Blacktail Deer Plateau Season's greetings

To his reassurance she made no comment. Family was a touchy matter to Saena, and forgiveness for them was restricted greatly. To know that Junior was injured and had a likely story for it put her at ease—she could not blame her sister for disappearing—but still, knowing she might stay away wasn't enough. Traveling between this pack and Thief River Falls wasn't enough.

"Thank you, Swordfish," she said again, "have a safe trip back." As he departed, she found herself torn between telling the pack now that it was possible Junior may never return and keeping it private. She stood there a long while, until dark began to settle and Swordfish was well out of sight, mulling it over. In the end, she turned back into the dark forest, deciding to not tell anyone what had been said here. If Junior never did come home, then perhaps it was better they think her dead.