The Heartwood I know that I ended it,

This wolf did not sing or even speak as they found one another. Katmai quieted himself, his tail wheeling low, his ears splaying on either side of his broad head. He slowed, but pressed closer still to get a better look at the stranger.

"Peace be," he told her — politely, as his parents had taught him. Warmly, as his father had always done. Still, his nose twitch in insistent curiosity. "I'm Katmai," he said, hoping to earn her name in turn.