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.

"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."

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?"

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?"

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?"