Big Salmon Lake always enjoyed and never returned

Malachi had little understanding of the Plateau's dynamics with the other packs of the region, but his ignorance became apparent only after the incident with the young woman who dragged herself to their borders for help. The others all seemed to agree her wounds were the work of the Caldera - an enemy pack, Malachi feared, and since he had never heard nor seen the wolves of that place, they quickly assumed the faces of the Sound in his mind. Not daring to leave Duskfire had been the ignorance which had led to his mindless trust of Caiaphas, and though Dante had instructed they not seek out the Caldera, almost a month had passed, and Malachi was keen to avoid the mistakes he had made while leading the Glacier. He needed to know more than just their territory: he needed to know those who could affect them in return. His time at the Glacier had taught him they did not live in a bubble, and that peace was a term he could no longer assume for granted.

His journey South had been slow, his senses on high alert. So far he had encountered no packs, nor had he caught any sign he was with company. Yet the knowledge there were others here was enough to remain vigilant. Even when he dropped his head to lap up the cool water of the lake his eyes remained fixed on the horizon, and when a party of two met his line of sight he paused and lifted his head. Water dribbled from his chin and he flared his nostrils to catch their scent.