Stavanger Bay reach for the light

Atreyu did indeed come running at Charon and Floki's call — as fast he could run, anyway. The second he recognised the Beta's howl, he had scrambled to his feet, stumbling over his own legs as he brain urged him to get up and run to greet the returned Beta. Questions flooded his mind and he felt a mixture of relief and anger (at both Charon for disappearing but also to whoever or whatever had kept him from the pack). He avoided dwelling on them, however, until he reached the two wolves. Floki's youthful howl had intertwined with Charon's own, and neither seemed panicked nor urgent.

When he finally arrived at the clearing, Atreyu skidded to a halt to assess the Beta and his younger brother. Floki seemed fine — happy, even — but then his eyes instantly drifted to the scars that marred the freckled boy's side, and he released a concerned whine before rushing forward to nuzzle Charon's neck. He was gentle, minding the wounds, though nipped at the boy's ear quickly and growled. "What happened? Where were you?" Despite his demanding tone, the wave of his tail was evidence of how relieved he was to see the kid again.