The moon was beginning its ascent into the sky as the golden wolf made his way along the banks of the winding creek. It was a distinct scent he was following. One he doubted he would ever forget or mistaken no matter how mingled with the scent of the pack it became.

The landscape was slowly coming to life, small nocturnal animals emerging from their hidey-holes and the sounds of the night were slowly building as the moon traveled higher and higher, reflecting off the snow until the light of the night rivalled that of the day. The beauty of the night only increased as the white she-wolf finally came into sight, seated at the waters edge. He felt no need to be formal with this wolf and brushed up against her side affectionately. "I've missed you." he said quietly with a small smile, not wanting to disturb the world around them.

This was going to be the hardest goodbye of them all.

He had to admit he had missed sleeping in the open with her at his side, and using the excuse of the cold to curl up close. He hadn't taken her movement away from him personally, merely put it down to nerves in the face of strangers. He smiled as he thought about what had happened, and what was likely to happen in the very near future.

"The days are getting warmer. When the snow melts then the real work begins..." he said with an almost sad smile. With the melting of the snows came pups, and while he realised he would probably never have any of his own it was the first time he had ever felt sad about it. Perhaps he was just too happy following someone else's orders, keeping the peace...

He watched the sky as the stars slowly began to make their way into sight and the moon raised higher and higher, just enjoying the company of the wolf at his side. Something about her presence made him want to run again. Run, and hunt, and howl. Forget about the pack and their responsibilities for just one night... He smiled to the white wolf at his side before springing forwards and chasing the river. He didn't have to look to know she would follow.

The golden wolf laughed as he pounced and wrestled, letting out the occasional mock growl. It had been so long. Too long. His stomach growled to remind him he had been avoiding taking food from the caches, but he still felt a desire to return with something a little more substantial than a rabbit to help get his pack mates through the quickly vanishing winter.

He flopped to the ground in mock defeat, rolling over and exposing his belly to the white wolf with a lopsided smile. He wouldn't just roll over for anyone. He took a moment to scent the breeze and was happy when various game could be scented on the breeze. Deer, caribou, maybe even moose? He hadn't had moose since he left his family, all those moons ago, almost enough for him to age a year...

"Hungry?" he asked with a cheeky smile from his back in the snow. Her flawless white coat glowed like a halo around the edges as he looked up at her face, framed by the moon and the stars. He hoped this night would never end...

Another glint passed his eye as she asked what he had in mind but he quickly shook the thought away as he rose from the snow, scenting the air around them. Moose would be a welcome challenge and would feed far more than a deer, and certainly more than a vole or hare, but it would be difficult to drag home, so would a caribou. So with some sadness in his voice he forced a smile he turned to his companion and suggested "Deer? It will be far easier to drag home than moose or caribou."

Perhaps one day they would find a moose near enough their home that they could hunt it without needing to call the entire pack down upon them to devour what they could before they left the remains for the snow and loners to claim, but that was not going to be tonight. Besides, the deer was closer to their borders as well and they would need to head closer to Copper Rock Creek to catch it, also meaning they wouldn't have to drag it as far.

He lowered his head in a mock bow, twisting his neck so he was looking up at her from his lower position. "Ladies first..." he teased slightly, half expecting her to lash out into another playful bout. There was no rush. The night was still young.

Try as she might she couldn't keep the puzzled look from his face and a bright smile lit his own. Of course she had grown with a family of loners and so probably hadn't experienced some of the larger prey animals. He could give her a gift before he left, in the hopes she wouldn't be too mad with him when he left.

"I'll show you..." he said quietly, an excited gleam in his eyes as he trotted off in the direction the scent was carried on the wind. Entering the trees he slowed so the white she wolf was bumping against his side. They were getting close now and he lowered his form, stalking forward. The lumbering beast came into view, its massive antlers barely passing through the trees. Its shaggy brown coat blending perfectly with its surroundings. "Moose." he whispered with a smile before backing away and continuing on his quest.

They finally left the cover of the trees, the herd paying little heed to two wolves of smaller stature. They were tightly bound, their most vulnerable kept in the centre of the herd. They also had towering antlers, but where the moose was more solid in structure, these hung out like branches from their heads, blunter than a stags, but taller and just as dangerous. "Caribou." he said with another smile. Salivating at the opportunity that was so close to them and yet so impossible.

He was enjoying this night so much, but knew that if they were going to hunt they would have to head back to towards their home and the deer shortly. "Let's go catch some deer." he said gently with a smile. Glad he could have helped her even in this little way before he left.