Redhawk Caldera A partridge in a pear tree

Elwood quickly stored the other wolf's name in his memory. Currawong -- it was a unique title, and one that wouldn't easily be forgotten. In the next breath, Currawong accepted Elwood's offer to hunt, and the Beta offered him a grin and a firm nod of his head. "Thanks, man," he said with a swish of his tail, then turned away.

He lowered his nose to the ground and inhaled deeply, sifting through the scents that filled his nostrils. Nothing particularly interesting struck his fancy, but he began to stride through the snow anyway, ears tilted back to listen for the soft crunching of powder that would indicate that Currawong was following him.

They moved in silence for a short while, until Elwood suddenly drew up short. His tail curved over his back in excitement and he lifted his head to glance back at his companion. "This way," he said in a loud whisper, then accelerated, cresting a small hill that would overlook the plains near the very edge of the territory. Beyond grazed a small band of deer, nosing at the grass that poked up from beneath the snow.