Her mother still hadn't returned and her venture with Ayti to go and look for her mother had resulted in them not finding her. To say she had been disappointed didn't even cover how she was feeling. Oksana didn't know how many days had passed since her mother had left. When they didn't find her mother and lost her trail Oksana had resigned herself to stay in the territory. She knew it would be a bad idea to do anything else and she didn't want to get Ayti in trouble. He was a good babysitter and did his best but as the days progressed she missed Inna more and more and was scared she wouldn't return.

The tiny pup had also gone looking for solace in her friend so had searched for Risaela but her scent wasn't in Hearthwood anywhere. Oksana was left wondering where her friend had gone and why she wasn't there. She knew that Rissy’s mum was gone but she should have stayed where Inna could take care of her. The pup knew her mother loved Rissy like she did her.

Having not found her mum or Rissy Oksana had sought comfort in the den she shared with her mum. There the scent of Lavender was strong despite the wilting of the plants that lay in the corner. Her mother nor Lorc had been there to refresh them, she laid on the fur and stretched out with a sigh. The sound of her name came to her ears a few hours later bringing her to sit up. She waited before hearing her name again, the voice was familiar, Laike. Maybe he knew where her mother was.

She hurried out of the den to find him slumped against a tree and immediately her excitement left her. Her head and tail dropped as she approached him before sitting before him. “Where mum?” She asked looking up at him hopefully he could tell her her mother and Lorc were okay.