Whitefish River a crack in the mirror

With a resounding crack, Saena's forepaws broke through the ice built at the river's edge. The curvy juvenile quickly withdrew them, holding one and then the other aloft and shaking them. The chill of the water would soon crawl up her arms, but by then she hoped to be jogging once more. She lifted her head, shivered, and then dropped her snout to lap at the liberated water that trickled by.

When she rose her head, it was to spot a dark-haired beast traveling quickly along the other side. Saena fanned her ears forward and watched his progress. The male was strangely thin, with a ribcage that seemed to slope more than an average wolf's. He was larger than her, but there was something off about him as well, as if he wasn't entirely whole.

He was the first coywolf Saena had ever seen, and she found him bizarre for reasons she couldn't pinpoint. Spurred by an Outrider's curiosity, she began to tail him on her side of the river with a loud rumble in her throat, meant to gain his attention for a moment so she could study him more closely.