Venna bared her teeth, watching Ember go.

"Of course I can't expect any complex thought from her." She spat. She's got the brain of a gopher.

"But," She turned to Ash and Moonlight. "The rest of you, don't you get it?" She was almost pleading which was pathetic, but she was desperate. "Think about it. Either Solar doesn't pick a new mate, doesn't have pups, and the pack ends here, or, give it five generations, maybe six, and the pack still ends. He'll have an heir that's too stupid or arrogant or fallible in some other way who will inherit the title of alpha just because of his heritage and'll run this pack and our future pups into the ground! Isn't that---Isn't that---" She shook her head, taking a breath to calm herself. She stepped back from the others. No, no, they wouldn't understand. She'd seen wolves punished for suggesting less. She'd seen his eyes.

"Stupid." She said quietly, half finishing her thought and half insulting herself and the world.

Ember turned to Venna "EXCUSE ME? WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!!" Ember snarled at Venna "YOU DARE GROWL AT ME!" Ember seemed very irriated "hmph very well then I will be going hunting see you later..." she quietly said after the big fuss turning back into the meadow...

Venna couldn't help it. She was begging for a fight. She was angry.

"Do you keep walking away because you know I'm right or because you're too stupid to prove you are?" She called, a wicked grin growing on her face though her golden eyes stayed narrowed and glinting maliciously.

"Stop fighting, you two!" Moonglight suddenly snapped at Venna and Ember. "This is what will tear the pack apart! Yes, Volcan's death hit us hard, but we have to stay strong! It's...what Volcan would have wanted." Moonlgiht choked out the last bit.

Venna turned, baring her teeth at Moonlight. "Of course." She seethed. "So this pack will run on nepotism instead of merit. That's what you want? That's the life you wish to give your pups? To give yourself?"

Ash saw the nearby argument, "HUSH!" She was in a place of power above the two, as healer, so she could yell at them. "We are grieving our leader, there is no place for petty arguments!" Ash's tail was raised and curled above her back. Her ears were drawn back and she snarled at the two wolves.

Solar walked out viper in his jaws he set the pup down and look at the gathered wolves "what is all that ruckus" he growled his tail twitching

"You!" Venna said, feeling her desperation only grow. Ash was smart, wasn't she? If anyone would understand it must be Ash, right? "Please, Ash, don't you understand? You must! This pack will die if we appoint leaders by blood instead of strength. Doesn't anyone understand??" She raised her voice, feeling the heat of fury and pain under her pelt. "You must understand!"

Her shoulder, her scar, burned. She could almost feel where his teeth had been. She knew she was repeating the cycle, calling for the same thing her father had so long ago. But he had been right, and so was she, now. She knew she was right. But, she also knew how her father's story had ended.

Venna went silent as Solar approached. She gritted her teeth, turning her burning gaze onto him. She was careful not to narrow her eyes to a glare, but they flamed with anger and fury and hatred all the same.

She didn't hate Solar, he was nice enough--if somewhat simple. She only hated the system. She only hated the throne he stood upon.

Ash stepped toward Venna, she also didn't agree with the system, but she needed to help Solar. "I agree..." Ash whispered, "I agree with you, Venna, but the rules need to be followed. I'm sorry. You should get some rest, okay?" Ash's paws felt heavy as she continued walking towards her friend. "Here, lean on me" Ash said, "I'll walk you to the den." Ash looked down at the scar on her leg, she couldn't forget what had happened.