Swiftcurrent Creek when the outside temperature rises

Arric did, indeed, follow him, though Jakub did not glance back, merely noting the man's presence behind. He arrived at the old den and wriggled inside, dragging the wing with him and placing it upon the spot where his mother had once lain.

He stepped back, looking down. It looked almost perfect.

Almost.

He was seized with the sudden urge to lunge at the thing, to rip it from shred to ebony shred, but held back. Every muscle twitched; every nerve on fire. Anger, heartbreak, confusion all filled the empty cup that was Jakub and spilled over—

And then passed.

Breathing slightly heavier than before, he left his childhood home, backing out and shaking the dirt from his pelt. He turned his gaze toward the Beta, tracking his reaction.

Looked like Mother, he remarked—the most words he'd strung together in a while.