"Why would you keep me here, Anne? I need to return to my pack!"
"And get yourself killed because you didn't think your plan through?"
Leona roared at the blonde woman before her. Her fangs protruded and a bit of saliva flew out of her mouth and landed on the floor. Leona had been restless since she decided to leave her tribe. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she hated that her uncle took over after the slaughter of her parents. She hated that he stole her crown and became the leader of their clan. She hated the nonchalance with which he "led" the investigations into her parents' murder and the fact so many of her clan followed him enraged the princess who decided to find out the truth about the murder of her parents.
During her trip, she met with Anna and her tribe and they welcomed her with open arms, allowing the princess to recover, properly mourn for her parents, and renew her vows to find those responsible for her parent's demise. Anna became Leona's close friend and always tried to keep her in check so she didn't take unnecessary risks. Leona knew that her friend meant well, but the frustration of being stuck with Anna's clan and not finding more clues about her parents' murder achieved to made her angry. The werewolf ran her fingers over the huge scars on her face. She could feel the creases and the crevices left by the claw that disfigured her. She could heal them, given her werewolf powers, but the werewolf princess refused. It served as a reminder to stay humble no matter the situation. She was bested in a fight and could still be won because there always was someone stronger.
"Leona! Get yourself together! it is unbecoming of you to let your anger take the best of you."
"Words! Words! You're only good at speaking words Anna! You don't know what it is to have your parents murdered and your clan led by a usurper! You don't know how betrayed and angry I feel!"
"Watch your tongue, Wolf! I know more than you can imagine and not rushing to my death doesn't mean I am weak."
"There is nothing you can do that can soothe my pain!"
She hit the tree with her fist, making it shake from the blow before she shook from head to toe. She was at her wit's end, unable to find a way to channel her anger and frustration. a pitiful moan escaped her lips and she turned into a wolf. She turned around and walked towards Anna who knelt on the ground. She opened her arms and gently welcomed her friend in a soft hug. Leona didn't resist this time. In truth, it was soothing for her to finally have loving arms wrapped around her frame. She longed for her parents' embrace and knew that she couldn't get it anymore because they were slain. All that was left was anger and despair. She wanted to cry but her tears couldn't fall.
Anna understood Leona's need to lash out at her, so she didn't take offense to her accusations and diatribe. She knew Leona didn't mean them; it was pain talking rather than reason. Leona knew she was wrong when she said that Anna had never known loss. She lost her mother during a battle against another clan and lost a brother to sickness when he was a young pup. She knew pain and could relate to some of what Leona was going through. She petted her friend's head and stroked her wolf ears to keep soothing her.
"I know your pain. I know what it's like to lose someone you care about. I understand your quest and I told you that I would be helping you. This still stands today. I am still going to help you. I just need you to know exactly what you're going to do and not take necessary risks. I don't want you to die, Leona. I want you to live!"
Leona leaned into that embrace, fully surrendering her anger to her friend's warmth. She wanted to be comforted and soothe her aching heart. Anna's gentle touch helped, and Leona was able to calm down fully—at least for the time being.
-TBC-
