Bearclaw Valley distant stars come in black or red.

Cameo x2! So much has happened - Galena is just observing from afar to make it cannon.

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Merrick promised freedom.

— the monkey's paw suddenly twisted like a snake —

That freedom let you throw yourself to hungry jaws, if you wished it. It also meant the freedom to seek blood if you wanted it.
Discord was becomming Galena's new favorite word to describe Ursus. There was growling, fur flying, puppy tossing — a chain reaction like a spark eating up a long fuse to a bushel of dynamite. At the end of it all, the fiery-eyed cyclops turned on the poor beast named Fraser (who she had only seen in passing). Galena had thought Merrick would exhibit some sort of self control — but the leader's furious actions were fast and deadly. The dog's eyes rolled as his bloodied body hit the ground. Lifeless. 

Galena looked to Orson, expression somewhere between incredulous and sick, but without an explanation. Today was supposed to have been glorious. 

Despite the bloodbath, Galena's nosed Orson's ruff and turned away to leave. Now wasn't the time to intervene, Galena thought to herself. Astara could protect her children. The dog wasn't coming back to life. What a horrible, unlucky, ominous night for the children to be born. 

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