Heron Lake Plateau The devil won.

Towhee's ears twitched as Niamh drew out the word "bored," curious about the delayed motion of her lips. But the Delta's next words recaptured her attention. She grinned, then stood up and playfully shoved the other wolf's shoulder.

"Come patrol with me then," she suggested. Then, without warning, she declared, "Race you to the borders!" and took off like a gunshot, ignoring the ache in her face and sloshing of her fully belly as she hurtled downward toward the plateau's foot.