Deepwood Weald arctocephalus

"I hope so, too," said Dutch, and he had to work to keep from getting lost in such thoughts. Thankfully, Sulukinak asked another question, and Dutch had somewhere to rest his mind once more.

"You an I are mortals," he said to her. "All flesh and blood wolves are. We must work together. Say the words to each other, and ask them to say it to others as well. And we have to hope that it will reach the ears that it needs to."

He thought about his own father for a moment, and then he pushed such thoughts aside. They would see each other again when they would meant to. Either here, or in paradise.

"When my family separates, we bless each other so: Be strong and vigilant. Protect one another. I'll see you on the other side. Sometimes the other side is only the other side of a journey. But sometimes it is on the other side of the veil." He looked back at her. "They are not lost to you, Sulukinak. You will see them again. And they will always be your brothers. Your heart's blood. This, I know."