Phoenix Maplewood And I never like to admit that I was wrong*

Ukko seemingly had no comment about the pack's history, brief and vague as she'd told it. She wasn't sure if it was because he didn't care to learn about his pack's past or because he really had nothing to say, but she decided to believe the latter, for once. Jumping to the most offensive conclusion was sort of her specialty, but she was growing up every day. Sometimes, she judged others fairly.

He proved her right when he asked about an intruder. There'd been a few, but Saena remembered the one he was talking about most keenly. Not even a year old, the female had walked brazenly into their pack as if she really believed the wolves would turn their allegiance over to a snotty kid who demanded it. "Yep," said Saena, "walked on in here like she owned the place. She died for that." In the end, the youth had almost begged for her life with whimpers and cries, but the Phoenix Maplewood pack had proven unmerciful. With Citali gone, the atmosphere of the pack was less vicious, but still, with Saena at their head, she knew the pack would never forgive a trespass.

"Some wolves are plain stupid," she said with a shrug. She'd met those who didn't have even basic instincts, who made her question how they were still alive. She'd also met those who did have instincts even greater than hers, who socialized in the ancient way and did not make friends readily. It took all sorts, but the maplewood welcomed primarily those who were neither stupid nor barbaric.