Big Salmon Lake it's time we tried to find the sunrise

Tehama's ears tilted forward as she listened to Tahoe's good-natured response.  She was settling more at ease with the other wolf's company, and after a brief moment she decided to sit down, her agouti tail coming to wrap around her haunches with a flourish.  The male's accent required Te's full attention to make sure she didn't miss what he said, and so she inclined her head attentively, and parted her lips, about to respond.  It was good to know there were more wolves here than she had anticipated.  There was certainly something to be said for allowing room for change and whimsy in one's life, going with the flow rather than---

A squabbling group of Stellar's jays chose just then to make their noisy way to a pair of maple trees near the lakeshore, flitting about the boughs that overhung the loch.  The black-headed blue birds' rustling and jousting sent a few early-golden leaves fluttering down to the water's still surface.  Tehama, previous thought cut short, watched contemplatively as ripples emanated outwards from the leaves, sending off fractals of morning sunlight.  She looked back at Tahoe's equally golden gaze.  "You don't desire pack life, yourself?"  Her question was gentle, not judging.  "That's a hard path to choose, I'd think."  The woman suspected the many scars and knicks that peppered the older wolf's features told the story for him.  She didn't mean to pry, and left the question to lie between them.  It could remain rhetorical, if he chose.  The lady looked again at the mountain that filled their horizon.