Sleepy Fox Hollow one by one

the woman was respectful, direct. though the shameful masculine part of himself put in a vague response to her appearance — mahler found such irritating, given his general exhaustion and grief — it was those qualities upon which he focused.
"vhy?" came the accented thrum of his throat. with the world turned to madness, surely this annaliese could understand the care that must be given to joiners, that he would not assume the responsibility of someone unable to contribute.
on the other hand, mahler could scarce allow another grown wolf to pass by diaspora, not with so many young mouths to be fed. he was silent, once more awaiting the she-wolf's response.