Lone Star Mountain III

If Ego thought he had already been struck by her boldness, then he was now clobbered senseless by her laughter. What was so goddamn funny? Now he was positive this she-devil was out of her mind. And he could not collect his thoughts quick enough to be clear about why she vexed him so. Wound up, and trying not to show it, the wolf grit his teeth and let his paling jaw set into a hard line. It took nearly all of his strength not to grunt at her, like an upset boar.
 
She continued to mock him -- which was only met with dagger glares and a visible consideration of proving her wrong -- but Ego was no mindless retaliator. He could be vindictive, but this encounter had not yet exacted any true offense… though this seemed liable to change.
 
Another insistence that there was something other to be seen here than utility; another know-it-all roll of his eyes. He felt disinclined to admit he was in these mountains for nostalgic purposes, so he chose to say instead: I’m scouting, of course. Like any smart wolf, his tone and expression implied. What use is there in watching the sun set, anyway? Do you expect that it won’t?