Bearclaw Valley not everyone gets to die and that's just how it will be

Pandora drew up while he was speaking. He fixed a flat silver gaze on her but said nothing. Aventus knew Avicus well enough to know she would not tolerate layabouts, so he hoped Pandora intended to be more involved in the new pack than she had been here. Aventus would place his recommendation behind Arielle and Cyril, but Pandora would be on her own in proving her merits to his sister. He glanced around once more, noting that Bernadette still had not shown her face. That was for the best, he thought. He did not want to bring her along. Her stunted legs and fat sow's belly would only slow them down, and he suspected she would do more to sully the reputation of Ursus in their new home than to benefit them.

He hoped Cyril would choose to stay, but understood the man's reluctance. A part of him was unsure as well. Suppose the price for entry was the termination of Arielle's litter? He did not want to think about that. As much as he didn't want them, the thought of their lives being the price made him feel violently ill.

We leave as soon as you have gathered what you wish to take. Meet back here when you are ready, he decided. He had only one object he intended to bring, and he had already unearthed it in the morning. It lay in the shade some short distance away and would be easy to grab as they departed.