Heron Lake Plateau under stars

As summer began its slow creep toward fall, Towhee found herself itching more and more to try out another road trip. Specifically, she wanted to go visit the caldera. But there was no good reason to do that and she didn't want to rob the pack of at least two able bodies (herself and at least one travel companion) for several days, maybe even a week or more. That was why traveling had never made much sense to her. A wolf belonged at home, where it could hunt, guard and patrol. What good was she out there, roaming aimlessly, visiting ghost towns? None, she always answered herself, hence why she hadn't even bothered floating the idea past anyone.

But she was rethinking it the past few days. Traveling would be more difficult in winter, so if she really wanted to go, she should do it soon. Besides, the ranks were pretty full, so the Redhawks could spare her for a short spell, along with whoever she asked to go with her. She was walking across the darkening plateau, debating whether it made more sense to ask Niamh or Tegan to accompany her, when she looked up absently and saw Ceara sitting in the grass in the middle distance. Even as the Beta gazed at her silhouette, she saw the she-wolf raise her muzzle and howl.

Brow furrowing, she dropped her thoughts about a peregrination for now and trotted nearer to the Epsilon, woofing a query under her breath.