Heron Lake Plateau its easy to get hungry when you ain't got shit to lose.

Sorry for the hold-up, guys. Needed a break for a few days.

In the days that had elapsed since Screech had fallen into his coma, Raven had noticed that Niamh's protectiveness over her brother had taken on an intensity that was almost overkill for a wolf merely protecting a packmate. The butterscotch gamma had, of course, relented when Raven came around, but she was aware that anyone lesser-ranked than Niamh herself was hard-pressed to get a glimpse of Screech. On one hand, it was good to know that the comatose Screech was well-guarded. She didn't have to worry about his safety while trapped in his helpless state. But on the other hand, Niamh's behavior raised a lot of questions in Raven's mind. Was she in love with him? Did she have any idea what sort of minefield that was?

Probably not.

Niamh moved aside so Raven could examine Screech, and the petite alphess ducked into the small den. Not for the first time, she appreciated the soft, downy bed of feathers that lined Niamh's den. It felt nice to walk on them. She crouched down beside Screech and immediately noticed that everything was different. He was dazed and woozy, for sure, and very much out of it. But he was awake. Elation filled her and she couldn't help the grin that came over her face or the wagging of her tail in the feathers behind her. "Screech," she whispered softly. "Welcome back." So overwhelming was her joy that she wanted to jump on him, nuzzle and hug and cover him with kisses, but she managed to restrain herself, giving him space to breathe and gather his senses.