Duskfire Glacier when the summer dies

TLDR: Lane aint coming. I'm sending you one Veteran as a consolation prize. Stand by.

Since returning to Duskfire Glacier after her eight-day walkabout, Lane's mothering had improved noticeably. She was attentive and patient with the children (as much as she could be, at least) and had passed the last few weeks with them rather quietly. She answered the questions they asked, taught them the things they requested to be taught, and also introduced a few herbs and medicinal concoctions (non-toxic, of course!) to see if either child might show an interest. 

She found it much easier to be a good mother, now that she no longer felt like a prisoner in the Glacier. Kigipigik had provided to her a light at the end of the tunnel. She had a way out-- a pack waiting for her when the pups were ready to do without her. She would not have to stay here forever, aching for a man who was married to someone else. 

As she channeled a restored energy and spirit into her pups, she also kept them away from the caves of their birth as much as she could manage. It had just been too much for her, having to pretend everything was okay with Imaq and Rye every damn time they crossed paths. She had moved her own pups' rendezvous point incrementally further and further away, sighting the excuse that she wanted her children to get to know the different territories around their claim.

One of the newcomers issued a summons for Lane and the other mothers, which admittedly piqued Lane's curiosity, but not enough for her to actually go and attend. She was not confident enough in her ability to have a conversation with Imaq and come across the whole time as perfectly fine. Lane liked Imaq, really-- and that was actually the main reason she was staying away from her. She didn't want to hurt Imaq's feelings, which seemed inevitable if the wolfdog realized that Lane was acting strange around her.

So Lane stayed away. Veteran had heard the call too, and he seemed personally offended by Lane's lack of response. He whined and needled her about it until she finally snapped, "Well if you're so curious, you go see what she wants!" And.. he did just that. It still astounded Lane how independent the boy had become in just a few short weeks, especially given his needy personality when he was younger. 

Perhaps @Wayfarer would go with Veteran to answer Meerkat's call, or perhaps she would stay with Lane. Lane realized that the pups were becoming their own people, and she couldn't predict with certainty anymore how either might react to a given situation.