wished to be left alone, I would abide by it. Instead of running, I loped along the lush pathways, tongue lolling out the side of my jaws as I padded deeper. Nathaniel's voice entered my mind, a simple greeting, nothing more. "Greetings, Lady Syren." I yipped up at him, poised in the branches, draped by the verdant canopy of leaves. Stryker was near, her scent calling to me. Soon enough, not long after passing Nathaniel's post, I saw her. I strode up to her, nudging her hand with my wet nose, licking her fingers as I whined. I kept pace with her as she walked, my back brushing her fingertips as we moved. "What troubles you sleep, my darling daughter? What is it that plagues your thoughts, altering your scent as it tickles my delicate nose?"