Try to stop time in the aftermath.

Malachi flashed his eyes to Danica's face as she met him with a sharp retort, but dared not match his gaze to hers. He'd not expected such a fervent aversion to what his actions had implied. Nothing seemed logical but for Danica to step up as acting leader in Tuwawi's absence, and she had already proved herself more than capable of the position. But he bit his tongue and slacked his ears, still hungry to hear her answer to the question he'd posed.

But Danica had no news on Tuwawi. Though this came as little surprise, Malachi felt his heart sink. In different circumstances, he would not have held such fear for the mother's absence, but he had seen the strength of her guilt and grief. That she'd left without informing the pack worried the boy the most. Malachi did not blame her, either, if she had gone to search for those whom they had lost, but he feared what would become of her if she allowed her pain to guide her steps.

And then there was the issue of how to handle her absence here. He fell into a silence with Danica. Whatever the reason for Tuwawi's disappearance, of one thing he was certain: their pack needed a leader to survive, and if they didn't take one now, Tuwawi would have no home to return to once she found her way back to them. Malachi felt his jaw tighten and he raised his head till his eyes lighted on Danica again. "Then what do you propose we do?"