Blackberry Fields Drag you down

Iopah looked up at the sound of Jessie starting her meal. Her gaze rest on the female for only a moment before dropping contently back to their deer. No words were needed. Finally her stomach had its fill. It had been many months since she had eaten to this point. Thick blood coated her front legs and muzzle. She sat back on her haunches and began cleaning herself. She was a lone wolf, not a heathen smeared with the blood of their enemies.

Jessie brought her head up and blinked, and Iopah knew their time together was coming to an end. Must be going, Iopah meet her eyes evenly, remembering the scents that clung to her pelt. Jessie had a home that was calling to her.

"I understand," And she did. Iopah had once felt that tug. Without it a wolf was like a stone in a river. They would hold strong for awhile, but eventually they would be swept away by a surge. "Maybe we will meet again." Even as she spoke the words she knew it would never be the same. She was waiting for a summons and when it came she would seek it out. Next time Iopah would be anchored like Jessie was now.

With some sadness Iopah watched Jessie leave. A strong gust of wind made her twist around to survey the field. She was vulnerable here, a lone female guarding a deer carcass in unclaimed territory. Suddenly she wished for the summons to come now. Hunts had always been a family affair and she was struck now by a sense of loneliness. She found shelter under a blackberry bramble and fell into an uneasy sleep. If the carcass was still undiscovered when she awoke she would eat as much more as she could and then take back a portion to the springs to wait.
{Fade to black}