Yellowstone was on the cusp of winter, and the nights came early these days, and were always cold. This night was unusually clear with the exception of a retreating group of silver clouds on the horizon. The face of a waxing moon was turned down to look over the Park, and glinted off the day’s snowfall.

Just up from a nap, Chogan poked his silver head from the den, the weariness in his eyes soon giving way to wonder. He stretched and yawned, then plodded out to leave the first pawprints on the undisturbed snow. A sound caught his attention, and his yellowy eyes darted to follow the path of a raven’s flight. The bird cawed noisily, probably calling its neighbors to some distant carcass. His lips twitched up into a smile. He noted that the pack must have hunted recently, while he was sleeping. He’d have to apologize later for his absence.

The wolves make their kill. The ravens wait, and take their share. Sometimes, the ravens can lead the wolves to where the herds have traveled.

It had always been that way.

With that thought to keep him company, Chogan ventured out across the snow at a leisurely pace. He was making his nightly walk to the crest of a small lookout hill he’d come to fancy as his own. After a half hour he reached his destination, and settled under the bare tree that marked the hilltop. Alone, he lay in silent reverie of the beauty of the snowy night. The park was a much different place when the snows came. With most animals underground for hibernation, and all birds but the raven having migrated, everything became very still and calm.

Hebi had seen the snow and instantly despised it. It was the wrong colour for starters. with her raven black fur she stood no chance in a stethy hunt and also it was cold... she dissliked the cold...

She had seen Chogan and Talla up on the hill and watched with intrest as the too talked.

Someone was nearby.

It was on the wind, in a faint crunching of the snow behind him.

It nagged at him, but Cho did not want to give up his view.

Every hair stood on end to hear the alpha female’s sharp bark. Trying his best to stifle the startled yelp that rose to his lips, Chogan craned his neck around to look at Talla. He bowed his head in respect, the shadows hiding the sheepish expression that passed across his face at that moment. He wasn’t looking forward to explaining why he’d not been at the hunt. Like any guilty man, hundreds of rationalizations were at that very point passing through his mind, and ready to burst forth like a flood if he should be called on his absence.

But, by the way she spoke, she seemed to understand. So, urging his racing heart to calm down, he decided he'd try to forget about it too. “Hmm, Hallo Talla.” Chogan responded, his voice sociable. “Sorry ‘bout not being there, I’ll make up for it, though, promise. I’ll take down a bunch of big buck, and we can decorate the Winter den with their antlers and furs, eh? Make it feel more like home.” He grinned jokingly as he said this.

The silver wolf gestured with his muzzle to invite her to sit with him, then turned again to resume looking at the stars. He did not realize yet that another member was eavesdropping nearby.

Hebi chuckled to herself and padded a little closer and layed down to listen to the wolves talk. she did so like to listen...