Small grey and silver body padded happily alone through the trails of the mountains. Spirane was as big as it was high. It was so easy to get lost in the depths of the mountains. Trails and paths led deep into caves and crags. It was so simple for the girl to take refuge in these spots of safety. Occasionally she snuck out and visited the woman who had taken her in. She never dared stay too long, her fear twisting her stomach to the point where the mil threatened to come back up her throat. Now with the season turning to summer, Morrigan had not begun weaning the pup but she had begun to do so naturally.
The pup had taken to stealing. Scraps from others’ dens when they had left. Occasionally she had snuck into a den without watching it long enough and had been met with growling fangs and snaps of jaws. She had been careful not to take more than would be missed. As such, she was thin and even more disproportionate than many pups. But she was still alive.
Stealing herself for a rare day of pleasure she scampered down the paths. She was oblivious to the changes of the pack land, having been ferreted away in a cave in the mountains, she simply ran. She did not know where her caregiver was. It was possibly for the best, she did not want her happiness to infect the good mother. She did not know where others were, which was possibly for the better. She would vanish again when the day fell. They would never miss her if they never saw her.
Along the trail a stick broke and the puppy froze. Black and white eyes snapped to the sound. The red rings in their depths shining with fear. Instantly her body crouched and her tail went between her legs. She whimpered and scurred into the first shadow she could see, pressing herself against a rock. Only her blood red face and collar showing against the stone.