hooked on a feeling

Kaskara glided up beside him, stirring the male to tilt his muzzle down and smooth a welcoming nudge to the crown of her head. She was an impressive size for a female -- strength could be seen rippling beneath her pelt, and he recalled his mother once telling him that her build for a female was unusual for her heritage. But she was beautiful, and one day he knew a male would come along and whisk her off her paws -- he had just better treat her right.

"Nope," he remarked back, trying to neutralize his face as she took step beside him. His eyes wavered from her to gaze back upon the horizon, his nose lifting as he tested the myriad of scents about them -- nothing threatening yet. Not wanting to divulge his pitiful woes upon his sister, he instead did what any man would do. Shift the discussion away from himself. "How are you settling in?"