Umbrik

Umbrik was out of breath and panting, but he was at least away from danger. His tail was tucked, and only the occasional chastisement from a squirrel or unexpected squall of a bird would temporarily peel his flattened ears from his skull. Such was his shame at abandoning his family for a second time during a hunt, refusing to take part in their selective battles with the two-leggers.

The pale-coated wolf slunk along the bottom of a treeline, skirting the edge of a small meadow as he made his way into the heart of their land. Cockleburs and cicely pods clung to his thin summer fur, splattering his white coat with browns and blacks that he didn't bother to clean away. All he could think about were his parents, and how furious the two would be with him when they got back.