Moonspear rise and fall

Tagging @Charon or @Amekaze but open for whoever <3

Slowly, he approached the looming mountain. He had aimed to rid himself of the collar around his neck by the time he reached Moonspear, but the closer he go to it, the more he wanted to just run to the safety and familiarity of pack life. The life of a lone wolf was not for him, even more so now than ever before. At least the strange fabric that had bandaged his stump had disintegrated. The smell of the two-legged creatures had faded, though Atreyu was sure he could still smell them and kept his eyes to the sky, ever watchful and wary.

The way the trees surrounding the mountain created a canopy above him, the boy felt his anxiety lessen — only to then return as he thought of the pack. He could scent the borders here, so that was a relief, but what if he wasn't welcome? How would he explain what had occurred...would they believe him?

A tree nearby had the tell-tale claw marks of territory marking, and so Atreyu slowed his pace, hesitating a moment before letting out a howl. He then lowered, intending to show submission to whoever arrived but losing his balance and falling flat on the frosty ground. The boy remained crumpled on the ground with a pathetic huff, feeling too uncertain of his position in the pack to even pick himself up. Maybe he would be better off like this.