Bearclaw Valley her perfume and her rum

Aventus tried to paint an image of the sacred mountain in his mind, but he would be unable to conjure up its grandeur until he saw it for himself. He was not a wolf of the mountains. He had never even ventured to the mountains; it would be an arduous journey and a major adjustment for him, he was certain.

She will find it harder to stay, is what Aventus thought. It was difficult to leave home. Even he was resistant to the idea, but he knew better than to tell his sire. Merrick had an idea in his mind and when Merrick had an idea, there was almost no force on earth that could stop him from pursuing it. He would miss the valley, the only home he had ever known and the only home he had ever wanted to, but if it was best for Ursus, then Aventus would adapt. So would Astara and the young ones.

I will go ahead, offered Aventus, to ensure the way is clear. For the safety of Asperas and Apophis. If not for the Bearberries, Ursus would have no need of a scout. They were plenty capable of taking any threat head-on. But for the sake of his younger siblings, it was best to ensure the way was clear. Ursus still had enemies out there. Aventus did not know their number nor their locations, but he was certain they existed.

The only one he did know was Donovan — he and his father were aligned on the need for secrecy, with the Saints lurking in the mountains, neither of them having any way of knowing they had long ago departed the canyon.