Justice

Umi tried to give Droplet a reassuring smile. She held in a chuckle at the brute’s comment back to Vendetta “Smooth.” She simply whispered into his left audit, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“I think I want to know what’s been going on soo left, it’s worth a try asking and I think I know who to ask.” Umi motioned to the smaller dame that seemed to be hiding herself yet looking at the two. It wouldn’t hurt to try and speak with her after all Umi wasn’t sure how long she had here.

The golden dame slowly trotted up to the small dame and as she got closer she recognized her “Willow? Is that you?” Umi was shocked to see a puphood friend here. She knew some had stayed but Willow? Said dame shrunk back as the two approached her, but looked a more confident when Umi spoke “Umi? After all this time..it’s good to see you.” Willow stood shaking her creamy pelt and gave a small smile to the golden dame and a nod of acknowledgment to Droplet. “Things have changed since the fight, after Ven made you leave..” Willow trailed off looking around her soft grey orbs looked worried “Come inside, both of you.” Willow spoke softly to Umi and Droplet, not wanted others to hear her speak.

Willow sat down noticeably relaxed, yet her eyes were a little frantic. “I suppose you came back to know what happened to us?” Umi nodded as she too sat down slightly relaxed giving Willow a nod “Yes please whatever you have to offer. I didn’t come all this way for trouble. Unlike whatever Vendetta has said.”

Willow huffed “Trust me I never believed half of what that snake says.” She breathed deeply before beginning “Once Vendetta got rid of you, she proceeded to take over the pack in the sickest way. Those who wanted to leave had the option to, but those who were too weak to travel stayed, like myself.” Willow paused to take a breath “Soon other brutes I guess from her pack started creeping into the territory. We called part of Ven’s brood if you will, they specifically only bred with her or whatever dame Vendetta wanted them to be with whether the dame wanted to or not...” Willow looked down felling ashamed then peered out of the den suddenly worried. The cream dame soon returned “I’m sadly one of those dames, just checking to see if one of the brutes was coming by. We’re alright for now.”

Umi looked shocked that Vendetta would do such a thing to the few poor dames left especially her old friend Willow she looked angry “But why?”

“To build the pack is always her answer.” Willow sighed, she ran circles with her paw in the dirt.

Willow nodded offering Droplet a small smile “That’s kind of you— what what is your name?” The cream dame shook her head “She never checks up on anyone, but her brutes do inform her, lowly watchdogs, “ she mumbled the last part “Nor does she announce it either, but Vendetta assign someone to a brute.”

Willow was suddenly startled by a little whine deeper in the den “Sorry, my pups.” Umi looked on excited at least there was one good thing here Willow’s four pups were newborns nestled in some soft moss as well as other grasses. Willow lay by them so they could feed from her. Although great fun to have them Willow wishes they weren’t through such a circumstance. She smiled sadly “If only we could leave hm? It’s okay though, traveling isn’t for the faint of heart, that’s definitely me.” Willow had health problems since she was younger narrowly escapeing death and yet she had pups too.

Willow chuckled softly “It’s okay, I’ve accepted it long ago...” she trailed off in thought as the cream dame lowered her head to lick her pups ‘ heads. Umi felt sad yet happy for Willow, she desperately wanted her old friend and her pups to come back to White River with them, but knew Willow wouldn’t make the long trip and her pups were too young.

Umi’s audits perked upon hearing some paw steps outside the den she turned her cranium alert, a brute. Why was she not surprised it’d be either one of them or Vendetta. The large black pelted male stalked into the den as he eyed the pups and Willow he scoffed “As soon as they’re old enough to leave the den..” he trailed off licking Willow ‘s ear she shriveled away shaking. Umi was utterly disgusted as she growled out “How rude of you!” The dark bute looked at Umi dully at first then smirked his gravely voice speaking “Listen sweet heart, they’re my pups and she’s my dame. I’ll say and do what I want with them.” He paused moving away from Willow towards Umi “You’re welcome to join..” The golden dame snarled snapping by the black brute in warning.

The black brute growled in reply to Droplet’s angry statements. “I didn’t come here for this.” His voice gruff yet he knew he was out numbered and sized as he slunk towards the den entrance eyes narrowed and ears flat, but he didn’t attempt to start a fight, not in this small space. But he wasn’t one to apologize either.

Umi was taken aback by Droplet’s sudden intervening out of the shadows of the den. She soon regained her composure as she too growled at the black brute, Umi added in feeling clever “Whoever you are you’ve been replaced,” she paused to circle Droplet rather closely for affect “And he’s the one taking your place, words from Vendetta if you don’t believe me, but your wouldn’t dare question her right?” Umi smiled innocently batting her ice blue optics unfazed while her brain was screaming at her for being so close to Droplet.

The black brute looked skeptical but brushed the thought away leering at the two. He had nothing further to say and if he was replaced so be it there were better more willing dames than Willow and this new one anyway. He simply grunted something inaudible stalking out of the den.

Umi sighed suddenly in whisper mode unsure if any other surprise guest would pop in “I seriously hope he doesn’t ask her.” Umi turned to Willow as the cream dame was no longer shaking, but Umi still looked concerned. Willow reassured her with a smile “I’m alright Umi. And thank you Droplet. No one here has ever stood up for me like you both did.”

Willow continue to lay by her pups as she looked up to answer droplet “I’m not yet three years old.” (She’s two) The cream colored dame looked down a little ashamed even though it wasn’t her fault. Willow sighed “ in the time I’ve been here I’ve had to grow up so fast, but I am grateful for what I have learned even in this horrible place. Maybe one day my pups will have a better chance than me at life.” She offered a small smile once more to the pair.

Unbeknownst to the three wolves, the black brute did go to see Vendetta, as he wanted a new dame to pair with. He lept up the cliffs to the den at the top which was the chocolate dame’s lair. The black brute cleared his throat at the entrance “Coal requesting permission to enter.” There was a long pause and movement that could be heard as well as a sigh of dismay “Enter.” Vendetta spoke up. Coal bent his head down instinctively only to look up with his bright green orbs to meet Vendetta’s gold ones. She sat lazily staring at the brute “What do you want I thought you were off playing with your little Willow, dearie?” Coal huffed “She’s not as appealing with those pups by her all the time. Besides I’ve been replaced.” Vendetta shot up straight hearing this “What, replaced? Who said such a thing I gave no order..” She snarled having an idea who would those traveling companions didn’t know how things ran around here, no matter Ven knew how she’d deal with it. “Was it some new brute accompanied by a golden dame also new around here?” Coal nodded and Vendetta smirked evilly continuing “Well if he wishes to replace you then fine, you have no interest in Willow anyhow, so the golden dame is now yours.” Vendetta chuckled and Coal smirked “Seems like a fair trade.” He licked his maw just thinking about it. Vendetta continued to speak “Her name is Umi. Now get out of my sight.” The chocolate dame snapped at Coal as he yipped leaving her den promptly. Vendetta sighed self satisfied “Alright so Umi and company have decided to stay hm? This is going to be quiet entertaining. Isn’t it dearies?” Vendetta looked back into the den where other dames cared for a multitude of Vendetta’s pups and Ven herself laughed maniacally, the sound bounced off the den walls echoing within.

Umi padded over to the entrance as she stood by Droplet, she leaned her head against his shoulder with a sigh and a half chuckle “You’re probably right cinnabon. It’s amazing how beauty can come out of such odd places.” Umi’s tassel swayed slightly brushing the brute beside her.

Willow smiled from behind the couple as she finally stood as her pups were sound asleep. Willow had a feeling those two were meant to be. She spoke up “There’s a den that’s been empty for some time just above mine. In fact all the dens here are mounted like a stack, leading to the top one, Ven’s.” Willow stopped speaking as the top den bothered her “Anyway you both should be okay there for the night.” Willow concluded her smile a little smaller.