Crowe’s dark eyes watched as his daughter Cruella gently guided Aemma. She was gentle, making note of Irina’s forewarning of how the little pup spooked easy. Crowe felt a small influx of pride – Cruella was a sweetheart with children, but he knew what she was capable of, and knew she would be better off as a trained assassin rather than a Zeta. As much as Crowe could idealize futures for his children, he needed to get the gist out of Irina. His dark eyes landed on the dragon lass, listening intently as she began to speak. “I don’t mean to be difficult or rude with this first thing. But technically speaking, Amaya was not my only option. It was the closest of my options to where we were when I decided that we needed to join a pack. I was loath to drag Aemma long distances - her wings aren’t strong enough to fly yet, and walking would be hard on her; plus, carrying her on my back - which is the only way she’ll let me carry her - poses its own problems, as she spooks easily and if that happened, she might fall off. I didn’t want to risk her life that way.” Crowe nodded at this – convenience of travel and given the girl’s nature, it made sense.

Crowe let Irina continue. “But, Amaya was one of my last options - I won’t deny that. I used to be Queen of Nightingale. I was alone a lot, doing my best to support my small pack. So I made a bad alliance - with Tarben’s Dane King, Beartooth. I didn’t realize what a truly bad alliance I’d made until Beartooth set loose Hawthorne’s prisoner, a terrible man. By then, it was too late. Phobus’ War came about, and by pure chance, I killed the mother of a couple of Sindri members who was a member of Amberbjorne - Sindri was sided with Tarben as well. My delta killed their father, and apparently, I killed their brother too, when I discovered the dead body of one of my children and lost control. I had no way of knowing that these wolves were family to allies, and neither did my delta. Hecate and Cato took that as a slight, and, well . . . Hecate dethroned me and gave Nightingale over to her brother Cato. Nightingale is allied with Sabertooth. Amberbjorne, Hawthorne, and Dawnshire all fought against us, so they’re all no-go. I was briefly in with the dragons who attacked Drekistone - but I left before the attack. Their leader made it clear that my grandchildren - fathered by a lion of Lannister in an affair with my daughter when they had a temporary soulmate tie - would be slaughtered; Cersei had murdered my daughter and taken them prisoner, holding them in Drekistone. That’s the whole story. I promise I did not participate in the Drekistone attack. There should be no issues between Margaery and myself, on the off chance that you have that concern.”

Crowe took a moment to digest the situation – Irina truly got wrapped up in a lot of bad situations, but it seemed not many would forgive her, meaning that having her on his grounds put him, and the pack, at risk. But Crowe knew she needed protection, especially with little Aemma. He sighed, looking away for a moment before looking at Irina once more. ”Irina, you have come here for safety, have you not? We will provide it, if you choose to stay.” He paused, adjusting his wings a bit before tucking them back into his sides. ”However, I must make a few things clear. First and foremost, while you were victim to the situations several times in your past, do understand that any acts of treason against Amaya or its’ members will result in, minimum, banishment.” His eyes narrowed as he uttered the potential to be a permanent statement. Crowe had several families to attend to, but if anyone were to put them in danger, he would retaliate as needed. ”Secondly, I am trying to form alliances with other packs. If they are to demand certain stipulations to our alliance regarding you, I will do all in my power to make sure that you are kept under our protection, and I refuse to treat you like anything less than.” He then gave Irina ample time to ask any questions or make any statements of her own, to which he could respond. After a moment of silence, Crowe stood up, looking over Irina once again. ”Welcome to Amaya, Irina.” He had to swallow his next words – ‘don’t make me regret my decision’ as he turned away towards his den, walking away.

Actions and thoughts and "Words."