Swiftcurrent Creek shoot to kill

For @Mysti. Throwing up something quick tonight, as promised! Hoping to get back into the swing of things/catch up everywhere tomorrow and over the weekend.

He skirted just along the borders, his nose to the ground as his heavy black paws trekked over the frozen ground. The snow had been accumulating, and he found his mind tied with the worry of Viinturuth and his whereabouts. The pale boy was simply gone—search parties had come up empty with no lingering trace of his eldest.

Each day that passed by the stocky male became more of a shell from his former self. His thoughts tilted toward the pack, and their dwindling numbers. He debated internally if it was time to simply disband. It was early enough in the winter that the Creek wolves could settle themselves among other packs.

But then, what if they left and Viinturuth returned to his home with no one there to welcome him?

Mysti wandered along the territory, her mind wandering as well. She soon found out aboout the missing pup, and was surprised at the size of the pack. It was amazing, how many wolves were there, all in one area. It may have not been excessive, but it was still shocking for the young wolf. There was never any big snowstorms, like Mysti was used to, just little flurries. Nevertheless, the snow had been piling up, giving her excellent camoflauge with her white pelt. As much as she loved the snow, it had made things harder to find. Tracks in the snow were handy, but other than that, Mysti was hitting an all-time low on her tracking skills. It was at the worst time possible, as well. A missing pup- Viinturuth, was it? Mysti was unable to find the pup, and memories of her siblings were flooding her mind. She was remembering how quick the fox was when it took her brother. How her other brother had disappeared, not unlike Viinturuth, and had never been found. And she relived her heartache at the thought of Riverni- she had loved her sisterso. Alas, she never madeit to the Teekon Wilds. Mysti was empathetic- how the parents must feel at the loss of their son. All Mysti wanted to do was find the pup before it was too late, and return it to his woeful mother and father. Then she might even earn some respect among the pack, too.

So lost in thought, Mysti nearly missed the tracks. They were deep, and came from fairly large paws. Mysti almost immediately identified them as Constantine's. He was the father of the missing pup- how sorrowful he must feel. Mysti decided she should try to meet up with him- comfort him if possible. She lightly treaded on the snow before catching sight of the stocky, male. She gave a gentle bark before cantering up to the alpha, lingering slightly behind. She lowered her head in submission before commenting.

"Any sign of him?" 

The question was gentle, and a cloud of breath pooled out as she exhaled. She looked towards the male, awaiting his response.

Her words were a gentle croon in the silent winter air. His nose quivered as his muzzle jerked to her direction—a pale wraith in the snowy backdrop, to which she blended perfectly. Viinturuth, too, would blend in the terrain now, and he could only hope it was something to benefit his survival.
 
His jaw clenched at the thought, and he tried to dismiss it as fast as it came about. The simple idea that the world could exist without his son was impossible to consider, and if he even attempted to believe it, he would be consumed by grief. He would then become far more useless than what he had been the past few weeks.
 
Of course, their newest recruit had heard the news of the missing youth. He shook his head, his eyes flaring hotly with his distress on the matter. Unable to bring himself to speak of it, he slowed his pace, a silent invitation for her to join him. “How are you settling in?”