Bearclaw Valley Why is the raven like a writing desk?

Arielle followed at the bear king's side, listening intently as he told her of his past. She could understand the need to find a missing child—as much as a woman who had never had her children could understand. But to never return? To leave Merrick with the pack like he meant nothing? That was unforgivable. The healer understood now why the anger still burned within him. Her memories of her own mother were fuzzy now, but she remembered how it felt to be with her, and she never felt like she was unimportant. 

He told her of his sister and how she had rejected him for killing and left him too. His family had abandoned him. And if his sibling couldn't handle his vicious nature, then she thought he was probably better off without her, although that wouldn't have made him feel better about it. 

Her heart ached for the bruin-witch when he told her that he found his mother later only to see that she had started a new life without him. She was glad to hear that his mother had paid for her sins against the bear king; only her life would have been enough. It was a relief to hear he had found the former queen when he was most alone, but it also made her death feel heavier. She better understood why it had devastated him so much. 

But his aunt still lived. And now they had the means to find her. It seemed she had misinterpreted who was supposed to be the sacrifice. She needs to pay, Arielle told him. The bear demands it; I know it in my heart. That was why the girl had come. I will help you find her. It was now just as important to her.