Zeriah took a steady breath before speaking, her voice laced with quiet sadness.
"Ever since the day you went missing, Vanora hasn't been the same."
Thalina frowned, her body tensing.
"She stopped playing with the cubs, barely eats, and… she's just sad all the time." Zeriah exhaled, rubbing her arm. "She keeps looking at the door like she's waiting for you to walk in."
Guilt hit Thalina like a wave.
All this time, she had been so focused on surviving, so consumed by her struggles, that she hadn't even thought about how her disappearance had affected the little wolf pup.
Vanora had always been a troublemaker, energetic and mischievous—but now?
The image of her being quiet, refusing to eat, waiting for her return in vain—
It was unbearable.
"…Where is she?" Thalina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"In my room."
Thalina nodded immediately. "I need to see her."
Zeriah nodded. "Also Lyrix would have loved to see you, but he isn't home. He's out hunting."
