Duck Lake wonderfully wandering alone

"I'm wise enough to know when to back down from a fight, although I did have a close call with a mama bear once."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm no coward, but I'd prefer to live to see another sunrise than lose my pelt out of an act of bravery!."

Bazi listened with keen interest. She thought of Jace, and the recent border scuffle with a band of intruders. She thought of Ferdie, too, and the blind rage that had gripped him a the sight of coyotes. They were good wolves, but something about the ease with which they swung from law-abiding citizen to raging maniac made her nervous - she didn't know they. Not really - not yet. An older, level head among the males of the Creek would be welcome.

"Would you follow a young alpha, if they were the fair and good sort?" she asked. Fox was a relaxed leader, but she had been blessed with an obedient following, all pack wolves born and raised. "Would you join our Creek, if the alpha allowed it?" Better cut to the chase, she thought.