Winter lingered longest in the southern regions of White Timber Forest. In the East Clan, purple crocuses, the earliest spring flowers, began to bloom. Now halfway to the South Clan, Arek, Vin, and Inessa found stubborn patches of snow spotting the forest grounds. The sun's warmth surrounded them with an energy that encouraged them to travel from before the sun rose until hours after the sun set. Cold, nipping air filled the nights, which was why they took care to bring their furs and Inessa her thicker leggings, even though they weren't as comfortable to move in. On the fifth day, they came to a plain that stretched forward for several miles. To their right was a lake that shimmered under the sun. Arek pointed to it. "The South Clan calls it the Lossen. Some of them believe that lost souls will travel here to find refuge in its isolation. The dark souls can only travel here at night and can only dwell at the bottom of the lake during the day. Only pure souls can remain at the top as the sun touches the lake. Only they can contain and hold the shine that the sun casts down."

"Charming bunch of dirt." Vin muttered.

Inessa agreed. It all sounded like a made up bedtime story for children, but as she watched the lake sparkle in the sun, she began to wonder where the South Clan got their motives and inspiration from. I wonder if Mahika, the daughter of the South Clan's Alpha, told this to Arek years ago. Either that, or he must have learned it during his travels before he became Alpha.

When the reached the end of the plain, Arek told them it'd only be another day or so. The East Clan was closer to the South than the West, something they were all grateful for. "The South Clan isn't expecting us, but they shouldn't feel threatened by..." Arek closed his eyes.

"What now?" Inessa got to her knees. Should I shift? She glanced at Vin. His body was tense, ready to spring into action. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, but they knew better than to believe in a silent forest.

Arek's hand flicked out with a snap. He grasped an arrow with thin, black feathers at the end. He glanced at Inessa and Vin. "Be at ease." He turned in the direction of the arrow's shooter.
A woman emerged from the woods holding a loaded bow almost as tall as she was. Her irises were as dark as her wavy hair, tied back by a string. "Stay where you are. That arrow was to tell you where I was, not to harm you. You have the reflexes of a warrior and the stance of a fast responder."

Arek first trailed his eyes along the carvings on her bow, her thick pale dress, and the feathers at her neck before resting them on her face. "Your eyes do not lie, daughter of Vishnu."

The woman stiffened. "I've only heard one man, no, one boy, say such words. Who..."

"And I know of only one woman who claimed she never shot a target - human, wolf, or any other animal - without first looking them in the eye."

She lowered her bow. "Neither do yours." Shock shadowed her face. "It is you," she whispered.

He smiled. "Before you say anything else, please tell the four behind us not to loosen their arrows. I doubt I could catch them all."

As Inessa watched the woman blow a high, twirling whistle, only one name came to mind - Mahika, daughter of Alpha Vishnu.

Two men and two women stepped out of the trees, but otherwise remained a distance away. Mahika addressed Arek. "Why have you come?"

"To speak with the Alpha of the South. Nothing more, and nothing less. Is he here?"

Mahika noticed the band on Inessa's arm. Her shoulders stiffened, imperceptibly to anyone else. "Who are your companions?"

"A trusted warrior and my sister."

At the word "sister," Mahika's eyes widened, but her shoulders relaxed. Then, the formalities of an alpha's daughter came to mind. She raised her head. "As is customary with any visitors, please wait here until your guide arrives." With the lift of her finger, she disappeared into the woods.

Vin noticed that the four bowmen behind them remained, keeping a close eye on them. "What a-" Arek cut him off with a glance. Vin rolled his eyes. "She didn't bother answering your question."

"She might have her reasons to be wary," Inessa shot a warning glance at the back of Arek's head.

"It was an unnecessary question. Alpha Vishnu is always here." Arek brushed the snow off a branch near his face and leaned against a tree. For a moment, he had been reminded of Alpha Lyle's absence during his visit to the West Clan. It's still bothering me more than I should allow it to.

Inessa didn't hesitate to ask what was on her mind. "Arek, do you think Mahika remembering you will make the South more willing to help us?"

"It won't." Arek spotted the envoy and straightened off the tree. "This is between Vishnu and I."

The envoy greeted them with a short bow. "Let me warn you: the South is not keen to visitors. However, because the Alpha's daughter has vouched for your name, the Alpha will accept a meeting with you."

"He will not regret doing so." Arek followed the envoy, Inessa and Vin trailing close behind. Inessa felt that Arek was acting too callous, especially after seeing Mahika. When he spoke of her in the woods, it was like she was the sole light of his past. Isn't he relieved that she remembers him? And even more so, spoke up for him to her father of all people? Inessa scanned Arek's face. Maybe he was. All these years...and he's still willing to suppress his feelings for her. Even if they were hidden under his mask, Inessa knew they had to be there.

The four bowmen followed close behind as the envoy led the three through the village. Inessa noted that the cabins were larger than those in the East. Everyone was clothed from neck to toe and covered with thick cloaks. True to the rumors, the South didn't wear jackets, and their cabins, though large, were placed specifically in areas where they didn't interrupt forests and hills around them.

Alpha Vishnu was every bit as strong as he was old. Lines of muscles streamed along his exposed arms like the etchings of an oak. He was taller than Arek. His eyes, though observant, lacked any hint of liveliness. His voice was as deep as Vishnu's. "You were bold to come this far, and with little to accompany you."

"It was not my intent to disturb the peace of the South." Arek noted that the advisors, warriors, and Mahika were present. "The East has no quarrel with you. I doubt they ever will under Vishnu's rule."

Vishnu shifted. "You have a pretty tongue, but truths that have already been told do not impress me."

He's sharp, Inessa thought. Mahika definitely took after him.

"Impressing, evaluating, call it what you will," Arek said. "I came looking for a ruler who seeks peace: a peace that the North has threatened."

Whispers and gasps shot around.

Vishnu narrowed his eyes. "How many, Alpha," he stated. "How many have died?"

Arek didn't hesitate. "Forty-four."

"We must prepare!" one of the four bowmen shouted.

Vishnu raised his hand. "Be still. Action without thought is always a mistake." He turned to Arek. "Rash action is our greatest enemy. Where is the North now?"

"They are continuously striking my people: both on the outskirts of our village and in the central forest."

The bowmen jerked towards Vishnu. "That far?"

"I will not say it again," Vishnu growled. "It appears that the only ones they are attacking is the East. This is not our fight."

"Don't you care what happens outside this clan?" Inessa spat out. She ignored Arek and Vin. "Have you forgotten that we all share the same forest?"

"Be quiet."

At Arek's words, Inessa felt like the earth pulled out beneath her feet. She remembered who she was, where they were, and what she had promised Arek.

Vishnu stood. "So, you suggest that the North would attack the South. Very well, let them! All the more reason for us to remain and prepare. The further away they travel from their clan, the weaker they will be by the time they meet us."

*****

Alpha Vishnu allowed the Eastern visitors to remain for the night. There was no elaborate dinner to honor the first Alpha of the East in the past fifty years. Dinner was a simple but hearty spread of seeded bread and deer meat.

After biting into a roll, Arek pointed a finger at Inessa. "Who gave that to you?" He swallowed.

"Huh?" Inessa realized he was pointing at her arm. "Oh! The band. Kusal did. He said it was a sign."

Immediate relief washed over Arek's face.

"What? I assumed it had to do with...with my rank, since I'm related to you."

"It's being related to me that put you in a danger I was careless enough to miss." Arek furrowed his brows. "That..." he pointed to the band. "Is a sign to those outside the clan that you are betrothed, and not to be claimed or entreated by anyone."

Inessa's face flushed. "What on earth?" And Kusal didn't care to mention that to me?

"It's not entirely uncommon for clans to marry off their finest warriors to family members of an Alpha. It doesn't bond the clans together like you think it would, but it definitely helps create ties where there are none."

"Yeah," Inessa settled back into her seat. "Not happening."

"Surprising that he had the brains to think of it before I did," Arek muttered.

Inessa rolled her eyes. "Hey, not that I want to know, but are you angry with me?"

He shook his head. "No. You actually stole what I was going to say to Vishnu next, but who said it didn't really matter. Vishnu is a peaceful ruler, but he is also the most stubborn Alpha, no, werewolf, I've ever heard of in my life. He isn't going to change the silent ways of the South just because I said something."

Inessa warmed her hands over the fire. Her and Arek had a private meal away from the rest of the clan. Last she saw, Vin was chatting with the two female archers that found them when they arrived. At least someone's plan seems to go right. He's probably intriguing them with stories of the Arm. She noticed Arek's eyes on the fire, lost in thought. "You don't seem to disappointed."

"I am." Arek folded a slip of paper in his hand.

"What's that?"

Arek slipped the paper into his furs. "Mahika wants to speak with me just before dawn." He gave her a look. "I am going alone, Inessa. That's an order." He stood up. "We should get some sleep."

Together, they put out the fire with the snow around them. "My words may not have made a difference," Arek said. "But maybe Mahika's will."

Before the last ember died, Inessacaught a glimpse of the anticipation on Arek's face. I hope you are right.