I seem capable enough. Yet again, Peirus found himself fighting back a sneer. Give him a few days, and he would seem more than capable enough - but he let himself smiled and dip his head gratefully, molding his body to look the part of the humble stranger who had not really expected to be invited to try for a place within the pack. “Then I shall search out your pack, and with any luck I may be accepted among your number.” Thanks was needed here and surely expected, after all, and his words served the added purpose of letting his thoughts remain hidden behind his sincere mask.
Angier and her mother have the final say. If the rulers of this pack of mutts behave the way they ought to, then I have been recruited by more than a mere scout. The idea certainly made Morganna a more enticing find in that regard; even Kings and Queens who lorded over mindless hounds were still possessed of the ability to rule. Any children spawned by such wolves would carry that same ability in their blood, even if it was never fostered or sharpened... which was not to say Morganna had not paid any energy towards refining it in herself. The fiasco with the sturgeon aside, he had not seen enough of her to make that kind of call just yet.
All this passed through his mind with the speed of lightning, and his thoughts were interrupted as he watched Morganna turn her own gaze to the north. Though he kept his face neutral, suspicion flared within the older wolf at the sight. Was she being deceitful? Lying, perhaps, about the true location of her pack? Whether than jump to a conclusion that might ruin this careful encounter, Peirus let his features smooth into another politely interested smile as he said, “I believe I shall remain here for a time, however, and attempt to sharpen myself again before I make my way to the Willows. I will leave upon the ides, I think - unless it is imperative that I arrive as soon as possible." He dipped his head, again feigning hesitancy as he asked, "Forgive me if I seem to be prying, but what of you, Morganna? Will you be returning home as well, or is your errand beyond the pack unfinished?”
Her reaction to his question would be incredibly important. Depending upon how she chose to respond - or how she rather brushed his question away - he would have a better idea of whether or not her directions could be trusted. And should his question offend her when she had been honest after all, he would still come away from this encounter with information he could use. At the end of the day, the important thing was that a benefit was gleaned from the situation regardless of its overall outcome, and as of yet, Peirus did not see a great many ways that this could possibly end without leaving him some tasty morsel in return. It was simply a matter of what price would be paid for how much of a morsel.
Word Count: 521