Hushed Willows [m] Mental Wounds

Because Hushed Willows was unfamiliar to her, the red wolf decided to take a stroll. The trees were foreign to her; their whip-like branches gently swaying as birds flitted in and out, tickling their roots and disturbing the dusting of snow that sat atop them. As she went, she rubbed herself along the trunks of the trees, marking her scent in the area. She may as well help the pack this way.

Reina followed the little river that jutted out from Opal Lake. The area, she had to admit, was beautiful, even more beautiful than her home territory. Rhodesia was cold and bleak, spots of green were sporadic. It almost always felt like it was nighttime as the sun was only allotted a very small amount of time during the day to shine. Rhodesia was depressing in so many ways. But here she felt a warmth that spread from her heart and into her bones. She may more alone than she has ever been, but at least here she felt some form of peace.

Maybe someday she can have a family here? She was still young at 2 years of age, prime time to find a mate and build a family. Apprehension formed in the pit of her stomach: What if they're taken from me, too? Could I even survive that? A tear slid down her cheek, a small sob racked her, and she stopped in her tracks. It was too much to think of right now, for even a year felt like yesterday. It was just too soon.