Heron Lake Plateau This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us

It was tempting to answer his brittle question with reassurances, though Wildfire steadied herself with a quick breath and nodded, "Yes, though the copse isn't far. That's part of the reason I chose it. I think it's a good idea to branch out—not just for me, for the good of everyone—but I don't want to go too far from family. We'll be neighbors." She smiled a small but hopefully winsome smile, glad that Eljay appeared to be taking the news fairly well. Hopefully her answer put some of his probable concerns to rest.

"Oh!" Another thought hit her suddenly. "I'm still planning to visit the caldera in the spring." It seemed important to note that she wasn't simply bailing on everyone here. The whole idea was that the packs would be inextricably linked. No matter where Eljay—and his parents—landed, Wildfire wanted to make that trip together.