Wapun Meadow anywhere else is hollow

tvar stiffened, his hackles rising when he caught the twitch of her eyes toward the distance. suspicion coiled tightly in his chest, and his tone took on a sharp edge as he spoke.

where are you looking? a sharp demand, followed by the snarl of his teeth.

he sniffed the air, the familiar scent of cole threading its way through the breeze. his presence was a quiet reassurance, tucked away in the brush, ready if things turned sour.

where is that companion of yours? he quickly adds. he shifted slightly, positioning himself to both keep the stranger in sight and block any potential movement from the direction her companion might come from.

he didn’t trust this situation—didn’t trust her. there had been too many incidents lately, too many strangers and threats encroaching on the valley.