days of greys

From the threat of Shadow on one paw and the ever-looming presence of the Sunspire, however dormant they might have seemed at the moment, life at the creek was never dull. Four pups had been born into their midst only yesterday and Kaskara had doubled her efforts to hunt for the mother and patrol the borders in turn. It was during a hunt that a howl rose from the nearest border. With an idle flick of her ear, Kaskara left the rabbit to its own devices and began the trek toward the sound and the wolf who awaited her there.

If she had been thinking of anything related to her life before the creek, she might have recognized him. If he had looked anything like himself, Kaskara might have seen the wolf that now sat gaunt and ghostly at her border. That was still very strange to say, her border. She was not alpha, but it was still her responsibility as beta and aspiring warden to intercept people here. As it stood now, however, the wolf that crouched before her looked sickly and strange, like a wolf who knocked on death's door and awaited a swift answer. His eyes were two-toned, much like hers, but there the similarities ended.

Kas could tell he had once been a wolf built of speed and agility rather than pure strength. The muscles that wasted beneath his dull black coat spoke of former fullness, of sleek power that had slowly faded away. Kaskara paused yards from him, her head held high, shoulders thrown back but relaxed, her bright eyes watching him carefully. She was not as versed in border greeting as her brother, but she knew the basics. "You call at Swiftcurrent Creek's borders. I am Kaskara, the beta. How may I help you?"