we didn't start the [FIRE IN ABAVEN]

The slate alpha rushed to Brandr and his family’s den the opposite direction Shaye went. Rhyme’s paws raced beneath him as he tried to keep his head low to avoid most of the smoke. The fire was building faster than he’d ever imagined it would. He made his way to his goal just as Brandr came to a halt. He heard his wife and daughter’s names fall from his lips. ”The way I came is clear, it’ll take you right to the rapids.” Rhyme offered himself as he heard a wolf not far off. Samara.

He looked in the direction it came from, obviously desperate and Rhyme gave Brandr a quick look before racing in the direction of the call for help. Thankfully she wasn’t far off, and despite the smoke being this the flame hadn't gotten this far yet. Samara had already passed out. He was doing his best to hold his breath as he grasped the woman by her scruff and returned down the path towards Brandr’s den. Willing to do what he could with the tiny wolf dangling from his mouth.

The devastation was more than apparent, the pack would be lucky if they didn’t lose any members today. Rhyme worried for them as he struggled through the heat and the smoke. Would he make it through the day with his life?