the wind's a cheating wife

The spider had placed but one lick across a foreleg when the howl cut sharply across the thin air. The warmth of the hot springs fell away and sharply cut skull lifted immediately in recognition. It was not just any beckon but a very specific summons. Lanky appendages pushed into the ground, righting the wolf promptly in a manner that spoke of rarely displayed grace. While the call was not an emergency it was urgent and thin muzzle lifted in kind. A sharp call rang out, I'm coming, spoken into a deafening silence before wide paws took a ground-eating pace.

The advances did not tarry or slow at the sight of fire-tinted alpha, and gleaming gaze snaked into the shadows for some semblance of unspoken explanation. Spotting nothing instantly amiss, nostrils inhaled, sharp shoulder brushing the alpha's flank in a quiet explanation of presence. The scent of pig was thinner this far back from the game trail yet ears thrust forth to capture any sounds that would belie the empty jut of rock and stone. An ear twitched sideways, acknowledgement, and paws hesitantly crept closer, inching along the leader's side as though the thought to stay stagnant was excruciating.

This would be a worthy test of camaraderie. The spider would not start without instructions and should they be delivered the wolf would tend to them in full. All that was needed was the assurance to go.