Mount Apikuni cat and mouse in partnership

The hulking figure shrunk slightly, and Thade kept his ears forward to catch its relaxed tone of voice. He suspected the wolf of trying to lure him into a feeling of security, just like the others, and though the stray retained remnants of his previous sense of bravery, his sense of trust, on the other hand, had been severely eroded. That was, at least until he heard: “I’m Wintersbane.”
The boy’s heart leapt into his throat, and his green eyes grew wide, trying to see better. I know that name! Winnersbane? he repeated, taking a tentative step forward. Eisen Winnersbane?