Alpine Lake Take it step by step

"fair 'nough" the man would reply with a dip of his head. it was acceptable, reasonable even. he wasn't helping her because he thought she needed charity; it would also help his own skills. he'd been living off of small prey since coming to the Teekons. his trade was more along the lines of a bigger game with a group effort. he also knew some women were very proud and did not accept help so easily. Benedict did not take offense at her words or her attitude. stuff rarely bothered him.

if she wanted a rise, she'd get nothing in return. he took her admitting she needed help as permission to walk forward. halfway there, he'd stop and lift his peach nose. he smelt rabbit most of all near the water. usually too fast for one wolf to bring down without help. though if they were a good runner... but you had to watch out for the various burrows the rabbit could hop into. "hare" he'd add in clearly enough with a small smile. it wasn't a deer but he'd start with that. "ye lead. I'll follow after ye."

he'd step back to allow her to pick up the trail. no, she wasn't a charity case. she just needed some help. nothing wrong with that.