As the weeks passed, and the weather grew warmer, Andrey continued to keep to himself. He kept himself busy by hunting and monitoring the pack’s borders, along with avoiding his packmates. His priority was tending to the caches and keeping an eye on his brother, as both of his litters were due any day now. Which meant his uncle duties would begin soon, and he would have to socialize with the packmates he had been avoiding for nearly a month.

Making himself invisible the last few weeks had not been an easy task. He did not sleep with the pack, and rarely slept in the same spot more than once. He took the early patrols and skirted the pack boundaries before the sun slipped above the horizon line. He hunted beyond the pack borders—an excuse to explore more of the neighbouring territories. Most of the time he found himself gravitating toward bodies of water, as it was what he was most comfortable with. It was why he found himself slinking along the side of the bubbling creek, his paws occasionally dipping into the cool water. It made him think of low tide at the Estuary, and made him miss home even more.

Yet, he would remain here a little longer. Continue to help his brother. Meet his nieces and/or nephews. Contribute.

For now.