Duskfire Glacier I just love a good mystery, don't you?

Veteran's heart leapt into his throat when he saw his mother in the distance, having what looked like a casual sit-down with a complete stranger. Again. Spirits, how many times was he going to have to explain to her how dangerous these outsiders could be?

Veteran trotted to his mother's side, looking alert with his hackles raised. He might have been frightening if he hadn't been a fourth-month-old puppy; as it was, he stood at about chest-height to the stranger. His glare was more cute than intimidating.

What had he stumbled onto, here? Was this pipsqueak stranger giving a lecture to his mom, the alpha? Didn't she have an ounce of respect? A puppyish growl rumbled in the child's throat.