wretched and divine

Things had been busy, and it was a blessing that Jinx was unaware of the transgressions of her wolves. That they slaughtered her reputation without any thought whatsoever would have earned them all a swift kick in the ass and removal of their ranks and rights, but the Kesuk couldn't know everything. She might have feigned omniscience once or twice, but the woman could only assume things. She assumed that all of her wolves behaved within Silvertip's policies, and she assumed that none of them would deign to conspire behind her back.

Respect was earned, however, so Jinx remained diligent. She spent much of her time on the mountain, circling its boundaries like a hawk, marking and remarking. It was the duty of an Alpha to ensure that their scent was the strongest, so anywhere she sensed a pack-mate's recent leavings, Jinx covered it with her own. She believed wholly in strength and perseverance, and would not be outdone by her own subordinates.

It was on one of these jaunts that she found Ira circling in a similar fashion. Something had seemed off about him lately, but the Alpha female hadn't really cared enough to question him. She had no doubts about Ira's loyalty and no reason to think he was anything but an obedient, albeit insolent, Silvertip youth. She made a beeline for him, stepping with new-found ease over the uneven ground on which they made their living, and when she was within range, she grunted lowly to attract his attention.