Greatwater Lake When I feel the snakebite enter my veins

kivaluk, knowing no other way of life, finds it very strange — discomforting almost — that any wolf would be ok with strangers coming into their territory whenever they wanted with food caches ripe for the taking and cubs unable to defend themselves. the very idea causing a soft pinprickle along his guard hairs.

food isn't always guaranteed, especially in winter. food caches can be the difference between life and death. he does not know this from experience from the word of wolves much older and much more knowing than him. his first taste of winter was rapidly approaching and though he has come to expect the worst he is not really sure what exactly he's in for. not truly.

and what about cubs? do you just leave them for strays and predators? it takes a pack to raise cubs. that, he did know. natigvik and moonglow as wholes had both been crucial to his own upbringing. but if kivaluk was learning one thing about himself it was that he was extremely biased towards pack life.

no, he blows out a sharp breath. there is always plenty to do. borders to patrol. prey to be tracked or hunted. neighboring packs to visit.