The Heartwood imperfection's glow

Magpie felt a twinge in her belly at the sound of the cracking bone, thinking wistfully of the marrow she had willingly passed on— but it passed when it was clear that the stranger would entertain company. A bit of relief went through the yearling, though her anxiety still lurked beneath her skin, tense in her muscles. A fact anyone would have picked up on, but the dark female still felt her ears go hot as Echelon zeroed in on it.

"I'm not afraid of the woods," she answered defensively. "I don't like it out there, alone and exposed." That might be obvious. What creature enjoyed being out in the open, vulnerable? It was true that she was wolf, predator, top of the food chain— but without the security of the pack, danger followed lone wolves.