Gyrfalcon's Keep red hill

Granite’s tail was tucked so tightly under him that he looked as though he’d been docked. Adrenaline made his nervous system go haywire – he even flinched when a leaf gently fell beside the great man. Shark eyes swam, watching the giant closely, ready to fight should the wolf take him for a snack.

But the moments ticked by and nothing happened. The adult’s soft voice disarmed him, somewhat. Was it a trick? Most of the words didn’t land because the pup was too preoccupied with survival. Yet, the last question broke through.

“Grrr… Granite,” he said, the fringes of his voice roughhewn with a growl.