Lost Creek Hollow Among the flowers, we just let the days pass by

With no one left at the Caldera and no particular reason to hang around in one place, Alyx spent the early winter wandering alone and feasting on voles and snowshoe hares when she could catch them. Having spent a considerable amount of time traveling of late, this was no big change from her norm. The occasional snowstorms were a problem, sure, and sometimes the bitter cold at night dampened her spirits. Most of the time, she was just fine.

So when loneliness began to surge in her on a daily basis, she was taken aback. When little things began to irritate her more than usual, she was confused. It drove Alyx to wander farther and farther with each day in search of company to help settle her mercurial moods. She was certain all she needed was a good hang with some good wolves and she would be right as rain again.

Yet company proved difficult to find. Packs remained close to their territories in this dismal season, and many were drawn away to the north where the caribou roamed, which Alyx was unaware of as he strode briskly through the quiet forest, unaware of most of the rivulets and streams buried beneath the snow.