Bearclaw Valley If I was born a blackthorn tree

He wished he could have as much faith as Arielle did, but Aventus knew the bear. He knew it better than he wished to, and he doubted very much its hunger for blood would be sated by brainwashing two outsider pups into obedience.

Aventus had been wrong before. He hoped he was now.

Dropping his chin down between his paws, Aventus let his eyes flutter closed. It would be a long time before sleep found him, but even wide awake, he took solace in Arielle’s warmth beside him.