Bearclaw Valley watchmen of flocks

Karst felt his heart pounding in its cage. The work that digging entailed had left him sore in places he did not know could be sore, as he was not a very active creature compared to the other children. It had taken longer than intended for Karst to get the hovel to the stage it was currently at, but he was far from finished.

Distracted as he was, the boy failed to notice the approach of another wolf until it was too late. They spoke, which was a sound he did not often hear from anyone among Ursus, and he visibly jumped. The fur along his lower back spiked while his tail puffed and flicked with irritation before he could contain himself.

Wh-what? Karst meekly huffed, turning so that he could block the entrance to his home from this newcomer, but not enough to look straight-on at them. He watched them cautiously from the corner of his downcast gaze, knowing this wasn't one of the twins, nor any leader he knew.