The Sentinels as the sun beat down

Even in the grip of pain and exhaustion, Lucani could not help but feel thankful for the man who'd found her. He didn't shame her, or give her scorn — he certainly didn't euthanise her. He simply set out to help her, which was not a credit to the use of Lucani, but a credit to Lasher herself. While she didn't have the strength to respond to his first statement, when the dark wolf ultimately returned with a fish she simply had to argue. Her mouth filled with drool at the sight of the fish, but she swallowed and blinked away. Lasher, she murmured. I must refuse.

For this reaction felt like the one from the Alphas of Sleeping Dragon and their desire to keep her when they knew very well that losing her would be for the best. She explained with what words her sandy throat could muster: The young ones. Osprey. Aria. It was probably not clear why she'd included a healthy yearling in her list of people she'd give up this sustenance for, but Lucani had a passionate crush on the young Alpha Female, and had a vague fantasy of providing her with her every desire. A foolish thought, she realised with a dull humiliation.