Chapter 16 - Three Moons

Eira stirs awake by the time they had entered the cave; the atmosphere had changed. It was a bit musty, yet Eira saw stars. She blinks, confused. Her tired hands rub her eyes before she really looks around. Eira was not wrong; she saw stars of rainbows dance between sparkling lights. Eira begins to tap her moona when she spots Adare and Atlas far behind, gawking at the stars. She had no idea what to do until she notices their new appendages still instead of moving like her moona's and moon-moon. Eira thinks fast, and does what she can only do:

"Adare! Atlas!"

The boys' heads turn to their sister. Realizing how far behind they were, Atlas runs for them. Adare follows after, and soon passes his brother. The two brunette children race to their moona for fun, laughing as they slow their pace. Vera turns at the sound of Eira's voice in her ear. A lopsided grin washes over Vera's lips as Adare reaches her first. He begins walking to her pace on his side of her as Atlas huffs at her right. Adare walks further ahead in order to speak with his brother, who huffs from the race.

"Next time, Atlas." Adare smiles reassuringly. His mossy green eyes sparkle from the light ahead.

Atlas huffs, regaining his breath. "Yeah.. next time." He coughs lightly, but smiles back. His hand searches for his moona's in the dark, and snatches a hold of it.

Vera smirks at Atlas, meeting his beautiful shamrock orbs that twinkle with mischief. Adare steps into place next to Vera's right side. His fingers grip onto her fur skirt, careful not to pull on the small piece of clothing. The four of them walk behind Marzena and Elsa, keeping pace with one another. Light flitters through the rocks as they avoid the walls peeking out for a handshake. Their slick and damp texture on the rocky terrain seemed impossible, yet there it was. Atlas and Adare avoid touching the cave walls as they continue on until the moon appears. Exiting the cave, Vera stops to admire the moon. It was different than the one back home. The Wolvernrian moons, three to be exact, hung in the sky with an illuminating blue glow. Each moon hung parallel to one another in the sky, as if creating a triangle. Vera's eyes lit up from the picturesque scene in front of her.

However, Atlas pokes Adare from behind their moona's backside. Adare turns, escaping the view of the sky, and spots a huge creature taller than his moona. Adare and Atlas hide behind Vera, which catches her attention. Her eyes land on a gigantic creature with twitching ears, four legs and massive muscles. It's coat was a shimmering gray as the moonlight gleams upon the forest splitting into two paths. The massive creature haunches when he spots Marzena. Pointed ears perk up as brown eyes brighten. The beast's paws thus against the ground with each step it took. Thick, furry legs pause in front of Marzena when she holds her hand flat.

Marzena smiles to Vera, gesturing the siren closer. "Vera," the creature's eyes dart to the brunette carrying a child, "Tis is Kaius, yer brother."

Vera stands there stunned. The massive beast and her lock eyes, and she hesitantly steps forward. Kaius sits on his rear, curiously checking out the infamous Vera his mother has went on and on about lately. He found her beautiful, gorgeous actually, and he could only assume it was because she was of Mer. Her face was identical to his own mother's, even down to the stunning pine eyes, so there was no way he could deny her as family. Kaius stares at the children hiding behind her and in her neck. Two boys and a girl, then another one in his mother's arms. He wanted to sniff them, to remember their scents, only he didn't want to offend his.. sister.

Kaius gazes towards Marzena, May I iden'fy?

Marzena rolls her eyes at her son's strict nature, then props Elsa on her hip better. Ask the mother if yeh can sniff her children. She smirks playfully.

Kaius freezes momentarily before locking eyes with the siren. He sits on his back legs proudly, only haunches over in an attempt to show no harm, only curiosity. Kaius's large, gray ears flatten on his head as he bows, never loosing her gaze. He watches her head tilt, seeming to be puzzled. Her glowing green eyes are as bright as the moon and deep as the sky. Kaius found himself staring too long. He snorts, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. He couldn't think like that, especially when she steps forwards voluntarily. It's as if she knew what he wished to do. Kaius became flabbergasted at her approach. She stands within his reach and doesn't cower.

Cautiously, and with Eira in her arms, Vera hesitates to place her palm out flat and fingers pointed to the sky. Kaius blinks, uncertain if she understands what she's doing. He supposed she could speak through mind link because of her DNA, so by beginning the identification process, Kaius reaches his muzzle to her hand and sniffs. Her scent, he gathered, was nothing he'd ever smelled before. It reminded him of the Ashby lake near the pack grounds. Fresh rain doused in a perfume of sea salt. The aroma was refreshing, and as Kaius went to pull away, a darker scent wafts his nose. Burbonarries and tarrons invade his senses, their sickly sweet poison beckoning him. She was sweet and tempting, but dangerous. He would have to keep a close eye on her until he concluded her sanity.

Kaius's nose wrinkles from the thought of her becoming a threat to his family, especially if her mother was his. Without any further inhales of Vera's scent, he walks forwards, sniffing each of the children's hands in order to identify them in the future. Kaius has no problem with the sleeping girls, only the boys who hiss behind their mother. One was a light brunet as the other had darker tresses. Their names weren't important to him in that moment, only their scents, and it seems they were too afraid to allow him near. Their green eyes dare the beast to pass, and Kaius found himself feeling like one as their eyes dart around in fear. Without thinking, Kaius lays to the floor with his stomach down. He keeps his paws in front of his nose and lowers his ears to his head. The Wolvernrian softly scoots towards the two boys, trying to show no ill intentions.