Bitterroot Valley room to make a big mistake

She was just a little startled when she turned to see a dark beast of a man so near. But her tail whisked in automatic greeting — she couldn't imagine that he meant to harm her.

"That's me," she agreed, peering at his face in turn. "You must be Callahan," she named him. It seemed like a good bet, at least.

She didn't set off just yet, lingering here to speak with the stranger.

"You spoke with my dear friend, Elowyn," she informed him. "We share a den a little further out."

He was handsome, she decided, the way that Rodyn was handsome. Though Callahan was younger than her once-alpha, she thought he seemed heavy in some way. Perhaps just physically, as he was of a size with Sega. Both of them made her feel small, somehow, though she was well made and athletic herself. Not a small wolf at all — but still shorter and slighter than these males.

It annoyed her, just a little. She tried to let that go.