The Heartwood thief

He hadn't been serious, though it was taken that way. Peregrine's jade eyes grew flinty at the response. He immediately judged the stranger as too prideful to earn a space in the caldera. He would not renew the offer, jokingly or otherwise.

"I told you, I don't hunt with wolves outside my pack," he repeated. He had inherited this preference from his mother and had never seen a reason to make an exception. "I'm the Alpha and Master Gamekeeper of my very successful 'fuckin' band of merry men.' Tell me: do you really think I need your help, 'partner'?" His expression remained blank as he stared at the other male, eyes boring into him.