Silvertip Mountain Ventura Highway

Alyx was drawn north by the hint of brine in the air, which Fennec said signaled their proximity to the coast, and somewhat west by the allure of a tall, stately mountain. She hadn't forgotten the streak of blue and white across the sky the other night. As she approached the mountain, she wondered if she could spot the impact site if she climbed up high enough.

Her subconscious had other plans, directing her paws onto the scent trail of another wolf before she ever realized she was following someone. It came naturally to her, having spent her whole life with a pack where following the trails left by her fellows was the ordinary thing to do. Even when she spotted the red tail bobbing through the trees ahead, she never stopped to consider that this might not be a friendly wolf.

Instead of taking any precautions, she darted forward on quiet paws and nipped at the end of his tail for a playful yank, slamming on the brakes as she did so.