Redtail Rise onyx

She returned.

Instinct had driven her to leave.  When the fever struck, the memory of Riley and Masquerade, driven mad with violence, pushed her to isolation.  Alone she had ridden out the worst.  Alone she approached now.

Wealda was gone.  It was uncertain within her who remained.  She has done what she needed to and in doing so abandoned them, an action that might spell an end to her dwelling here.  Even if she was not wasted with illness and suffering her injuries still, there would have been no pride.  She assumed no welcome.  Still she could not disappear entirely.  Only death could part her from her pack.  And they were still hers so long as they did not drive her away.

Practiced and ingrained knowing brought her to a stop at that familiar boundary.  It was late; she did not call.  Instead she lay down to wait with eyes fixed on the shadowed rise.