Greatwater Lake with a warmth inside, i walk into the dark

The darker of the two introduced herself as Akantha. Junior smiled gratefully at her welcoming words, then her two-toned eyes flicked to the other female. She did not give a name, though she echoed Akantha's sentiments. She seemed concerned that Junior may have brought her problems to their doorstep. The youth took the query seriously, thinking it over a moment before shaking her damp head.

"No," she replied. Nobody was threatening her. Fox certainly wouldn't come after her. Her father might, though he was no threat to them. Junior strongly hoped he would give her her space, at least for the night. "You're in no danger, I promise. I can sleep on the edge of your camp, if you like," she added to put them at ease.

"I'm really tired. I'm going to go back to the hill," she announced after a moment. She was grateful to Akantha and her unnamed sister, yet she wanted to get out of their hair. "Thanks very much, Akantha," Junior said, including the other sister by smiling at her and bowing her head to them both.

Slowly, the young wolf retreated back to the dark hillock. She slumped at its base to stay within view of the Nereides, then curled tightly into a ball. There was a lot on her mind and it would take a while to find sleep tonight. In the meantime, Junior watched the sisters' silhouettes at the shore, idly wondering if Akantha represented the Sea and her pale sister the Moon.