Broken Boulder cause I'm still breathing on my own

tags for reference

Lily had done her best to look after things in Alarian's absence, relying on @Lanawyn to help her keep order. Not that it was hard--the wolves of Broken Boulder kept to themselves, for the most part, and they were a peaceful lot as well. She'd whittled the days away with hunting lessons and looking at the stars with @Korei Julia, and it had been a pleasant time.

But she'd missed Alarian, and when his howl rang out, she moved quickly to find him, coming across the dusty-pelted wolf just outside his den. "Ali!" she exclaimed, racing toward the Governor and giving him a gentle nudge to his shoulder. "Good to have you back! How--"

She fell abruptly silent as she noted his expression, and the lack of a companion at his side. Her face fell. He had not found Lennon: the mission had been a failure. Lily felt a pang at the thought of the handsome man's disappearance; surely he must be dead or in some peril, or else why wouldn't he have come back?

Lennon wouldn't have abandoned them. . .right?

"How was, erm, your trip?" Lily continued meekly, giving Alarian a sympathetic look.