Gone Tomorrow
Spring was the season for transitions, and Swift River had been gradually adjusting to many as of late. Most notably, Ice's ascension to power within the pack. Corinna could still remember her surprise when he had called, no summoned her after his victory over Marsh. There had been only one other time where the thought of Ice disrupting the established pack hierarchy had crossed her mind; almost a year ago now. But now the circumstances were different, and if she was being honest, far more favorable. Their tragedy had brought them closer together, the two coleaders, and Corinna could think of no one better to step into Indru's long abandoned place.
Today, though, Corinna needed to seek out her friend and partner for more than an idle chat. The last time they had talked with any real privacy they had both mentioned their desire to start over. Not only for themselves, but for the entire pack. As her hormones had heightened in their intensity as the leader went into heat, her behavior became increasingly aggressive towards her other pack mates. But it had also reminded her of their conversation - if she would not bear new life for the pack, why could not they not create a new life for themselves? Did Ice still want to relocate them, to become wolves of something other than the River? She wanted to find out.
Sides heaving from exertion, Corinna had plowed through freshly fallen snow on the eastern most part of the territory, closest to the mountains. This was a path not frequently traveled, as evident by the unbroken snow beneath her paws. But their scents were still there - the various guardians of the pack and their distinctive smells were always present, no matter how remote their range might have been. Pausing to catch her breath, the leader took a deep breath in, satisfying herself that the border was established, even if it was covered in snow. Lifting her leg, she happily turned the snow yellow to add an additional visual to the smell. Content, she turned tail and set off towards a clump of trees, settling on the snow beneath them. Tilting her muzzle upwards, she called for Ice to join her - she wanted to talk to him. Falling silent, she waited a few moments before howling again, just to make sure that her voice had carried far enough for him to hear her. Satisfied that he would have, she plopped down onto her stomach in the snow to wait for his arrival so they could discuss uprooting from everything they had known in recent memory.