Blacktail Deer Plateau I don't wanna hate you

Morose—Reyson’s words soothed, but in turn, she literally was looking at a dead wolf who had all but just collapsed and died in front of them.

Before, she would have accepted this as nothing but natural—cause and consequence of the world. Age was a beast no one could slow down.

Now, with children dependent upon her and her husband, she felt the true sting of mortality and reality that her own clock was ticking.

With a sigh, she stood, eyes sweeping back to Reyson. “I’m going to go check on the kids,” she whispered—she knew he would understand. That looking anymore at the unknown stranger was causing her stomach to churn—her heart to hurt.

Her clock to continue ticking.