After the meeting, most of the elites returned to their respective Legions. Leaving behind the visitors, Kellenas, and a few other foreign elites.
Sernatacus kept glancing over to the group of Ferals that arrived with his ally from Olavin-Faa, he was unsure if they could be trusted. Even if he did not trust them, Kellenas surely did.
One of the Scalers, Qitor, noticed Sernatacus periodically glancing over to them. He broke apart from the main group to lock eyes with the rivaling alpha. It felt like a challenge, but Sernatacus kept it in.
"Hello?" Qitor asked, almost nervous.
"Greetings," Sernatacus replied in a bitter tone.
Tension weighed heavily on the young Feral, he was unsure of how to approach this situation. All that he knew was that alpha was silently judging him.
Examining every part of the group to detect a worthy equal, worthless submissive, or a threatening dominant. In that moment, all Qitor could do was stare back. Making him seem like a worthless submissive Feral.
Until his sister stepped by his side. A powerful foot planted beside his, demanding attention from the alpha who studied her brother. She held her hands behind her back, showing she was peaceful.
"O', you t'ink we're t'reats, still? Do not be worried, we won't attack your Legion," she clarified. "After all, t'is is a w'ole region against six Ferals."
Kellenas stepped in between them, keeping his shoulders broad to show off his significance. Not as a boast, but more of a way to remind Sernatacus he was an equal.
Both Ferals exchanged looks for a brief moment, giving them time to think of their own responses to the situation.
"You still need time to grow comfortable around my new companions, that is understandable. But do not go hard on them, they saved my life," Kellenas stated.
Sernatacus nodded. "And my packs saved your home, it still took some time before the ones that wanted to live in Etek Dur got used to your Ferals. But I will not accept six of a type that slaughtered your group."
Prexsis growled, keeping it low so no one but he could hear it. "We are not like them. All we seek is our home returned to us. Maybe you may not accept us, but at least understand we are not an issue."
Enoptes and Reveria stopped their conversations to pay attention. Both Zegi listened to their thunderous words come out of their mouths like lightning.
Reveria held tight to the memory of being beside Tinzor and enjoying the Softscale with him. Despite her breakdown, she still felt at ease when he offered her something she only saw in Ophus.
If there was going to be a war out in Yarno, she wanted to avoid the coast at all costs. Her heart stayed drifting in the waves, breaking Blackback necks and bringing them back to the ship.
"Do you think they will fight back?" Reveria said.
"They are peace-makers," Ukaley replied. "The only thing they know is trading for low moments. We will accept it with ease and ignore them, they are innocent."
Reveria quickly looked up at Enoptes, who stood where Ukaley was not too long ago. Her heart beat through its shattered remains, making a horrible cold run through her guts.
Enoptes glanced up at the skies. "I can tell First Frost will be taking place leading up to the assault, can't wait for it. Will you be coming?"
Qitor overheard the name 'First Frost,' he echoed it aloud. Enjoying the letters as they came together to form an enjoyable name. He liked it, so he asked the alpha.
Sernatacus sighed, then gestured a hand to Kellenas. "First Frost came from the Frosticus Legion, every time snow fell for the first time in a season. Thawed, Zegi, and us, Ferals, come together for celebration."
"What kind of celebration?" Qitor asked.
Kellenas grinned even wider, he could sense a little warmth in Sernatacus now that they were talking instead of looking. He watched his ally loosen up a bit more, moving around to talk.
"Big meals, togetherness, honor, triumph, decorative armor, all of it. If you want a proper greeting to Imbushko, go to Krugi. That's where it will be celebrated," Sernatacus replied.
"It's weird celebrating in a city instead of a mountain," Kellenas joined in. "But it was because Krugi was all we had when Frosticus celebrated after their merge. They had to adapt."
Prexsis and Feymor laughed together. Enjoying the peaceful moment together, they pictured what it would be like.
Cold snow decorating houses, while metal workers painted and attached decorations on armor. Then the unity of the entire city as they ate themselves to sleep.
They wanted to participate, no doubt. Kellenas enjoyed seeing his six showing interest in their culture, he wanted to spoil them as if they were his own.
As he watched, the realization of where he was struck him. Etek Dur was only a Sky Beast's flap away from them, where he would have to break the bad news. Pain struck him.
But there was something to look forward to. He wanted to spend time with his family again, to bring back the times before they left for Olavin-Faa.
Zenam cooed, closing her eyes to enjoy the sound of crackling flames in the distance. It rumbled in her ears, like gentle rainstorms. Her sudden shift in appearance made him realize something.
If he wanted to do what was right in the name of those he lost, he had to change. Kellenas glanced over the horizon, trying to catch whatever was looming over them.
What he saw was not a thing, it was his future. He had to continue strong, even if it contradicted what he was originally about.
Reinforced by Etek Dur was nothing to him now, he had lost himself in the fall. When he woke up hours later, he was untitled. Nothing to call himself other than his name.
But now, he understands it was a gift - a new, better title. He called it, 'Kellenas, Shamed Alpha.' In memory of the ambushed and guilt, along with the shame of living without his original.