Silvertip Mountain In the shadow of the mountain

Now a second wolf had joined the female, a sturdy guy with black fur. He gave the newcomer a friendly smile in greeting.

"Jack of all trades, master of some," he quipped, though his voice was grave. "Hunting. Tracking. Fighting. Babysitting, if need be." He paused and gave the wolf a direct look. "Undying fealty."

Phocion returned to his earlier thoughts about the supposed strength of this pack. Here had come another huge wolf. The pair of them could eat him for breakfast if need be, and spit out his bones for the vultures to pick at. Not for the first time, he rued his slender form.

Yet he brought brains, and fearlessness, and opened his mouth to say as much to the pair of them. "I've been through a lot in my young life, and I'm brave," Phocion said. "What I lack in size I make up with cunning. If you guys accept me, you have my word that I'd fight for you. Kill for you. Die for you."

Not bad, Phocion, he praised himself, thinking over the words he had carefully crafted. Hopefully I'm convincing them as well as I'm convincing myself.