Frogspawn Swamp a lonely cry

Little one. Doe's ears flickered at the words, and her tail swished thoughtfully as she rolled them around in her head. There was once a part of her that would have rankled at the dimunitive term, but the Great Beyonds had humbled her; changed her beyond all recognition. She was as big as she would ever grow, but she was little. And she'd come to realize that she would never be big enough to take care of herself - not only because of who she was as an individual, but also because of the very nature of the wolf. They were not built to be alone.

I am little, she thought, moving forward and placing her kill at the male's paws. And I will take care of you now in hopes that you will take care of me later. But she couldn't say that to the wolf. She simply stayed silent and lowered herself in deference, and she sent up a fervent prayer to Alai that she wouldn't have to be alone again.