Lone Star Mountain just a stoic statue, fit for a nobody

The girl was not at the rendezvous when he returned from a quick hunt. The mountain hare fell from his jaws, and he made only the briefest attempt to cover it before sniffing around, looking for her. Her scent trailed elsewhere, though, so he started to follow it in earnest.

His worry—and ire—grew stronger as the path led him down the ridge and then outside of it altogether. It meandered toward the nearby peak where he'd seen—

Pale woman & child.

Hex saw them first over yonder and began to bristle. He kept on the trail, and minutes later, came across the girl, crouching in the brush, watching the pair of wolves.

Nutu! he hissed, moving low and quick toward her. You can't be out here on your own! Without thinking, he seized the nape of her neck and tugged backward, toward Shadow Ridge.

Just one bite. And they were close. . .

They needed to get away, NOW