Rising Sun Valley A Stray Ember

Easy nodded in understanding. When she'd lost her family, she hadn't thought about trying to find another. To her, a pack was family — something you were born into, or perhaps gabe birth to, if the timing was right. Older and wiser, she understood that there was always something more in the offering. The world kept turning no matter how much it felt like she'd reached the end. There were wolves out there worth loving, and who might think her just as worthy.

The same was true for Sumac, she was sure, even if he didn't know it yet.

"That's alright," she said, not pressing the issue. "Why don't you and I travel together for a little while. I'm on the lookout for my sons, but it's none too urgent. We can watch each other's backs if we meet other wolves."

Already, the blackbear was scheming — there was no if, only when. It was her hope that, with her presence as a safety net, he might find it easier to meet and befriend others. She would guide them toward packs and loners to ask about Dutch and Valiant, but also to introduce Sumac to them. Perhaps he would not find a place to call home, but he would at least form some new bonds of friendship. How could such a sweet young man do otherwise?