Anselm nodded exuberantly, and Coli smiled, filing a mental note to let her packmates know about their friend's visit. He didn't know Zana, though... That was a bit of a disappointment. Had the small girl kept to herself all this time, or did she actually leave the confines of her pack? Hopefully nothing ill had befallen her... There had been some sort of bad blood regarding her direct relatives, and Coli knew all too well how that could play out for the poor child. The thoughts left her mind as Anselm immediately spoke up, startled by her admission and then growing agitated with its implications.
Her ears perked forward curiously, surprised by the vehemence in his reaction. Righteous anger? That was the last thing she had expected. In fact, it was... touching. She blinked suddenly, feeling her throat choke up with emotion. It had been terrifying, and she hadn't dared to tell anyone. Hadn't dared to bring up the topic with Anu, because it was Coli's fault that they both had been in danger. Anselm, a stranger, sternly resolving her of the guilt that had plagued her for so long - even if he would never know all of the circumstances, it moved her that he spoke to her this way.
She smiled shakily, unable to muster more than a faint whine in response to his question. He had already done enough. She hadn't meant to blab about her latest misfortune to the first new face she encountered, but she had not been rebuked or met with disgust, and it relieved her anxious nature for now. The next step would be to talk it out with Anu. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she whispered, "It's okay... Just... you probably shouldn't tell anyone about this. He... his little sons, they still live there... He might punish th-them in place of me." They weren't so little anymore, Conor and Emwe, but they were still too weak to defend themselves against their mad father. He had thankfully ignored them for most of their lives. It seemed that was the best his children could hope for. Coli bit her lip, hoping Anselm would understand the sad state of affairs.