Stone Circle he's got a face to make you fall on your knees

The moment the words were out he wanted to take them back, but that was not how the world worked. They hung, a tangible thing between him and these pack wolves. He grimaced as Steady spoke again, his anger a mad dog tied on a thin rope. Sriracha's chest burned with flash-fire anger, and only the thought of those that were trusting him back in the grove could reign him in. Damnit, he hissed under his breath, which he fought to gain control of. A few, deep breaths steadied him, and with a determined huff he squared himself.

Valette was the more reasonable of the two, but she was the subordinate. It wouldn't do to address the wrong wolf, but he wasn't sure which one was the wrong wolf. So he looked to both of them as he spoke. I'll take that, he said, nodding to Valette. Friendship won't be possible yet, I get that. Mostly my bad, too. Mostly, but not entirely. He'd offered them peace, a pre-emptive olive branch. They wanted to take the olive branch and turn it into a sword. We're not fighters, me and my friends. I've seen way too much of war to make them live through that. I'll take acquaintanceship- is that a word?- either way, I'll take that and peace over anything else. For now.

Sriracha wasn't going to give up hope on friendship, though he was not impressed with their insistence on claiming the entire valley. Nor was he fond of how Valette took it upon herself to tell him how to act. He steadied his voice again, though anger and irritation warred with his desire to protect his wolves. Sorry I lashed out at you. But if we're giving out unsolicited advice, I'd suggest you get to know a guy a bit before asking him to help you fight your battles, he said, if not calmly, then at least evenly. Our values are different. I can respect that if you guys can. Above anything else I just want peace for my friends. They all need it. His were the lost and the weary, the broken and the injured. He had promised them a home and peace, and he would do whatever it took to uphold that.