Rosewater Oasis Little Coywolf

Andanari was near about full size and she wasn't large by any means. But today she had moved slowly but surely from the cover of home. She didn't want to go far. Just a small jaunt to the pretty place nearby that she had caught glimpses of but never visited. She hummed to herself as she loped. Eager and happy to have a day to just explore.

The girl was young. 

The spear watched her with a dull stare. The lean ripple of her youthful frame was untarnished. She looked like she was midway between pup and yearling. There was a distinct mass to her - muscle that came from growth and movement and learning the lessons of hurt. 

Lanza chuffed a greeting. The spear's dark tail thumped against the dirt.

Candle was not far behind the pup.

Andanari was not her blood, but a child of The Tribe nonetheless. The coyote bristled with protective instinct at the sight of a wolf, yipping a short call to Andanari. Danger, her cry said, and the priestess prayed the girl would heed it.

A coyote and a half was far too few against a wolf.

Andi was thrown from her thoughts at the sound of her auntie/cousin/friend coyote and she turned around in a little fear. The wolf that was nearby was big and scary, but he chuffed nicely. She was torn between running and curiosity. 

She dipped her head in a small greeting and scuttled back to candle.

The spear watched as the guardian came in and yapped a warning sound to the young one. His dark grey eyes searched the appearance of the adult. He noted the pointed features. He noted the lean muscle beneath the warm coat. They did not look remarkable. And his attention returned to the younger figure, who appeared to be scuttling back toward the guardian shape of the adult behind her. 

Lanza tapped his tail again. His dark lip lifted in a toothy smile.

A coywolf, the priestess soon realized; The Tribe welcomed such, and S'ari had even brought such children to nurse at her belly. Andanari was no more pure of blood than this man. But she had been raised among Tribe — and he, as far as Candle knew, had not.

S'ari was not here.

She nosed Andanari's cheek with a soft whine, stepping around to stand between her and the stranger. There were too many wolves in their desert; this half-breed only served as more proof. Candle showed him her teeth then, wondering how far her mate might be. If he would come when she called.