no sh#@, sherlock!

Aurielle listened with an easy interest as the striped male responded to her words. It was, perhaps, not the best response but it was a good experience in seeing what would be the best fit. She knew he was probing for more information—a clearer picture.

An almost wicked grin fell upon her features as he pressed his query, and her head tipped to the side, eyes glinting. “Part of the fun in life is finding things out for yourself. What I have shared with you will hold very little value to other packs—most have already met with me and know some of how my pack works and where our values are. If you leave now, I have given you nothing to share with a possible enemy. As I said, it’s your choice. If you don’t wish to stay after you’ve rested, then I would still offer you one favor.”

She rose to her paws, turning as Aelloshir slunk from the shadows, inky black fur dusted with ash and faintly bathed in the dull light from the distant eruption and devastation in the east. A silent look between the woman and cat was followed by a sigh from the cat as he bent and began dragging the carcass eastward, edging south toward Valhalla.

“I don’t ask that my people change who they are. I simply ask that if they do behave like louts and layabouts, that they are not representing Valhalla while they do so. I want none who are unhappy to remain in my pack, or to feel as though they are obligated to stay.”

Her tail flicked as she tipped her head toward the front, inviting him to walk along with her, though if he was ready to take his leave, she wouldn’t keep him… However, a scent wafting on the air stilled her movements and had her searching the dark night, hackles lifting. They were no longer alone with the spooky prey animals. A grumpy, deep grunt and heavy pawfalls heralded the hulking form that ljumbered from the darkness. What was a grizzly bear doing here?

She held still for a beat, then glanced to her stripy acquaintance. Unfortunately, the bear, startled and unnerved by the unrest of the world, spotted her dimly lit, pale frame against the dark of the night and, already trigger-happy and cranky from being prevented his sleep, charged with a bellow as his only warning. She really was beginning to wonder why bears … well, she supposed she couldn’t blame the beasts—after all, her pack did have a cjustom of hunting bears in Autumn and winter…

Even as the thoughts flitted through her mind she was in motion, dancing aside like a matador and whirling to slash for the bear’s left heel with those long canines of hers. She scored a deep set of lacerations and the beast barreled to a stop, unaware of the other wolf, though it could smell him. Luckily for Hemlock, bears didn’t have the absolute best eyes.

Extra Notes:

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think