Maria was in tears. “I’m sorry, Daddy,” she sobbed. “I only turned my back for a second…And when I went to get her, she was gone!”

Mrs. Abruzzo grabbed Maria’s coat and shook her slightly. “What were you doing out here, anyway?”

Maria shook her head, but said nothing.

“What?” her mother pressed. “Tell me!”

Maria opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Everyone’s attention was on Maria, wanting to know the answer to the question.

The awkward silence was eventually broken by Ranger Brock, who put a hand on Mrs. Abruzzo’s arm and said, “We know you’re upset, and you have every right to be…but getting angry at your daughter isn’t going to help anything right now.”

Mrs. Abruzzo let go of Maria’s jacket.

“We have to find your little girl,” the ranger continued. “And if you join the search, our chances of finding her will be that much better.”

Mr. Abruzzo nodded. “What can we do to help?”

Ranger Brock led them both over to speak with Sergeant Martin.

Maria was left shaken and alone, crying into her hands so she wouldn’t have to look anyone in the eye.

Tora hoped they would find the girl alive.

Chapter 15

Tora couldn’t stop watching Maria. Once her parents had arrived on the scene, she’d become an emotional wreck, sitting off by herself, her body visibly shaking from her sobs. Maria might have intended to hurt Tora by exposing the pack, but she’d surely never intended to lose her sister in the forest. What she’d wanted to do was wrong—of that there was no question—but what had happened as a result wasn’t an appropriate punishment. The wolf pack could always pack up and leave Redstone to start a new life somewhere else, but if Maria’s sister died out in the wilderness there would be no replacing her. She’d be gone forever, and Maria would have to live with that guilt and shame for the rest of her life. It was a terrible burden for anyone to bear.

And so, as Tora watched Maria weep, she felt compelled to talk to her and comfort her, even if all she could offer were a few words of encouragement.

“Where are you going?” Michael asked.

“To talk to Maria,” Tora said, heading over to where Maria still sat crying.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Argus said, coming up behind her.

“If I’d lost one of you, I’d appreciate someone talking to me…as a friend.”

Argus said nothing, but he kept pace with Tora so he’d be there when she met up with Maria. Harlan and Michael joined Tora too, just in case there was a problem.