Verdigris Ravine the wanting call

Talisman’s head turned at the sound of a needy yowl. He jumped to his feet and began trotting in its direction, curious why Ko’a called out in such a way. Was estrus a contagious condition; had she gone into heat too?

The thought should’ve sped up his little red feet but he began to slow. Candle hadn’t wanted him. It didn’t seem like S’ari did either. He wanted them desperately, not to mention the pups they might bear. He wasn’t sure he could handle any more rejection…

Talis nearly stopped, feeling torn. He was so tired of feeling like this. But before he could throw himself a proper pity party, he heard the sounds of a scuffle, punctuated by a deep growl. He blinked his pale eyes, then began moving again, cautiously now.

He arrived just in time to see Zoug strike at an intruder: a tall black wolf with fiery orange markings. Talis’s pale fur stood on end as his eyes skirted from the pair to Ko’a and S’ari. They didn’t join the attack. Perhaps they wanted this wolf. Talis felt an ugly feeling curdling in his stomach.

He rushed forward to join his elder. Talis meant to flank Zoug and follow whatever instructions the man might give him. But his emotions overruled his good sense and drove him to leap at the wolf, snapping jaws aiming directly for the trespasser’s testicles.