Redhawk Caldera i warn you not to doubt the silence before the storm

Finley was cautious not to come too close to the commotion. Anxious as she was to know what was happening, she would not get in the way of the wolves trying to care for her goddaughter. She crept around until she could see the girl, drinking in the terrible sight of emaciation and abuse. But Fin was no stranger to injury, and the sight of red-furred sides rising and falling steadied the fear. The pale woman giving orders and shuffling through herbs calmed her further.

"There's a cache near," the alpha answered when the request for food was made. She turned to point past the borders to mark the place, but froze when in doing so, she found herself face to face with Eljay. She gazed at him, her firstborn, feeling the longing to embrace him pounding in her heart. But it was held at bay by a stronger feeling, one that told her to do so would be wrong. Somehow, damaging. He would always be hers, but he also was not hers any longer. He had left her. He belonged to them.

She caught herself after a few quick heartbeats and turned back, eyes dancing across the foray to the dark leader. "Can she be moved? There's an old den near it where you can take shelter while she recovers." Fin looked at her mate, wondering if he knew the place. She herself had been holed up there when once upon a time she'd come off worse in a fight with a bear. It also happened to be where they'd first met.