Blacktail Deer Plateau set fire to the rain

the boy was feeling rather self-important these days -- he had gone ahead to scout a new place for the pack, and the two male leaders of the pack had followed in his -- his! -- footpaths. this, along with being chosen by Lasher for the task over Connie or Eilidh had swelled his head, and Cas patrolled the border with a new confidence in his step.

speaking of Connie, his twin had been angry that Cas had gotten to go on the exploration and not him. He'd left in a huff to explore his own way, leaving their parents ill with worry, unsure if their eldest child would return. But the puppy season was distracting them also -- Cas had seen more of that than he'd ever wanted to, and now gave certain sites wide berths, for fear of stumbling onto the beta pair yet again.

there was a new scent on the crisp air, that of a male newly fringed in the fragrance of the plateau, and Cas trotted toward it. pelted in dark fur, with odd markings and impressive hackles, the newcomer interested the boy, but he wasn't about to show that. "hello," the Mayfair child called, trying to imitate Lasher's inviting and yet scrutinizing tone. "what are you up to?"