Porcupine Ridge Second sight has paid off well

And there was the crux of the entire thing: Farstep thought of the others as rivals whereas Terich didn't even notice them, apart from acknowledging their presence. There was not one thought in his mind that either wolf might step in to sabotage his claim, or even take their own ambitions to the next level by undercutting Farstep in his. Terich-mir was shortsighted and rather dim in that way (again, not really the leader type, and well he knew it himself). Terich's body stiffened as Farstep stepped before him, body tense and tall.

But nothing changed Terich's entire demeanor quite like the wolf's wide, blue-eyed stare.

Something in him unhinged, moved against all that he was used to, and his body moved a fraction higher, wider, bigger. The hairs lifted along his spine and shoulders, bristling out and making him seem bigger, just as his tail stood straighter and taller. This was not Terich the goofy male who stepped forth only moments before. This wolf was Terich-mir, the one spoken of only in whispers, only in quiet moments between believers in his homeland. If not for the decimation of Mount Noshaq, perhaps he would have cut a fine kingly figure well before now. But as the world had moved against him, so had his destiny been altered.

Farstep's wide-eyed stare was returned, and with it a step forward as Terich-mir pushed out his chest. Little regard was given to the others as he took another step toward the far-wolf. The mountain's breeze stirred their coats, tendrils of grey billowing about in the sudden gust. Terich-mir stood firm, forepaws firmly planted in the soil, as he invited Farstep to challenge him fully. He would not step down without a fight.