Duskfire Glacier times are changing, so I must too

The wolf before them was dark like mother, but insofar as Arius could tell, he did not know them. She prattled off some introductions and when his own name sounded to his ears, he recognized it and made sure to emphasize, Awees! (— and don't you forget it!) His little voice did not hold the powerful timbre of Tzila or the cool depths of Wintersbane, being more irregular in pitch due to his youth.

After his little outburst Arius looked up at mother, brushing the top of his snout and the cold end of his nose against the highest piece of her he could reach, exposing his throat in the process. A big grin had wormed its way across his face when she nudged at the crown of his head, and he sat up properly when she nudged him again. Mother was asking him questions but at this point Arius did not understand. His mouth hinged open and there came an outpouring of nonsensical babble directed up to where she loomed over him, rather than the stranger.