The Wall the end has no end

Menta nodded her head at his approval; The Wall had turned out to be an even better vantage point than she had been anticipating. While Asterr had told her about the existence of The Wall - and its ominous name - it was easy to see it looming over in invitation of a climb. The Colorado wolf had utilized ledges just like this one and in this manner many times in her past, but she was pleased that a wolf who lived on an actual mountain could also appreciate this view and the effort put into getting to it.

Nine months is quick time to go from newcomer to alpha of a stable pack, she said, Congratulations. It didn't dawn on Menta's ignorant brain that the road to leadership was not always a happy one -- at home, ranks were gained by tussles and gradual undertaking of more responsibility, and they were always a cause for great pride. While death was an inevitable natural part of life, she had been gifted and perhaps unnaturally lucky to not have to experience it with any wolves too terribly close to her.

Where would her family's home be to him? Menta almost spoke of her family's pack name, or even her mothers, but had to bite it back - that certainly wouldn't make any sense to him. Southeast, some, but not very far, she finally settled on, not entirely satisfied with her weak answer despite it being the best she could immediately come up with.

Do you like it better here? she inquired in earnest. That was the question, wasn't it? Menta was certainly hopeful when it came to herself, and she had been picking what she considered to be the best lands to explore first in her want to fall in love with them - that sense of home she was after, the sense that she had yet to fully understand.