After the births of Mabel, Corsair, and Ayla in the spring of 2017, the mood in Oak Tree Bend was looking up. Although still small in numbers, life was good. The three pups kept the pack on their toes as they grew and began to explore the world around them. But their newfound peace was disrupted mid-summer when Ice disappeared while taking a trip up north. Throughout the fall and winter, Lila led the effort to look for the Bend patriarch, eventually finding he had taken refuge in Wild Rye Fields. But nearly a year later, Ice has yet to return to the Bend, much to the disappointment of Serach and Lila, and further putting a strain on the pack's relationship with the Fields.

The Bend's relationships with their other neighbors has proved to be much better, however. Last spring, Aponi reconnected with her oldest daughter Kyna, who founded Aurora Heights in the mountains. Serach and Aponi's first litter have even been able to visit their half-sibling and extended family. The Bend also dealt with the arrival of two new neighboring packs in the Vale. They remained neutral with Quaking Vale to their south, despite their connection to their neighbor's founders. The Bend has developed a mutual respect for Shallow's Edge, their new neighbor in the north. Mabel in particular has developed a close friendship with her fellow yearling Sachiel.

Despite the success of their external relations, the internal relationship of Serach and Aponi has been pushed to its limits over the past six months. Concerned about the pack's numbers and their relationship, Aponi began to distance herself from Serach, resulting in frequent fighting and irritability. The pair almost split after Aponi had an afternoon tryst with her childhood friend Karpos, but they've remained to try and raise their second litter together. But their fighting hasn't stopped, and it has caused great distress amongst Mabel, Corsair, and Ayla and complicated their impending relationships with their younger siblings. But one positive side effect is that the three yearlings have developed close relationship with Chamomile, their friend and teacher.

Spring was further complicated when Nalda returned from a scouting mission across Relic Lore and confessed to Aponi that she was pregnant. Unwilling to give up her children to Aponi, the Bend leader drove Nalda out of the pack. But before Nalda could leave Spectral Woods, Serach found her and attempted to bring her back to the Bend at the risk of deepening the wedge between him and Aponi. On top of that, frequent sightings and interactions with particularly bold coyotes have put the whole pack on edge and made traveling beyond the borders dangerous.

In May, Aponi gave birth to Kisina and Azra. The birth of their second litter has brought Aponi and Serach closer together, but has increased tensions with their older siblings. With coyotes on the lose and the issues between their parents not fully resolved, it remains to be seen if the Bend can return to the peaceful days of the previous summer.