Swiftcurrent Creek lost in space

At a dogged forward pace, Phoenix didn't look at all interested in conversation. He had only concern for reaching the outskirts without conflict, and thankfully his contrite guest had the sense (or luck) to remain silent until they seemed to be home free. His red tail lashed at the granite wolf's gratitude. He did not hide his anxiety, and irritation, from neither his body language or his tone. "Like I said: you're lucky. Where I come from we don't fear trespassers; the whole pack's always behind you. But here, everyone's really defensive because—" He didn't get to finish his thought.

Phoenix whirled around, ruffled and on edge, but once he saw just who was coming up, the yearling immediately lost all defensiveness to his posture. His tail went lank and he stood stock-still, hoping that they were near enough to the borders now for Constantine to find the act forgivable. He averted his gaze, but set them on the stranger, prepared at a moment's notice to hassle him into submitting further, if his alpha was not pleased with the display so far. He wouldn't be entirely surprised if the stranger took off on them, either.

"I was just leading him out," he thought to explain. He certainly couldn't explain why he had trespassed, but the wolf had claimed it was a mistake, and from the smell of him Phoenix had already surmised how. "He came from the mountains," a natural barrier, and not one that the Creekers practiced marking; "and he was alone. Said he's not a threat."