River spang out of the water and sprinted for the safety of the forest. He didn't even look back to see if the bear gave chase. He didn't think it would, though. But theres no way he was gonna risk it. Once back in the woodland, River slowed his sprint. Panting, he knew the trouble that he would face back home was unimaginable. That was, if his father hasn't found out he was gone.

Padding in the direction of home, River could hear voices just beyond some bushes ahead. Oh no, he thought. A patrol, looking for me. But River didn't run. He would have to face his father soon. But he was also afraid of his sister's "I told you so" acts.

The bushes parted and out came three wolves. Two of them were other pack members, Rock and Eagle. And the other...his father. The three wolves ran up to meet River, and, he could already see the angry scowl on Shadow's face. "Where were you? You should have following me back to the clearing!" His father shouted first.

"I was just-"

"And you're wet too! Don't tell me you were swimming in the river. There are bears there."

"I'm sorry, dad. It was hot, and I wanted to swim..."

"But that doesn't give you the right to run off. Now, you're coming home this time. You have explaining to do. And when we get back, I work on a punishment."