She woke early while the sun was barely breaking the horizon, though she could not see it for the dense trees of the forest. Exiting her den beneath the towering oak tree she paced the area, warming her muscles against the chill of the autumn morning. Winter was coming without a doubt, her ordinarily thick coat growing even more so as the coldest months approached. Winter meant less food supply as most of their prey either hibernated or moved to warmer places in the world, it could leave many with growling stomachs and sparse personalities. She had spoken with Coszcotl about this and he had advised of his wish for her to become his lead hunter, should she prove herself worth upon completing his task of course. Her chest had swelled with a touch of pride for she respected her alpha and took his opinions of her as much to heart as she ever had anyone’s.

Per his instructions she was to lead a small hunt with the younger wolves of the pack and teach them some of the key aspects. At first she had balked at the idea, teaching was not her strong suit, but she knew that come winter it would take an effort on part of all the pack members, young and old, to bring in enough sustenance to keep them and those who no doubt would be pregnant in time. So she set off toward the southern border of the forest stopping just where the packlands ended and it turned in to the enocra woodlands. The area was less dense with trees and being a part of the free lands the deer tended to gather here instead.

She paced in wide arcs to keep her muscles warm as her two-toned gaze swept the area. Fog lay heavy across the land as the sun attempted to warm the cool, dew-filled grasses but she had no doubt that just beyond there would be a herd of deer gathered in their usual clearing. She was very familiar with this herd thanks to her ‘friend’ Zaphkiel for they often stalked them if only for the pleasure of finding them. They were deep in the rut now, the males more focused on other trespassing males than their own does sometimes and it was be the best time to lead a group of less experienced wolves. Finally she tilted back her broad head, her black lips pursing into a perfect ‘o’ as she let out a deep, resounding call to those who wished a lesson in her hunting ways.

Even as her call faded in to the growing morning light she sat, her bushy white tail wrapping around her large paws. Hunting is what the gods had created her for and if Coza wished this would be her duty to him and all the Taviora wolves.