Firestone Hot Springs The door to December

She could see that her shout alarmed him; he probably hadn't noticed her until now. Her ears slid back as he began to growl, then pricked again when he suddenly fell forward. Koontz hesitated, took half a step forward, paused, and then padded cautiously to stand over him. He appeared to be breathing, though now that she was up close, the Alpha could guess at the reason for his collapse: he was veritably emaciated.

She looked around a moment as if searching for answers to pull out of thin air. Koontz then acted quickly and decisively. Shoving aside the voice that warned her not to waste resources on some weakened stranger, she hastily strode back up the plateau and dipped into the cache nearest the borders. She plucked out the cold, stiff carcass of a rabbit, then swung around and descended into the hot springs again.

The young Alpha placed the rabbit beside the unconscious wolf, then padded to the nearest pool of water. Although it stunk, she lapped a mouthful, then pivoted on a silvery heel and unceremoniously spat it into his face in an effort to rouse him.