Haunted Wood Finding beauty in the dissonance

merrick's ear flicked as he weighed the cost of what the man offered. there was no freedom within a pack; he knew that well, not the sort to which he and the shadow had become accustomed. but winter lurked close, and despite their cunning, he and the girl were young. a group would provide protection, caches, a promise of the mask to hide the skeletal grinning creature gaining strength in merrick's soul.
"don't bother," the boy retorted, glancing to astara. "we'll join you." for now, the undertone promised, but the yearling need not voice that. falling silent, he waited for the man's rejoinder.