@Ferreiran
@Moonshadow
@Kajika
@Tagg
@Roland /Chan
@Birtie
@Sylva
The coyotes had followed them until the bitter end. The yearling could smell the scent markers, but still the creatures chased after. It wasn't until the border was in sight that the coyotes fell back, giving the two boys a break. It was refreshing to hear their paw prints fade away, but the boy was unpleased. He hadn’t meant to bring them all the way to his aunt’s doorstep. There was nothing he could do now but catch his breath. He stopped, head low and ears flattened, breathing heavily. The vermin hadn’t done him any serious damage. They had targeted Ferreiran mostly, the sacrificial goat. Vaken had stumbled behind him, dodging attacks, before being chased off. He had no injuries, no open wounds, but he was fatigued from the running. His muscles were tight and sore, his paw pads scuffed up from friction against the sharp rocks.
He stood panting for a few moments before giving up. He collapsed to the ground, propping his head up on his paw. He had no intention of crossing the border. He could see it, and smell it, but he was still a respectable distance away. He hoped Moonshadow would catch his scent, know that he was no threat, but Ferreiran? That could arise some suspicion from the pack. There wasn’t much he could do now. He raised his muzzle to the air and let out three sharp, loud barks. They were just to alert nearby members, call for Moonshadow without the intensity of a howl. He didn’t want to howl. It could come across more demanding, possibly alarming. His situation wasn’t that important. He wasn’t bleeding out, or injured. He wanted to let his family know that the coyotes were nearby, but he wasn’t going to rip them away from whatever they were doing.
He didn’t say anything to Ferreiran. He suspected the silence would be comforting to the male, more so than words would be. He wasn’t sure if anyone would appear to scout them out. He wasn’t sure who usually marked the borders, who would be loitering around, but he prayed for Moonshadow more than anyone else. He didn’t want to have to explain himself to another pack member. Moonshadow would understand. They deserved to know about the coyotes, and why Ferreiran’s scent was so close, but the responsibility was draining to the young man. He just wanted to sleep.