Seaside Moors People ought to stick together, that's the way to make a crowd.

Three wolves came to greet them: a brawny male with pale fur, golden eyes and an inquisitive air arrived first and, soon after, a mismatched pair of she-wolves came along. Sugar momentarily studied each of them, her black eyes lingering on the darkest wolf in brief fascination at her scars, before her attention returned to the pups.

"Elwood" seemed enchanted by her legs, while "Finley" clung fearfully to her brother. Sugar glanced at Stryx, then at Raleska and her welcoming party, before bending to apply a comforting lick to the little girl's forehead. She was curious about the wolves—particularly after what Huā had said about them—but ultimately this was Raleska's family and her business, not Sugar's.

Gently draping a foreleg around the two little bundles, Sugar took a moment to ascertain their surroundings. The Empress had called her island home a paradise and the young medic supposed that this place could be considered as such too. There were dunes sprinkled with trees and rocky outcroppings, all overlooking the sea. It would be a good place to grow up, she thought, supposing the wolves who inhabited the territory were decent.

Her attention snapped back to Raleska when she was mentioned by name. Sugar returned the sad smile and ducked her head, saying, "You owe me nothing." It seemed like the proper time to scruff little "Elwood" and carry him forward, placing him beside his mother. "It's been my pleasure helping you and your family," Sugar said earnestly. "You take care of them—and yourself—all right?"