MOST HAVE LEARNED

THAT THOSE WHO PLAY WITH FIRE

SPEND THEIR LIVES ICING BURNS

Living the life of a loner had begun to prove most interesting. Dessa now roamed freely, the lingering guilt of not returning home to visit her home and family slowly dissipating to nothingness. Now home was wherever she chose to lay her head at night. Something about that was incredibly gratifying to the young female. But of course there were trials to the life of a rogue that a wolf born to a pack had to adjust to. No longer was she able to feast upon the flesh of large prey like stags and pronghorn. Though she was a proficient hunter, she did not have the power to take down such beasts. So she sustained herself on hares, squirrels, and other small prey.

So when she spotted the staggering bull elk making his way across the fields, she stalked him. For a couple of days he had eluded her, swinging his impressive rack in her direction whenever she threatened him. Dessa kept her distance, only putting pressure on him when it felt necessary. But he’d meandered into the river of his own accord, lowering his aged head for a drink of water. But he never parched his throat; he simply collapsed. The lone female came to rest upon the banks of the river, looking down at the strange sight.

Occasionally she cast a glance over her shoulder, sure she was not the only one out there to notice the weakness of such an notable meal. Looking back down at the elk, her eyes narrowed, trying to discern if his sides had finally stopped moving and signified his demise. Slowly she descended the river bank, moving into the frigid waters to get a closer look.

Dessa

three | maddox x elowen | diveen