Yet another conquest dangled from the mute's jaws. Her activity had picked up around the pack whereas it seemed others' had lagged. Pip had been keeping an eye out for Joan and Oula, though Ophelia seemed quite convinced her sister was not coming back by choice. Not that the pale pup thought to say as much to her; Pip had simply overheard. Her mood was improving every day as the little wolf began regaining her comfort. One could hardly call it confidence when compared to other wolves, but for Pip, moving so freely around the territory was as akin to confidence as she ever had.

Of course, the scent of a stranger could dash that away just as quickly. Hackles rose stiffly over her shoulders, well aware that the new wolf was between her and home. Between her and help. It was an innate worry for her, especially concerning her current condition. While Pip was faster than most, her ability to run full tilt had been hindered. If she needed help, she was unlikely to run for it.

Cautiously, the mute stalked closer, peering silently from behind a dense throng of brambles. Why was he just sitting there at the borders? He wasn't calling for anyone. Was he waiting for someone in specific? Pip had not heard of any meetings meant to happen today. Though she couldn't speak herself, it certainly didn't stop her from listening and being in the know. Remembering the last time she'd beaten anyone else to see a stranger, the mute thought it best not to grovel on her belly. Nineva had chided her back then and she had every right to. This was her home and it was her sworn duty to defend it no matter how scared she was.

Still, a tiger could not change its stripes. Meekly, Pip stepped around the brambles and out into the open behind the male, purposefully stepping on a crackly dead leaf to alert him to her presence. Still with her catch in her mouth, Pip watched him warily as if raking her gaze over him may reveal the answers she wanted. With nagging concern, she noted the barest hint of Oula's scent on his fur. Did he come bearing news? Was Oula hurt? Did she need help? Was he here to help them? Russet ears pricked forward with interest rather than falling flat against her head.

Hopeful, Pip chirped around the dead quail.

True to form, the mute's ears immediately fell flat against her head at the male's rebuke. Pip ducked her head, tail half tucking beneath her while her orange gaze flitted away in shame. He had no way of knowing she couldn't answer him - and oh, how she hated this embarrassment that came with it each and every time she met a new wolf - but he had a way about him that made her feel even worse than usual about it. There was something familiar about his demeanor, though she knew she'd never met him before in her life. But a familiar...cadence to his presence was there that the agouti female couldn't deny.

Not angry. He didn't strike her as angry. Though maybe there was a little bit of that, too. Perhaps it was mean to think it, but he struck her as...cruel. Like the wolf @Kjell had tossed into a pit. She had the inkling that he was not there to help find Oula at all.

Her ears perked once more when @Veho arrived on scene. Grateful and relieved for his presence, she wagged her tail a little towards him before allowing it to fall still and watching the male warily once more.

As expected, the Alpha took charge, leaving Pip to observe carefully. Her hackles lifted with warning at the wolf's introduction. A name was not an unimportant detail. The mute didn't think he was lying, but he also wasn't telling the whole truth either. For one who had no talent for talking, she'd developed a talent for ferreting out truths from lies. This man was a liar.

Upon hearing Oula's name, the mute heard something else as well. A threat. Her tail lifted slightly, an entirely uncharacteristic action for one so meek. She once again felt as if she were standing between a moose and Felix. This wolf was worse than a rutting bull though. She could see it in his gaze; he had a more sinister agenda. Pip dropped her catch outright and stepped close enough to Veho to tug at the fur along his shoulder in sharp warning. All the while, her gaze remained trapped on Azar's. If eyes could speak, hers would be screaming 'Danger, danger, danger, danger!'

Pip's breathing quickened even before the verbal threat was made. She'd seen it in every non-verbal cue the male had given that he was not there on friendly matters. His expression was too smug, his posture too confident in the face of a pack's Alpha. He didn't hold himself with respect or concern for offense and in fact, seemed to find great pleasure in giving offense. No wolf that meant to offer help would act in such a manner.

@Azar was undoubtedly a very bad, bad wolf!

Even without the obvious threat he presented to @Oula - Oula! Was she alright? What did he mean, he had her restrained? She was out there, she needed her pack, they could keep wasting time with this monster! - Pip couldn't even stand the threat he presented to the rest of her packmates currently residing blissfully unaware within the territory. It wasn't her place to demand respect of an Alpha. That was an Alpha's job, so even though it rubbed her fur in every wrong direction, it was @Veho's place to correct the man for his disrespect. But Pip knew it was her responsibility to protect her packmates. That's why she was part of a pack in the first place, was it not? To protect and be protected!

The sneering wolf in front of them felt just as much a physical threat as the bull that had nearly trampled poor @Felix. For the first time, Pip lifted her lips in a silent snarl to fully communicate her displeasure. It lacked the weight of any other wolf's snarl as it was missing the obvious noise that often accompanied it, but for Pip, the action was tantamount to a declaration of war.

Oula was the brightest, the sharpest, the keenest around! She was a warrior and brave and kind and selfless. Pip would not have her name be dragged through the mud on account of this rotten stranger! The meek omega was nowhere in sight; in her place, stood a small, vengeful female who would not back down unless her Alpha demanded it of her. Out of respect for Veho, she did not charge as she so wanted. Instead, she did step out from behind Veho so that she may have a fully unobstructed view of the bastard who dared have the gall to threaten her family.