Seasons passed, and Ekon returned to the coast. Looking out to the horizon, he wondered if some few pack mates were still out there. Had they been accepted by new packs on the mainland? Or did they wander aimlessly, cursing his failures as he did? At least they had their human forms to slip into when that was the safer, or more useful option. As loathsome as humans themselves were, their shape had advantages occasionally. Their noses weren't useful, and sometimes their ears missed things, too, but fingers were amazing. Unfortunately,