Mudminnow River Teach me to live

The copper she wolf’s paws were slightly sore and her fur was in slightly worse condition than she would have hoped – which was saying something, since she hardly kept herself immaculate at the best of times. Lean muscle still lived beneath that copper and cream pelt, but it was on the edge of losing its sheen. The loner life - that same life which promised freedom and answering to no other wolf - was hard on a girl.

It was harder still when that girl was a sociable sort. Selkie could grumble to herself until day slipped silently into night, but it wasn’t the same as nattering to another creature. She hadn’t quite lost enough of her marbles to chatter away to any prey she managed to caught, either. Not even the faintly shimmering and undeniably active slivers of the fish in the winding river received a word to illustrate the female’s frustration with her current place in life.

She might have swiped a paw at the murky water, but it would have been a fruitless gesture. Instead Selkie continued to drag her tired paws along the bank, huffing under her breath before pausing to scent the air. Perhaps there would be answers on the breeze - and if not, maybe the promise of a meal would lift her spirits.