The girl's barely a pre-teen, able to move about farther and farther from the den, and while she doesn't know that she's under the watchful eyes of her Mommy, she knows she's growing bigger and stronger every day. Her scarlet coat is gorgeous, so her Ma tells her, and Mommy tells her that it's good that she wants to protect her family. Auntie Steller is starting to use her name, too, even if she won't say Eabha's or Sasha's or Cian's.

And part of her trials of adulthood is to move towards the edges of their little land, never once noticing the silver shadow on her heels. Instead, her eyes lock on a coat as scarlet as hers and a scent she doesn't recognize. Her fur stands on end as she rushes forward, not thinking for a minute that danger could be awaiting her.

"Hey! You didn't howl!" her voice is commanding. "Don't you know this is our kingdom?!"