Heron Lake Plateau Down in the Valley

Her words were as toneless as always, though Towhee did feel defensive of X, even more so than herself. Colt looked genuinely taken aback by the question and his clarification didn't exactly go over well with her. She supposed it was his prerogative not to trust the hawk the way she did, yet that didn't mean the Beta couldn't resent the sentiment.

"I don't know. Your attitude toward him—and me—hasn't exactly indicated otherwise," Towhee answered. "And Quixote told me that you really hated him," she added, which was a direct quote from the conversation she'd had with the Alpha a few nights prior.

She reminded herself that Colt's opinion of X really didn't matter. She still took it personally, though she dismissed it by saying, "But it's whatever. He's off doing his own thing right now but he'll be back soon and I'm sure he'll appreciate the food."