Winters Demise
Winter was always difficult, for any being. Yet it had always been manageable in some way. This year it hit differently, it came quicker than anyone had time for. The harsh cold came tumbling in, hitting everyone like a punch to the chest that knocks the wind out of you. Even through thick fur or in deep dens, the cold was a merciless attack on all. The ground was frozen over, all vegetation strangled and died leaving nothing for the grazers to survive off. Many didn't make it but those that did knew they had to leave; find somewhere more habitable.
For some, it was far harsher. A pack had built themselves quite a good life here and were flourishing, the earlier spring had brung about several litters of pups. They didn't worry about much, the odd bear or two but with their numbers growing they only worried less. Prey was everywhere, whether it be fish from the lake that laid on the outskirts of their den site or deer that wandered around. That was all until this winter hit, they hadn't seen anything like it before. Their lake had frozen over and all the prey had moved on.
Many of the younger and smaller pups were taken by the cold rather quickly which caused heartache throughout the pack and went into full drive to try and keep the others warm and fed. The young, the mothers and the old were focused on the most but with the prey having left, they needed to think of what was best. They needed to follow suit and move on from their home.
The Meadow Lake Pack
A once happy and content pack, focusing on the basic but best of lives. After having started out small, their numbers had grown quickly and they had created many new pups this year. These numbers dropped once the winter hit and we're still dropping. Everyone was weaker and many were sick but they had to stay strong and stick together. They had to huddle up a lot of the time, smothering each other in as much body heat as possible. Dens were made smaller to try and keep the cold out, the younger ones being their main priority. Yet, this wasn't enough. Wolves were still dying.
Patrols were sent out daily to try and find prey but each day they would bring back less and less. Many wanted to move on, thinking it was the only way they could survive but the alpha's had conflicted opinions on the matter. This was their home and they had built it from nothing, to leave meant starting again. Still, it was their best option and would need to happen if any were going to survive.