She wasn't worried. Plenty of wolves had left for multi day excursions before, and she considered Belladonna plenty capable of handling herself and her son. There could be a thousand reasons their trip had dragged out longer than expected. Truth be told, she had plenty of other things on her mind, still struggling a bit to keep up with everything in her grief. Loosing Nina had been a monumental blow to all of the Woodlands, and moth Miccah and Aideen, who had known the matriarch for so long, had taken it especially hard. That wasn't to say they didn't still care for their duties, if anything they were more intend than ever, on upholding the founder's legacy. But it was just that bit harder, every step just that touch heavier.

It was the quiet time of year now, puppies big enough to handle themselves with minimum assistance, few stragglers at the borders; Most plants dead or asleep… But there was still lots to be done. Out of habit Aideen walked the border in the winding route she always used, passing the spots where she would gather herbs in season. Now they were naked and covered in snow. But patrolling was needed anyway, and it was easiest for her paws to walk the familiar path. Her mind was absent, distracted by the churning thoughts, but her senses still kept watch, and it was the smell that first brought her back to the present. Sharp and sour, it was an odor well known to both a healer and a mother's nose. She instantly swerved to follow it an icy feeling creeping up her back, causing her hackles to rise. It wasn't long until the scent of wolf reached her too, and soon after, she caught sight of the pale figure. Looking as shaggy and broken as the first time she'd met him, maybe even more so, Aideen hardly recognized the boy, and she froze in her steps, quickly realizing what was missing from that same picture. "Duckweed," She called, voice low; "Where's your mother?"

Word count: 342

Ice flowed through the alphess' veins at the empty look in Duck's colorless eyes, a lump forming in her throat; What happened? The only answer he gave was a strangled, hollow sound that made every hair on her body stand on end. He stumbled forwards and she reached out, catching him against her chest as he continued to wail, every sound sending stabs of pain through her heart. "Oh sweetheart," she cooed, curling her head over his shoulder in comfort, holding him close while the sobs shook his willowy frame.

Even though no words fell from the boy's lips, it was clear that something horrible had befallen Bella, why else would he return alone in such a state? But what? Fear clenched Aideen's chest, and she briefly raised her head from his back to howl for @Miccah and anyone else nearby; Hurry! Then she returned to gently stroking the pale youth's crest, soothing noises falling from her dark lips. But all the while, her heart beat rapidly in her chest, terrible thoughts of what might have caused this misery racing through her mind; Please, please..! She silently begged. But at the same time, her common sense told her that Duck would not have come here, sick and crying, without immediately asking for help, if there was anything they could have done to save his mother.

Word count: 225