Bitter Sweet Symphony

Tarritut was close to the Basin she would make into the whelping den. The leader often routinely inspected the place. More than any other animal bar her species she noted moose... but as she neared the lake now, the pregnant leader noted only one face by the lakeside. She wondered how familiar his face would become, and how much of himself she would hear in his stories.

The alpha female chuffed, approaching with erect ears and a curious air. When he had come to them he looked worse for wear. Little had changed, but then, little time had passed. He could feast on the meat in the caches to put any of his hunger—if any—to rest.