Jett's pov:

Jett walked towards the river, and he could already tell his feet would have blisters. He never stopped looking for Cedar; his scent led him here, but where? He was in an unfamiliar place and in shadow clan territory at that. He had no idea how to get back to the den; he could only hope that he would find Cedar. He sniffs the air, trying to find his scent. Suddenly, he senses the alpha pads approaching, and he freezes in place.

He cocked his head to the side, confused. He was half expecting a large black wolf, as he was known to be, but all he saw was a young man with reddish-black hair and piercing green eyes.

He tries to hold back a laugh; this was not what he was expecting at all. "You're not the one I was looking for," he says, his voice shaking with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. The man in front of him was not the intimidating alpha he had expected, but a younger male, maybe a few years older than him. He looks familiar, though he can't quite place his name. "What are you doing here?" he asks, his tone still incredulous.

"I'm here to find someone I know. His scent led me here," he said honestly, his dazzling green darting back and forth between Jett's eyes. "He was with me when we were exiled from our pack. I didn't mean to leave him behind, but I had no choice." His voice cracked, betraying the emotions he was feeling. Jett couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the man. He knew what it was like to be alone and unwanted.

Ash sighed. He knew this Jett person is Cedar's older half-brother, whom he would not stop talking about since he got sick from the injury he had from the challenge. "Well, you see, Cedar... He is my brother. I would never harm him. I just want to make sure he is safe. He has changed since then; I can feel it. I want to help him find his place in this world again." He looked at Jett with determination in his eyes. "You can come with us if you want. We can help each other."

This perked his attention; maybe this is the chance to find peace. "Alright, I'll come with you," he says finally, his voice firm. The other wolves in the circle nodded, welcoming him into their group. Jett felt a sense of belonging that he hadn't experienced in a long time.

"So my brother is really here?" Jett asked Ash, and they started walking back to the camp. "Yes, he is. He has been going through a lot ever since the accident. But I believe that he can get through this with our help." Ash replied with a reassuring tone in his voice.

"He did the challenge to prove the worth of your pack, didn't he? Of course he accepted." Jett ranted, remembering how Cedar fought so hard to be accepted. "He should be with you, where he belongs." He paused, looking around. "I don't know what kind of life he's had here, but I will make sure he's safe and sound." His voice was firm and determined. "He's family, after all."

Ash chuckled at that comment. "He did. And he did prove himself. He's a good leader, Jett. He just needs time to heal, both physically and emotionally. We'll be there for him every step of the way." They walked in silence for a while, lost in their thoughts. "You know," Ash began, looking at Jett out of the corner of his eye. "I always wondered about you. Cedar never talked much about his family. I mean, we're all orphans here, but you were the only one he seemed to care about."

Jett shakes his head, looking at the ground. "I was never a good wolf, Ash. I was always reckless, always getting into trouble. I was the reason our family was exiled in the first place. Cedar and I were never close, but he always tried to protect me. I was a burden to him. I just wanted to make him proud, you know?" He sighed heavily, his voice laced with regret. "I should have never left him behind, but I was scared. I didn't know what else to do."

"I killed his mother, Lily, during a blackout, and he was the one to get exiled as well. not just me." Jett confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've been carrying that weight around for weeks now, Ash. I've tried to make it right, and I swear I have. But every time I think I've done something good, something to make up for it, it feels like I'm just digging myself deeper. I don't know if I'll ever be able to make things right."

Ash does pity the older male before him; he knew about the events and how they had shaped Jett into the person he is. "We all have our demons, Jett. But you can't let it consume your mind." He says this, gently laying a hand on his shoulder. "Cedar loves you; you know that. He'll forgive you for everything. And I'm sure that with time, so will the others." Jett looks up at him, hope flickering in his eyes. "We'll help you, Jett. We'll help you find your place in this world again."

"You're right for an alpha. I have to admit that." Jett sighed heavily. "Thanks, Ash. I appreciate it. I'll do my best to be the kind of wolf you think I am. For Cedar's sake." They continued walking back to the camp, lost in their thoughts. The air was crisp, and the sky was a deep shade of blue that seemed to go on forever. The scent of pine needles and fresh earth filled their nostrils, reminding them of their wolf heritage. As they approached the camp, they could see figures moving about, tending to the fires and preparing for the day ahead.

"You can see him in the den," Ash said, nodding his head toward a large cave-like structure at the back of the camp. "He's been sleeping a lot lately, but be careful not to disturb him. He's still recovering." Jett nodded, his expression somber. "I'll be gentle, I promise."

Jett walked toward the den, his steps slow and cautious. He hesitated before entering, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. The inside was dimly lit by candles, casting flickering shadows on the rough stone walls. A soft rustling sound came from a nearby pile of fur, and Jett assumed that was where Cedar was sleeping. He slowly made his way over to him, kneeling down beside the makeshift bed. Cedar was curled up on his side, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath.

Jett gently placed his hand on Cedar's warm forehead, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath his palm. He wished he could take away the pain that he knew his brother was feeling, both physically and emotionally. He wanted to tell him that everything would be okay and that they would get through this together. But he knew that those were empty words, hollow promises. Instead, he simply stayed by his side, offering whatever comfort he could in his presence.

Cedar stirred in his sleep, mumbling something incoherent before relaxing back into the soft furs. Jett sat there for hours, watching his brother sleep, feeling a strange mix of guilt, love, and despair wash over him. He wondered if Cedar was even aware of his presence or if he was just a figment of his imagination, a ghost from his past that haunted him.

"don't worry. pup. I've got you." Jett whispers gently near Cedar's ear, careful not to startle him awake. He places a soft kiss on his forehead, feeling a lump form in his throat. He remembers a time when they were pups, playing together in the forest, chasing each other through the trees. They were inseparable then, and their bond was unbreakable. He wonders if they could ever get back to that.