---

Caan still spent many idle hours down by the lake's edge, staring into the deep dark depths, but the boy had begun to range as of late. To be still caused an unease for the boy currently slotted to inherit the band. New faces within the Sun Clan brought new eyes to judge the injured boy. Caan had only just gotten his father's attention, he could not lose it yet.

Nutuyikruk had less time for him with Aivar now tethered to her. The stormcloak chose to stay, regardless of his mistakes. The hunter did not have Caan's full trust, but the boy would secretly admire the gall the man had. With a lack of care for how the clan perceived him, Aivar was privileged in a way that Caan envied.

During his internal musings, a voice called for his attention. This in itself was not unusual, but the voice caused the boy to pause. It was soft, small, and unfamiliar. Turning his head over his shoulder, Caan found a delicate girl of shadowed hues. A petite, scrawny thing. He had not met this wolf in the Saastine, but his mind immediately pinned a name to herface.

With rounded eyes, Caan called out in turn. Fa'liya?