The Wolf Clan's territory sprawled across the foothills of the northern mountains, a series of settlements connected by well-worn paths and marked by distinctive totems. As Cassius and Nara approached the main encampment, beast clan sentries emerged from concealed positions, their movements fluid and predatory.
"Nara Moonblood returns," the lead sentry called, using her clan name rather than her married title. "With her human mate," he added, the slight emphasis on "human" barely perceptible to non-beast ears.
Nara inclined her head in the traditional greeting of a returning daughter. "The pack is strong?" she asked in the ritual phrase.
"The pack hunts well," came the response, followed by subtle throat gestures that conveyed additional meaning only beast clan members would understand: *The alpha female asks for you. The human is not trusted. Your scent has changed.*
