Blacktail Deer Plateau there is only plan a

Even though she had branded Luke a clueless (but handsome) young fool within minutes of meeting him, she still took his advice - sort of. Rather than knock on the doors of the packs within reach of the Kintla Flatlands and openly question them, she auditioned them by observing. The caldera in the south already had an alpha pair - and pups, if her nose did not deceive her. The mountain kingdoms on either side of the plateau were under the care of women, at least in part, and therefore not a viable option.

Her first instinct had been correct - as usual.

Shar-Kali approached the Plateau from the south, skirting the edge in search of some place where a native could descend to greet her. When she found it, the older wolf set up camp, taking time to preen and fuss over her coat after a solid night's sleep in the shadow of a stunted tree. In the cold light of a cloudy morning, she tipped her elegant head back and howled for Dante - or one of his compatriots. Needs must.