Sawtooth Spire mach schnell

Through it all, Wylla didn't say a word.

There was nothing else to share with Mahler and Stag. She waited in silence as packmates trickled in, some curious, others concerned. Of particular interest to Wylla was Star with her two cubs in tow, one of which was immense for its age. Knowing those cubs didn't belong to Mahler made it easy for her to feel warmly toward them despite not entirely agreeing with how the whole thing happened—she'd always had a little soft spot for children.

Then Phaedra's arrival struck her dumb in another way. She wished there was good news to share with the pale duckling, who now stood at least a head above the other pups in the pack at five months old. Instead, there was only the sharp knife of grief. She lifted her head just a little to conceal the wobble in her lips at the mention of Thade. The prickle of tears in the corner of her eyes made her blink a few times, rapidly, but she kept herself composed in the presence of the pack. She was grateful that Mahler rose to the task of correcting Phaedra. She didn't think she could manage a word without letting slip her tenuous control over herself.

Then Nyx and her two daughters arrived and Wylla was kept silent by the cold punch of a nameless emotion in her gut. Her gaze flickered over the trio before sliding dismissively away. It was easier to pretend they didn't exist, and Wylla was learning that she couldn't keep giving others power over her by letting them get the best of her emotions. Nevertheless, she clenched her jaws tightly together and lowered her head as Mahler spoke, unwilling to give voice to any agreement or thoughts of her own in case it came with a side dish of vitriol.