Lisa: Something's Wrong

Seeing Ava seems to have breathed life into my limbs again.

Our return is easier. Perhaps it's because we've already trampled a path in the snow, or maybe moose stew is just that rejuvenating. Either way, I'm confident I won't be a complete mess by the time we return to Wolf's Landing.

And if a part of my brain is thinking, good, I won't bring shame to Kellan's status in the pack, well, I'm pretending not to notice too much.

It's hard to be a human among wolves. Humans aren't as strong, aren't dialed into the pack bond, and just aren't as respected as other wolves. Even refugees outside the pack find a place in Wolf's Landing. Jobs to do. Friends. A circle of community that gives back.

Me? I have Ava. And Kellan. And the Grand Sage. Even Elverly's mostly lost to the daily cycle of feeding so many people.

It isn't that I'm unhappy—shockingly, I'm pretty okay, outside of wanting to find my parents—but that I feel lost.