Porcupine Ridge cowboy guilt

Verbal communication beyond a yip, howl, or grunt was not something that had been taught much by his mother, Tonravik. His father, however, had been a chatty parent, and Kaertok had learned enough from him to carry on a conversation when necessary. Like his mother, though, the second-born son preferred silence and body language. Since he couldn't maintain the former (and it was expected of him to talk), he would have to settle for incorporating the latter.

As was customary when upon another pack's borders, Kaertok lowered himself and licked his lips, showing submission in doing so. His tail curled between his legs, and he spoke with few words. "Old enough to hunt," he replied.