Snowforest Taiga that you'd never break the chain

she'd howled her leave from the borders that morning, after explaining to her daughters exactly why they were being left behind, and to obey the other mothers. she trusted them well enough to leave for a day or two, and the situation required it; their ranks were slim. she'd rather they be without her a day or two than be without the support of a pack, and so said her goodbyes and headed north. 

she'd made quick work of the land between here and the Taiga, planning to make her way down south slowly, gathering recruits as she did. she didn't want to return alone, but would not leave her daughters for more than three days, at most. 

she adopted a slower trot as the skies above opened and light rain began to fall, considering it a signal that she'd covered enough ground north. she'd eaten well before leaving, and so was content to roam the small copse relatively aimlessly, pausing now and again to nose at some thing of interest.