Wapun Meadow So you can survive when law is lawless

@Corvus

Taki had tracked the mountains' resident herd of elk into the meadow just east of their claim. She had picked up their scent at the borders and followed into to winter white meadow where the herd was grazing on whatever plant life they could find beneath the snow. The last time Taki had been here, the meadow was full of colorful flowers, and she remembered being here with her family; they had stopped in the meadow to rest on their journey to the glacier. Taki had led her entire family safely across Teekon to their new home, and now she still didn't even know where half of them were. It seemed like a lifetime ago--had been such a different time for her, and the memory squeezed her heart so painfully that she had to close her eyes for a minute and draw in a deep breath. Eyes opening again, her fiery gaze scanned the meadow and took in the herd in the distance. It was strange seeing the meadow so bare, like it was a metaphor for her life; it once was flowering and full of potential growth but now it was just empty. Except that wasn't completely the truth--that was just the grief talking. Her life wasn't empty; she had a pack and the promise of pups in the spring. Taki just wished her family would be there to see the new additions, but instead they wouldn't even know her children existed. 

She released a long, quiet sigh, moving into a sitting position as she continued to watch the herd go about their business. Her mind drifted to many things, but mostly it thought about what her family might be doing right now. She just hoped wherever they were, they were safe and happy.