The Sentinels there lies a leafy island

Dante had done well so far in avoiding Lasher, Blue, and their children.  He'd kept to the borders when he wasn't with Osprey, tracking prey in the boundaries and keeping mostly to himself.  He'd convinced himself 100% that the best thing he could do for the pack right now was to isolate a bit and hope whatever this bug was, if it was in fact a bug, only affected him.  He had no way of telling a transferrable sickness from a safe one, and he wasn't observant enough to know when the problems had first come about.  So he jumped on the conclusion and held to it, withdrawn.

After his and Osprey's conversation, though, he found his curiosity almost overwhelming.  What harm could come, really, from a swift passby?  Maybe he could make out sounds, or catch a glimpse, but he'd beg off if seen.  Surely Lasher and Blue would understand and allow him his distance. 

Famous last words.

When he passed through the trees near the den, he ducked out from the trunks to see not only a glimpse, but a full look at one pup who seemed to have slipped past the sentries.  Immediately Dante froze, casting about for a parent.  Uh.... crap.  He opened his mouth to call Blue Willow, certain the mother was likely in the den, but stopped.  He didn't want to wake her for something so simple as escorting her child back to the den.  First he'd try without too much contact.  He took a few steps forward, tail swaying softly behind him, before stopping again and studying the child.