Sheepeater Cliff but don't you come here and say i didn't warn you

the vale was empty. zulema's attention was stolen from her usual anxiety about traveling the ridge, instead she cried and staggered clumsily. luck had been on her side as she made her way off the mountain, now overlooking the plains. alone, just like she left her mother. she had only gone to seek antigone and zosime! yet, the longer the girl wandered, the harder it became to come back.

zulema could not stand it any longer. the wilds were scary and she desired the safety only her father could provide, she wanted the warmth only her mother could give. she had ruined it! why had she gone and ruined it? the girl wept, shaky breaths and tears blinded her steps. loud and unashamed were her cries. her search for her siblings had left her alone, and now she was not only still seeking them, she was now seeking tamar, arsenio, and her two little brothers.

she wanted to run away.

and so she did; when the raventhorpe wolves were meant to return to the plateau, tamar disappeared from their number, heading guiltily back to the dispersing plains, where she perhaps could find the anonymity for her shameful desires.

the valewolf found herself back among the mountains, however; without thinking she approached where epoch had once stood. 

the sound of weeping turned her head, for she knew that voice.

that breath.

tamar hurried her step and searched blindly until she found "zulema?" voice almost a cry of its own, mother reaching at once for prodigal daughter.

zulema's senses wound tightly together with sudden presence of her mother's voice. her cries cut into a short fit of coughs and sniffling as she picked her head up with haste. her perked ears lowered once her eyes settled on lovely golden fur.

it was small detail she would have overlooked in earlier days, but now she appreciated the color. the warm tones that her family shared.

❝mom?❞ she stepped towards tamar in hesitant steps, her breath dramatic.

would she be scolded? embraced? either was fine by the girl, she would like for her mother to be a mother once more. her tears ran dry, but her lip quivered as she buried the sobs her in throat.

it was her! 

tamar did not hesitate to hug zulema, to assure herself that her daughter had returned safe and unharmed, that she was here and in the flesh.

"cry, i am here," she whispered. "your father is still with me also, though we have moved from the mountains."

another embrace; "i am so glad you are home."

her eyes shut and tears flowed as her mother hugged her. zulema followed her words, a stinging feeling in her chest with no mention of her siblings. she took in a shaky breath, tears slowing.

❝i'm sorry.❞ zulema whispered the only words she could say.

tamar had said the girl was home. home was not the vale and zulema had never been more sure of it. home was the very family she had been born into. a place she would always return to.

"do not be!"

"your sister left. your brothers have gone."

there will be no more.

"but you are here. and raventhorpe can be a home."

zosime, antigone, sylianos- saleem? it was a sharp twisting feeling in her gut. zulema steadied her breath, nodding her head with each word her mother spoke.

❝it can?❞ she was apprehensive in the slightest bit to who these wolves would be, if anyone familiar would be there.

the girl truly wished to follow, no matter the nerves. she did not want to be alone anymore.

"yes."

and her voice was hope, and zulema was the sum of it.

where her daughter could return, so could the others.

"it can be. come. i will take you there. i will take you home."