Just barely

The alpha spoke at length about the pack, not really sounding too crazy or outlandish. It sounded like a normal pack. Most packs wanted unity and peace but boasted that they could protect themselves if needed. It wasn't really a super compelling argument to say they valued difference. Though this alpha- as a wolf/horse or maybe wolf/lion hybrid- was quite different, packs always offered specialization into specific areas of interest.

He asked Ashmedai what he was interested in learning. Ashmedai was tempted to shrug, but tried to think of actual questions. Eventually some came to him.

"Well, festivals are interesting, but, like, where did you get your rank names? How do you handle inter-pack conflict. You said you were new, so maybe you don't know yet... Who was the alpha before you? Are they... still alive?"