Bitterroot Valley may we stay lost on our way home

A bark startled him from his thoughts; not a loud bark, but it put him slightly on edge. Alarian glanced up with a wary expression, but his posture did not change. The male was massive, muscular. A threat, if he wanted to be— but the sway of his tail said otherwise. He drew closer slowly nonetheless, offering a chuff when he was near enough.
His eyes reminded him of Lanawyn's— of his mother's. It was a foolish reason to lower his guard, but the rawness in his chest tugged at him still. Hello, He offered, quiet and even. Several questions ran through his mind— mainly what do you want? Hollow as he was, though, Alarian wasn't quite that rude.