Emberflame Ridge schneemusik

mali's situation was dire, though his life was not in danger. his father was weak, not willing to protect his offspring against whatever the leadership wished. the boy had thus assumed the mantle donned by the head of one's family, much too young, and become embittered in the process. inasfar as mahler could see, the young wolves had been relegated to the fringes of the pack.
he did not think mali had a year to his age, yet, but stranger things had happened. the gargoyle affixed the boy with a baleful eye, a gaze that softened as he thought upon the young wolf's predicament. "you are too young to hunt alone, yes. but you are not protected vhere you are. your abilities are irrelevant if you are not among volves who vill protect you until you are old enough to find your own vay."
mahler paused. "you can make your own vay, the both of you. or you can leave and start anew elsevhere. only foolish leaders vould turn avay two potential assets to their pack."