Ocean's Breath Plateau A Million Dancing Shards

He listened with interest as Silas spoke. It was apparent to Clock that this new wolf was not just being polite - he was genuinely searching for common ground. Clock liked and respected wolves who were genuine, mostly because it took courage to do so. It took guts to be authentic, and being a people-pleaser was almost easy in comparison. He noticed Silas did not take him up on the offer to get up on the rock, but he ignored it smoothly. Still, Clock was curious. He had met a few timid wolves when traveling through the Rocky Mountains, and in his experience they always had traumatic events in their past... But no matter. Here, Clock actually shook himself - surreptitiously clearing his head. He did not need to be analyzing this strange wolf. That was not his job. He was grateful Silas asked his question when he did. Clock nodded eagerly, looking down at the other from atop his rock. "Yes. That's Tytonidae, and I am pledged to her pack." He tried not to let his pride show, although he felt an involuntary swell of his chest. Clock had never belonged to a pack outside of his immediate family before. He had been raised in captivity.

Before Clock could say or do anything more, a dark wolf stepped out of the shadows without hesitation. Clock took a few weary steps back, his ears straining forward as he sniffed the air, uncertain why the wolf approached calmly without even announcing herself and why Silas only reacted with mild surprise. He mind swam in confusion as the new wolf stepped right up to Silas, and then the realization dawned on him that these two wolves knew each other. He relaxed a bit - he had the advantage of being several feet above them on the rock, too - and looked to the new wolf, Qilag as Silas spoke to her. He dipped his head in greeting, quickly recovering himself.