She was so sick of this damned snow! Making every step twice as heavy, clinging to her fur and dragging her down, and hiding patches of ice along the creek, making her slip and stagger constantly. Her ire burned so hot, she was surprised the snow didn’t melt where it touched her. Of course, the residual ache in her shoulder didn’t help matters, complaining whenever she momentarily forgot and overstretched. They should probably have taken a few more days to let her rest, but, having already missed Chan’s departure from the Cove, she worried any more waiting around would make it impossible to catch up.

Looking sideway at her companion, the fiery woman was surprised to find herself smiling, despite her stress. This time of year, she usually found herself seeking away from others, even more uncomfortable around other wolves than she normally was. But for some reason, being with Gwen didn’t bother her so much. “Should be ‘round here somewhere,” she said, gesturing at the surrounding trees. She’d never actually visited the Backwater herself, but she knew they lived on the creek, somewhere south of the orchard; Can’t be that hard to find a whole pack! She only hoped Chan was still with them and hadn’t moved on just yet.