Running.

That was all he ever seemed to do these days, run from his demons, run from himself. Not only was he bone-weary and soul-sick, but he also hadn't had a square meal in awhile. Not as Kneph anyway. His belly broiled like a turbulent sea and he sighed resignedly. That was partly the reason he had left the mists of Iromar, to hunt small prey without the chance of falling into quicksand. He also wanted a change of scenery, hoping that his ghosts were too busy searching for him in the fog to bother looking for him among the soaring tree trunks of Enocra. Focusing on the task at hand, he let his ears twitch back and forth, sorting through the sounds of the forest. The undergrowth was alive with scurryings and mutterings, a symphony so appealing that Kneph's jaws began to water with anticipation. Suddenly, he swung his large head to his right, white eyes narrowing on a prickly plant whose evergreen leaves spread in an umbrella, shielding the earth beneath. From the shadows a harsh clicking sound came rushing out, Kneph's own personal dinner bell. Slowly, he tucked his limbs beneath him and crouched, shoulders moving up and down as he coiled his muscles tight.

He didn't have to wait long.

Two male rabbits tumbled from their hiding place, interlocked in some battle that had no meaning to a hunting wolf. For a moment, Kneph was tempted to let them fight it out, to see who would rise the victor, but he squashed such an unnapealing notion and sprang. The two mammals were so caught up in their private argument that they did not know what hit them. In a matter of heartbeats Kneph landed above them, paws on either side of them, boxing them in with his body. The first rabbit who was currently standing atop the body of the other he dispatched immediately, letting the heavy carcass fall on the poor, prone creature that lay on its back beneath it, transformed into a statue of fear. The blood-lust was on the blue-black male and he reached around the body of the first mammal to sink his teeth into the throat of the second, who let out an ear-splitting screech before succumbing to his wounds. Pride filled the silent warrior as he surveyed the day's catch and, for a moment, he felt his old fighting spirit return to him.Panting, he dragged the bodies into the shade before settling onto his belly, one between his paws. Its blood still poured forth sweet and thick and Kneph lapped at it, tasting the testosterone that had been coursing through its veins before it died.He felt a sudden stirring of remorse, but shook his muzzle to clear it. A wolf would starve if he let himself feel the emotions of his prey. The rabbit was large and plump, its soft brown fur having thinned enough after winter that Kneph would not have to go through too much before he tasted the tang of venison on his lips. He began to tuck in, eating with an unhurried air as he wished to remain in his state of bliss for as long as possible.

The forest breeze was fresh and cool on his face as he ate, the undergrowth slowly beginning its chorus again, its inhabitants satisfied that the wolf was no longer hunting them. Kneph let the delicious fragrances fill him with joy, his tail waving in the leaf litter. The only thing missing from this rare, beautiful day was a companion. Perhaps the scent of rabbit would bring another to his side. He hoped it would, but did not dare let himself believe. After all, he was too used to being dissapointed.