The spring warmth had reached the heights of Lost Lake, putting an itch into even the most apprehensive paws. Leo generally stuck close to the Cove’s borders, leaving the scouting to his sister while he remained to protect their home – it seemed a neat split of duties. But there was one thing that they all needed to chip into, which often required departure from the pack lands, and that was hunting. Especially now, with two adults still resting to recover, and Aquene expecting her puppies any day, there was a desperate need for healthy bodies to bring home prey.

And if there was one thing that could get the young Vuesain to transcend his anxieties, it was duty to the pack. So, he’d taken a break from his patrols that morning and headed out early along the shore of the lake, in search of trails that might yield a catch big enough to feed at least a couple of the wolves currently stuck at home. As always, the water’s edge was ripe with tracks from all manner of animals who had stopped for a drink, but nothing too fresh. It would seem he had to go beyond the valley.

The sun had climbed quite a ways up the sky before he finally found what he was looking for – in the forerunners of Riddle Heights – but it was a price worth the trek! Above him, on a wide, grassy slope, a small flock of Dall Sheep were resting, several ewes along with the first spring lambs. Their scent carried strongly on the wind to where the yearling crouched behind a small outcrop of sharp rock, making his nose twitch. It was a daring undertaking for a single wolf, but Leo thought he might just be able to catch one of the lambs by himself.

”Speech" Thoughts