The pack was nearly completely settled into their new home — behaviour was becoming more routine as the wolves grew comfortable with the foreign territory. Lachesis had busied himself with ensuring that his inventory was well-stocked before the weather worsened. As the snow continued to fall it became more and more difficult for the deer-legged healer to gather herbs as they became buried under the frigid blanket. He did not want to be unprepared if an accident was to happen — the youth desperately wanted to make a name for himself within the pack, and pursuing the role of healer was precisely the way to do it. The yearling already had to deal with one incident, as the mute member of the pack — Taras — had a run in with an irritated lynx. Luckily only a few hours had passed after the shadow wolf had received his injuries, allowing XIX to get to work quickly on patching up the lacerations.

Long, thin legs moved gracefully over the snow, his brows furrowed softly as he observed the snow-dusted surroundings. The warm, refreshing scent of the cedars offered solace to the troubled youth, as things always seemed to go wrong around him. His former leader had passed away, despite his best efforts to save him, and the prince of Pitch Pine detested him. After leaving the pack with his blue-eyed companion, Anastasia, tragedy had struck their new pack — a furious flood rampaged the territory of Darkwater Rapids, leaving the area unlivable. However, since arriving in Cut Rock River things seemed to look up — pack affairs were running smoothly and although prey was starting to become scarce the wolves were not yet feeling the angry claws of hunger.

Suddenly a call broke through his thoughts, alerting him of the presence of another. Turning his nose in the direction of the stranger Lachesis bounded forward, his lanky legs carrying him quickly over the layer of snow that covered the ground. The Arctic was built for this weather — he thrived in it. His coat had thickened, making the gangly teenager appear much larger than he was. Closing in on the loner a familiar scent hit his damp nostrils — the smell of pine trees and former packmates. Hope surged through his body, and he quickened his pace as though someone had lit a flame behind his rear. However, once the scent became more clear and the agouti-coloured male came into view disappoint licked at his stomach. It was not the dark prince that XIX hoped to see — instead it was a wolf that had arrived just before he and Anastasia had left. Slowing his movements the youth approached the male cautiously, pear eyes not once wavering from the Pitch Pine wolf. Why was he here, so far away from the shadows of the deep forest? Perplexed he stopped several tail's lengths away from him, curiosity burning feverishly through his veins. "Can I help you with something?"

His curiosity was fed as soon as the fiery-eyed stranger began to speak, announcing that he had hoped to meet with Anastasia... and to join the pack? Perplexed the boy remained silent as he awaited further explanation, his pear eyes remaining focused on Aeolus. Before the wolf dove into his story XIX knew something was wrong; why else would he be so far away from the pack? Lachesis' first thought was that someone had died — more specifically. Anger bubbled within his chest at the thought, mainly directed at himself for abandoning the troubled youth. He should have been there for the fragile child, not thinking selfishly.

Giving his head a mental shake the yearling redirected his attention back to Aeo as he spoke once more, words struggling to drop off his tongue. He responded with a quick, short nod as the wolf addressed him by 'Lachesis' while his lips remained glued shut. The ghost's worried were laid to rest when Aeolus announced that Pitch Pine fell apart, its members slowly disappear after he and Anastasia had left. While Lachesis felt partly responsible for the disbandment of the pack he stood by his decision to leave — Cut Rock River was his home now, there was no going back.

Just as the male announced that Karpos had left with another adult Anastasia's voice shouted from the trees as she approached the pair. Nineteen barely had time to register the news of Karpos' whereabouts as his companion's voice cut through the silence once more, demanding to know who it was that the shadow prince had left with. Turning his pear gaze back to the agouti male his brows narrowed, a frown forming over his lips as he struggled to digest Aeolus' news. "Answer her," he demanded, unable to mute the anger that bubbled inside of him. "How could they lose the children?!"