Swiftcurrent Creek when the outside temperature rises

Arric's call brought the boy to a halt, and he slowly turned his head to give the man a cool stare, bird still in his mouth. His gaze lingered upon the bright ring around one of the beta's eyes; that was strange and diverting. He said nothing, though.

Not even when the corpse took this opportune moment to fall apart, breast separating from the glossy neck he held and hitting the ground with a dull splat.

Jakub's brows drew together, and he broke his stare, looking down upon what had been an intact body. Maggots rippled out, freed from their confines. Two or three wriggled from the neck and began to sluice through the dark fur of his chest, bright and lively against the shadows there.

More frustrated than disgusted, he spat out what was left of what he held and shook himself, hoping to loose the grubs from his pelt.

Stupid Arric. This was his fault, the boy decided.