Noctisardor Bypass noumou

By now, she knew the scents associated with several types of prey, courtesy of both Sequoia and Mahler. Many of the creatures the older wolves ate wore pelts of fur, sometimes feathers. This new odor did not resemble the musky scents Druid had come to associate with the usual array of game. It smelled earthier, plus there was a stench to it that made Druid’s nose wrinkle. Although it still resembled meat, it did not excite her salivary glands as did the aromas of other animals’ flesh.

She didn’t wander more than two, perhaps three yards from the den when the smell became particularly strong. Druid found herself staring down at a patch of mud partially covered in sticks and other debris. And stuck in the mud was some sort of smooth stone. Although rocks did not particularly excite or intrigue her, Druid craned her neck down to sniff at this one and blinked when she realized it was the origin of this new smell.