I had waited for thirty more minutes, praying she would come back before I left. The maiden had told me she went out with her uncle, and they would be back soon. I even tried calling her uncle, but the call kept bouncing back each time I pressed the dial button. I felt uneasy about it, and it was only a matter of time before she returned so I could be assured that nothing had happened to her.

I rose, thinking of heading back to the pack to meet the elders. When she returned, I am certain the ...