Moonspear leaves from the vine

‘They’re dangerous…’
 
Atlas felt the spike in his heart and the rush of fear that flooded through him. He remembered the cougar attack on the mountain, the heartache and terror that it had sparked through the wolves of Moonspear. To think that there were other packs nearby that might have ill intent sparked both rage and fright within the yearling. He did not know if he was prepared to fight off another pack, certainly not if they were well-numbered.
 
“Do the two packs have an alliance? Do they seek the same goal?”
 
The dark young Ostrega inquired of his brother. His brow was creased in a stern and thoughtful frown. For all the fright that had filled him, he did nothing to show it. Osiris would have been able to note the worry and the tension in Atlas, but the boy did well to smother those other emotions as well as he could. He did not wish to be left behind. He could not help but feel the spike of envy; Osiris talked like a man returned from scouting in a war. And what had he done while his brother had been away? Atlas did not like this realization of cowardice.