The World Has Grown Cold

Following Ace up the maw, he kept his ears and eyes open for any signs of his family or even the rest of the pack. He wanted to pelt his uncle with questions, but he remained silent. He knew now wasn't the time. And as the pair went further up the mountainside, his fur rose and his nose wrinkled. He looked at his uncle to alert him, but it seemed Ace had smelled them too. The scent of coyotes was unmistakable. His father often brought them their entrails, so he knew that smell quite well. That wasn't the only thing he smelled, however. Digging deeper into the scents, he smelled another very familiar one. "I can smell Actaea!" Immediately Ace ordered him to hide, and Ignis did as he was told. He watched his uncle go the rest of the way on his own, though Ignis followed at a short distance behind.

He watched as his uncle attacked the coyotes that were hanging around their den, eyes growing wide as Ace fought with one coyote until he snapped his neck. As soon as things calmed and the coyotes were gone, he hurried towards the den and ran inside until he saw his sister. She pressed against him for a moment before she ventured towards their uncle, her words sending shock and confusion through him. "They're all gone," "What? W-what do you mean gone?" He sat beside her, leaning his shoulder against hers as he looked between her and Ace for answers.