Lhars straightened and gave him a falsely innocent look. "What's wrong? You don't want to turn your back on me?"
"I don't want you at my back, or my front, Lhars. But I'll make do with keeping you away from Diane. You're Sentry, right? If you're so eager for me to see the people, why don't you run ahead and let them know I'm here? That is your job, right?"
Lhars' upper lip twitched toward a snarl. They both knew Tryson was reducing his role in the pack by sending him to run a message to others, even to the Alpha. And in front of Diane—a female that held no place in the hierarchy. Yet.
Yet, Tryson reminded himself. She didn't have her place yet. He put a hand back just to reassure himself that she was still there.
Then Lhars' smiled again and leaned even closer. Behind him, Diane flin
