Emberflame Ridge She appears in his dreams

Settling in, Reek knew he would have to wait. From his high position on the mountain, the sound of his call would echo through the taiga -- if Tavi remained in the north, she was sure to hear his voice. Reek wondered, however, if his call had possibly fallen on deaf ears. With the days of Tavi's absence from the grotto beginning to pile high, Reek was unsure if he'd ever receive a response from his baby-mama. Upon discovering her condition, Tavi had left the grotto in a hurry. Her intention to return was never properly communicated, but Reek's uncertainty did little to stop his tireless search.

Reek waited on his mountain perch for what felt like hours, listening only to the sound of radio silence. Every minute that passed by took with it a piece of hope that he had desperately clung to, before it finally slipped away from his grip along with the setting sun. Reek hung his head on his forepaws and shut his eyes: expression both defeated and disappointed.

But then, there was a howl in response.

Reek's ears immediately perked and turned forward. Without conscious thought, Reek was back on his feet and sprinting down the ridge towards the sound of Tavi's voice. He ran until his limbs shook with strain, but he soon found her -- battered and broken -- traveling across the shale bed. His eyes fell briefly on her injured legs. "Who did this to you?" he asked. Without a further word, Reek pressed his head into the crux of her neck as tightly as he could.