Marigold had returned to the most central Falls' cache with a few frozen hares she'd sniffed out. Their den had seemed to have collapsed on them for whatever reason, the bodies having been curled up tightly with one another. They had reminded her of their pack when she'd unearthed them and bore witness to the position they'd died in. When the end became certain, had they known it was coming? Or had it all come at once, sweeping them and their ignorance away hand in hand?
Needless to say, it had caused her thoughts to drift. She remained in that gloomy cavern of thought as she manipulated the earth, scooping away dirt, depositing the carcasses and then re-covering the stash. All routine.
Mar's ears swiveled to the sound of another wolf, and caught sight of Finley's clay-colored hide disappearing between the trees. Before the year turned, she had thought nothing of her distance to the woman. They were of separate families, busied enough by those they had to care for. Now, however, the older wolf was her leader. And, she was alone. The only adult left in her familial unit. At first Marigold thought it important to give her space, but time had passed now.
She followed after the other's trail, compelled to check in with her.
"Finley?"