It was still pouring. Rykas lay beneath a shrub with broad evergreen leaves, his coffee fur puffed up against the cold and the rain. He had spent the morning hunting in the flatter, less vegetated area of Northern Eden. Then, dark clouds had rolled in from the West bearing freezing rain and thunder. His hunt was ruined, although he wasn't having much luck anyway. Fortunately, the boy was not too worried about catching anything, not today. He had been hunting simply out of caution. The old buck from the mountains was little more than a skeleton with bits of fur surrounding it, thanks to Rykas and the ravens. Only last night had he left it to those horrible coyotes. His belly was full enough, and he was sure he'd find something more to eat when the weather improved.



Although it was a heavy downpour, the wolf liked the sound of the crashing water. He fell asleep with his head on his paws and rested for a few hours. When his mahogany eyes reopened, the icy rain had diminished to a soft drizzle. Evening was near. The forest had a fresh scent and he was warm and dry despite the day's storm. Feeling rested and happy, Rykas rose to his feet. As he stood, his forehead brushed one of the shrub's most drenched leaves, causing droplets of freezing water to lightly shower him. The slender male barked in surprise and ran from under the shrub into the open forest, where he shook the water from his fur, a resentful grimace on his face.