<span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b35900">"Please let me explain,"</span> Okomi allayed. Claire had every right to be suspicious, but Okomi was testing her, making sure that her alpha instincts weren't dormant but highly alert. His russet eyes scanned at her hands as they were slightly trembling, phasing from nails to claws. He had no intention of pushing his boundaries any further and cut straight to the point. <br/>
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<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b35900">"They are <b>not </b>my family anymore, that I can say for sure,"</span> he said in a severe tone.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b35900"> "Okagi is a monster. As soon as I found out that he was changing his ideologies, I wanted my former pack to follow my ideas. And, as you might have guessed, to him, he thought I was trying to undermine him, when all I was trying to do was bring a sense of community to the pack, not for them to become wild savages. As soon as I became a threat, Okagi wanted me gone. Please trust me, Claire. I will fight with your pack, and I can give you information about their battle tactics, where their weaknesses lie. I will never forgive for what they've done to Holly."</span><br/>
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Speaking of which, he wanted to get back to the new wolf and fill her in on everything. Okomi was worried about Holly. Even though he admired her strength and obstinate nature, she put up a wall when he knew that she still had her vulnerabilities. It made sense that she was torn. She didn't ask for this life, but while Okomi had the chance and time, he wanted to assure her that she didn't need to battle it all herself. Ever since he laid eyes on her in the snow and saw her frailty, it was settled in his mind that he wouldn't leave her side. <br/>
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As much as he wanted to start her training, he needed to restore his trust with her. Last time, his attitude seemed insensitive and selfish. His plan backfired and he realized that he needed to be more mindful of his words. Even now as he stood inches away from Claire, he triggered her primitive compulsions. The Arapaho wasn't aiming to disrespect her. He was serious about avenging Holly and helping her pack. Surely if Claire thought if Okomi had been loyal to Okagi, he would have arranged plans to take out Freya, Griff, and Tris a while ago and kidnap Holly for himself. <br/>
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It was up to Claire to make her decision. He would yield and respect her. He realized her sense of leadership didn't come from fear, but from a sense of pride and integrity. Without making sudden movements, he lowered himself on one knee, dipping his head to show his submission. As long as his presence was to be tolerated, he would be grateful enough for staying at a warm place, assisting Claire's pack to defeat the ugly, tyrannical Okagi. </span>