Blackfoot Forest Too hot for sunlight, I will take the shadows

Even more ambivalence. Kapvik was beginning to think she fell short of a wolf's innate disposition. She quickly put that assumption to rest, inviting him nearer. Were they in a communal setting, he would have charged her for that lifted chin. But these lands had no ruler and she, no power. Not here. Kapvik neglected her display in lieu of slowly drawing nigh. His nape burred and he barred his throat by lowering his muzzle. This proximity between two strangers was rife with risk. She does not know him and he has only just begun to know her. For all Kapvik knew, she could be putting on an act. What for? To kill him, of course. After all, he was a competitor. For food and for able bodied recruits. Kapvik knew their scriptures, but he did not always obey them. If he wanted to kill her, he would not have revealed himself. Would she realize this even as his nose teased the hairs of her scruff, her ribs?
INDENTHe would be peaceable towards her. Would remain so she did not make any sudden moves.
INDENTThe many scents her coat withheld was revealed to him. She has pups (recently if the teats were anything to go by), she has a pack, she has rank (Alpha or Beta?), and she has met up with a lot of wolves. A social butterfly? It that what she was? To have so many mark her...Kapvik did not shelter more than three scents, at most! Given the petulance between Iqniq and himself, Kapvik made it a point to avoid touching him or his markers. Iqniq kept his distance as well. He has been more absent of late with Tartok's newfangled initiates, but then, so has Tonravik. That bothered him. The Alpha Female frazzled his nerves from time to time, but he savored her fellowship. More so now that he reverted to feral mannerisms in part to Arverk's absence. Ah, but she was doing her job as was expected of her right now: protecting and nourishing her pups. Didn't mean he could not miss her.
INDENTDone deciphering Scarlett's aroma, Kapvik stepped away from her. Cordial enough to keep him within her sights, he backed up to hold her gaze. Any mistrustful hints faded from him now, fur smoothing back into its glossy state. Canting his head to the side inquisitively, he broke the silence. Only so much could be disclosed in bearing and perception.
INDENT“What's a mother doing away from her cubs?”