Ankyra Sound We can be beautiful

Akantha winced as another flare of searing pain raced up through the muscle in her neck, twinging something behind her ear. But she maintained composure—the stranger didn't present an immediate danger to either of them, and her question was innocent enough. Kalika was naturally vague with the answer and Akantha hummed a note of agreement. "We dispersed from our birthpack a few moons ago." she revealed with a flick of her ear, and motioned to the woods behind her with a sweep of her muzzle. "The woods there have sheltered us for a time, but we are still in search of a more permanent home." 

There was a time to be protective and a time to be diplomatic. This, she imagined, was the time to be a peacemaker. Or as close to it as she could manage. Akantha spared a look at Kalika, but made no move to hide it. The scent Wildfire bore was different than that of the boy, and of the loners she'd encountered so far, and was as much confirmation as any that she did, in fact, belong to a pack. Akantha smiled, "I'm Akantha, Matriarch of our small band." Her tone was warm, but her heart fluttered with anxiety and worry.