It all happened so fast, so much in so little time, and then over in a heartbeat. Greer could only watch in mute horror as the bear rounded the dens and came into her line of vision, as wolves poured from all sides to fight it off, as they died to protect their own. The girl remained curled in a tight little ball as the battle raged, her injured leg smarting as she pulled it close to her body.

Neirin had left her side to fight the bear, leaving Greer alone in her little den. The faces that flashed by the opening were strangers to her, full of rage and determination. But then…all but one. With everything that was going on it was impossible, but Greer swore she smelled him before she even saw his lithe form fly by. The appearance of her imprint, Lucero, was an uninvited tug in her chest. She had only met him once and now he was here! Could she truly have had the misfortune to walk right into his pack? The little she-wolf did not have time to ponder this embarrassment for long, however, for the battle was coming to an end.

The bear collapsed, leaving the dead in its wake. Greer shakily got to her paws and crawled into the sun. The huge red wolf was unknown to her but when she saw Neirin draped brokenly over the bear…He had been kind to her in the short time she had known him; and he was Seamus’s brother. Greer shook her head sadly and looked around. Seamus lay to the side, looking pained. Greer hurried towards him, still limping, past the song, past the dead beast that had broken families, past the imprint she found difficult to acknowledge. Her tail was tucked nervously between her legs by the time she reached Seamus, feeling surrounded by so many strangers.

He gazed up at her, steeling himself to move from his spot. Greer nodded encouragingly as he got up, offering her body for him to lean against when he slipped. She did not offer her condolences, for such niceties were lost on her, but gently touched her nose to his shoulder. “C’mon now. Yeh need yer healer to look at’cha and that ain’t me.” She says quietly, leading him towards the den.