The howl made her stop in her tracks as she looked back over her shoulder, her tail tucked instinctively and her ears pinned back. It was like a curse on the wind and it burned into her flesh like a hot brand. When it was further followed by Ice's own howl her blood ran cold, heart hammering in her ears. It wasn't meant to be like this... "I'm sorry..." she whispered lowly under her breath, quiet enough that only she could hear. She wanted to sing it to the sky, explain she had no idea this was happening, but it would do no good now. And she had done a terrible wrong. She had thought she was fleeing to the life of a loner, not being dragged into some pack forming conspiracy. Had this been his plan all along? Was he just trying to trap her into leaving with him? She had never felt so upset or uncertain in all her life.

She only knew one thing to be true. She could never go back.

All that was behind her was now gone from her reach. All she had now was Rhysis, and the two females who she hardly knew. Taking a moment to breath, she hesitantly lifted her paw and stepped forward. Rhysis had wanted her in the center but she needed him now more than ever. Moving up beside the dark male, brushing his flank as she went she matched his pace as they continued along with the rising sun. She wanted him to tell her that everything was going to be fine.

He was silent.