Mudminnow River it will break my heart to go against your wishes [m]

Arielle was a little hesitant to return to the bypass, but she knew it was worth checking in to see what was left. Aventus had only just healed from the last time they were there, and their recent journey to silvertip had likely taken its toll. Still, she agreed; the bruin-heart was curious to see if they might find anyone looking for the children. 

It seemed they were both on alert; they would be stupid if they weren't. As the two bearwolves neared the creek, Arielle pick up the metallic scent of blood—a lot of blood. 

She followed the bruin-jaw towards the scent, unsure what they would find when they found the source. What they found was too horrific to even process at first. She froze next to her husband, her eyes moving slowly over the two gored bodies of Merrick and a woman she didn't know; something about her scent was familiar, but her brain pushed the thought away for now; it only had the capacity for what was in front of her. 

The healer's stomach turned from the grief that suddenly stabbed her heart. Arielle went to the bear king and got to work pulling the woman off of him. Her teeth were locked on his throat; the sight made anger rise up to mingle painfully with the grief. She viciously grabbed the dead woman's scruff and threw her body back; the stranger's body slid with her—not very much but enough to dislodged her from the bruin-witch. 

Arielle left the heap of dead wolf and moved to Merrick. She gently nudged his head with her bloody muzzle. There was nothing she could do to save him; he was long gone, his blood a congealed mess below him and his eyes staring ahead blankly. The bruin-heart closed her eyes and looked away; she swallowed the bile in her throat. 

Her thoughts rapidly switched to her mate. Her eyes flew open and she looked at him, at the same moment throwing herself forward to close the distance between them. She pushed her face into his fur as she reached him. Aves, she murmured against him. It was all she could get out. Too many words and emotions swirled around in her heart and mind, making it difficult to find the right words—if there even were any.