Porcupine Ridge Blackbird song

Something about Envy threw him off his guard. Perhaps it was the way she spoke—so casually, yet with an undercurrent of purpose. Or just that attitude in general that marked her existence. Clearly, she was a loyal Ridge wolf—as it stood—so he trusted her.

The man was far more forthcoming, straightforward.

Lorcan, he repeated. I assume you fight? There was a note in his voice that suggested the question was somewhat rhetorical; why wouldn't such a mountain of a man be a warrior? If Envy trusts you enough, I do. Welcome to Shadow Ridge.

And perhaps the crimson-eyed woman's judgment would bite him in the ass, someday. So far, though, it had not.