We Must Carry On

She was right, Koda's hopes shot into the air when Kesuk called to him. The gray wolf stopped and looked back at her over his shoulder, reddish ears perked up expectantly. Maybe she would still change her mind, after all.

Koda thought he could protect himself by shutting off his emotions, but he was wrong. Kesuk's parting words sliced through his very soul like fangs through flesh. Her retreating form blurred as his eyes welled up with tears, which were quickly blinked away. He knew she was angry with him, but he wished they could have at least parted on good terms.

Now alone, Koda shuffled back into the trees and looked for a quiet place to eat his heart out. In the morning, he would find Dante and tell him she had gone.