Sheepeater Cliff The dark of summer

He gave his own name in turn and, though his demeanor didn't change whatsoever, Koontz felt some of the tension melt out of her muscles. "Nice to meet you, Teklar," she said quietly but genially. "As of very recently, yes," she answered his question. "Myself and my friend, Ariston, have founded a pack on the plateau behind me. We call ourselves Dragonwatchers."

She and the Alpha male hadn't yet discussed much regarding the recruitment of outsiders, having so recently hatched the idea to start a pack at all. Once they'd decided that, they'd then kept busy scouting out the perfect territory to call home. After they'd found it at the plateau, then they'd spent all their time staking their claim there. Now, Koontz realized, it was time to start thinking about seeking members to strengthen their ranks.

Shrewdly now, she gazed at Teklar with eyes icy in color but still warm. She carefully avoided meeting his eyes directly as she said, "We could use some members. Do you have a home here?" Koontz wouldn't bother trying to make a sales pitch if he was spoken for or if he otherwise didn't seem at all interested. She shifted her weight, gray tail twitching, and pricked her ears in anticipation of his answer.