Many questions ran over Ariel's expression. Only a few were answered by Meesei's elaboration. She leaned back a little and focussed on what she thought she could comprehend. "Well, if you feel shy about visiting the local clan, I understand, but it sounds as if you will be received just fine."

"It is for other reasons, too," Sabine said, looking away. "With everyone treating me like I am more important than before, they do not act the same way. They are either scared or want to get something from me. I want to visit clans without anyone knowing me so I can meet the people who expressed interest in joining my pack and they can be honest. I can try to know them better. I do not want to form a pack with people who are not themselves around me."

Ariel deeply nodded. "I see, I understand now." She breathed a laugh. "It's not fair that I assume you were falling back on old habits. I'm sorry, Sabine."

"It's okay." Sabine had a small smile.

"But, I am still unclear..." Ariel lowered her brow. "What has prompted you to form a new pack? Is it some kind of custom after what you accomplished?"

Sabine frowned and shook her head, looking at the table in front of her. She partly opened her mouth but did not end up answering.

Karl carefully prompted to speak by taking a slow breath. "Sabine...survived a bad situation," he said quickly. "It suffices to say, she convinced the [i]former[/i] General Do'Rhajul to join her in a new pack, that he might redeem himself for the things he perpetrated. She sealed that promise in the strongest bond us lycanthropes have. A pack."

"I can say what happened," Sabine mumbled. "Just not now. I do not feel like it."

Ariel was shocked to stillness and growing pale. She left her lips slightly parted. By her silence, she did not know how to interpret Sabine's heroic act, let alone what was left unsaid.