The Starbuck and the Nameless Come Together

Pura answered the call immediately, honing in on the source of the sound at an easy lope - a flash of blue-grey fur between the trees.

By now, most of the pack knew that Pura had some shortcomings. Some wondered - privately, of course - if Pied and Kisu's only son was a borderline retard. He rarely spoke, his gaze was vacant, and he seemed to lack that knack for reading between the lines.

But Pura wasn't stupid. Pura was just different - part machine, part wolf. Whilst his father and sister struggled through emotional treacle, battling memories of Pied and an uncertain future as a family, Pura just.. existed. Happily. Or at least without the endless stress of rage, grief, empathy, and its cohorts assaulting his mind. Peregrine was younger, fitter, and more able to guide him in his quest to become a warden - and the young boy gave his attention to the most able candidate, just as he heeded his father's call now. It had the potential to make him dangerous.

He regarded Kisu with quiet curiosity when he arrived in the clearing, immediately noting the absence of twigs and debris - the cleanliness was unnatural, and he wondered what the occasion was. There were no other wolves here. Without a word, he sat down in front of his father, staring eerily at him through wide, blank eyes.