It turns out, the noble family stumbled upon her brother at his worst.
Her brother was hurt, scared, and very very tired. he had been attacked by a black bear and had barely gotten out of it. While searching for food, he had stumbled upon the traveling nobles, and was attracted to their garbage. They had caught him, but admired his russet fur. So they had taken them in. Fed him and washed his wounds.
She could see that he was round with fat. He was calm and had lost his smell for that of peoples. He was very well groomed, sleek red fur shining and smooth in the torchlight.
He struggled to get up the small hill.
"I've been her for many moons now, they been taking care of me since then..." He rambled on.
What had happened to his dream, his dream of seeing the world and independence? The one that had inspired her?
The joy she had experienced at seeing her brother again seemed to be melting. With every word he spoke, she because cautious, almost wary looking at her own tangled pelt and scarred nose.
"That's great that you're so well taken care off!" She yipped happily.
He regarded her closely before nodding and talking again. He led her inside the giant tents set up and to his bowl of food. He ate almost the entire thing and a person came to fill it up with a little more. He let her have it.
"Come, sit with me in the back, i'm sure you'd love to hear more about me."
She nodded. She would love to catch up, and maybe learn a little more. But to her disappointment, all he did was continue to talk about his day, what he had eaten, the new shampoos he would use, and his grooming cycles.
Her thoughts were broken off my a growl.
"Is something the matter?" She asked. He growled again.
"Always like that. You were always acting so much better than us."
"What do you mean?"
"You were always mom's favorite. Always the smartest and strongest the best. If only mother could see you now."
She flinched, swiping at her nose.
"And now you come crawling to me, looking for me, for what? To gloat?"
"Mother would call you a pet."
"Mother is dead."
She growled. It was much deeper and menacing that his, and her brother whimpered, backing off.
"And you." She growled. "Are dead to me. The brother I knew is dead. In his place stands a coward, one that would disrespect his own kin. One who is inflated and holds grudges."
She turned, disgusted and left, throwing one last sentence over her shoulder.
"Thank you for the food. I'm sure you will continue to enjoy it."
She left.
She would not make the same mistake her brother did.
She wouldn't forget her dream.