Quarry's Rush Dancing through the shadows

tag for @Askan but open to any Edge wolves

Soft brown eyes shone in the darkness of the forest. A small grey and black shadow slowly trekked along through the dark forest. Her ears were straining, on edge from the permeating scent of coyotes that seemed to be everywhere Thankfully, the young wolf hadn’t encountered any yet. She had even lucked out on finding a dead hare that had been washed away the sudden surges of the nearby Rush. Dead meals weren’t the best, but Aleiana wasn’t about to start complaining about her current state.

It had been a couple of days since she had entered this land as a refuge, so far, she had done alright with avoiding other wolves. An irrational fear that they’d know who was and somehow call for her old pack to collect her. There had to be a reward out whispering for her capture back near her mountainous home. She paused, shallowing, home was the wrong word. A prison was a far more fitting term. It left her feeling sick and nervous, she had seen the bones of the earth that jutted out west of here, was there another pack on that mountain? One who sacrificed their own people? And lead a twisted cult-like life that made delusion of the outside world?

Hastily, the small wolf gave her head a shake, quickly deciding that she didn’t want to find out after all. Licking her lips, she turned her slender head toward the nearby river, she had been following it and keeping it in earshot, now seemed like the best time to get a drink. She made her way to the river, pausing and working her way down the eroded shore before plunging her snout in and lapping away, a soft, content groan escaping.

Askan had no doubt the coyotes were lurking about in these parts. Water attracted all forms of life, he wouldn't have been at all surprised if he came across one-or more- hunkered down by the water's edge, quenching their thirst. Instead, he found a wolf, small and grey like granite. For a moment he observed the stranger from distance and wondered whether he was feeling social today. His usual line of questions were more or less irrelevant. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were doing and why they were here and honestly, did it matter who they were? Not to him they didn't, not yet at least.

He really ought to move on, he had better places to be, more important things to be doing... He took a step to leave, only for a twig to snap beneath his weight. Shit.

In the distance there is a large pack of coyotes howling.

It was a moment of peace for the girl, one of the first she had been able to snatch since fleeing to this odd land.The rumbling of the river was peaceful, quiet and safe. A twig snapped, shattering that silence. Her eyes widened with fear, Aeliana’s head jerked upward, ears straining as she frantically looked around, trying to find the source of the call. A black shadow, personified in the shape of a wolf loomed nearby, under the darkness of the trees. The Yearling’s mouth opened a silent plea that died before it had even been given voice.

The sound was eerie, loud and she could have sworn it had come from all around. Aeliana swallowed fearfully, she wasn’t sure what to do with coyotes, some of them were nearly her size and that terrifies her more than anything right now. Spotting the shadow once more, she had a choice she could make and quickly she called out toward @Askan, pleading “P-please, don’t go!”

Shallows Edge

Carpe Noctem

Askan didn't really wanna hang out once the coyotes made themselves known. By then he was very much of  the mentality of picking the right battles. What would he gain from trying to shoo the coyotes away from the eastern reaches of the Falls? He imagined that they'd return soon after he headed back to the back west to the Shallows. So not only would it be a waste of his time but his effort too. Of course, the loner he'd tried to avoid called out for him, all pleading as though he could help.

His ears flicked back in an obvious show of irritation as he bared his teeth for just a second, before allowing his lips to fall back into place.

"What?" He grumbled, then went onto clarify. "What do you want from me?"