Phoenix Maplewood A record year for rainfall

The proud alpha female nearly rose to protest Reek's decision, but she knew better. Her injuries couldn't handle any further aggravation. Already she would be plagued with permanent aches and pains, something she knew down in her bones whether or not it was spoken aloud. She couldn't afford to truly cripple herself by jostling it more. So she watched the hunters assemble, feeling a strange and empty pang in her breast as the pack wolves took their places. She rose to her paws and limped after them, sure to keep her distance but intent on studying the wolves she had yet to meet. She realized with alarm that it was most of her pack.

Desna peeled off with a stark white female Saena didn't know, and the pair set off to drive the deer into the waiting jaws of the pack. Saena's eyes lingered on Lunar Eclipse briefly, but her focus went primarily to Desna. She had done little supervising of Scarlett's children since their mother's injury, and she was very impressed to see how far Desna had come in so short a time. Not so long ago, the alpha female had been giving her advice on keeping her focus, and now the young woman was hunting with the pack.

Tavi headed off with another newcomer, this one male, and Saena's scrutiny fell on him next. As a skilled hunter herself, she was quick to pick up on his nervous energy. From her distance, Saena couldn't tell immediately that Esaro had no idea what was going on, but she pegged him immediately for the weakest hunter of the lot. No matter; not all wolves were strong hunters, and no doubt Esaro had skills elsewhere, else Reek would not have taken him in.

This left Reek and two unfamiliar females. Saena appraised them from her perch atop a hillock. One had a dusty coat of quicksilver, the other a commonplace hazel-and-black pelt. Both seemed eager and ready. Without knowing any of them, Saena felt pride well in her breast for the Phoenix Maplewood pack, though it was quelled just as quickly by the depressing reminder that she was not running amongst them, not leading the hunt like she ought to, and her mood was quickly subdued.

She seated herself and remained mute to watch the hunt, trying her best to swallow down the rising sensation of uselessness.