Turtleback Lake What I cannot change

His nose wrinkled at her question. Was he good at hunting? Did she want his help or not? He shrugged, his dark lips pinched tight. Sure, he was good. Weren’t all wolves reasonably good at hunting? His ears cupped forward as she continued, stating that she had stumbled upon a rabbit trail before his arrival. Perhaps, if they were lucky, he could bring something home for his leaders (or Pumpkin Eyes). Maybe even two rabbits, depending how many they stumbled upon. Unless, of course, the ebony girl had something else planned. Like murder. Or reporting him to her alphas. He did not know whether to trust her or not, but he was hungry.

Plus, returning with a warm meal would earn him brownie points with the Edge Lords.

Sure, he responded with another shrug as he followed in behind the girl, his mismatched gaze never once leaving her dark frame. Just in case. Lead the way. It was her trail, after all. Her pack’s territory-ish. He was just glad he wasn’t getting scolded for sniffing around the borders. That was the last thing he needed—not when his own pack apparently had a good relationship with hers.

Since she'd been learning to hunt since she was much younger she’d had a lot of practice hunting and wasn't horrible at it. She however didn't know if all pups learned when they were that young. If Fern wasn't very good she didn't have any problems I helping him get better if he wanted. Their packs were friends after all. Oksana was looking forward to a good hunt with the other pup in which she hoped they could both catch something to bring home. Rabbits were something that Oksana had gotten considerably better at in the past months.

She knew right where to find the trail she'd planned in following later so all she needed was for him to agreed.

A smile crossed her features when he did agree, It won't take long to get there and it will get you away from the border before someone sees you. She truly didn't want him to get into trouble which was why she hadn't alerted anyone. This way then,” she said as she led him around the little pine tree she'd hid behind and then between two others a little further down the path she'd taken. The was a boulder not far ahead and that would be where they started their hunt. It starts here and leads off that way, she said indicating with her nose. Then with a nod she set off following the trail with her nose. She shifted between sniffing the ground and the air as she went. The crow did check behind her a few times to see that Fern was following her.

At least the ebony girl was looking out for him—sort of. Even if she was using him to help her hunt, it was better than being caught at the borders. He eyed her cautiously, his dark features tight with uncertainty as he followed her around the small pine tree. There was always the possibility that she was leading him into a trap, but Sachiel liked to believe he was smarter than that. He followed along, quietly and mildly disinterested. If he grew bored of the hunt he would disappear into the trees and return south, to the shallows. Find something to top up the caches on his own. He wasn’t really interested in making friends anyway. The boy just wanted to provide for his pack and not be a freeloader.

His lips remained pinned tight as they continued along the trail. Conversation wasn’t his strong suit. Sachiel was more of the strong and silent type unless, of course, Hawthorne was present. His outgoing nature had declined after the move to the northern. Maybe it was caused by his neglectful parents. Or maybe it was because he spent too much time with his grumpy Edge Lords. It didn’t matter—he was still happier than he had been in the Vale. That was all that mattered.

Why’d y’move? He asked quietly in an attempt to engage with his hunting partner. He was also just being nosey as he wanted to return with some juicy news for his leaders.

Oksana hadn't gone down the trail that she was leading the boy in though she was certain of her steps. It wasn't as if she hadn't explored in the area before. She had high hopes for what they would find at the end of the track that she was following. She was even going to make it worth his while to help in the hunt. She continued on checking the ground and the air keeping close tabs on the direction the trail took. Using what her mother had taught her the little Crow stopped and scented the air once more.

She had found a section of the track where the rabbit had doubled back. She walked a little to the left and then back just to be sure that she hadn't missed anything. Soon she was on the move again but stopped when she was asked a question.

Turning to look at him, A lot of bad happened In Hearthwood Lachesis decided that it was time the pack had a fresh start. This was something that Oksana had never disagreed with and she had always hoped the best for the pack. It was leaving her mother behind that she had difficulty with but she would come to terms with it, she had to. Have you ever been to this part of the lake before? She asked in an attempt to keep the conversation going since he seemed to want to talk.

He kept his nose low as he followed behind the ebony girl. The rabbit tracks were still fresh, which meant they weren’t far behind… hopefully the critter was hiding out inside it's burrow, and that there was more than one. His ears cupped forward as she responded to his question, his mismatched gaze lifting as he met her tangerine gaze for a moment. He was quick to avert her gaze, however, as a dull ache had begun to form behind his eyes. The boy had terrible luck with running into wolves with orange eyes. It was like the south had followed him north…

It didn’t sound like the girl wanted to talk about the move and Sachiel almost felt bad for asking. He nodded softly but didn’t respond. It made sense—it was why he had left the south. For a fresh start. Although he hadn’t known it at the time. He was simply trying to escape all the orange leaves that hung overhead.

No, he admitted with a soft shake of his head, just the beach. But he liked the evergreen forest that surrounded the lake. It was all the good shades of green. His nose twitched as he returned his attention to the tracks they’d been following. This way, he commented as he motioned to the right, his pace quickening as he took the lead through the trees.

It was a lot better focusing on the hunt or the patrol or whatever other dutt that came to mind than what had happened when they'd come to the surge. Pushing down how much she missed her mum and focusing on improvement Oksana hoped that maybe like the others she could have a fresh start too. It didn't do well to dwell on the past, a lesson she'd learned from her mother and probably the most valuable besides the tracking lessons she'd had to endure.

Because of those though she hadn't lost the rabbits trail. She licked her lips as it seemed they we're growing closer to their target and she could only hope a den too. More for them all and some practice at catching rabbits to boot. When asked about Hearthwood she left it at what she'd said. There wasn't any point in drawing her feelings about it into the conversation. Especially since he was a bot she didn't know well enough to divulge such things to. It of course didn't mean she was against getting to know him better.

Well then, a first time for everything, she commented, The beach is nice especially in summer. Do you go there often? She asked by way of trying out this conversation. He then decided it was his turn to lead their hunt so Oksana stepped aside and let him with a nod. She quickly fell into step behind him keeping her nose on the trail just in case.

Sometimes, he murmured in response as he kept his mismatched gaze focused forward, his ears cupped as they neared the end of the rabbit’s trail. Haven’t been in awhile. The last time he had ventured along the lake’s shores was when he had attempted to fish with Pumpkin Eyes, although neither of them had experience with fishing before. He was curious, though, as to what the lake was like in the dead of winter—did the water freeze over, like it did in the shallows? Did the fish survive within the freezing water? He’d have to answer those questions another day—perhaps with Pumpkin Eyes at his side. She always did make his adventures better.

His pace slowed as he caught sight of the den in the distance. Once he stopped he turned to the ebony girl, his mismatched gaze careful to avoid her tangerine pools. What’s the plan of attack? He whispered as he motioned toward the den with a flick of his nose. As long as they both left with a fresh meal hanging from their jaws Sachiel didn’t care who took the lead. Plus, he was curious as to what she might suggest to lure the rabbits from their hole…

Me too but I hope to be able to go there more often once the weather is nicer, she admitted. She needed to get her training in so that she could swim to the islands in the summer. There was still so much to do before she would finally be able to. You aren't missing too much, she told when he said he hadn't been in awhile. The lake was frozen and the leaves had fallen from the trees but she had to admit that it was a sight in the fall. Once the leaves had turned, she rather enjoyed the view the lake provided, she was glad their move hadn't made it so she couldn't see that.

When he slowed his pace she did too. When he asked her about the plan of attack Oksana surveyed the area before she answered. She could see the den but there weren't any rabbits outside of it. We need to find the back entrance, she said, Then one of us goes there and makes as much noise as they can. That should scare them out and then we can pick them off, she explained before raising a brow, Unless you have a better idea?

He shrugged. It was similar to the plan that he was going to suggest. Rabbits were pretty easy to lure out into the open; it was catching them that was tricky. Being quick on their toes gave them an advantage, but unfortunately for them wolves were usually smarter. He just hoped that the ebony youth could actually hunt and wasn’t all talk. Otherwise he’d leave her to sulk in her failure and hunt on his own. Works for me, he offered with another shrug before taking a step to the side, his muzzle pointed toward the den. I’ll go around back. Count to twenty. Make sure you’re ready, he added before loping off through the trees, circling around the small clearing that housed the den. Once he reached what looked like the back of the den—fifteen, sixteen—he got into position, his mismatched gaze looking over into the trees to see if he could spot the orange-eyed girl. Eighteen, nineteen… a crooked grin cracked his stoic features as he began to—twenty!—claw hungrily at the dirt. His method was sloppy and aggressive on purpose. The louder he was the more likely the critters were to make a run for it…

She felt she'd voiced a solid plan that would if executed correctly get them both a rabbit if their own. She waited to see if he had a better idea though as she was open to suggestions, perhaps he had learned something she hadn't. Two simple words left his mouth which settled it, they would be going with her plan. She gave a nod and then he had made the decision to he the one to make the noise at the back. Don't worry, I'll be ready, she stated as he disappeared through the trees. She moved into position in front of the den. Oksana then prepared to grab the first rabbit that came out. Inside her head she counted to twenty like he'd Instructed.

She didn't have to wait very long for the first rabbit to appear as it ran out of the den in a panicked. It didn't even see her before she'd lashed out and snatched it up. The little Crow gave it a violent shake waiting for the sound that would tell her it had been dealt with.