She supposed it was her turn to blush when Vargfader Ilvin spoke up.  There was no hiding what had happened now, so though she felt nerves twist in her stomach as Valko offered her up to speak about the help she needed, she did not let it stop her.<br/><br/>"As Valko said, we clearly feel the pull of the mate-bond with each other, but we have not marked each other, due to my particular set of circumstances."  It was so much easier to speak with Valko about all this, because somehow, she knew he would care for her no matter what problems she faced.  The elders were a different story, but each of them looked at her with earnest interest, so she continued.<br/><br/>"The man who sent me here, who gifted me to Valko, also killed my parents.  He did not do it in the way our people do, there was no challenge or fight.  He took the coward's way and poisoned them.  He also used some kind of herb to ensure I slept like the dead after I watched them die, so he could put me in cage for months on end."<br/><br/>Ylva closed her eyes.  "There are wolves that follow him, lesser wolves, but enough in number that the small packs around our boarders would not push to right the wrong done.   Your pack is your family and though Valko has kindly offered me a place here with you...I can't help but feel as if my family is still under duress.  I am likely not the only she-wolf he offered as payment for loyalty or an alliance, I am just one lucky enough to be bestowed upon a good man.  A good wolf."<br/><br/>She looked to Valko and knew just how insanely painful this was going to be if she was forced to leave him.  If they could not find a way to save her people and keep his pack peaceful at the same time.<br/><br/>"I don't want your pack to be injured in an attempt to save mine, but I can't in good conscience abandon my family...Or allow the man who murdered my parents to go without justice for his cowardice..."  She felt as if she were explaining it all wrong and her heart thumped rapidly in her chest, as she waited for the elders to simply brush her off.  Valko could likely find another mate, even if their bond was already strong, if he dedicated himself to it.