Kavik blinked in shock as a honest-to-goodness scowl creased the young stranger’s muzzle. That was unexpected! For a moment Kavik had been certain that he smelled the other boy’s nervousness as he approached, the undeniable tang of anxiety as it wafted from his fur into the thickly Malignant-scented air. Now the green-eyed lad looked upon the pack child as if Kavik were nothing more than a speck of dirt. A positively arrogant posture stiffened the stranger’s body as he drew himself up, apparently trying to make himself appear bigger; that earned him a cold amber stare from Kavik. The dark chocolate prince wasn’t fooled. Slowly, Kavik straightened his own spine and lifted his tail higher, just like he had seen Queens do countless times before she left the den to confront her subjects. His ears pointed forward aggressively. An imperial glare was just about to narrow Kavik’s strange eyes when the unknown pup finally spoke.

Not trespassing?! Ridiculous! Kavik unleashed a short, harsh bark, wordlessly telling this mutt that he was less than pleased with that evasive explanation. Now an appropriately royal sneer did cross Kavik’s features . . . though he had to admit, this guy was starting to unsettle him. Kavik didn’t know many wolves other than Kira and Queens, and recently little Tsu—in fact, he didn’t know any other wolves, especially not males! Where all other brutes this hard to get along with? Confusion muddled the espresso-toned soldier’s thoughts so much that he almost didn’t hear the stranger’s next question. Suddenly Kavik’s hackles lifted. He felt positive that this black-furred fellow was trying to trick him. He felt like clawing out those cocky emerald lanterns. Surely he was joking: the musk of Malignant Felicity practically drowned the forest, claiming each and every tree and stretch of soil for miles and miles. Queens’ perfume laced the wind like the gossamer strands of a spider’s web. OBVIOUSLY it’s a pack! Kavik wanted to yell. My MOTHER is the Alpha!

But he didn’t say a word. Kavik refused to speak. All he could do was gape at the sooty stranger, eyes wide with offended disbelief. If only Kirastasia were here to put this foolish other hessian in his place!

Another low rumble vibrated in Kavik’s chest as he glowered at the shadow-painted adolescent. He took a wary step backward, wanting to throw more space between himself and this bizarre creature. When the stranger started speaking again, Kavik pinned his ears back in distrust. This smug kid wanted . . . to join? Kavik attempted to growl but all he could do was whine. An expression of abject frustration and astonishment erased the leer from his white mask. Wh . . . why? Why do you want to join? You don’t even—Kavik shook his head savagely. He thumped a forepaw roughly against the earth, as if demanding respect. This wasn’t a display to tell the stranger that he wasn’t welcome in Malignant . . .

Kavik was trying to tell the boy that if he wanted in, he’d have to try a little harder.