Whitebark Stream you have the universe in your veins

The yearling felt a flush creeping up her neck as the commander spoke, a stab of embarrassment piercing her when she realized her faux pas. Wildfire couldn't have known, yet she felt idiotic all the same. Her head bowed slightly toward her chest, her eyelashes fluttering as her teeth dug into her lip. She wanted to splutter out an apology, yet she said nothing for a moment, instead steadying herself with a breath.

She replayed Thuringwethil's words in her head and some of the unpleasant heat creeping along her neck and shoulders began to abate—or take on a different nature, anyhow. She didn't mind the pet name in private. Maybe instead of feeling rebuked, Wildfire should focus on that. Maybe it was even a special privilege. The red she-wolf felt her pulse flutter at the thought, a soft smile snaking its way back onto her lips.

"Yes, Heda," she replied with a dip of her head and twitch of her blackened tail. "Sorry about that," she added lightly, unable to stop from apologizing in the end.