Krystopher had a habit of visiting the taverns near the ports for they often provided a seemingly endless supply of gossip and hearsay from visitors and sailors alike. He didn’t do this out of pleasure but out of habit as he had the faintest of hopes that he would hear anything that could lead him to find his daughter. Needless to say that he went for many moons without hearing anything of interest. Some would think of him as obsessive but he wanted Isabelle to come back home. She was only remaining family he had left- his other daughter and former wife were gone. He had his brother and his family and his sister, but Isabelle was his own flesh and blood, made by the love of her parents.

Perhaps desperate was more so a way to describe him. Blaine did his best to gather information as well but he came up short just as much as Krys did. This lasted for quite some time before one day, just as he was about to head back to the Purple Rose Manor empty once again, he stopped as he overheard some of the sailors that just arrived talking. One of them were complaining that he had heard from his brother and his wife that they had some problem with a wolf going into their territory at night and taking livestock before running back into the forest very close by. When he heard that the unusual thing about the wolf was that she had red fur, Krys got his hopes up and soon fled back to the manor and Liz. Without wasting a moment, he urged her to come with him to look if the rumor was true.

The next few days were spent making the trek there, and Krys was completely focused on seeing his daughter again. The lycanthrope ran as much as he could, taking breaks only when completely exhausted or hungry, in which case he hunted and killed whatever he could get a hold of and feed quickly before continuing onward. As they reached the Virens Forest, he slowed down to catch his breath as exhaustion seeped through every joint and bone in him. He felt like he weighed a few hundred pounds more than he actually did and soon the black wolf was laying down on the ground. “She should be close, I have to find her. Can’t…rest” Gods, he was tired, but he didn’t wish to give in just yet. With any luck, she would still be around here and not moved into a new location. 

Liz went with him because it was the right thing to do. She knew that Isabelle might not understand why she was there or what was going but she needed to be with Krys. She ran as hard as she could to keep up with him. Her mind was worried about her lover as he ran himself down.

Once they were in Virens she watched him lay down. “You are not as young as you used to be Krys. You have to stop pushing yourself. You are making me worry.” Liz wasn’t tired at all but she was used to all of this. She didn’t nearly push herself as hard as Krys was right now. “You said she was a red wolf? I’ll bring her here.”

She strolled up to Krys and licked him softly. “Rest, you will kill yourself if you don’t. If that happens I will bring you back and slap you across the face.” There was chuckle as she padded off. Using her nose she was able to find wolves around the area. It wasn’t long before she found the red wolf. A few howls left her lips, ones that would tell Krys but also let Isabelle know she met no harm.

“Isabelle? You are her right?” The white wolf shimmered in the filtered sunlight as she came close. “There’s someone here for you. Give me five minutes of your time…” Liz’s voice was soft. “Someone wants to see you.”

How long had she been out here? How long since she had seen her father? She had lost track of time since being flung into this brand new world and as far as her father was concerned… she wasn't too sure that he was alive. And if he was…then she would make sure that she wasn't never locked away again. Isabelle was a full grown adult and yet he sought to keep her locked away because he was afraid of losing her like he had Mother and Iphy. But he had driven her away with his transgressions of the past and her sister had simply disappeared. She had been the last of his family and they were forever at odds with one another. But when she was brought here, she experienced a freedom she yearned for and had remained close to the forest, hunting whatever she could and when there was no prey, she would travel to the farmlands and take their livestock.

She knew that thievery was wrong, but she didn't care. The red she-wolf only did what she needed to survive, just like everyone else in this world. She was alone yes, but it didn't really bother Belle. Today she was prowling, stalking some peasants huddled close together. If she could get one, maybe two if she was lucky, she could pluck the feathers and place them over a good fire. Such thoughts made her maw water as she kept low to the grass and swerved in between trees. She was only a few feet away as she heard a howl and immediately she glanced around behind her.

It was another she-wolf, another lycantrophe from the smell. She didn't recognize her, but when addressed by her name, she held a flat look on her face. Her tensed stance didn't falter even as she came closer. "Which Wintercest sent for you?", she asked, her eyes never leaving the white wolf. "No one but my family knows of me, so which is it, one of my aunts, my uncle, or that…my father…?" Her fur stood up as she realized that her family still thrived, but she wasn't going to be locked away again. There was no way she would let what little freedom she gain be snatched away. "And who are you?"

Her amber eyes stared at Isabelle with an intensity but only because this was what Krys wanted. Isabelle should have been with her family back in Sularia. “All of the Wintercrests sent me. Which ones made it alive that is. Both your father and your uncle. Your father is here with me but I have him resting for now.” Liz explained gently to the she-wolf. She didn’t want to spook her so she went without explaining her relationship with her father just yet.

“I am Elizabeth Rose, but my cousins Jayden and his lot call me Liz. I am Toya’s niece.” She turned a bit and looked back at Isabelle. “You know he has missed you so much. Whatever he has done to you, he has paid for it.” She didn’t know of much about the situation but she knew there had to be some tension between them all. After all, Isabelle wasn’t seeking out her father, at least it didn’t appear it. “He was forced to come live in Sularia once Moliira disappeared… and with you gone he lost himself completely. Was drinking himself silly so Toya and Blaine have been taking care of him for months now.”

Her amber eyes looked her over again. “Toya had us become friends because my son died a few years ago… but we’ve been searching for you, Isabelle. I just want you to speak with him… He is a broken man under the strong guise he has. He loves you. That much is true. So if you want to speak to him follow me. He always knows I found you but I won’t twist your arm.” Liz spoke with years of wise lessons and knew that twisting the arm of Isabelle would just make her resent Krys more.

She turned around and padded her way back to Krys. “You better still be laying down Krystopher… That or got something more to eat.” Just like a worried mate…

Taking in everything that Liz said, Isabelle was sure that her aunts were still alive. And considering that she knew of Toya, it only strengthened her position of telling her the truth- she knew of Blaine and he was much more of a father than her own was. She remained ever so still as she considered her father, knowing that from an outsider’s perspective, he had been through plenty. But in her mind, it was far from enough. How much did Liz really know about his past, about the actions and choices he chose to forgo? If she had known, she wouldn’t have been quick to defend him so. But Belle kept her composure and tongue from voicing that tidbit. “He might, but I do not wish to be locked away again. He needs to learn that I’m no little girl anymore. I stopped being that a long time ago.” She did show some discomfort when she heard about Moliira- she had no problem with her really. It was just that her relationship with her father was a bit weird and she had been warming up to it a little before everything changed.

“Friends, eh?”, the she-wolf repeated before sniffing at her direction. “I’d imagine, very good friends…” There were some ideas that bounced around her head, but she wouldn’t be rude any further. She hardly knew Liz, but her father seemed like a rolling stone at times; changing partners more than a maid changes the bed sheets of royalty. “I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought about him at all. But…”

She started to come closer to Liz, “He even breaths about keeping me under his thumb, I will make sure that he never sees me again.” She had that Wintercrest spirit in her all right. “I’ll go. Might as well make sure he doesn’t drive himself completely nuts.”She followed Liz back to where Krys was resting. He wasn’t asleep but kept his eyes completely onto the woodline before she spotted two wolves; he spotted Liz right off the bat. “Yes, just been laying here…” But then his maw hung low as he saw his daughter.

“Belle!” He got up to his feet and ran over to her. Krys wasn’t too concerned about his own well being as he inspected Belle and made sure she was alright. “I’m fine, papa. Just been out here for a long time.”

“It’s fine, I’m just glad you are safe… “ He sighed in relief as if all the weight that had been on him was lifted. “Yeah, I know. You new friend told me a few things about what you went through. I’ve heard that Uncle Blaine and Aunt Toya made it through, and so did my cousins.”

“Yes, and your Aunt Paige had too, Aunt Misty, well she’s still missing but she did crossover here”, he explained, confirming her earlier suspicions. “So does anyone want to explain things to me between you two or do I have to ask either Aunt Toya or Aurora when we get back?” 

“He even breaths that and I’ll put him through a fucking tree,” Liz replied almost too calmly. There was that Rose attitude that the Wintercrests loved so much. “Don’t worry about the Old Man so much. He is quite timid now.”

Liz’s eyes narrowed at Krystopher and nodded before he got up to see Isabelle. “Easy Krystopher!” Liz reminded him. “You are still exhausted.” Not to mention he was hungry too and that didn’t make it much better about their travels.

Belle was feisty and it made her chuckle. Oh, Krys had his hands full with this one. “I didn’t bring it up because you are more important than my relationship with your father. Only a complete bitch would bring that up when it’s not needed. If you want to know I’ll tell you.” Liz huffed a bit as she padded around. “We started to court months ago… Didn’t get physical until about a week ago. However, your father was by himself for five years because of Moliira’s disappearance. And we wouldn’t have started to court if it wasn’t for your Aunt Toya shoving her god damn nose where it doesn’t belong.” Liz said calmly enough. “That’s about it.” She laid down and put her head on her paws. “I’m also twice your age if you are worried about that.” She was blunt just like the rest of the Roses. No rest for the wicked it appeared.

“We need food. I’ll go get some I’ll be right back.” Liz was an excellent hunter and she could find animals even in the worst areas. It took her about ten minutes to drag a buck back. He was huge and she plopped it right down. “Krys you need to eat before I twist your arm. You’ve been running empty since we left.”

Isabelle didn’t mind Liz, though it would have been better had it been under different circumstances. Had she not be as associated as she was with her father, she would have gotten along with her greatly. Her nickname for him in particular made the wolf roll her eyes. “Timid and my father don’t go in the same sentence without there being a ‘isn’t’ between them.” Perhaps he was less dangerous than before, but she still held memories from back when she was a little girl- he meant well but that didn’t mean he wasn’t dangerous.

She didn’t seem overly as excited about seeing him as he was with her. But she kept it civil as she watched him overexert himself. Reckless as always.

Her attention shifted to Liz and let out a soft chuckle. “Doesn’t matter to me. I’ve grown used to things changing all the time since my mother left.” Krys’ eyes fell down as he recalled his wife and Belle went to change the subject to spare him the pain. “At least there’s more of our family that’s still alive. Blessing, isn’t it? Also it is that Aunt Toya seems to be her good old self here. I’ve heard a lot of things had changed when people crossed over here. Not sure how reliable the news was, but that’s all I’ve learned so far.” So it had been five years…a damn awful time for her to be running around in the woods. She knew that he had been trying to find her, that much needed to go without saying.

“I already knew that you were at least older than me, your scent speaks of it”, she spoke, nearly dismissing it as if it wasn’t a problem with her.

“Right”, Krys said as he watched Liz leave the two alone to chase after food. “I don’t know what I can say to make things right with you, Belle. I’m sorry that things been rocky between us…”

“Don’t.”, she said with some bitterness in her tone. “Stop apologizing, because words mean nothing. You’ve always apologized and yet you keep doing the same actual thing over and over. If you are sincere, then let your actions speak louder.”

He merely nodded before Elizabeth returned with a buck. “Go ahead and eat, I’m not going anywhere”, his daughter said as she laid onto the ground. “Fine, and I’ve only gone a day without eating”, he corrected as he started to eat.   

Liz chuckled a bit at Isabelle. “In my time of knowing him… He is much timider than I.” Maybe it was because Liz was much younger and she kept him on his toes. They went on so many runs and so many hunts together that he was slowly becoming happier but he couldn’t peak that happiness without Isabelle.

“Trust me, I know what that is like. There was a time when my mother was a rolling stone. I wasn’t as lucky as you. My own father left as soon as my twin and I were conceived. I know that deep down there is some kind of resentment, it’s not a bad thing. It’s normal.” She plopped herself. “After all, I was by myself when I did my first shift. Our first shift was so horrifying it aged our bodies and it made Kai terrified of the moon. We blamed our mother for a long time. Then Kai died and I no longer felt anger towards her. She did what she had to for us.” Liz’s words were soft as she watched Isabelle. “Even if they seemed cruel.”

Liz shrugged. “If anyone has changed it is Angela, aside from that no one else has changed. I don’t know about the Wintercrests, I’ve been in Sularia since…” She paused for a moment and looked up. “Since Krystopher saved me from dying on the anniversary of my son’s death.” It was hard for her to stutter out. “I wasn’t allowed to leave until they knew I was alright and I’m probably only permitted out because of Krystopher being with me.” She had done something dumb and she realized that. “Also, Toya and Blaine had another pup, a son named Sparrow. Got into a fight with Angela and got herself cursed with pregnancy.” Liz chuckled a bit more now.

Once she was back from the hunt Liz stared Krystopher down until he ate. “A day, a while, it’s all the same thing. If it was me you would be jumping down my throat.” Liz huffed a bit and once he was done started to rip stuff apart for herself before offering a larger portion to Isabelle. “Eat, you will need strength for the journey north. Once we hit the desert there will be no food or water. So be prepared.”

After a few she licked her few clean of blood and looked at Isabelle. “I made a room for you… Before we heard rumors of where you were. We’ve been living with my mother since your uncle just about kicked us out.” She chuckled a bit. “I didn’t know what you would like so I hope when we get there that everything is to your liking. The house is big… like an academy but there are only a few of us living there. My mother Cathrine, your father and I, and my little sister Crystaline. She is blind so if she meets you and touches you please don’t be alarmed. That is just how she gets to know people.”

Shooting Krystopher a mental note all of his own. "She is very worried you are going to lock her away. Support what I say next." Liz eyed him for a few minutes.

Looking over at Krys she addressed the one thing Isabelle was scared of. “You are free to come and go as you please. You are an adult. Sularia is a very safe city and many who come to live there don’t leave. There are good hunting grounds, a beach, night gardens, gardens, the academy, and many other things. Your cousins are home regularly except for Jayden right now. I do believe he is stationed out in the desert. Volunteered himself as a guard for the healer unit that went out.”

Perhaps he had changed after all, or it was a ruse. Either way Isabelle decided not to protest and simply see for herself whether her father was more open to her freedom or if he was going to keep up with his old ways. If that was the case, then she had no qualm leaving him again, this time permanently.

She held no problem with Liz, even sympathizing with her tale of sorrow. Perhaps she had never seen the side of him that Isabelle had. Her thoughts seemed correct about it but didn’t voice it.

So far, she could read the excitement on his face and actions and it was genuine. She didn’t doubt that he missed her presence, but there would always be the hesitation. And it was clear that he saw it as well and knew that he was going to have to work hard to earn her trust back. Isabelle was right- it would take more than “I’m sorry” to mend the bridge he burnt with her. Meanwhile the red wolf looked to Liz strangely at the offer of a room at their house. Just how long had she been with her father for? She was a bit flabbergasted by this, she’d admit but soon she slowly nodded. “Thank you…didn’t know that you have been waiting that long for me… “

Krys received his new mate’s message and gave a seldom nod.

Isabelle looked to both of the wolves as she contemplated everything. “So everything was decided for me…” From the sound of her voice, she wasn’t really thrilled but she let it be. “Fine, but this is his last chance.” She wasn’t playing around and Krys nodded. “I know…just give me that one last chance. Never meant to hurt you or your mother…Belle” Isabelle looked at him and simply went to feed on the offered buck that Liz had hunted for them.