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Luna licked her mate’s ear, snuggling tightly with him in their soft, mossy nest. “You were never going to kill that mongrel, why did you conceal that from everyone?” she asked him curiously. It was not a way to question his authority or anything, and Balto knew that, but the dark brown she-wolf genuinely wanted to hear his reasoning.

Balto rested his head on her paws, comfortable in their den high in the rocks. “A man’s true nature is revealed when his life is threatened,” he responded quietly. “I needed to see what was within his soul.”

“Did his soul satisfy you?” Luna asked gently.

“Many men in his stead would have begged for their lives, or fought back, not thinking of their family,” Balto explained. “Finbar did not waver. I am surprised, for I had expected him to; if he was the lascivious cur I had imagined, then today might have gone very differently.”

The dark brown she-wolf sighed lightly, her face soft, displaying the smallest hint of regret. “I still hate him, but some of my feelings have eased up. You are correct, my dear, he is not as bad as we criticized him to be.”

Balto closed his eyes, slowly letting sleep take him to the realm of myth and fantasy. “A part of me wanted to kill him, to entirely forgo the trial process. He took my daughter for himself without receiving my blessing, regardless of his intentions. Finbar has much to learn, but his heart is genuine and he loves Willow. She loves him.”

“What about pack tradition, her betrothal to my nephew?”

“I shall deal with Jargoth in private.”

Luna's ears perked up at her mate's words, her cadmium green eyes glinting with curiosity as she shifted her position slightly, bringing herself down closer to Balto. "What will you tell him?" she asked, her voice tinged with both concern and interest.

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Balto remained still for a moment, eyes still closed as if in deep contemplation. The question lingered in the air like mist over a moonlit river. He knew the matter of Jargoth would not be simple. The betrothal of Willow to Luna's nephew had been agreed upon long ago, in line with pack tradition—a union that would strengthen bonds between the two families. With Willow’s love for Finbar, the plan had fallen apart.

Balto responded: "Jargoth is a strong wolf. A proud one. He is already aware of Finbar's presence, and it is no secret that he has been looking forward to claiming Willow as his mate. It will not be easy to dissuade him, especially since he was lied to about fathering her pups; he is a man scorned and betrayed."

Luna frowned, her tail flicking thoughtfully. "You think he will fight it?"

Balto nodded slightly: "He is a warrior at heart, Luna. He has lived his life by the rules of the pack, by tradition. They’ve already tied from the look of it, for he believed that he was the father. To have something he considers to be his taken away… he will not approach it lightly. I will speak with him, and I will make him see that this is not a matter of honor or power, but of Willow's heart."

The dark brown she-wolf sighed deeply, a layer of concern lacing her voice. "He will feel humiliated. You know Jargoth’s pride runs deep."

"I do," Balto replied. "But I will not let my daughter be forced into a life she does not want. I won’t break her heart unnecessarily. No matter what traditions say, no matter what Jargoth believes. Willow has made her choice, even if we all hate it, and that must be respected."

Luna dipped her head in understanding, her muzzle brushing against the thick mane on his neck affectionately. "You're a good father," she whispered. "Even when the choices are hard."

Balto smiled warmly, grumbling happily under his woman’s chin. "I will protect her, as I always have, but this...this is not a battle that will be won by force or strength. It will be won by wisdom. I will speak with Jargoth, and I will give him the respect he deserves. I will also make it clear that this decision is final."

Luna nodded. Her heart ached for her nephew. "I only hope that Jargoth will accept it with grace," she murmured. "He deserves a mate who loves him truly, just as Willow really does deserve the same."

Balto leaned into her warmth, comforted by her presence. "If he cannot accept it," he said softly, "then it may be best if he leaves us, even simply for his own well-being."

Luna closed her eyes, though her mind still wandered to what might happen in the coming days. “And if he challenges Finbar?”

Balto’s voice hardened, just slightly. “Then Finbar must prove himself worthy. A duel must be honored.”

Jargoth, she knew, would not take the news well. He had always been headstrong, fiercely protective of his place in the pack. Balto was wise and fair, and whatever came next, he would ensure that the pack stayed strong and united.