We returned to Steele territory three days later. Exhausted. Changed. Whole but more broken than before.
The pack gathered to greet us. Little Aria ran forward first. She threw her arms around my legs. Held tight.
“You came back! Mama said you might not. Said the journey was dangerous.” She looked up at me with those green eyes. “Did you find answers?”
“We found something. Not sure if they are the answers we need. But something.” I knelt down to her level. “How have you been? What did you do while we were gone?”
“I learned to hunt! Well, kind of. I caught a rabbit but then I felt bad and let it go.” She smiled. “Marcus said that it is okay. Said being kind is more important than being a good hunter.”
“Marcus is right. Being kind is the most important thing.” I hugged her. This small g
