Dragoncrest Cliffs starcrash

In other circumstances, she might’ve wondered about his sire and whether he was perhaps from the same litter as Chacal. But right now, she could think only of those two young boys, who fought for their lives against a bear.

Val’s words recaptured her attention. She realized he’d taken her hesitation personally. She began shaking her head.

No, she said quickly, then corrected, I mean, yes, I’m Meerkat. But no, no, of course not. It’s good to formally meet you. I know we’ve seen one another in passing but it’s not the same, the Laramite said with as much warmth as she could muster.

She drew in a deep breath, glancing over her shoulder. They’re asleep, she reminded herself. What if Fish wakes up and I’m not there? Meerkat’s brain countered. With difficulty, she returned her eyes to Val.

Sorry, I don’t mean to act so strangely. It’s Fish and Q, she said on a shivering exhale. I’m worried about them and it’s making me very scatterbrained. I’ve been lurking outside the roja den for days and figured I’d take a walk, though now I can’t stop beating myself up for it.