Lion Head Mesa Disinterested eyes

merrick listened. she was alone and aged without the protection of a pack. this fired the bearwolf with bloodlust. 
he glanced along his shoulder. in the far distance, two wolves had come out of the mesa to presumably begin a patrol.
they would not see him if he struck, but her shrieks would carry far on flat earth. the bearwolf's tongue lolled, dripping saliva.
"i am merrick of ursus. my wolves and i are here from the mountains to avenge the murder of my mate." his answer was calm, for now merrick knew he could not kill her.
"that is akashingo., led by others." he gestured. "we work against a common enemy. anyone with knowledge of herbs will be useful to both of us. there will be wounds to tend."
a choice. had she ever received one before, this fearful, thorntongue old woman? merrick knew surely she did not understand how closely she had come to death this hour.