A chance encounter

Wilder had not stopped moving since his orders had been given. With a few pack members still unaccounted for, he would continue to comb the woods. Looping back around to check the old tree and quarantine caves to ensure they hadn’t received the call late, he was left with dismay when the missing wolves still never turned up. And though his bird was in constant contact with the Warlord, flying back and forth to deliver the news, there was one thing he was leaving out.

His own symptoms.

For now, they were mild. Fatigue, a wet cough, running nose, blurry vision. He could manage even if he was hardly eating. If he stayed away from those that weren’t presenting symptoms, they would be safe. If he continued to search for those missing, he would eventually find them alive. Yes, alive.

So caught up in his stressed state, he nearly runs past Yara and Vesper as they depart along the border. His paws skid to a stop, ducking behind a tree to avoid being seen by the Warlord’s helper. Vermillion eyes watch as Vesper turns away with samples slung around her shoulders. Could he risk it? Would it be good enough to just see that she was doing okay? He hadn’t dared request to know how she was doing. Their… whatever it was was still so new? Confusing? She was a Songbird after all…

“Vesper,” Wilder calls out hoarsely, stepping out from behind the tree. With Yara out of speaking distance, he stands along the border, toeing the line between risking it all.