Neither Wolf nor his off-spring Little Wolf had made any attempts to permanently leave the farm since Wolf's return last summer. Girl had never returned. Together the two often went out to survey the surroundings. Stronger and healthier than the lone wolves in the area, the two easily chased away anything that came too close, and that included wildcats and cougars.

Little Wolf leaped up onto the tractor, his tongue lolling from his mouth as he waited for a scratch between his ...