Word count 449:: Zalen is also in Optime
His mind had been set into turmoil again after the attack on yet another of his members. He had been getting over the attack on Fayne, and it helped that his mate was now ready to conceive, but then like a dark blow the ravaging of Palaydrian had sent him reeling. He was angry, his heart full of loathing. He knew the coyote that had attacked her could not possibly be of Inferni, but he still got a sour taste in his mouth when he thought about it. Now it seemed New Dawn had two enemies; Amy, the twisted trader, and Aram, the lecherous coyote bastard. How dare they? And yet, even with Zalen fuming and spitting fire like a dragon, he felt at a loss of what to do.
To ease his mind, the large Alpha had been scouting the borders more and more, as well as making sure the others did to. Though both attacks happened outside of the territory, the added security of watchful eyes helped to ward off paranoia. But the leader’s mind was ever turning, trying to figure out just what he could do to protect his family. He couldn’t ask them to no longer stray from the borders, there was no freedom in that. Perhaps asking them to go in pairs at least, or not stray too far when going alone. He sighed, what a mess this all was.
Turning away from the border, Zalen heading back into the heart of the territory, as he neared the den site, a strange, sickly sweet scent reached his nose. The closest thing he could attribute it to was the smell of dying flowers in the wet of autumn, but this was much more intense. He turned to go investigate, and headed towards the river from which the scent was wafting. As he got closer, a familiar smell came to him, and he saw her just as soon as he smelt her.
Palaydrian was lying in the grass in the sunlight, the river beside her sparkling and bubbling as it ran past. Butterflies alighted around her, and had it not been for her obvious injuries, she would have looked like a sleeping angel. But no, the visage was ruined by the bruising and the bandages; Zalen’s ears flicked back against his head and he whined as he approached. She was in Optime, and he had not had the chance of looking at her in this form before; she was lovely, nearly holding the same body lines as his beloved. He said nothing but instead laid down beside her, nuzzling his black nose into the soft of her neck; she smelled of medicine, and berries, and Jiva.
