Northstar Vale You've never had Pad Thai.

She hadn't really noticed her father's close but unseen presence, and only realized he was there when the wind shifted and brought his scent toward her. Lilitu turned, grinning, and galloped toward him with a shouted, Da! She stopped at his chest and reared up, giving an affectionate nudge of her nose to his chin, along with a couple of lick-kisses.

Tail wagging, she gestured toward the mushrooms, brows knitted together in confused query. Da, whassat? she asked. He would know. Adults knew everything, right?

While waiting for his response, she buried her face happily in his majestic dark ruff, taking in his musky aroma. In his distance, she'd missed him—and the pale wolf that apparently was her uncle V. . .V. . .well, we'll tackle that name later. Anyway, he hadn't been around at all. Where was everyone?