Heron Lake Plateau Like a bad penny

She didn't know all the specific details of what had gone down between Towhee and Colt, but she'd known that he hadn't respected Towhee as alpha and that those sentiments had caused his expulsion from the pack. Where that was concerned, Raven's feelings were neutral. She loved her sister and had supported her as alpha, but she could understand why others had their doubts and questioned her fitness to lead. The moment she had taken the alpha title herself, however, Raven had resolved to leave Towhee's quarrels with various packmates squarely between them. She would judge them all with clean slates, so to speak, and each would have a fair chance to earn their place in the pack.

"Thank you," she said with a grin and a dip of her head as he offered his congrats to her. She wasn't sure how much he knew, but given his friendship with Quixote, she guessed that he knew enough. "Dragging you back was one of the first things Qui wanted to do as alpha," she continued after a moment, grinning at her co-alpha's prompt enactment of that goal. "I'm glad he succeeded. It's good to have you back." Whatever his shortcomings might be as a follower, he remembered how he had stood alongside them when push came to shove with Screech and his would-be pack. She remembered how he had jumped to back her up when she had placed herself between the Blackthorn girls and Screech. She had not forgotten his help and protection during their trip across the wilds from the caldera.