Wapun Meadow of the people who were there before

Although he felt more than a mite awkward to have interrupted the pair, the woman's lack of defensiveness went a long way toward putting him at ease. Perhaps all of Easthollow were like Valette and this younger, storm-cloaked version of her: polite and willing to be friendly.

"No ma'am," he agreed. "I'm Kincaid — Valette accepted me not long ago, but I've been out and about. Just gettin' my bearings."

The smaller wolf turned to them, then, and said one of the more ridiculous things that Kincaid had ever heard about himself. He was pretty? Not just that, but very pretty. Kincaid's tail swung in happy bemusement. "Yes sir, I do," he replied, more because he thought this was the right answer than because it was the truth. "That what y'all are doin'? Lookin' at the flowers?"

He took a few steps closer and then stopped, looking to the shewolf once more. "'Haps I could join you?" he politely requested, and then hurried to add, "I don't gotta come too close. Just hopin' t'get t'know some more folks."