Elder Marlow was an old beta, grey-furred and gaunt, with tired eyes that wouldn't meet hers. He'd been the one to suggest this. To volunteer her.

He stopped. Swallowed.

Behind her, the rest of her pack's escort had already receded into the treeline. They'd left her at the old logging road with nothing but the clothes on her back and a leather satchel containing a change of clothes, some dried meat, and a letter.

He was already backing away. Already retreating into the safety of the trees.

And then he was gone.