The Sentinels There's nothing to be sure of

lasher did not speak when dante had finished his piece; he heard the anger in the man's voice, and knew that what the beta said was not all the words of his heart. it could not be, for taltos heard the undercurrent lurking in the silent places of each syllable. he met the silver man's eyes as he gathered his own thoughts. "i would not force the leadership upon you, dante. i will not do to you what has been done before." his reference was clear; he simply did not wish to speak the devil's name, for fear that it would engender more hurt in his heart.

"but i ask you this, dante, and know that i ask only because i care deeply for your opinion: do you think me capable of leading donnelaith? if you do not, i shall gladly step down, and may the pack elect a more fitting leader than myself. i shall not be the cause of our demise."

sorrow burned in his heart, but lasher was silent then.