Lost Creek Hollow breakfast at tiffany's

Had they been any older, maybe the two of them would've realized what was going on. They weren't little kids obviously, but they weren't true adults either; the playful behavior was fine between siblings, but they weren't siblings. They were strangers to one another biologically, and any true adult would have identified the courting ritual swiftly enough. It didn't matter that they had joined up with Mordecai - the pack was still so new, they were both still (essentially) dispersal wolves.

And all Riordan knew was that he was having fun, and that was his entire purpose for being.

Eshe had him pinned down for a minute or two, and he struggled against her, until she planted a lick to the bridge of his nose and released him. Not to be outdone by a girl (again), Rio rolled to his belly, jumped to his paws, and cavorted through the shadows after her. Again, she was far faster than him - so any hope he had of finding her and winning this game vanished as soon as she started running.

"I'll get you!" he called out through the trees, "I will not be out-dashed!"

Except he had been thoroughly beaten, and as his speed tapered off, he was left to wander the hollow on his own - at least until she returned to him.