A Momentary Rest

The sun was warm, the stream lulled her. Even so, Kuwindwa knew its comfort was false, and she must press on before too long. There had been times of weakness when she had considered seeking the safety of a pack, but the complicated matters she ran from now always stopped her before she could act on the idea. What would she do? Settle in and find her hunters within a new home? Even if she believed she could settle comfortably into a pack again, how could she knowingly bring danger into their midst? Even if she wasn't pursued as she believed herself to be - even if her trackers lingered only weeks or days behind - how could she risk it?

It wasn't long before a distinct chill struck the woman. Her hackles rose instinctively and her head shot up. Half a moment ago she was at rest. Now she appeared bright and alert, her ear redoubling their movements as she lifted her nose into the breeze. In her half-lulled state she had missed something. But what? Nervous now, the woman pulled herself to her paws in one movement. She kept her head low as she swept her surroundings with her gaze, faltering only when she caught a darkened shape against land and sky. Instinct prompted her to crouch low as she watched the other figure near her location. But they seemed utterly distracted - their nose to the ground. Tracking her, she realized. There was nowhere to run she would not be seen, so she rose up again, slowly this time.

The other - male she realized now - was smaller than she. Lanky. Young. Not someone she needed to worry about then. Nevertheless, she wasn't entirely sure this could be a fortuitous meeting. As he drew nearer and still failed to see her, a strange dismay filled the woman. This was a young wolf - that was becoming ever more obvious as he drew nearer. Where were the parents? The pack? Young loners like this were rare. Emitting a low warning bark, Kuwindwa waited, her tail waving a little uneasily behind her as she awaited a response for good or ill.