Redhawk Caldera Don't give in, don't give up

She couldn't hear her uncle's footfalls, yet she felt the subtle vibrations growing stronger at her back and turned even as he came to stand beside her, his snout brushing her gently on one white-streaked shoulder. Towhee calmed somewhat, at least internally, though her expression remained surly as she faced the stranger again. Because the Alpha male moved forward, she didn't catch anything he said to the unfamiliar wolf, though the Xi read Elwood's body language like a book. He was behaving warm and welcoming.

Squinting, she began to creep forward when the Alpha faced her so that she could read his lips. She froze, ears splaying backward. Eventually, she shook her head. "Nope," she said in a flat, cold voice. "Didn't he leave?" she added, unaware of how shrill her voice sounded. "He's an outsider." She shot Gannet a glare, then looked questioningly to her Alpha.