Ear tattered and torn, Zharko seemed to have been marked as part of something. What he was part of, he did not know, but Blackthorne seemed to hold value in it. He was valued be something, and someone. Adopted into a fold and accepted as a part of it. At peace with the different nature of Blackthorne, he followed him and listened to his words. Over time his ear healed, though was still scarred where it had ripped from his skull. Further damage from Thorne’s teeth would always be present on the soft felt flesh.

Quietly and obediently, he followed the dark wolf and listened to the ‘teachings’. Red eyes watched the maiming of the rabbit, and he felt a twin twinge in his own paw. So young, he clearly remembered his father biting into his paws, rendering him unable to walk from the crags he had been left in. As he watched the rabbit, he felt for the creature. What Blackthorne said was true. Surviving pain made one stronger, more resilient. But fostering those who had been wounded, training them made them even more so. The rabbit, he felt, would be lame for the rest of its life but if someone had adopted it, shown it how to work around its wound the resulting power would be greater. He would not speak this to Thorne. Not yet, not until their lose connection had been made solid and their understanding of each other was clear.

Blackthorne’s attention had wandered, and Zharko followed. There was little else for him to do. The trails of his sister had run cold, and he was nearing hopelessness in finding her again. Their attention is caught and Zharko is quick to train himself on it. The sight and scent of those they caught hit his nose. He knew it at once. Only Thorne’s warning glance holds the small pale pup back.

A snarl of frustration rips from Zuleika’s mouth. She had been so close to her goal! Dropping off the stupid little brat into the arms of a pack that would take care of her for good! She spun her body to face the boys. Fury plain on her face she rushed forward. You made me lose her! She snarled.

Zharko couldn’t take it. While Thorne had been issuing his threats to Zuleika, he had been trying to pinpoint the scent. She was here. He knew it. She had fled. He had been so close to finding his sister. Once he realized she had truly left the scene, he spun to see Zuleika throw herself at Thorne. Zharko surged forward, using his small stature to get under Zuleika and flip her over.

Where is my sister?! He snarled, pinning her down with his body. She laughed and struggled underneath him.

Sister? I am your sister!

Zharko snarled again at her, leaping up and pounding down on his blood’s body. Where is she?! He demanded, eyes ablaze in his fever to find what he had spent the year looking for.

Zuleika yelped at the sudden pain and struggled more, now starting to show signs of fear. I don’t know! She ran!

Where were you taking her!?

To be a slave!

The runt puppy howled in rage. Anger and despair fueled his small body and again he leapt into the air to come crashing down on his sister’s body. She was bigger than he was by far, but he was blinded by his abandonment of caring. Again and again he pounced with us much force as he could, his teeth biting at her, trying to rip the answers from her face.