Dangerous Territory

"Thistle... Cloud..." Macawi tasted the name on her tongue and decided immediately that it was much too long for her to remember. "Macawi will call this wolf Thistle. Easier to remember, and feels better on her tongue." She gave a grin. "Macawi thanks this one for not eating her on sight. She grew up knowing to stay away from cousin Wolf, who is known to eat Coyote. Thistle is not secretly planning to eat Macawi, is she? Macawi can promise Wolf she does not taste good. Far too skinny for Wolf to eat!" Here she cracked another grin.

"Now, what is this about getting the pack leader?" The coyote paused, feeling suddenly unsure. Unsafe. Her whole life she had known wolves as enemies, and yet secretly wanted to join them. Now here was her opportunity, staring her in the face, and she didn't know if she had the courage to take it.

Hesitantly, she said, "Macawi is not sure. She has not been part of a pack since she was a pup. And never has she been part of a wolf pack. The idea scares her, and yet excites her. She does not know what to say to such an offer."