Blackfeather Woods and when at last the work is done

The specter that emerged from the trees was unfamiliar to her, and so Maegi stood again, hackles raising and her lips curling in instinct. Who are you? she demanded, feeling more protective over Blackfeather than ever now that it was empty. Who else was here to defend it? She hadn't seen nor heard Relmyna's daughters, though their scents were still fairly present.

Was this a member of the pack she was unfamiliar with? She squinted, bi-colored eyes glinting in the dim light. She had been gone for long enough that anything was possible. Still, she didn't trust easily—and never would.