Big Salmon Lake Special dark

Luke made light of Peregrine's premature arrival, yet in such a way that didn't make him feel any more self-conscious. His heart beat even harder when the other male called him handsome. It was a reminder to him that the chemistry was there, the attraction almost certainly mutual. With Fox's blessing, it was just up to one of them to make a move, if that's the way things developed. But it was clear to Peregrine (and his mate), if not to Luke, that the dark Alpha male had himself a crush.

Peregrine was genuinely interested in Luke's goings-on, so when he reported that he'd been meeting a bunch of wolves—no surprises there—he asked, "Oh, yeah? Who have you met? Maybe I know some of them. Oh, yeah?" he inadvertently repeated the two questioning words at the news of the reunited lovers, wondering at their identities too. He was sure Luke would tell him that, in following with his prior query.

In fact, he would rather keep the focus on his companion for the moment, so he did not answer Luke's question about himself and the caldera. There would be plenty of time for that. It was still early in the day and they had a beautiful backdrop. Peregrine was certainly in no rush.

A "byootifuwh backdrop," haha.