Silvertip Mountain BLACK FEATHERS

She had been waiting nervously for the family's return. She had known something bad was going on but the only instructions she had been given were to stay home and protect Ursus—the command from Aves' lips having no less effect on her than if they had come from the bear king himself. So she had stayed behind, watched the three forms disappear, and then stuck to the borders. She prowled along the mountain on high alert, her senses tuned in to every sight, scent, and sound. 

But there had been no trouble, and the first sound that had stopped her pacing was the call from Merrick. The sound made dread pool in her stomach; she knew there would be nothing good waiting for the pack when they gathered.

Her feet started moving before she had really even processed her decision to answer, as if her body already knew she would make no other choice than to meet whatever this was head on. 

She was silent as she arrived, her expression a mixture of horror and despair as her gaze moved over the tattered body of the shadow's wife. She was shreds of flesh and bone, any hair she could see sticky with dried blood. It was a horrific. Her throat was dry and her heart was racing in her chest. 

Finally, her eyes slid up to where Merrick faced them, his cold, angry gaze making her breath stick in the back of her throat. There was no time for questions because as soon as they had gathered, he began to speak. His tone was just as cold and angry as his gaze. The bear king told them who was responsible for taking something invaluable from Ursus. The Saints of the Dying Light. 

They would seek revenge at first light, and he had given them the choice of joining him or leaving—dying or living. Of course her decision was already made; she didn't need time to think about what it would mean, and she didn't have any questions for him. She would join him, and if it was her destiny, she would die. 

Arielle watched as Merrick turned from them, his body sagging over Astara's shredded form. Sadness swelled in her chest until it moved up her throat and spilled from her jaws in a mournful howl.