Jade Fern Grove he's got looks that books take pages to tell

Denada, Sriracha said, grinning. That means you're welcome. Thank you is gracias. Think you can remember that? The last part came out teasingly, and were Xan so apparently uncomfortable with touch, Sriracha would have nudged him playfully.

All Sriracha needed to hear was the first part. Needing to leave was a good enough reason for him. Parting was bittersweet, and dangerous this time of year. Only wolves that were driven out by need or by force would leave, and either way, Sriracha would take Xan. He was willing to give the boy a second chance either way, but if Xan thought it safe to go back, he was probably not forced out. That is fine. You should go, it is the right thing to do, Sriracha said gently. And we will still be here when you return. If you return. Perhaps Xan would arrive to find that things had changed, that he could stay. It would be sad to lose him.

Quite suddenly, Sriracha stumbled upon the enterance to a hole in the ground. Like, his paw caught the edge of the hole and he absolutely ate it, nose to the ground. Spitting out dirt, he swore a blue streak, then turned to investigate what he had found. He had ducked between to boulders, and beneath one was a hole large enough to admit one wolf. Hey, I found something, he said, indicating to the hole.