Whitebark Stream Some say you can get hurt by what you don't know

A laugh rose in his throat and died abruptly when he caught a glimpse of Ephraim's stormy face. He supposed he couldn't make fun. After all, he was a terrible fisher, too. And while laughing at others was certainly fun, he liked and respected the young warrior enough to keep his mouth shut--though his eyes still shone with some mirth.

Damn, Verx said ruefully, shaking his head. You were lookin' good there, too. You'll get him next time.

His mismatched eyes watched droplets of water fall from the coywolf's pelt for a moment or two; then, without warning, he trotted down to the edge and flung himself into the stream. His head broke the surface of the water with a loud, shocked gasp. Fuck, it was cold.

He had most likely scared all the fish away, but he didn't want Ephraim to feel like he was alone, you know? Wolves who looked stupid together stayed together. He dragged himself out, shaking his pelt and padding up to Ephraim with a comical glint in his eye. Now we match, he remarked, teeth chattering madly.