Blacktail Deer Plateau First thing's first — I'm the illest.

Grayday let out a little laugh. "There are just so many packs around here," he said, thinking longingly of the cuesta and it's sprawling emptiness. "We had two packs nearby at our old territory, but we never had trouble with each other. Everyone was friends."

He sort of missed having the bypass at their backs, honestly. No one had ever tresspassed back then.

"As soon as you can, I'd like you and Dawn to head out," he said with a firm nod. "Take whoever you want with you, and head out toward the taiga. Somewhere near the ocean would be preferable, but anywhere is better than here, at this point." He bumped his shoulder against Aditya's. "And take some time for yourselves, too. The pair of you have been wound up tighter than filaree - don't think I haven't noticed."