Bearclaw Valley there is nothing you can do for them,

From the moment he was awakened, Aventus could almost taste the charged atmosphere around his dam. She prodded both of her cubs awake, and with a meaningful look, departed. Aventus, knowing by now his mother's signals, loped out of the den after her.

Only this time, she went a different way than normal. The boy's steps faltered, but then he sprang after his mother, showing off both the bravado and agility that youth lent. But even once they reached level ground, Astara kept up a ground-eating pace that Aventus had to gallop to keep up with. One ear was trained desperately on her, while the other swivelled behind him, keeping tabs on his sister.

By the time they reached the meadow, Aventus was panting. Merrick was already there and made a beeline toward them. Feeling confident that the run was now over, Aventus slid down onto his belly, partially to show proper deference to his sire and partially to catch his breath. Investigating the meadow could wait a minute.