Darker than blood

GURGLES AT U TWO HAPPILY

Kroc was soon quick to emerge over the edge, too, to where the Pond, larger thanks to the rainfall, stood. Tonravik smelled her and heard her, but still, her eyes lingered upon the Plains, wondering of the happenings there. Did they discuss war? Did they think that they could march against she and hers and survive it? Tonravik let out a steady exhale, the breath hardly causing a ripple against the still waters that had settled before Kroc entered them. As unaffected by her as the world would be of the massacre that would befall the Plains wolves, and their deaths.

The woman soon had Nanuk beside her, and then, Kapvik. The leader moved to nip Nanuks face, growling lowly, fondly, toward the other. Then her newest subordinate spoke, and she heeded him entirely. In his mouth he carried berries, which she sniffed at. Nonpoisonous. Though most lost their tell of that factor when being disrooted, Tonravik saw the edges of it were clipped and gnawed on by prey. They knew best of all what was fatal and what was not; it was that, more than anything, which alerted the alpha female to the fact that it was safe. She did not recognize the plant, another sure sign that the thing was safe. She was versed in all things poisonous, not safe.

As he explained its true uses to her, Tonravik noted its tiny hairs and her eyes fell back to him. Leaves, save for later. The berries however, she desired now, if they helped with cramping... one such cramp rolled through the woman then. The Plains wolves were all but forgotten, her care for them very little. They were inconsequential, and already she and hers were prepared. The leader reached for one such raspberry, a clear answer to his unasked question.