Adeline had taken the freedom of altering Steady's permission to grant herself the ability to leave the den site whenever she wanted. She was only supposed to leave with an adult, but now instead of waiting on them, she left the den area to seek them out. For her, it wasted a lot less time just sitting around waiting, instead using that time to go find someone who would take her on her next adventure.

This morning was no different. She up and out, using trails that had been made by the others and following it through the heart of the territory. She kept her nose to the ground, hoping to find a scent she could follow. Today, it seemed no one had been by yet. She huffed her displeasure and continued searching. Someone had to be around here somewhere.

That someone huffed behind her and Adeline turned to see Valette. She remembered the female from the games they had played. She approached the adult, ready to ask a host of questions of what she was doing, where she was going, if she could go with her, etc. But, the wind brought a scent with it, and Adeline's ears flipped back on her head.

Why do you smell like Ezekiel? she asked, her voice accusing. Ezekiel was one of Adeline's favorite, if not the most favorite, person in the world, and the pup felt jealous that it was obvious this female had been spending time with him. Why had he not come to Adeline to play instead?

Adeline accepted the answer easily enough. Is he coming? she asked, peering behind Valette, as if her best friend would suddenly appear. But, he was not there. Maybe he was on his way, she mused, hoping so. 

Her gaze went back to Valette as she complimented the girl on her nose. Adeline's tail wagged, and her eyes grew big as the other female admitted she was going to go see the deer, and invited Adeline along with her. Her head bobbed up and down. Yeah, I want to go! She had deer meat before, but it was always in chunks or pieces. She had never gotten to see a deer whole, let alone alive. 

Adeline frowned when Valette confirmed that Ezekiel was not coming. She wanted to ask how come, but the conversation moved on to other things. Adeline was excited about going to stalk deer, and she listened intently to Valette as she explained why they were doing that.

Are we going to eat one today? she asked. As a growing pup, she was pretty much always up for eating. She was excited, though, to learn about the deer from someone who seemed to be an expert.

Unfortunately, they would not be eating a deer at this particular time. Adeline's ears flipped back in displeasure, as they usually did when she got an answer she didn't want. But, she was learning from Valette, and she went with it. The older female said they needed to know which ones were sick or injured. Adeline had never been either of those, though soon, she would learn what a disadvantage it would be to be hurt. 

She shook her head side to side. No, I've mostly caught tiny stuff, and I didn't think it mattered if they were weak or not, she said. She mimicked Valette's posture, and put her body low to the ground as the deer came into view. She couldn't stop her tail from wagging. They're huge! she said, her voice a whisper, but the awe still coming through. She didn't realize that they were so big. Look at that one! He's got huge... stick... thingies on his head! He stood out against the others as he raised his head high to look around. There are six smaller ones, plus him. They're mostly just grazing, she said, keeping her voice low.

One ear turned to Valette as she spoke, and one remained forward as Adeline watched the deer herd. Her gaze searched for the soft antlers, as Valette mentioned, and realized that they did look different from the others. Her eyes widened when she was told of the dangers of the deer and the injuries they could inflict. Wooow, she said softly.

Valette then explained the importance of watching the males, as they tended to get tired after fighting. Then we catch them and eat them? she asked excitedly, her tail wagging behind her. What about the ones with no antler? Do we eat those, too? she asked, wondering if they were off limits for any reason.

Valette explained the reason why the pack hunted in larger numbers to take down the animals she had her eyes on. She imagined in her head, herself older, and running with the pack, trying to take down one of the deer. It seemed exhilarating, even just imagining it. 

She listened as the older female then explained the difference between these deer, and others called white tailed deer, and why it was easier to go after babies. She did her best to make a mental note of that. Can we chase them? she asked in a whisper. She really wanted to feel what it was like to run after one.

A deep frown marred her features as Valette gave her a stern no. It was not a word Adeline was used to hearing. The pup understood why the adult had said no, especially after a reminder, but that didn't make Adeline want to chase them any less. But, she did stay where she was, her eyes glued to the grazing deer.

At Valette's question, Adeline looked even closer at the deer, this time taking a few moment to watch each one of them. At first, she really didn't see anything that would make her think one might be sick or injured. Then, a doe seemed to misstep. That one there, to the left of the group. She has a limp? Adeline questioned, her gaze going to Valette.

Valette began looking herself, and Adeline's gaze went back to the doe she thought was injured. Her tail began to wag when Valette confirmed that she was, indeed, limping. When do I get to be apart of a hunt? she asked. She hadn't even had the chance to watch one, let alone participate. 

What do we do now? she asked next. They had watched the deer, and caught signs that one was injured, which was what they came to do. Adeline, always looking for the next thing, wondered what it would be.

Adeline shook her head side to side. No, but Ezekiel and Grayday have taught me some, she confessed. Her ears perked when Valette said she should already be part of the hunt. Do you think Uncle Steady will let me? she asked. She was eager to be included. Little did she know, her first hunt would teach her many lessons.

Great! she said, a little too loudly, though she didn't realize it. She was excited to go and tell her Uncle what they had been up to, hoping he would be proud of them. Her tail wagged and she smiled as she turned to go, assuming that's what they were doing.

Adeline nodded as Valette explained these bigger animals needed more than one wolf to take down. But, she was young, and the imagine in her mind still consisted of only herself killing one of the beasts. Well, maybe Valette was there, too. I will so tell him that! she exclaimed stubbornly. She wanted to hunt, and hunt she would.

She groaned as Valette said she would take her back. Why were the adults always trying to take her back to the den site? She was so sick of that area, and could care less if she ever seen that part of the territory again. Instead of getting up and following, she plopped down on her side in an overacted display of rebellion. She did not want to go back.

Valette paused, but then continued walking away, and for a second, Adeline thought the female was going to leave her there. But, then Valette mentioned hearing more about hunting, and Adeline's ears perked up. Wait! Yes I do! she said quickly. Her body was up off the ground an instant later, and she bounded over to Valette to catch up with her.

Tell me, she pleaded as they walked. Adeline would try to get as much information out of Valette as she could before their fun came to an end.

Valette asked the youngster if she knew how to hunt deer, and Adeline looked thoughtful for a moment. She really hadn't been taught yet, and aside from what Valette had told her about needing more than one wolf to do it, she really didn't know anything. But, she didn't want to say that.

Her serious mood turned to play when she suddenly she reared up on her hind legs in an attempt to bring her front legs down on Valette's shoulders. Like this! she said excitedly. She wasn't trying to tackle the older female, but simply mimic what a wolf might do to a deer, minus the sinking teeth into flesh part.