Where is the child?

He was glad he hadn't startled her by his approach (oblivious to the fact that she had been aware of him following her in the first place), and accepted her nuzzle with a soft whine. Her sorrow was almost palpable. If he wasn't in such a ragged state himself, he would have tracked down the Beta (and perhaps even their other missing members) and dragged him back home like a mother would a disobedient child. He was sure Charon was just off exploring or something. Despite not telling anyone he would be gone. Or checking to see if Floki or one of the pups wanted to tag along. Or that he had been gone for quite a while. Atreyu sucked in a deep breath, trying to keep the anxiety at bay.

He followed Thistle as she turned and began to head along the borders again, ears pricking as she spoke. Her own confidence that he would return settled his worries somewhat, though he was equally saddened. They were a dying pack, as much as he hated to admit it. "He could be out recruiting?" he tried hopefully. Winter was coming and, after the storm, there were surely lone wolves out there who would definitely be wanting to join a pack to avoid the wrath of Teekon Wild's crazy weather.