Northstar Vale nixëloss

The moon village lands had been too loud, too full of eyes that Chaudry couldn't stand to have on him without baring his teeth. Instead he had retreated into the mountains, seeking comfort in the high peaks and familar turns. The vale had become his home once more, his mother's abandoned den and the nursery where his daughter once slept constant reminders of what he had stayed on this earth for.

He would reclaim what was his.

But not yet, not now.

Movement in the vale was a break from routine, a reason to investigate. Chaudry expected a familiar face; his maman, Chesley, maybe an aunt, but he had no such luck. What he saw through the trees was a stranger entirely, too pale to be a woman of his home and without the balance of fear or certainty to have been an old packmate.

He thought to whisper to Phobos, but his body refused to move. Wide eyes were fixed forward like two citrine daggers, waiting for the other to move first.