Stone Circle Well, I've been afraid of changing

Kallik ate and slept most of the time since that traumatic day. He had no aversion to Valette because he associated her with comfort and safety, just like papa. The absence of his mother was noticed, though. She had been their main source of all the things he knew and liked, and she had never come back after she left the den that day. He didn't really understand any of it; all he knew was that he had been scared and things had been confusing and he never wanted to feel that way again. It had been a scarring experience, even for someone as young as Kallik, and since then he had been quiet. There was no more babbling and no more curiosity about the world; he only wanted what was familiar and safe, and any deviation reminded him of how he felt that day. Even if papa had allowed them to leave the den, he wouldn't have even tried. The den was safe, and he just wanted safe. 

A cold nose made him wake with a start and a whimper before he realized it was papa. He had no idea what he was saying to them but the implication was clear: he wanted them to follow him outside. Selamuit went willingly and Ikiaq absolutely refused; Kallik was somewhere in between. He hesitated for a few moments, unsure at first whether or not he would leave the den. But papa was there, and eventually, he decided that if he was there then they would be okay. He looked worriedly at Ikiaq and then toddled from the den after papa and brother. 

There were two new wolves outside, and he glanced to each of them warily before moving over to papa's front leg and immediately attaching himself to it. He peered at the two unknown women again, but stayed glued to what he knew was safe.