Thankful that Lorelai agreed to follow him, Avery quickly hobbled towards the exit. The lack of rest had really taken it's toll on his body. It was rare that his missing leg bothered him, but this was one of those times. He knew he should take it easy, and stop running at the very least.
He looked up towards the top of the waterfall. He had the urge to settle himself right there to survey his territory. It was a breathtaking view. The water cascading off the rocky surface was a soothing sound to him. He looked back at Lorelai to determine her condition now that they were in the daylight. Her paw had a superficial wound from her own teeth, the blood had begun to dry on her fur.
"First, lets get your paw cleaned up." Avery settled into a gentle pace, leading the way to the pond at the base of the waterfall, hoping Lorelai would continue to follow him.
They exited the caverns at the base of the pool, Lorelai wincing slightly as she put weight on her bitten foot. When Avery suggested they clean her paw, she nodded, and moved to the edge of the pond. She dipped her paw in - the water was very cold - then said bitterly, "I wish I wasn't like this. I wish I had control..." Though she had no idea at the time, Lorelai was certain now that her own mother had been plagued by the same illness she herself had. "My mother had them too." she told Avery.
Avery knew he couldn't quite understand and was terrible with emotional conversations, so he thought of what he did when he needed to clear his head. He duck his head underneath the surface of the water, buying himself time to think. "When is the last time you've been for a run?" He sputtered as his head broke through the surface once more? The water was freezing, adrenaline shot through his body. He felt energized, ready to show Lorelai around their territory.
"A run?" Lorelai questioned, frowning slightly. She recalled a memory - a very fond one. She and Luka had been travelling for weeks, and they had come upon a field of flowers in summer. There had been so many colors and smells, and Lorelai had left all her fear and uncertainties behind her, as she burst forth, sprinting through the field of flowers. She smiled slightly, then answered, "It's been over half a year..." She looked across the horizon, at the towering sequoias. She thought of the life growing in her belly. "I don't want to risk running, but we can explore."
"Caution is best I suppose." Avery began to weave their way through the forest north towards their sun rock. It sat in a nearly circular clearing, giving it's way to a large flat rock. The sun shone down perfectly depending on the time of day. He would enter the clearing, and rest himself on the ground to give Lorelai the opportunity to see the sight for herself before discussing where they should go next.
From the dens, Avery led them to a small clearing, where a large, flat rock sat, dead-center. She looked up and saw the moon high in the sky; it bathed them in a soft, silvery glow. It must have been very late. Looking back to Avery, she said, "I'll bet this is a beautiful spot in the summer." And it was fairly close to the dens - she could see this being a nice play spot for her pups. Then, she voiced a nagging fear - they were not far from where Violante's brother had found her. "Avery... what happens if... if Violante's brother comes back?"
He won't breathe another second. Avery's thought was immediate in his brain. To Lorelai he told the truth, "He will be captured. Violante will ultimately be the one to decide what to do with him though." He took a deep breath then and said what he knew to be true, for himself as well as for her. "You have friends and family to keep you safe now."
Lorelai nodded, Avery's words bringing her at least some comfort. She hoped Vorilye would never return, and even if he did, Lorelai knew that everyone else was keeping the borders secure - there was no way he'd be able to sneak his way into the territory unnoticed, surely. Lorelai smiled wanly, then looked to Avery. "Where to next?"
"We're headed southeast, towards Raven Hills." Avery settled into a brief trot, he found he didn't mind the slower pace. His body thanked him for the slight reprieve he was giving it. He didn't think Lorelai had a chance to explore much of their forest this far, and of course he didn't plan on having her climb the hills, they were a sight to behold nonetheless.
Good place to end on your post?
The Ravenhills weren't far from the dens, much to Lorelai's pleasure; it was a few miles, but that distance was easily traveled by wolves, despite the snow. She stared up at them, grinning, her tail beginning a slow, soft wag behind her. On another day, perhaps after her whelps were born, she would love to explore. For now, however, she was ready to go back to bed; her nightmares were far behind her, and she knew she could sleep easy tonight. "I want to explore them in the spring, maybe once some of this snow is melted," she chuckled. "But... I'm ready for bed. Can we head back?"
"I always find a breath of fresh air helps to clear my head sometimes" He smiled towards her. He hoped this would help her as much as it had always helped him.
Once she asked to leave he nodded and with one last glance towards the hills, he led the way home to the dens.