The Heartwood Heartwood Snacking

The two wolves ran into the forest, and didn't stop until they had put a safe distance between themselves and their attackers. Only when they came across a small stream running through the woods did they stop for a rest. Koda splashed into the cool water and lapped it up greedily. Running for so long worked up quite a thirst.

Koda looked up from the stream, water dripping from his muzzle. "That's the way life is, sometimes," he said. He was trying to sound chill, but he was pretty upset about what had just happened. He and Scarlett had done the hard work of tracking and killing the deer, and those little beasts had just come along and helped themselves. "At least we got all the best bits before they showed up."

The gray wolf did a quick self-examination. His hind leg was a little bloody where the coyote bit him, but it wasn't too serious. "Got chewed on a little bit, but I'll live," he assured her. He examined Scarlett for injuries, but it was hard to tell whether the blood on her coat was her own or from one of the animals she'd killed. "How about you, you okay?"