Raven's Watch Dawnthief

It was on a whim that he decided to extend his outing, heading north from the plateau so that he may scout for passage at the backside of the ridge's neighbors. If ever came a time when they could not take the short route immediately east of their home, it would be good to know the second best option.

He picked his way down the mountain side, his black toes carefully spreading over the uneven surfaces as he tested the route. He knew by experience that what may appear to be a solid surface may be little more than overhanging snow. But he encountered no such illusion this time, and when he arrived safely at the bottom his interest was immediately piqued by the scent of a lone female.

His pack had been full not long ago, but since then one of his females had left and the other he had not seen since Capriccio accepted her. It was just as well; if he saw her now he would run her out himself for failing to make herself useful to the pack. So, with space to fill, and a not-so-benign desire to add anyone to his ranks to save them being added to the ranks of his neighbors, he sought her out.

He honed in on her first by scent, squinting in the budding daylight in order to discern her resting form beneath an overhang. His paws stilled several wolf-lengths away from her and he woofed a gentle greeting. He was relaxed, and his tail swayed amiably.