Sunset Valley Playing with matches

tagging @Rebekka in this. let's get ready to rumble lol. spectators AW

After his encounter with the dark woman in the maplewood, Denali intended to go back to Seadog's camp. He didn't, however, wanted to go back empty-jawed--Sen would have his skin--so he pointed his nose north, towards the Bracken Woods he had first encountered upon arrival in Teekon. On his way, he passed through a narrow valley between the grotto and the glacier, with the scents of rival packs on each side. Ears flattened warily to his head, he rushed through until he was in the clear, a lone figure in an open valley.

He trotted through the pasture, head high, eyes kept sharp as he watched for strangers. While he traveled, he thought of the earlier conversation he had had with the unknown wolf. Who was she? Clearly a leader of sorts. She carried herself like a queen. Testy about territory, sure, but he figured he would be the same way if he lived her life. She fascinated him. Denali did hope they'd meet again. It would be nice to put a name to the face.

The sun was beginning to set over the horizon, and what a beautiful sunset it was. The clouds that had hung heavy throughout the day were beginning to dissipate, giving the Teekon residents a picture-perfect few of the golden orb falling to the west. Denali stopped to watch it. Its powerful glow turned the greys in his fur to silver, the browns to amber, and lit his blue eyes like the tongues of flames. The sky was a muddled mixture of purple and pink, and the moon was beginning its descent.

Hunting can wait until nightfall, Denali thought. This is worth watching for a little while.