Devon & Shato

A large Timber wolf ran down a long dirt road, tounge hanging out his widely opened mouth. White pearls glistened in the setting sun. His long tail streamed out behind him as he leaped high into the air, eyes fixed on a big long stick. Then a clattering noise could be heard as the strong jaws closed tight around the wood. Devon then landed perfectly onto the ground, still running.

Shato, the Border collie / German Shephard / Timber wolf hybrid, special friend to Devon and pet to Shannon, barreled down the road at top speed, dust blowing up from behind him. His shorter curled tail waved in the wind as he raced to catch up with his wolf friend.
He soon caught up and bit the stick, pulling it out of Devon's strong hold. He quickly started running in wide circles, taunting the gray blur of fur.

Devon let out a playful snarl and charged around after him, coming up beside him, and trying to take back the stick.

A human can be seen running down the road not very far away.

Mark & Basil

Mark was resting on a porch swing, watching absently as one of the tawny barn cats that lived at the Ranch went stalking by. She pounced on a fluttering leaf then bit it, twirled on her back and kicked at it with her powerful hinds. Suddenly she sprung up and threw her senses in the direction of the road. Her body tensed and she was still as a statue. A moment later of consideration, the tan-tabby turned and darted promptly under the deck.

Mark stood up, now seeing the two canines and the human running down the road. He glanced down at his bandaged arm. He had recently been attacked by wolves and one of his collies had been killed. But he could see these two were playing, but still... there was some hestitation. He walked to the steps of the porch and stood there, watching and waiting, wondering who was running down the drive.

Shannon, Devon, & Shato

The figure could now be clearly seen as a rather young girl, 14 years of age. She herself had adopted her two canines, and she had somehow taught her wolf to act much like a dog. But still, he had his sharp instincts and many encounters with the wild.
She slowed down near her canines, taking deep breaths, trying to get more air. She yanked the stick out of Devon's mouth, threw it, and it landed nearby the porch. She could see the porch, but didn't exactly see the other person. She happily watched the dashing wolf and hybrid.

Devon pushed powerfully past Shato and again caught the stick successfully in his stronger jaws. He started chewing it, looking back at his friend. His tail happily wagged in the doggy-fashion, tounge still managing to hang out over the side of his mouth, despite the stick. He panted heavily.

Shato noticed the human on the porch, but really payed no mind. He slowed and trotted to Devon after seeing he had already caught the flying wood. He sat back on his haunches and also panted heavily, tail thumping strongly against the hard ground. He looked and waited for Shannon, who was now slowly "trotting" over a small hill to them to retrieve the stick and throw it again. She still couldn't see Mark on the porch. The sun was in her eyes to much.

Mark & Basil

Mark relaxed much more when he saw her toss the stick; so they were definately domesticated canines. Putting aside his fears of attack, he turned his focus to figuring out who these three were and why they were here. Seeing that the sun was in her eyes, Mark waved his hand high over his head and gave a shout, "Hey!"

Basil slunk deeper into the shadows under the porch and crouched down so her belly brushed the dirt ground. Her tail flipped from side to side rapidly, but she made no noise.

Shannon, Devon, & Shato

Devon tossed his head back when her heard the unknown and new voice. A muffled bark in return came from him, but Shato stood silent and only stared, intently.

Devon curled his tail up and licked Shannon's hand when she looked away from them. Devon lifted his hind leg and kicked it into Shato. He didn't want to be bothered right at this minute. And he sure didn't want their master bothered, either. But seeing as how it was another human, he relaxed and finally sat on his haunches, looking dazed.

Shato whimpered slightly from the hit, and backed away a bit, but kept his eyes focused on Mark. His tail wagged and he panted some more. He was unsure of what his owner was going to do, and he hoped it would be a safe decision to go to the other human, especially when Devon was pure wolf, and his size could spook anything. He turned his dreading gaze to Shannon, who was looking to Mark.
She waved her hands back and shouted something out, but most of the sound was carried away by the rushing wind. She slowly proceeded towards the porch with the stick in hand. Shato trotted and hopped along with her, begging her to throw the stick again. She did finally, and he and Devon dashed away after it again, Devon again catching it successfully and trotting around with his head held high.

Shannon slowed when she got to the porch. She wad quite unsure of what else to do but stand there quietly. "Hello" she finally said in her merry-like tone.

Mark, Basil, & Lion

Mark nodded to Shannon in greeting. "I don't believe I've met you before. I'm Mark." he said in a friendly tone, turning his eyes from the two canines to Shannon. "What brings you around here?"

A second tan tabby, slightly darker than the first, crept under the porch and crouched down next to his sister. "Ever seen them before?"

She shook her head, "No. But they've got a master. Musn't be too bad. But I wish Timber or Becca were over here."

Lion stood up and strolled towards away from his sister. She looked up and whispered sharply, "Lion! Hey, stop! Lion!" Ignoring her, the tabby cleared the end of the porch and walked out into the open. He stood, puffing his chest out so he could be easily seen. He was curious about testing these canines, if they even saw him anyway.

Shannon, Devon, & Shato

Shannon nodded back. "I haven't seen you around before, either. I am Shannon. The two canines over there are Devon, a pure Timber wolf, and Shato, a Border collie, German Shephard, and Timber wolf hybrid. I adopted them both." Her blue eyes turned to look at her canines, happily playing with the stick.

Devon kept wandering around, sniffing new things and head-butting Shato around like a ragdoll. A loud bark emitted from his maw as he looked to the cat. But because of his tough training, he and Devon had learned the hard way, and therefor didn't go after the cat, but just sat there and looked around, waiting for their master to move or do something. Mainly anything for their enjoyment. Shato thumped his tail on the ground again, this time eagerly and energy-wise.

Mark, Basil & Lion

He nodded, "I see. They seem well trained too." he laughed, seeing what Lion was up to and how they didn't chase him like many others did. Mark turned around, cupping a hand over his eyes while he looked at the horizon. Turning back, he spoke again, "It's getting late. Going to be dark before long. Do you need a ride somewhere? Or a place to stay?" Every now and then it wasn't uncommon for people to stay at the Ranch who were passing through town. Of course, these visits happened less as more and more wolf attacks occured.

Lion startled at the bark, but held still. He puffed his chest out more, "See." he sniffed arrogantly as his sister slinked over, but stayed under the porch still. "In fact..." he began at length, standing and strutting a few feet closer to the two, "I think they're awfully nice, for canines anyway."

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Young man and his Brother wolf stayed within the cover of the trees, watching carefully, silent. He was nursing a badly bleeding left shoulder, having fought an armed man on the way here who thought he was trying to kill his livestock. The boy had tried to explain, but the man hadn't been interested. He had escaped without hurting the man, but it had cost him. The boy was aged 15 years, and had lived in these woods most of his life. But the winter had been hard, and he was hungry. His tanned body hid him from view among the trees, but his stomach growled with the scent of food from the house. He willed it to be quiet and stared at the girl and her canine companions, waiting to see if they were kind to her. If they were, he would approach. If not, he would leave and seek help elsewhere.

Shannon, Devon, &Shato

Shannon looked at him thoughtfully. She wouldn't have expected a question like that, but it was getting late, and her canines were getting tired. She noted Devon yawning when she looked to him. "Well, we do need a place to stay, for the night. Any suggestions?" She didn't know where to stay, and she wouldn't come right out and ask if they could let her stay here for the night. She wasn't usually one with words, so she usually stuck to simple stuff. She didn't at all notice the boy in the trees.

Devon caught the scent of the boy, and he started growling loudly. Ignoring the cat, he proceeded toward the forest, where the scent was strongest. He started running then, and stopped at the edge of the trees, hackles raised, as well as fur standing on end. He snarled viciously at the stranger, whomever it was.

Shato, too, caught the scent. He ran after Devon, hackles raising when he reached the wolf's side. He wasn't about to let a stranger harm anyone in his sights. Not after that terrifying day. His fangs were bared, and they gleamed in the orange glow of the sun. He kept his growls pouring out, waiting for the boy to make one wrong move. One wrong move, and the boy would have two angry canines after him.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores and Elder Brother spotted the others coming, and Tahmores immediately dropped to all fours, despite his screaming shoulder, taking a wolf bow, though keeping his head up, showing he owed them no allegiance. Living years wiht wolves, he knew the signs of a defense, and also knew how to set these canines at ease.
Brother too, bowed, again keeping his head high. Afterwards, he spoke. "We mean no harm to your friend." And he nodded in the girl's direction. "My boy seeks help for a wound, and a bit of food." And his cranium jerked toward Tahmore's shoulder. He smiled as the boy rested a hand on his back, silently thanking him for explaining. He spoke again. "I give you my blood oath we will do no harm." And deep green orbs came to rest upon them, awaiting their answer.

Devon & Shato

Devon slightly back away, not very sure of what to do. He had always defended Shannon alongside Shato, and wouldn't give in that easily. He also had rememberance of the fateful day when Devon's adopted pup was killed by a stranger human. He lowered his gray body to the ground, but stayed up a little ways so he could still see the other two. "If you mean no harm, why are you here? I have noted this ranch doesn't really take kindly to stranger wolves, so humans are like passports to go here and survive. What have you come for anyway?" his voice boomed out, breaking the quiet silence that surrounded them all.

Shato immedietly shifted, from them to Devon, eyes looking confused. He wasn't all wolf, and he never had any friends other than Devon that was a wolf, because only his granddog had wolf in him, and he had been killed, so he never met any others. This, setting him high on elert. He didn't always know the ways of the wild, so he kept it clean and did what Devon did, even though Devon was just doing it for something to do. He took a quick glance back at Shannon and then turned his brown eyes back to the human and wolf.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Elder Brother sighed a little, and spoke again. "This boy is my Pack. All that is left. It's a long story. we come for food, and he for healing."

The boy had still not risen, but had sat back on his haunches as the wolves had though he was careful to keep his hadns clear of Torgny, his dagger. He did not want them to think he would draw it against them. He simply sat, waiting for the wolves to finish their conference. He couldn't understand the words of the wolves, but their body language told him it was a challenge directed at Brother. So he sat quietly and waited.

Devon & Shato

Devon raised and his eyes seemed to just beam down on the other wolf. Why didn't this wolf think? "If you are hungry, you should hunt for your food. If you don't hunt, you sure can't be called a wolf. Of course I do, but I am usually with my human." His tail lowered and it swayed over the grass, pushing the small green blades.

Shato looked around, making sure that Shannon was still there. He wasn't really listening to the conversation, and so sat on his haunches, staring at the boy. How unusual and over-interesting. He waited to see what their words were going to be, since he was now listening.

Mark, Basil, & Lion

He watched as Devon and Shato raced off, an narrowed his eyes against the stretching shadows to see who or what got their attention. But the diming lit and the thick brush obscured the boy and wolf from his view, so he turned back to Shannon, "We'd be glad to have you here. We have plenty of room, really." Mark offered, "Are they good around livestock? We've got cattle, chicken, sheep, and horses around that my dogs protect."

Lion's fur ran up along his spine at the growl. He stopped in his tracked and then regain his composure and looked smuggly back at Basil, "Nice, like I said." The feline stalked across the yard now, confident that he wouldn't be attacked. He was heading out for a night hunt. Basil hesitated, then sprinted after him.

Shannon, Devon, & Shato

Shannon was quite relieved at the offer. She then remembered that she and her dogs were to go out into the wilderness for a little canine hike. She glanced worridly at Devon and Shato. They usually only acted like that when there was a stranger or something other. Then, she noticed the bushes and whatnot twitch slightly, and then she completely realized that there was someone in the thicker foliage. "Great! Me and the canines are going to go for a little walk out in the wilderness and come back later. But I do believe that theres someone in the bushes and foliage over there. Devon and Shato only usually act like that when some stranger is there." She quickly called out Devon's name and the wolf leapt away from the spot, Shato following wildly.

Devon padded up onto the porch, long nails scraping it and making noises. He looked back to where the other human and wolf was and let out some loud barks. They didn't sound very great, either. Shannon was now sure someone was there, but had no idea of the other wolf. Shato steadily heaved onto the porch, avoiding the steps which would have been much easier. He started to bark too, only stopped when Devon looked up at the foliage with the live contents.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

The dog had revealed their watching spot. Frowning just a tad, the boy rose, still wincing from the bleeding shoulder, and beckoned to Elder Brother. He camee forward out of the bushes, not desiring to frighten the girl. He said nothing thus far, only waiting for their reaction.

Mark & Martha

Martha had stepped outside now, walking over to stand beside her husband. "Oh!" she exclaimed, seeing the wolf and hybrid on the porch as well, and then noticing the girl. "This is Shannon, she's going to be staying with us tonight..." Mark trailed off as he noticed Tahmores, clad in deer hide. He blinked once, wondering if his eyes betrayed him. "Hello... do you need something?" the words fumbled out of his mouth, for he was not at all sure what to make of the situation. No one had ever just walked out from the woods and into his yard before, and especially no teenager dressed such as Tahmores was.

Martha furrowed her brows in confusion as well, but she took control of the situation faster than her husband could. "Are you lost? Why don't you come over here, we've got some food and a place for you to stay if you wish." Now she was feeling motherly, wanting to help out. Something about him... his manner, maybe his stance... but something told her Tahmores was different. Well, maybe it was his enterance and his clothes.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

It took the boy a moment to speak, is tongue dry with disuse. With Elder Brother, speech was unneccesary. His mouth struggled to form the words of the language taught to him so long ago. "I am the Wild Dog. Tahmores, I am called. I come seeking aid..." he winced, the pain only growing. And all of a sudden, he crumpled down in a heap, loss of blood making him faint.

Brother came to his side quickly, whining and licking the boy's face. He looked to the humans with pleading eyes: Help him!

Rihanne

Rihanne came out with Martha, standing again between her and any danger. She was just in time to see the boy crumple, and she whined, pressing into Martha's thigh.

Shannon, Devon, & Shato

Shannon turned around and seen the boy, quite clearly now. She was somewhat startled by the clothes and the other wolf. She patted Devon's and Shato's head and moved forward a few steps, near the edge.

Devon barked once more and started twisting and turning around, his large body circling around Shannon. Then he stood in front of her and let growls lift from deep in his throat.

Shato only followed around with him, stopping behind Shannon and then angling himself so he could look around her. He kept silent and stared.

Elder Brother

Brother, hearing Devon's growls, came to stand in front of Tahmores, letting his own growl escape from his throat. They meant no harm, and yet what did this mean. Deep jade orbs flashed again to the woman with the kind voice. HELP MY BOY! they said.

Mark, Martha, & Baby

"Oh, Mark! He's hurt!" Martha exclaimed, bringing a hand to her face. While Mark hurried off the porch, Martha reached down to pet Rihanne; her trusted guadian and comfort.

Mark ran towards the woodline where the boy lay, eyeing the wolves with caution, but he had seen the look Elder Brother gave Martha. Inching past the wolf, Mark carefully scooped up Tahmores and carried him inside. Martha followed at once to administer the needed help.

Once inside, they carried the unconscious boy to a den room where he was laid down on a couch. Martha retrieved some her her medical things, used mostly for her pets, but most recently on Mark when he was bit. She cleaned his wounded shoulder and stitched it up, then wrapped it up in a light bandage. She spoke with her husband; they were both intruiged and confused about Tahmores, but no questions could be answered until he woke up. Mark went back outside to report, "Looks like he may have been cut with a knife. Strange... just..." Mark shook his head, "Strange."

A third cat now appeared, mincing along the side of the house. She was much smaller than her younger brother and sister, Lion and Basil. Her eyes were wide and her cheek bones sunken. Her mouth and nose were small and her ears enormous. She looked terribly unproportionate; possibly due to her bloodlines being more pure than they should. But making up for her strange appearance was her uncanny good personality and trust. The small, pale feline padded softly over the ground towards the three canines and the new human. ",B>What's going on here?" she questioned, holding her tail in the air; which in cat language meant she was content and happy, and self-assured.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Brother had come quietly into the house after Tahmores, laying down on one end of the couch by his boy. He watched with concern as Martha stitched and wrapped and cleaned, and he felt a little bit better. Having lived among humans, he knew the common gestures used by canines to thank humans, and he employed one now. He allowed his tail to wave just a little and brushed his head along Martha's thigh with a little whine of thanks. The contact did not remain for long, however, because his gaze was drawn to Tahmores' fluttering eyes. He planted his front paws firmly on the couch and ran his salmon tongue over the boy's face, and Tahmores' finally woke. He reached up his hand to pet Brother, scratching him behind the ears, making an imitation of a whine to ensure his blood brother he was okay.

Rihanne

Rihanne came to stand again between the wolf, Elder Brother, and Martha, making sure he would do Martha no harm. She had fought so many wolves, but this one was different somehow. Even his smell was different... she snorted and growled low in her throat, warning the other to keep away from Martha.

Mark & Martha

Mark watched Elder Brother cautiously, just making sure nothing bad came of his presence. He then watched as the boy woke up. "What happened? You had quite a bad cut there." Mark pointed out.

Martha stroked her loyal guardian and spoke in soothing notes to ease her growlings, but she knew Rihanne's reasons. "You may stay here as long as you need. But... where did you come from? Are you lost?"

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Elder Brother whined in response to Tahmores, and then looked up at Mark and Martha. Tahmores gave Brother a look, and the wolf removed his paws from the couch and lay down next to it, his eyes on his boy. The boy looked at Martha, then to Mark, before answering their questions, his eyes judging and weighing. Finally, he spoke. "That..." and his head jerked toward the shoulder, "was a misunderstanding. We were... passing through the lands of a farmer who thought that we meant to harm his livestock. He gave me no chance to explain..." and his voice trailed off, still remembering.

Hearing Rihanne's growling, he looked up, and held his hands out, palm up, to show he meant no harm. He was careful to keep his mouth closed and show no teeth, and turned to lie belly-up, to show that he would do no harm to Martha. A low whine accompanied this gesture, attempting to put the canine at ease. Then, he turned to Martha. "I come from... nowhere. I haven't any home but that with Elder Brother, here." And he indicated the wolf. "I ran from the city, where my father kept me... trying to make me a 'gentleman'." And he scowled, his idea of that clear. Unknowingly a low growl escaped his lips, and had he had a tail it would have twitched in annoyance. "My mother was killed when I was young. My father took me to the city to see to it that I learned to read and write, but I HATE it there." And he scowled harder. When he spoke again, it was with a quiet intensity. "I'm NOT going back. I'll live forever in the forest with my Brother. I will run free with him. I will NOT go back to the city." And his eyes held a challenge in them, as though they would make him go.

Rihanne

Rihanne drew back in absolute astonishment, pressing into Martha's thigh once again. In a strange way, this boy could speak! His body was different and his growls and whines a little off, but he had clearly said to her that he meant no harm. Suddenly intrigued, she came forward, keeping a wary eye on the wolf, to sniff the boy's hand. He smelled of something vaguely spicy, and of rain, and leaves, and wolf-musk. It was not the artificial smell that she had encountered with the humans in her younger life: a smell of sweat, oil, and greed, liberally over-laid with a "pleasant" disposition. Her little stump of tail wagged, showing him that she liked the smell of him. She then turned to the wolf, who smelled just like the boy, only with more wolf-musk mixed in. She wagged the stump of tail again, and moved back to Martha, whimpering up at her friend. It was her way of saying she approved.

Martha & Mark

Startled, questioning glance were exchanged between the couple, not sure at all what to make of this twisting development. It was Martha who took charge again, spurred by Rihanne's approval and the boy's intense words. "You can stay here with us if you want. Away from the crowd of a town, and much less a city."

Mark drew in a sharp breath and whisped quickly to his wife, "It isn't our buisness to keep him from his father... we've got to abide by laws."

Martha smiled gently, looking back at the boy before talking lightly yet with finality to her husband, "We aren't forcing anyone to do anything. We're just offering a home to someone whom I think might need one. No harm in that." She spoke to Tahmores now, a motherly quaility in her tone, "We've got a basement room we can set up for you if you want. There's a cellar door that leads outside from there, so you can be free to come and go as you please." She flashed a look to Mark and put his eyes downward. It wasn't that he didn't want the boy here, but he was very unsure about him. The whole concept of him living in the wild with a wolf had Mark awe-struck. Martha on the other hand was more to the point with things, although the story he told not only touched her but intruiged her greatly. She wanted to hear more of it, but thought better of asking right away.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores had seen the exchange between the two. Living with a pack where human words meant nothing, he had learned to read looks. He sat up carefully, and hardly winced at all, though the newly sewn skin was still a bit tender. He looked to Brother, and then back to Mark and Martha, thinking. He spoke tenatively. "I cannot earn my keep. I know nothing of.. farming. And my speech is... different. I could not... repay you. That would not be fair." And his eyes met theirs, showing a fierce pride. He could not, would not, accept charity. This was a weakness of his: he was VERY, VERY proud. This came from so many years among wolves, who tend to be rather proud creatures. He looked at them, honestly wishing he could stay, but his internal sense of honor getting in the way. His mind warred with itself, and he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, feeling a headache coming on. Finally, he shook his head, wolf-like, to dismiss the thoughts, and spoke haltingly. "I will... stay for the night. Perhaps tommorrow my thoughts will be... more clear."

Martha & Mark

Martha nodded kindly, "I understand. But if you ever need a place to stay, you can come here. Don't worry about earning your keep either, it's nothing really. And we have a son, around your age. He could show you around or help you out if you need anything." The woman offered brightly, but was careful to not be overdoing it. "I can set up a room for you tonight. Would you like to come see it?"

Tahmores*Elder Brother

He rose a little stiffly, nodding his thanks. A shadow lifted from his face, and he smiled. "Yes. I will come." And he looked at Brother, who came up beside him. Brother let his banner wave a little, letting his tongue loll out. He liked Martha. She helped his boy. He went forward and rubbed her thigh with his head again, thanking her. And then he came back to Tahmore's side and sat, waiting.

Martha & Mark

A knocking from the other room caught Mark's attention. Excusing himself, he went to see who it was.

Martha smiled warmly still, "It's this way. I'm sure it will be cozy for you, and your friend here." she pointed out and headed to a den room. On the floor there was a latch, which she pulled up and set against the wall. It looked like some sort of seceret passageway, but many older homes like hers had such things. She headed down the creaky, stone steps that were lined with cobwebs and dusty jars. As Martha reached the bottom of the stairs, it opened out into a very large, spacious room with a cement floor and a another set of stairs that led outside through a cellar door. There was also a basement window, too small for anyone to fit through, but enough to let in plenty of natural light. The room, being below ground, was a constant, cool temperature. An old, musty, smell hung in the air, but it wasn't so unpleasant.

There was a very large multi-earth tone rug on the floor and a wornout but decent couch that had a fold-out bed in it. A hand-made dresser was propped against the wall with many books. Along another wall in the far end of the room was a row of shelves with canned goods and dried flowers. A fridge was in another corner. A few antlers and painting adorned the dark, wood-paned walls.

Martha looked to Tahmores, "It's not much, but it sure is a lovely place to be when you want to think. There's a fridge there, you can help yourself when ever you want. Soda and sandwitch stuff manly." she smiled, now in a friendly way. "That couch fold out into a bed. There are plenty of blankets in that closet, and there is a bathroom." she went on, pointing out these various things. We keep the dog food on the cellar steps, so you can feed your friend here when ever you want. And of course, feel free to come and go through the cellar door. And I should be around the house if you ever need anything." She paused now, letting him take all of this in and waiting to see if he had any questions.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores looked around, and inhaled. Growing up with wolves, smell had a great importance for him. The room smelled earthy and cool, with just a touch of clean linen. He liked the window. It gave the impression of the mouth of a den, and even though he was much too big to fit through, it made him feel better about being inside. He smiled, turning to Martha. "I am glad there is a window. There were no windows where my father lived. Windows give things more room."

Elder Brother, in the mean time, was conducting his own inspection, sniffing around everywhere, even going in the bathroom, looking and smelling. He returning to the main room and went over the bookshelves, couch, and fridge with interest. Finally, with an exaggerated sigh, he flopped gracelessly down on the rug and lay down his head, his tail thumping on the floor.

Tahmores, seeing that Brother approved, turned back to Martha. "I think Brother is happy." And he paused, half thinking of the words, half embarrassed. "Thank you... You are kinder than many I have met... including my father." And he reached under his tunic, and withdrew from it a small leather thong. On the end of it hung a single fang: the symbol of his mother's tribe. He reached out and took Martha's hand, placing the necklace in her palm and closing her fingers around it. "This is the Fang. In my mother's tribe, it is the sign of fortune, given to a kind person. It now belongs to you." And he smiled, and turned away, heading toward the fridge to cover his slight embarrassment.

He was awkward with people, and was certain he had bungled the speech that went with the honor. And so he busied himself digging through the fridge, coming up with some ham and cheese, and making himself a sandwich, cutting it in half and tossing one half to Brother, who smelled meat and gulped it down neatly, leaving no mess. He then came over and sat at the boy's feet while he ate. This place was nice...

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Hearing something outside, boy and wolf turned and went out the basement door, heading for the yard where all the dogs were.