Stone Circle Wonder

Before they had a chance to call, the wolves of the stone circle were upon them. Defensive, Elphaba thought, though she didn't judge them too harshly for that. She hadn't missed the scents of pups, of pregnancy, of milk and motherhood. They had much to defend.

Resolving to withhold her judgment until the meeting was concluded, she allowed her husband to take the lead. Elphie cast him a brief glance full of admiration as he spoke. Her own presence was quiet but not subdued; she didn't hesitate to add her own voice when he'd finished. Yes, thank you, She agreed with him, a formality more than anything. There was nothing to thank them for, she thought, but Elphie wouldn't be caught contradicting Nox's sense of manners.

An old man, a pregnant woman, some lurker in the background; she wasn't impressed, and their defensive display only heightened the initial feeling that this pack was not the one. What sort of troubles had they seen? Why did their strongest arrive last? Filled with questions, Elphie studied each of them.