The hunter closed his eyes for a moment. Squeezed them tight. He dared not speak aloud, though his mind was reeling with curses and pleas. Shaking his head, thinking this might clear the insanity, he slowly opened one eye.

The coyote was still there, mocking him. “Sh- sh- shoo,” he stammered out in a whisper. Something of a bark and a “ha” came from the coyote’s muzzle. He shook his head and growled. Foam collecting and beginning to drip from the corners of his mouth.

The hunter sucked in a deep, chest- bursting breath. He held it for a moment. As he exhaled slowly, he resigned to deliver the message. “She said, ‘I come.’” He said it so softly the coyote stopped its incessant growling taunt.

It cocked its head to the side, ears raised. The others joined the larger one, all staring up at the hunter.

A quiet whine began to emit from the smallest of the pack. Another snapped at the whiner,in turn, a great shriek and fight to follow.

The obvious pack leader turned and sang a howl to the pack.