Big Salmon Lake If you ask me to

"You... too," gasped Saena as her eyes lifted to the departing figure of the female elk. With any luck she would enter the flatlands and be unable to find her herd again. Maybe Blacktail Deer Plateau would have an opportunity to pick her off. Saena knew they didn't need it, but it was a nice thought nonetheless.

Glancing back at Elwood, she apologetically shook her head and said, "sorry we... didn't get... it," with a sheepish grin. At least, she thought, it wasn't because she did something only an amateur would do. Both wolves put in a good effort, and both wolves lost. That was the way of the wild sometimes, a fact Saena had to remind herself of pretty regularly.

"I guess you probably wanna head back?" she guessed now that her breathing was slowing a little. Admittedly, she didn't have any reason to spend more time with Elwood. It was nothing against him, of course, but they both knew their energy was depleted, and anyone who knew Saena knew she was a bit chilly when she was tired.