She had been secluded since her father had died and her brother left – she even missed Naia, who had looked after her and her sister quite a bit when they were younger. Something, with the recent deaths and shift in ranks, had changed the atmosphere of the River, and Lekalta felt heavy with it – in despair.


Kisla was a shell of her former self. Karina, who she had never been close to, as the girl had left during her younger months, had puppies of her own to care for now. Even Lachesis, who still caused her heart to flutter had been distant these days, and ever since he had whelped a litter with her babysitter, the tawny girl had placed distance from him. He had been taken by another.


And so, when she made the final decision to seek Orren out and leave Hearthwood River behind, it was with guilt the girl had sought first her littermate, bidding the dark girl goodbye with tears in her eyes. @Inna had explored the world before – and with their father gone, Lekalta too needed time to clear her mind.


It was saying goodbye to her mother, though, that had been the hardest. Kisla had seemed almost reserved in their farewell – cold, one could say, and Lekalta realized that the woman had said goodbye so many times, it was likely she had become accustom to it. Promising to return one day, the girl set off, but not before allowing her own voice to echo through the River – saying goodbye to the wolves she called family. She would be back – but for now, she needed time.