Jade Fern Grove The loneliest people are the kindest

The fall was taking large strides towards the winter and Merlin began to consider joining a group again. He had fared well for a yearling loner in his second autumn, but even he had to reluctantly admit that enthusiasm for independence and freedom would fade completely, once permanent hunger settled in. This he had suffered from and did not look forward to experiencing again. 

But, while he was still undecided, he explored the lands he had arrived to, hunted and ate, when the opportunity presented itself. Sometimes he observed others of his kind from a safe place, where he could remain unseen. At other times he tracked and tried to guess, what the wolf in question would be like, based on the scent trail it left behind. So, all in all even with unpleasant perspectives looming over the horizon, he was happy and content to be, where he was.