Stone Circle Exitlude

Made to abandon his exploits and attend, Swiftlet trudged along sour-faced and agitated, lacking an appreciation for the significance of the loss and of the grief that had stricken the pack. His concerns did not stretch beyond his own nose; he only cared to know why he had been made to come, and beyond that his thoughts were preoccupied with the irritation of boredom. The procession moved slowly and quietly, and he could hardly tolerate it.

Once the pack gathered at the stones, Swift reclined and reached for a stick to work out his frustrations on, feeling the invisible tether of his parents' authority tying him to their feet. But when his mother moved away, and the rest of Gunnar's loved ones began their impassioned farewells, he lifted his head from chewing and observed; blue-green eyes scanning.