Lost Creek Hollow To protect you

merrick prowled after treason beneath nightfall. the woman traveled out of his eyesight, though her tracks were warm with the fresh scent carried beneath them. if it had changed, merrick did not note the shift — the boy was busy composing what it was he wanted to ask the leader once he caught up.
the words evaded the boy, however, as the woman's trotting figure came into view. steeling himself, swallowing, the young wolf chuffed loudly, hoping to draw her attention as he approached. he still feared her, after all, and with good reason; she had been a defining force in his life, if not one that had been consistently present for all of it.