Dawnlark Plains "you will burn and burn out;

Amped up by the situation, Lane could hardly blame Imaq for turning to her with a snarl. For all the shepard knew, Lane could have been a coyote sneaking up on her. The young medic flinched a bit, wagging her tail to signal friendliness and deference. 

Once Imaq was able to recognize Lane and relax, the Vitale fell in line beside her packmate. Imaq seemed to be signaling for a retreat, which was no doubt their safest course of action. She nodded.

Lane was tempted to run back in the direction of home, because at this point the Glacier had become a place of safety for the newly-initiated packwolf. Unfortunately, it was just a bit too far, especially if the coyotes pursued them. They needed to make a break for higher ground, so they might have the edge should they need to mount a defense. 

The Rise to the north offered another appealing option for retreat, but Lane recalled that the south-facing wall of the rise was just that-- a wall. The last thing Lane wanted to do was lead a chase directly into a dead end. 

The mountain ridge to the south was going to be their best bet-- it posed the most likely chance of offering a gentle slope up onto higher ground. Lane gave a small leap and a bark, signalling for Imaq to follow in the direction of Emberflame Ridge.