[j] abeyance

Ever an early riser, Jinx cantered solemnly along the edge of Horizon Ridge territory, deeply engagedin her newest favourite role of guard dog. Not much had transpired here—Akhlut was a sparse Alpha, sadly reminiscent of Styx and Katrina to Jinx, and Blacktail Deer Plateau wolves had of late been the liveliest visitors—but she did her duty nonetheless, finding comfort in monotony. The thrum of the constant ocean was her only companion as she prowled along the shoreline, her eyes fixed on the point where ridge land gave way to the river.

From here, she traced the river southward, well outside her pack boundaries now... But in Jinx's professional opinion, boundaries weren't static. They were fluid, and went where the wolf went. Such was her attitude when a summoning howl begged her attention, and she turned her moving feet in its direction, hot blood pounding through her veins for the chance to prove herself at last. Tulok had not hidden himself, so she came upon him quickly and, having never met Suluk Kesuk, deemed him completely unfamiliar.

Jinx did not approach subtly, however; her tail was flung high over her hind and her stance was one of authority. Save Akhlut, she was the highest ranked wolf, and it showed. To him, she gave the ambivalence display: the cropping of her mouth into a rounded O that displayed her gums, tongue poked between teeth, her snout held level and her nose tilted upward, with ears thrust forward in a take-no-bullshit expression of dominance. Her eyes found his—an icy blue that reminded her of her mother, but bore no true resemblance—and gazed deeply into them, demanding that he state his business.