Alpine Lake Deep Freeze

Bat didn't realize she was holding her breath until her chest began to burn. She let it out in a low whoosh, her entire body gone tense as she bore witness. Fortunately, the ice seemed to hold the stranger's weight without protest, first with one paw, then two.

Before a third could join the others, a toothy wind blasted across Alpine Lake and the dark she-wolf turned, spotting Bat. The youth held up her paws in the universal sign for, I come in peace! She then shrugged her shoulders at the stranger's words.

"I believe you!" she called, then began to make her way toward the other wolf. "You look like you've done this before. Have you?"