The afternoon was quiet and cold when Cael called the meeting.
He gathered them outside the cave entrance, where the snow was piled high, and Neve would not accidentally overhear from inside. Ryker came first, moving with the easy confidence of someone used to being summoned.
Kael followed shortly after, still carrying things with him like he was not quite settled into the space.
Sorin appeared from somewhere in the village, freshly showered and looking more stable than he had at the festival.
Aldric came last, moving slowly, hesitant, clearly wondering why a large bear was being asked to sit in on a leopard tribe meeting.
Aldric had left his sister asleep in the small cave that had been set up for them. Now he was standing without his one supporter, looking out of place among the confident mates gathered around Cael.
"Anything wrong, Cael?" Ryker asked, like he was already preparing for a problem.
