The gang was loitering in the same corner they always did, talking amongst themselves. Relief flooded through Felicity's mind as she sped towards the cluster of brown fur.

It was only when she staggered to a halt, breathing deeply, did they notice her. Jael gave her an irritated glance. "Mak and Kyra aren't here," he announced, his tone clearly adding so you can go away now. She bit back her annoyance. Jael just thinks I'm clueless. I bet he'd think differently if he saw me tonight.

"I know," she replied, turning away to dismiss him. He grumbled something under his breath, before moving his attention away. Felicity approached the smallest Earthwylf in the group, who was curled up in the corner, thoughtful.

"Sana, could you tell me where Mak's house is?" she asked, trying to hide the urgency in her voice.

Rising, Sana nodded enthusiastically. "I'll take you there, if you like." Her tail swished calmly behind her.

The fear in Kyra's tone resurfaced in Felicity's mind, reminding her of the possible danger that awaited. She shook her head. "Thanks, but I'd like to go alone. Could you give me directions?" Her paws shifted, annoyed that she was not already on her way.

"Oh." Disappointment shone from Sana's soft eyes as she dipped her head, sending a spear of guilt through Felicity's heart. But she was in too much of a hurry to repair it. "Follow that path. When you get to the street, take the second left, and it's the sixth one along on the right." The Earthwylf waved her paw at a narrow track, weaving behind one of the houses, before sitting down gently. "That should get you there quickest."

"Thank you," Felicity said, meeting Sana's eyes. I'm sorry, but I really don't want to put you in danger. "That's really helpful. See you later."

Turning away hastily, she bounded in the direction of Sana's gesture, picking up her pace again as her paws slid on the smooth cobbles. Her muscles cramped in protest at so much usage, but she pushed herself to keep running. For Kyra.

Just as Sana had said, the path soon emerged out into a wider street, lined with more rows of neat housing. Breathless, she raced past the first road and dived down the second, only slowing to count the buildings on the right side.

Four... five... Mak.

All at once, her limbs froze, the momentum making her stagger. A familiar Earthwylf was standing outside the sixth house, worry etched out in every crease of his snout.

Before she could even open her jaw, his firm gaze was upon her. "You shouldn't have come," he muttered darkly. His ears were bent, and they twitched, as if flinching.

With every step further towards him, she began to understand why. Muffled shouts and yells floated through the wooden door, growing clearer as she approached. Concern, slowly turning to anxious frustration, clenched her chest.

Ignoring Mak's warning glance, she dodged past him and lifted her ear to rest on the wall. The sound morphed into fully-formed words.

"... just selfish and irresponsible!" called a female voice, slightly shrill.

"You have no right to complain," growled a male, quieter, but just as scolding. "You brought this upon yourself."

"Your life could have been wonderful!" added the female. "You could have had everything! Wealth, power, a beautiful place to live, and all the rights in the world. But instead you chose to live in the dirt." Her tone was filled with anger and hurt, almost betrayal.

Felicity focused hard as a third, smaller voice joined. She gasped as she recognised it.

"No, mum!" shouted Kyra, her voice a world away from the gentle, fun-loving Glitterwylf she had been yesterday. "No, I don't have the wealth, or the pretty things. But I have freedom!"

Outside, Felicity's limbs tensed. She had to do something.

The female - her mother, it seemed - chuckled. "What use is freedom when your life is worthless?"

A growl started in Kyra's throat, but it faded into a whimper. "Please. Just... leave me alone."

That was it. The agony in her friend's voice tore her ear away from the wall, and propelled her paws towards the door. Her claws reached out. But then something grabbed hold of her tail, yanking her backwards and away from the rescue she was determined to undertake.

Her head whipped around, and she glared at Mak. The concern shining in his dark eyes quickly softened her gaze.

"Stay here," he commanded gently. "Getting angry at them won't help Kyra." She sensed that he was convincing himself as much as her. Reluctantly, she nodded, and rested her ear against the planks again.

"... offer is always there," the male was saying. "All you have to do is ask, and we can arrange it all."

"But she won't, will she?" Kyra's mother snapped. "She insists on the same petty belief. This myth of freedom." Scorn laced her every word.

There was a pause. A further snarl. And the stomp of paws, pacing towards the door.

Suddenly, teeth clasped the scruff of Felicity's neck, and she was forcibly spun into the space between this house and the next. Releasing her, Mak whispered, "Please stay there," before straightening and turning his eyes to the opening door.

Obediently, she crouched down, but her snout still poked around the corner as she watched two wolves emerge. One of teal fur, and one of darker corn-yellow. The same pair that had frozen Kyra in place the previous day. If these were her parents... maybe the pieces could start slotting together. Felicity ducked her head in as the Seawylf's eyes swept the front of the house, her eyes shining like furious spotlights.

"You may be respectable, Makas," Felicity heard her hiss, "but you are not what my daughter needs. You allow her twisted beliefs to fester. Make her see sense. Let her take a partner who can fulfil her dreams."

Nothing more greeted her words. Their steps faded, and they were gone.

Hurriedly, Felicity burst out of her hiding place, shooting past Mak and through the open doorway. The echoes of shaking sobs guided her into the room to the left. Her heart twisted as she finally laid eyes on Kyra.

Her friend was huddled on the brown-black rug, tears trickling from her downturned eyes as she wept into her pale fur. With her flattened ears, quivering chest and twitching tail curled around herself, she looked so heartbreakingly sad that Felicity almost shed a tear along with her.

"I... I told you not to come." Kyra's tone shook with emotion. She didn't look up.

"And that's exactly why I came," Felicity said firmly, sliding to the floor to rest her snout against Kyra's flank. Mak appeared above them, settling down on her other side so that they sandwiched the upset Glitterwylf into a tight embrace.

They stayed there for some time, curled up against each other, as Kyra released all the sadness buried deep inside her. Her whimpers were the only sounds, occasionally filling the empty silence of Mak's house. It was so different to the angry yells that had been unleashed here just a few minutes ago.

Eventually, Kyra raised her head, her shaky gaze turning on Felicity. The fur down the sides of her snout was damp, but her eyes were dried, having exhausted all the tears they could.

"I guess you're wondering what that was," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Truthfully, Felicity nodded. "You don't have to tell me," she said softly.

"I should." A little strength returned to Kyra's tone. "But... please don't say anything. I'll just... say all the things, and then you can decide if you hate me or think I'm stupid." A humourless laugh hung on the last word. Shifting slightly to meet her friend's eyes, Felicity nodded. And then the story began.

"I used to live here, Felicity, in the Leaf District. Close to the Gold border. My parents always wanted to get me into the higher district - they had never managed to get there, but they always said that I was strong, and... and smart enough to..." Pausing, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. When they opened again, her gaze was hardened. "Anyway, when my Pelt came, they were... disappointed. Very disappointed. Until they figured out how much the nobles like pretty things.

"I remember coming home, a few days after my ceremony, feeling so useless - like I'd failed my parents. They were so happy. They told me about a Flamewylf, a little older than me, who was looking for a beautiful partner. He lived in the Gold District. If I accepted, I could have all the parties, all the jewels... everything. But..."

"But it was at the expense of your freedom," Felicity finished. The words were already out when she remembered her promise not to talk. Yet Kyra's eyes invited her to continue. "You'd end up being like his property."

"Yeah." Kyra stared at the floor. "They got so mad when I said no." Reaching out a claw, she picked at the rug, tearing out a strand of brown thread. "They told me they'd kick me out if I didn't accept. That I was stupid. But... but I wouldn't do it." Her eyes flitted back up to Felicity, wide with anxiety. "What if that was the wrong choice, Felicity? What if I gave away that amazing life just because I think I'm right?"

Rising, Felicity stared down at her friend. A deep anger built up in her veins. But not at Kyra. At everything that had forced her to live this way - giving up everything simply to save her freedom.

"You made the right choice," she said, not a single twinge of doubt in her tone. "Kyra, there are things far more important than where you live. You have passion. You have incredible friends." She inclined her head towards Mak. "You are the kindest, most welcoming wolf I've ever met. And I wouldn't want anyone else in all of Sylvera to live next to me." Determination sparkled in her eyes. "Whether you have power and wealth or not."

They held each other's gaze. Without another word, Kyra barrelled into her, tackling her to the ground and gripping her tightly into a hug. A shimmer of joy flashed through her eyes. When they eventually released each other, Kyra bounded to her paws with new energy.

"Thank you, Felicity. I'm so happy I met you too." Her tail had returned to its usual enthusiastic twirl.

"Besides," Felicity added, joy of her own pounding her heart, "you have a different dream. Still want to open a spa?"

The light in Kyra's eyes dulled slightly. "That will never happen though."

But Felicity shook her head. The new plan stated that she would give all wolves what they deserved. And her friend definitely deserved to live out her dream. "Yes it will. Whatever it takes, Kyra, I will get you your spa."

As Mak added something, leaning into Kyra's fur, Felicity glanced out of the window. The sun was high in the sky now. With every second, it moved further, slowly creeping towards night.

Echoes of Kyra's story drifted through her mind like smoke, mingling with the darkness. It pulsed with fury. As her gaze traced the silhouettes of the houses, marking the skyline, it spread its dark tendrils ever further through her mind.

Whatever it takes.