Heron Lake Plateau Everything means something and something has occurred

He kept his cool.  There really wasn't a way to explain it that would have pleased Towhee, was there?  But then again, he pretty much expected this whole thing was going to come with plenty of hidden barbs that would be pointed straight at him.  He'd seen worse.  

Yeah, I care about her health -- that's what counts.  I want her to take the time to get better, not just ignore it and let her get worse.  He frowned.  This was one thing where he was definitely gonna stick to his guns.  He was not risking Niamh, he was not risking the pack, over her previously earning the rank.   He wasn't arguing that.  He was putting his foot down and trying to force her to do something that it didn't seem like she'd ever do on her own.

At least his comment about Colt hadn't gone totally over her head.  He could have done something far more drastic if he'd really been bent out of shape, but he didn't even demote Niamh far -- just out of the leadership ranks.  He could have dropped her to the bottom of the pile, past that to an omega rank, or just told her to take a hike, but he didn't.  Quixote would continue to believe his choices were fair until someone actually had some proof otherwise.  He'd nod once to her words, then a second time as a farewell.

Yeah, so nobody was happy.  Oh well.  He'd be the bad guy if he had to in order to keep the pack from going crazy.