My heart hurt. I never know I could feel such a pain. The loss of my beloved brother hit with such a blow I didn't know if I could ever feel happy again. When Mom came to Taviora, I was so excited to tell her about all I had learned and the new friends I had made (the flower friends…) But, she had been wounded and then she had told me what happened to poor Xerxes. I don't remember leaving the forest, but at some point, I must have, because I was suddenly lost in the freelands. I had no desire to go anywhere so I just kept moving until I came across the most desolate place. No flowers grew here. Hardly any prey moved about the smooth, rocky surface. It was a lonely place and I was a lonely wolf. Without really meaning to, I made the crags my home.

It had been so long since I had last spoken with another wolf. They moved around, no doubt, but I just couldn't bring myself to talk to them. Why would I want to get close to anyone again? They would just leave me or die. I felt a sob rise in my throat and I fought it down with a quiet whimper. It was then that I heard a howl. Not just any howl, but a young one. It was the song of a youth, much like myself, and a girl at that. No matter how much I wanted to, I knew I couldn't avoid wolves for long. I longed for the company of another and soon I found myself creeping out of my tight den to find the white and brown girl standing by herself. She didn't seem to be that much younger than me and so, fighting back the inner voice that told me to stay, I moved my dark frame across the crags to stand in front of her.

"H-hello. What brings you here all alone?" I said, wagging my tail slightly to show I was no threat. Did she expect to find another wolf here or was she trying to find a place to be alone too? I tilted my head to the side curiously as I waited for her reply. Who knew, maybe I would make a new friend today. Someone that could help take the pain in my heart away.