Heron Lake Plateau Somewhere sunshine burns

Three other wolves materialized. All female. Two of the same pack, judging by their scent and how close they hung together. The ruddy furred one bristled, on edge. For the cat or herself, Aliki didn't care. 

She sent a simple message by turning her head to the side, a universal sign that she was not looking for a head on confrontation. The other two spoke, voicing suspicion or speculation of the cat.

"Not a cougar." She affirmed. "Here. Look." She pointed to where she had spotted a paw print. Deeply embedded in the dirt, blades of grass flattened or bent unnaturally. And most of all, discarded traces of orange tinted and white hair.