Others were quick to arrive following Fox's call, and a small trickle of apprehension moved down Tuwawi's spine when she realized she did not recognize the majority of the group. Sky, Scimitar, and Serengeti were practically strangers, and Cutthroat was not known beyond the capacity that he was Swiftcurrent's prisoner as compensation for Bone's abduction. The group was a sea of faces, some indifferent, some complacent, and Fox, Bazi, and Njal were all that was left of the pack's core allegiance. However, when Njal moved to his mate's side he curled as if to come between Fox and her fiery subordinate. Tuwawi shot her husband a confused look, uncertain with a wavering detachment. Why would he take such a protective stance against her?
A few moments later, Fox made the announcement, her voice stale and expression deadpan. Jace and Ferdie had been exiled... but their leader offered no insight as to why this had come to pass. Now, the males were to be treated as every other vagabond who crossed their borders despite the months of servitude to benefit the creek pack. Tuwawi balked, taken aback by the issued command. "Dangerous? What do you mean dangerous?" she urged, voice scathing. What could they have done to bring upon immediate banishment? Roughly, she pushed past Njal to ebb closer to the smaller alpha. "Yet you hold that Tortuga cur prisoner," her glowering eyes shifted to the oily Cutthroat, making her opinion of his presence clear. He was a burden. A dangerous snake in the grass. A constant reminder of their failure to protect their youngest warrior. "Is he not a threat?" she challenged, voice laced with contempt.
Her platinum gaze turned back to Fox, "Ferdie and Jace were your most loyal subordinates and allowed the pack to thrive when times were lean... they have done indelible work. For Swiftcurrent. For you." It was true. They were both strong, ardent wolves. Defensive guardians. Superb hunters. Had Fox forgotten this? Did she really think her wolves were disposable? Was one transgression enough to completely erase countless months of hard labor? "They both killed coyotes to protect the creek. Fought to keep Bones. Hunted for me... hunted for you," she turned to Bazi, who was cast in silence as she suffered emotional strain, "were they not your friends? Our brothers?" It felt like just yesterday Tuwawi had been playing a jovial game of keep-away with an apple Ferdie had found. The warm memory was a familial one... a pleasant one. Surely these were not the same dangerous wolves Fox was talking about.
Tuwawi turned to the others, searching for any sign of support to her claims. However, a listless hush had settled upon the crowd.