Blacktail Deer Plateau evolution of consciousness

For a split-second, Fox thought he was going to treat her like some child. Thankfully, he saved the day by explaining that he wanted to hear her thoughts. If that was the case, he would hear them alright. It was the frown that really did it, though. Fox realized just how much she hated to see him genuinely upset... if he was upset at all. He was showing all the physical signs, at the very least. And there was no playful hint among them. It took longer than it should have for Fox to put together a tactful reaction. A million inappropriate responses battled to escape her throat.

"If she wanted kids, she should go somewhere else!"

"I'm the Alpha Female, I shouldn't have to share with anybody!"

"Blue and Lasher aren't even mates!"

"Her betrothed is dead in the head; why can't she just move on?!"

But Fox showed restraint. She knew it was the only way, as much as it pained her to do so.

“Where I come from,” Fox began carefully, “those seeking to make their own family strike out on their own.” It was why Fox had set out on her own, even if it had been more out of instinct and less out of that specific need. The spitfire had always been a driven individual, as was made clear by her quick ascension into leadership and taking a mate before she was truly able to bear children. It was sheer luck that nobody had put her in her place. She wondered if Blue Willow had considered that option: leaving. Not because Fox didn't want her around, but because having two litters on the plateau meant fewer resources, and the Alpha bitch didn't like competition.