Ethan stood at the edge of the cliff and looked down into the valley. The woods stretched out below him, dark and quiet. Far away he could see the smoke rising from the Orc camp.
The sight of it made something tight settle in his chest. He had known the news would be bad. He had still hoped it would be something else.
Soft steps came from behind. A large black wolf walked up and stopped a few paces away.
"Father. I have news."
Ethan turned. The tired smile he tried to give did not quite reach his eyes.
"What is it, Lupin? Where are Sylvan and Grimm?"
Lupin was the oldest and the biggest of the three. He was already more mature than the others, and he led them without trying. The way the pups had grown still felt wrong to Ethan.
Too fast. Too complete. Bodies that should have taken years had finished in days. It left a strange feeling in him every time he looked at them. Pride and unease sat side by side in his chest and refused to separate.
