Storm of Swords

She passed into the underground chamber, her nose tingling as she drew in a breath of the stale air. She moved to the side to give Saga room as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. When he entered the tunnel, everything went black as his body blocked out the sunshine filtering into the entryway. When he slunk inside, she could see again and her pale eyes watchfully followed the Sigma as he made his way toward the righthand corner and scratched at the dirt floor there.

"It's all yours," she replied with a smile. "I think I'll take this spot," she added, shuffling to the same side of the den, albeit nearer to the doorway. "I'd be most comfortable in the back, maybe across from you... but I figure a good Alpha will always put herself between the big bad world and her pack mates, right?" she quipped, her tail twitching and brushing against one of the earthen walls.

"Do you mind if I continue playing twenty questions?" Koontz asked after a moment, still wanting to get to know Saga better. "What would you consider your greatest strength? Something you like best about yourself?" She paused and added, "And, of course, what is your greatest weakness and the one thing about yourself that you'd change if you could?"