Blacktail Deer Plateau there is only plan a

 tension thrummed in his dreams; he had been unable to sleep. images of tartok running with sure step aong the ridges of their mountain, siku at their helm, reverberated in his mind, and adrenaline answered with a surge in his veins. he had rested fitfully at the rendezvous site with eilidh tucked against him before rising in the early morn in search of the plateau's creek and breakfast.

he had scarcely lifted his dripping muzzle from the water when a call arose, for dante or another leader. removing himself from the bank, the dark beta trotted in its direction, eyes settling upon the well-primped and pleasing form of a pale wolfess, her eyes gilded as summer's moonlight.

"hello. i am taltos, beta. what brings you here?" his tone was inviting but he did not yet relax his stance as he appraised her.