Cedar Sweep umniratki

Not Ariadne. Asivaq. His surprise spilled out before he could give his words a second thought.

Left them behind? something in Kigipigak's words left the impression this was more than what Stratos himself had done in dispersing for his shot at the world, and he looked between them, Why?

His sister was quick to explain, and she soothed his worries - but only just. It all didn't quite add up. Ariadne, leaving the moonwolves behind? Taking on a different name, a different life. He tried to remember if anyone from the family had ever done that before, and his gaze dropped to her swollen belly. Pregnant, too. And with only her mate! Surely anaa wouldn't have let her leave so close to bearing children to start a family of her own! Surely tataa wouldn't have, either.

But she hadn't left Sedna.

I don't understand, came the sum of his thoughts, more confusion and curiosity than judgment, who is Tartok? They are different than the moon people? Why not stay with anaa and tataa until the children are born? For sure it is much safer that way. You are much safer. No offense to Kigipigak, but in the village, there were many more men who could protect her and the pups. Out here, she only had one.