Hushed Willows mama, please—let me back inside

it didn't take a rocket scientist to know that things had gone south. the whole aura of the place had shifted. the first cry, and then more. anger, agony. . . this was the last place those sounds should exist. and so he had a hard time believing his ears. 

and his nose. and his eyes. he caught the scene from a distance, gaze widening to champagne moons. oh no, no, cortez moaned under his breath, his stomach churning. blood, so much of it. two wolves down— the beautiful ariel, delicate and fine, and a darker shadow he couldn't make out. . .lily. . .?

please, no, he whispered fervently. god, his sister! his sister would be devastated. and yet, the devastation would only grow worse if he did not lend a paw. even if it put him in harm's way, too.

feeling as if he was leaping into a grave, he dashed into the fray, glancing away from the spilled entrails and fixing his teeth instead in any bear flesh he could find. 

they would not die in vain. not while he had a say.