Swiftcurrent Creek i'm not half the man i used to be

he was less prepared for the girl even than he was for myrren. the child said something in a tongue he didn't understand, and aditya was ready to ask about it before he realized the pup was talking to a plant. right? she was talking to that plant—right?

before adi could make a move forward, the girl had seized the stalk in her mouth and promptly tumbled backward, a shriek rising into the air. concerned, he approached with quick but cautious steps, like someone navigating a minefield.

are you all right? he asked quietly, his brows nearly to the base of his ears as he spoke. he bent low, going to his belly to be able to look the smaller wolf in the eye. what's frightened you? perhaps there'd been an insect nearby, or even a rodent. he really didn't know.