Blacktail Deer Plateau rude awakening [m]

Although she didn't answer him verbally, they began to walk back in that direction. Fox abruptly began talking about The Sunspire again. She told him she must go there and trade herself for the wolves they'd taken captive. He listened, his ears falling backward to show what he thought of that idea.

Of course he would try to talk her out of it. "That's stupid," he said bluntly. "I fail to see how your approach will do any good. What'll happen to you? Nothing good." He felt an icy finger press against his spine. "Your pack will be bereft of its leader and then they'll probably just recapture Magpie and Leaf and probably others once the creek's weakened. Hell, they could try to invade while they're leaderless."

He tried to think of what he would do in this situation. It was difficult to comprehend, as Peregrine tended to consider individuals versus entire packs. "How many are there of you and how many are there of them?" he pressed as they walked, determined to figure out an alternative strategy that did not involve Fox sacrificing herself.