Bitterroot Valley ✢ With the holes in his sneakers

Veteran's request to remain in the area was immediately granted. He smiled warmly, tail waving. 

The other man remarked further on the marmots' behavior, and Veteran nodded in agreement. "They are smart. They always have a brother nearby, watching out." A solitary marmot was not typically a long-lived one. The same might be said for a solitary wolf. 

Veteran was finally given a name for the valley's caretaker. Sega, born at Big Sky. 

"I was born there," he said pointing his muzzle westward, toward the small piece of glacier that was visible behind the Dragon's peak. "Duskfire Glacer." There had been a time when he knew this valley like the back of his paw.  How strange it was, to stand here as a stranger to someone who called this land home. 

Or.. perhaps he was not considered a stranger after all. 

"You stay as brother," Sega insisted. 

He offered a family. A home. Veteran had stayed with packs before, but none that carried the emotional significance of this one that had taken root in the shadow of his birthplace. 

"Brothers," Veteran agreed with a nod. Just like that, he had a family again. A place to belong. "What do we call this valley?" he asked.