Through the dense, cool, breezeless night air traveled two wolves, intent on discovering the location of the herds but और specifically, how much longer they may be in the area for the cold seasons.
It was no secret that when the herds moved on, the pack would be doing without a great deal longer. Even small game had a tendency to हटाइए around less in the winter months, so some of the head Alphas had requested a situation recon to find out how much time they had to gather hunt teams and begin to stock pile food.
Buried, a caribou या खच्चर deer would keep for a good long time during the cold season. Otherwise they may have to risk a lot to take down bigger game या worse, other predators.
The night was brightly lit द्वारा the moon tonight, it would be full in another nights time. A bright, pale blue light washed over the landscape, casting shadows and making it very easy to see movement. The two wouldn't have to rely mostly on their other senses, but were on high alert nonetheless. Stern made his point quite clear in just a few silent words that he wanted no chances of running afoul of the herd. Not only were he and Eight in little condition to defend themselves if the beasts were feeling jumpy tonight, but to scare them into the next, unknown territory would force them to hunt solely from the herd to the North for a few days, what was left before the migration, anyway.

The two spent a few hours trekking along with no sign nor scent of the खच्चर deer herd. Stern stopped quietly and got Eight's attention.
"I want आप to head around to the North East to the edge of our land in this area," He instructed quietly. His voice came through seeming louder than it was as the world itself stood still and silent with them, listening along.
"When आप come to the edge, hook around and follow along back this way, I'll meet आप in the middle."
"Got it." Eight replied quietly.
"Be quick, but walk soft. And steer clear of the अगला territory, you'll know the scent when आप catch it."
Eight nodded and turned to begin a soft trot in his instructed direction.
He had the longer part of the route, so he had to be very alert so as to make up ground and stay undetected. He'd need to catch any scents या sounds before they happened.
"Johnny-on-the-spot." He muttered to himself, a whisper under his breath.
As he reached the easter border of the clan's territory he kept working the air with his nose, and listening. He cringed when he thought of hearing Stern shoot off a howl, और so at the thought of the last time he had to.
He stopped for a moment in an area bearing distinct markings of हाल का activity. Since it was now empty, he traveled on and moved parallel, beginning his trek back when he caught the familiar scent from weeks before, he made sure not to intrude on this land, and for good reason.
With no sign of any creatures, save a few rabbits and what may have been a लोमड़ी, फॉक्स या coy-dog, he continued his pace unimpeded until he saw a small, shadowy figure ahead. When he came close, he heard Stern's voice ask out silently,
"Anything?"
"Naw, But there's an old bedding area further down, not और than a दिन old for sure."
Stern looked for a moment, his hazel eyes gleaming in the high light from the moon as he thought.
"Then they're still in the area. Maybe just starting to हटाइए South some. But if they're out of our territory..." He snuffed his nose in mild aggravation. "Thought we'd have और time than this."
The two stood there for a moment, the night air turning visible as white clouds of mist moved and rolled gently over the land, settling heavily in low spots.
Stern was in deep thought, no doubt contemplating any repercussions या even ways to get the herd back to their land for one last hunt.
Eight stood in deep thought as well, but on a different subject. He thought he found a solution. Crazy and dangerous, but a solution regardless.
"Hmm." He thought aloud as he broke from his pondering. Stern was quick to stifle him with a whispered "Shh."
"I've got an idea." Eight informed Stern.
"What? NO. No ideas, damn it." Stern broke from his thought and stood tall, debating Eight both in speech and stance.
"You're gonna have to trust me." Eight ensured him, as their quiet conversation carried on.
"Yeah, well, I don't trust you, आप mangy turd. And I've had it up to here with आप for the night."
Eight let Stern's insults roll off and had already started toward the territorial line, arguing back and forth with Stern the entire way. When the scent got thick, he stopped and even backed up a few paces to ensure that they weren't intruding.
"Eight, आप listen to me, damn you." Stern uttered a low growl, now becoming louder in his arguments than before.
Eight payed him no mind as he peered through the veil of mist. It was hard to see, but he had a high hopes that they were already being watched. Facing the South, Eight shot out a low howl - an open ended call out to see if anyone would answer.
It took the span of two सेकंड्स for Stern to cut into Eight's line of sight, moving them back a few paces as he growled.
"I thought I gave आप an order, आप flea-sack!" He snapped at Eight, maintaining as low volume as an argument could. The two now stood but a few feet apart, Eight was taken back for a moment but then, regaining his ground he stared into Stern's eyes.
"I'm TRYING to help, आप squatty, half-dog!" Eight shot back at him, his temper getting the better of him.
"I gave आप an ORDER," Reiterated the short wolf, his muscles tensing, "I Expect आप to follow it. If आप EVER disregard me again, I will thrash your नितंब, गधा right HERE and leave आप for the vermin." Stern uttered the last part through clenched jaw and stood there in silence, Eight looking back.
A million thoughts ran through Eight's mind simultaneously,
'If he attacks, I'll have no choice but to defend myself. How dare he impose his rank on me, we're both Betas. I'm gonna catch hell for this later, but what can I do? Can't he see that it would be easier just to let me help. What a spoiled dandy.'
Eight began to return argument but as soon as he began to speak, he was cut off द्वारा Stern again,
"Not another word. I cannot stress this enough." He pressured forward, staring Eight down. Eight took a casual step back and remained silent.
"I'll not have आप on my scout party again, and Deogee will hear of this. Now, keep that big trap of yours shut, या so help me -"
Just then, paw steps sounded out of the darkness and mist from behind Stern, cutting him off short. His ears lay flat and he spun around quickly, pairing up side द्वारा side to Eight with a low growl.

"Well, well, well... Lover's quarrel?" Came a matronly, older sounding voice as a shadow stepped आगे through the veil of mist and darkness.


The moon in the sky seemed to dim and the thick night air seemed to grow colder and icy as the shade made its presence known to the two. Of any place Eight could think to be at that moment


- this was not one of them.