Swiftcurrent Creek caribou wife

Arric had stopped by to see Arlette, bringing a gift with him that had been for her. Cygnet, growing more and more unruly by the day in her teenage phase, sought out a little bit of space for herself by traipsing closer to the borders, snuffling and snorting as she caught hints of the beta's scent markings. She wetted the ground herself, unwittingly contributing to the pack's overall wellbeing. 

She froze, lifting her head when unfamiliar scents wafted on the breeze. She picked up a trot, zig-zagging through clumps of dried goldenrod until she spotted two men, both smeared with red markings in their fur. Something about it appealed to her- she had rubbed blood into her own fur before, and had enjoyed the look of it. It had made her feel fierce, like something to be dreaded. Surely these men meant to intimidate. 

Cygnet emitted a sharp growl that quickly descended into a rolling rumble as she trotted forward, ebbing with each stiff stride she took. The fur along her spine quilled and her docked tail stood erect, trembling slightly as if she was willing it to grow longer. The closer she came, the more her head lowered, as if at any moment she might sprint toward them to herd them away, but once she came within speaking distance she slowed, and her growling stopped. She breathed an abrupt huff! into the air as she stopped, before snapping her head up and eyeing them impatiently for an explanation.