Swiftcurrent Creek but anything is preferable to the pain

He bobbed his head silently, considering what his sire had said. It wasn't true. Aventus didn't know the slightest thing about the needs of Ursus, though in the coming days, he would begin to understand more. He would surely begin to formulate the idea that he was better for Ursus than he currently gave himself credit for, and simultaneously worse for it, for he had not earned his seat.

Not in the way that would garner respect, though for those who had not witnessed Evien's fall, it should make no difference.

Merrick's strike was unexpected and came out of nowhere, a brief demand that scarcely had time to flit across Aventus' mind before his sire was moving. A split second to admire the wiry twist of the coywolf's body before it collided with his own, throwing him off balance in an instant. Aventus lacked the fluidity his father expected. His pursuit was the shadows; this was his sister's realm.

He was bowled over with an alarmed yip. A foolish rookie mistake. In half a second's time, he switched gears, snapping his jaws toward Merrick's face in an effort to ward the Bruin-witch off long enough for him to regain his paws.