To say that I had learned and felt a bit of peace in the last few seasons was a stretch. I was comfortable in my hidey-hole in Glorall. Never did I stray far from the small nook in the towering cliffs near the beach and when other wolves strayed too close I would tuck myself as far in as I could. Except, it wasn't a very big nook and it did little in the way of keeping out moisture and the sharp sea winds. But I persevered because I preferred having my back to the ocean and knowing that danger could only come from one direction. I suppose that was learning and living and I think... I think Zharko and Vasily would be proud of me.

My body had molded and stretched as I grew despite the limited portions I managed to scrape by. It was easiest to pick off the sea life that lingered at the edges of the frothy water. I much preferred their salty, somewhat bland taste to traveling inland. Mammals were a bit too fleet footed for me and besides, I didn't want to see anyone, let alone the leader King here. He had seemed perturbed by my tearful eulogy when I first arrived. I fully expected death by his glistening fangs or even servitude but instead, he gave me clemency. A pardon that was.. not so much a pardon I guess.

To be fair, life was hard. Such a struggle. I had expected it to end and then to be gifted more time.. it was an odd, unsettling feeling.

My fear had coalesced into hard, knotted thing that took root in my belly after having fled my evil sister to the sound of her death cries. Whoever had done it... they scared me. They were a shadow in my dreams and I woke often crying and fearful. Yet today I had overhead giddy talk of a two year old party in Spirane and my fear had been so cloying I fairly passed out from hyperventilating. I wanted to go because what if... what if Zharko was there? I didn't really believe it - I was certain he was dead. He wouldn't have left me for so long if he wasn't.

Still, I gathered enough courage to scamper through the free lands to Spirane, but GOD it was SO far and by the time I arrived I panted hard. The strawberry blonde fur that runs on my bottom jaw, down my chest, and over my belly is dirty and matted. Sea water will do that combined with lack of care. The sienna that rests above it and over my face, ending in the black that begins behind my ears and flows down my back to my tail is just as raggedy. Four black stockinged legs carry me half-crawling into the sudden group. They are boisterous and loud, smooth and suave, but I am still startled when I find myself bumping into a silver girl in the back. She smells like Glorall, like me, and I blink hard at her, my vibrant blue green eyes almost hidden by my wide pupils.

Until... until I see him. He stands resolute and silent next to Blackthorne and I stare hard at him. I don't know the pair and I almsot don't recognize him. It has been so long and I wonder if my mind is playing tricks on me. "Zh...Zharko?" My voice is wobbly and pitiful, my belly pressed to the ground as I hold my breath until I ache...