So incredibly sorry for the wait. Vacation lasted longer than anticipated and I've been scrambling to get the yearbook done too. Will be better so we can close this up soon.
Angry as he was, at least Serach could appreciate that the stranger reacted in the correct way. Turning away from the water, the other man lowered himself in submission. Beyond him, he flicked his gaze momentarily to see Arnaq begin to slowly crawl out of the water, her body language also submissive and apologetic. But his focus returned back to the strange wolf in front of him who had so brazenly crossed clearly pack borders, setting Arnaq aside in his mind to deal with later.
The loner answered the question directly, which was a double-edged sword. It only confirmed what Serach had suspected when he had come across their path, but the wording the man used did nothing to ease his temper. Even if he had frequently asked strangers what the Bend could do for them, what was really being asked was what did they want from the Bend. It seemed this man, Zev, was taking Arnaq's question literally and it didn't sit well in the mind of an already agitated Serach.
"We're not in the business of renting out homes or storage facilities," he grumbled when Zev had finished making his case. "Oak Tree Bend is a pack focused on family - we don't 'occasionally' speak to one another. If that's truly what you're looking for, then this is not the place, although I'm sure there are other packs in the Lore who would be happy to accommodate such an arrangement." And if the Bend wasn't right for Zev, well, he knew the way out already.