Whitefish River but the boy survived his refusal to believe...

though wintersbane had set out of blackfeather woods on another one of his recruitment drives, adding the lookout for the missing boy lucas into his itinerary he feels something heavy in the pit of his stomach. he worries for the fate of the dark woods. their numbers are thinning terribly and though he tries not to skirt the line of pessimist he's always been a realist. things did not look very strong for them, and then there was the added complication of brewing war from two different packs despite that mou-screech-titmouse had long since slunk off with his tail between his legs. coward. did it surprise wintersbane? not really. he created all this fucking mess for them and when the pressure was applied too hard to him his scent gradually faded as if he were never there at all. maegi too.

out from under the protection of the dark woods wintersbane would have no problem ripping into him should they ever cross paths again. not that their lack of numbers was all the pale pair's fault.

the closer that wintersbane travelled towards blacktail deer plateau — despite being determined to skirt their territory like he always does when he ventures this way — he becomes increasingly aware that their scent had begun to fade. so the dark woods wasn't the only one suffering from low numbers it seemed. wintersbane isn't sure if that comforts him or not. not truly because if they continue on this path then they will no doubt end up like their northern neighbors.

...though their dispersal meant no competition for food sources now. which was, perhaps, one of the silver linings to be found.

a forlorn howl rose through the frigid air, giving pause to the dark brother's steps. his chin lifts heavenward and his ears swivel, alert, atop his head to deduce the caller's location. wintersbane alters his course to intercept paths with the ...child. not a young-young child but a child nevertheless. at first glimpse he thinks that maybe he's happened to run into the fire kissed girl's missing brother but a second assessment tells wintersbane that he doesn't match the girl's description of lucas. the boy looks familiar — like a woman that 'bane met once, briefly.

a low chuff leaves the tundrian's lips to announce his presence as his pace slows to a stop a few feet away.