Arek woke to the songs of the hermit thrushes drifting through the still-dark, snow-covered forest. He glanced at Inessa, sleeping in her wolf form and rolled in a blanket. Rebel. He laughed under his breath and stood up, stretching his back.

The South Clan was a strange one, Arek thought. They loved nature, but they preferred their human forms over their wolf forms - even while they hunted and slept. Arek slid out of his blankets. He grabbed his fur jacket slung over the tree branch above him. Because there was no breeze, Arek managed to trap his body heat that had built up from his sleep as he pulled on the jacket. He reached into his pocket, fingering the paper note. Mahika wrote to meet at a clearing along the north-eastern border of the clan. What exactly do their borders look like? Arek wondered. They have trees all throughout their living space. It isn't as if they have a definite line. Nevertheless, he took a decent guess and aimed for where the ground began sloping into gentle hills.

Mahika stood on top of the first hill. For a moment, Arek stood there, stunned by the stillness of it all - her irises as green as the surrounding trees, her black hair in stark contrast of the snow at her boots and her calm demeanor. He could hear himself breathing. "I didn't think I was late."

"You are not. I decided to come early." She leaned her bow against a thin trunk. "You only leave in a few hours, so I will be courteous and not keep you long."

Arek nodded, hearing the sense in her words, even though they weren't what he had hoped to hear. Best stay on topic. "Alpha Vish- your father. He's made up his mind then?"

Mahika reached into her bag, drawing out something wrapped in cloth. "I wish I could have brought different news, but maybe this will make up for it."

As Mahika unrolled the cloth, Arek stepped closer, his interest peaked. Mahika revealed two slim daggers with brown, matte handles. Arek picked one up. The sun reflected off the wickedly sharp blade. "These are not common among your kind. I didn't even know many of you knew how to throw these."

Unconsciously, Mahika covered the other dagger. "Few know how."

Arek placed the dagger on an outstretched finger. It didn't fall. "I used to struggle throwing, even with well-made daggers, but these feel perfectly balanced. Almost as if..." He glanced at the satisfied smile creeping onto Mahika's face. "Who made these?"

Mahika placed the other dagger next to the other one on his finger. "I'm glad to see I remembered you correctly, or at least the daggers I saw you practice with."

"I didn't remember you calculating my throws or the daggers' measurements."

"I made them." There was pride in her voice. Welding was not one of her responsibilities, yet she had taught herself all on her free time "Word came to us months ago of an Alpha rising in the East. Most of us did not believe it. I didn't either."

"Thank you for these." Arek slid the daggers into his belt. "And don't worry, I wouldn't have believed it either."

"But then I saw you talking to my father." Mahika stepped towards him, searching his eyes. "You have changed, Arek. I know you believed what my father said, but something tells me you already knew his response, and that it won't make a difference to your plans." She noticed the cloud of his breath in the air and stepped back. "You are not the only one who has changed, Arek. When you last saw me, I knew nothing of the world or of death. It isn't so anymore."

Arek tilted his head. "I don't know."

Mahika's eyes widened. "Do you think I'm lying? I have no reason to stoop so low."

"Not at all. What I mean is you still seem the same to me. Strong, honest, and beautiful."

A fresh pink crept into Mahika's cheeks, though her expression stayed the same. "That would be unfortunate. People are always changing." She turned to the southern hills, their edges the rim of a creeping dawn. "The question is whether it is for the better or for the worse. I would hope not to be the same girl you saw long ago. I would hope to be stronger and more honest."

She's right. Her words were more refreshing than his sleep. I wonder...she didn't specify whether the change she sees in me is good or bad. "You know, you forgot to say the last one."

Mahika turned around, a smile gracing her lips for only a moment. "My father will not change his mind. He is the most stubborn man I know."

"I'm stubborn too."

"Don't mock me."

"I'm not." He stepped forward, imploring her to see the truth. "Mahika, in order to stop the killing, we need to stop the North Clan. I know how the South wants to avoid war at all costs, but death is inevitable. If we do not act now, how many more innocent lives will be taken? I'm done playing. I'm done being patient. And I will not gamble with the lives of my clan."

Mahika looked down, then at him again. "I said that my father does not believe in war, but I am not my father. Sometimes war is the only way to peace. I don't know if it is the answer to your problems, but-"

Arek held a finger to her lips. "If you are saying you agree, then that is all I can ask of you. If what you say is true, that your father will not change his mind, then there is nothing you can do, and nothing I want you to concern yourself with." He lowered his hand. "My only desire is that you understand why I do what I do - why I am choosing to fight."

"I'm sorry. I wish..." Mahika cast down her gaze. Arek could not tell whether it was regret or frustration. "I wish my people could be your allies."

Arek smiled softly. "Don't be. It helps to know that you are." And you'll never know the comfort you gave me by letting me know. Arek cradled the side of her face with his hand. All at once, her eyes grew wide, reminding him of when he first saw her years ago. Like a deer, he recalled. "In case I don't get this chance again," he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Thank you." He turned to leave, but Mahika clasped his hand in both of hers. He grimaced. If she pulled him to her, he didn't know what he'd do.

"Arek, if anything happens, if this breaks into a war, I want you to send word to me."

Arek felt suspicious. "What do you have in mind?" She didn't seem like the type to rebel against an Alpha, but still, the last thing he wanted was for her to do something that would be considered treason among her people.

"Unlike you," Mahika admonished, "I never plan that far ahead. I can't give you any promises in exchange. Nevertheless, will you trust me enough to do that?"

Arek glanced towards the village, then nodded. "I do." Even if he had suspected treason on her part, he knew he wouldn't refuse her. How could he? Her spirit had strengthened, but not hardened. Her eyes were calculating, but not cold. Arek didn't feel capable of judging her decisions when her sight was clearer than he own. He caught himself staring, and with regret, he knew it was time for him to leave. He wished that time would freeze, that Mahika would spill all the questions building in her eyes. He would answer them all and hold nothing back.

A trilling whistle cut through the air.

Mahika let go of his hand. "The watch is waiting for their orders."

Arek nodded. "I will protect my clan. Once that happens, once they are all safe, I hope to speak with you again."

"And do you keep all your promises, Alpha?"

There was no hint of mocking or judgment in her voice. There was hope, and Arek could've imagined it, but he thought it sounded like longing. "Mahika, look at me."

For the last time, she met his gaze and remembered his words. Eyes do not lie. This time, Mahika did not hold back her wonder and curiosity. This was not the boy she met years ago. This man believed in what he did. He was protective and kind. He knew his responsibility and held himself to it. He was proud, but not to the point of being foolish and thinking he could do everything himself. At least, Mahika thought, I hope he knows that. She touched his arm in response, unable to trust her own voice to say what she saw in him and why she wanted to help so badly. "I must go. May the spirit of the wind protect your journey home."

*****

Arek stared at Inessa's sleeping wolf form. The sun was a blazing half-circle above the horizon. They needed to reach the Lossen, the Southern lake of souls, by noon. He'd expected her to have eaten and packed. He huffed. If Vin is flirting around with the huntresses when I find him, this'll be the last time he goes anywhere without the rest of the Arm.

Inessa snored.

"Hey!" Arek barked.

The brown-and-white wolf jerked awake and growled.

Arek stood his ground. "Time to get moving. And quit being lazy." He lowered his head. "Get. Up."

Snapping her maw shut, the wolf fluffed her tail and stood up, almost regally. Taking a few steps away from the blanket, she moved towards the forest. Arek nodded his head, a bit impressed she managed that much dignity after a scolding. He picked up the blanket and rolled it tightly. "Good. Now once we find Vin, we..." he turned around.

Inessa lay cuddled up around a tree trunk, eyes closed.

Arek started toward her. "You little-"

"Arek!"

Arek turned around. Vin kicked up snow as he ran, shirtless and out of breath. He stopped and held out a small scroll. "The Beta's seal."

"It hasn't even been two weeks." Arek mumbled, though his heart raced. He tore it open, instantly scanning all corners of the letter before taking the time to read each line.

Vin leaned forward. "Alpha?"

Inessa nudged Arek's leg, whimpering. She took a step back and bowed her head, ready to begin her change.

Arek looked up, his eyes dark. "They caught a Northern spy." He stuffed the note in the pocket of his jacket. "Change, Vin. We're going back."

Vin straightened, fully alert. "Should I send our farewells to-"

"Now."

Inessa growled.

Arek glanced at her and took off his jacket. "It's the Conclave."

"Did something happen to them?" Vin was already on his knees.

"The spy. The Conclave wants him dead." Arek paused as a bone in his right leg snapped. "Kusal's authority is the only thing keeping the silent bastard alive."

__________

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!

Now, shall we continue this journey?

- Reese