Guilt weighed heavily on Kirain’s heart after her encounter with the strange woman and Eilidh. She had been so desperate to protect that she’d shown no grace to the she-wolf who had wandered into the Rise. Thinking back, the poor thing had looked dreadful, her fur matted and filthy, her muzzle frothing, her body thin to the point of frailty. Far too thin for comfort.

So, that morning, Kirain set out to find her, to apologize, and to make sure she was all right. Stopping by a cache along the way, she gathered two rabbits before putting her nose to work. It wasn’t difficult to track the stranger down, even through the fog that drifted low over the ground. Her scent was unmistakable, and unpleasant. She was clearly still in poor condition, and Kirain’s guilt only deepened as she followed the trail.

When she finally spotted the woman by the water’s edge, dull-furred and pitiful in her solitude, Kirain slowed her approach. Gently, she placed the rabbits before her as an offering, then retreated a few careful steps.

Hello there, she began softly. I… I wanted to apologize for the way we met the other day. That wasn’t very kind of me. I’m Kirain, one of the leaders here in Camhanaich. Her voice was warm, her expression open and earnest. Are you all right? Do you need help? I hope you don’t mind that I brought food, you look hungry. Is there anything I can do for you?

Settling into a sit, Kirain watched the stranger with silver eyes full of quiet concern.