Silver Creek Baby it’s cold outside

But there's so many important things to discuss!

After the incident with Spring on the border, Heston found it hard not to attach himself firmly to her hip. He'd been attempting to allow her some space, but more often than not he got panicked while he wandered alone by himself. So for a time he'd taken to following her at a polite and subtle distance. Casmir, he was sure, would have plenty to say on the stalking of his own mate.

Speaking of, though, they hadn't directly confirmed anything. Sure, they'd said they were going to try and they'd both promised that this time would be different...but they hadn't really had a "our future" talk. He was unsure where he stood with the pack, and to be plainly honest he was not interested in a friends with benefits situation. They had feelings for each other, it hadn't been reading between the lines to assume they both wanted a mate. But they'd never said it. He was steadily realizing that he was a very paranoid wolf.

The weather was dropping as winter continued, growing colder and colder. He was used to cold winters back where he'd come from, but he didn't know what winters here were normally like. The temperature dropped seemed sudden, even for his standards. Staying inside was a much better option than anything else. Heston still had his own den, but he'd been straying towards Spring's without any real confidence enough to also call it his own. His mind was buzzing with this latest worry when he noticed a lump on the ground. He inhaled, but caught only the barest trace of elk.

He approached cautiously, the dark shape was very still on the ground and he could tell without a doubt the animal was dead. His mind went instantly to other packs, and he wondered who would hunt so close to the borders of Silver Creek and why. It was only once he was up on the elk that he noticed there was no blood spilled on the snow at all. 

He sniffed the animal, confused, but found no scent of any other wolf. Had it died of cold? Could the elk here be so unprepared for the cold? Perhaps this was something that wasn't normal for the Wilds. Well, at least the pack would have some food for a while. He set to the animal, leaning against it and using his body heat to take some of the ice away. It was hard going, but he'd done it before. It would never fully thaw outside, but even still it was edible. He ate some himself and then tore a piece for Spring, figuring a peace offering before their conversation might serve him best.

He turned and headed away from the borders, high-stepping to keep the slab of meat from dragging.