Am I Being Punked Right Now?

A shaky call brought his attention to the border, and Kassander was leaping to his feet to abandon the herbs he'd been spreading out to dry. Val was back! But something was wrong. He raced for the sound of the call, sliding to a stop before his younger sister. "Val! What's wrong? What happened?" Without waiting for an answer the healer-alpha nosed around her, searching for some injury, some scent that might explain the wetness that shimmered at her eyes. Val didn't cry, Val was strong, far stronger than he could ever hope to be. But he was coming up with nothing, so it must be something internal, and he pressed himself comfortingly against her as he waited for her to enlighten him.