Swiftcurrent Creek far east movement

Although Junior sensed that Danica only wanted to make conversation to pass the time until Kaskara showed, Junior paused, unsure as to whether she would be opening a can of worms by answering. She decided a simple, "Yes," might suffice. Maybe Danica knew why Kaskara had left the plateau and come here and it wouldn't be on Junior to awkwardly explain how her false death had caused it. She still felt strange about that.

Another time, she might have mentioned Fox but Junior could scarcely think of her father's new mate lately without dying a little bit inside. It didn't bother her that Fox had replaced her mother at Peregrine's side, as her parents had split up before she was really aware of anything. It did bother her that the two of them might be plotting to have another litter, at which point Junior and the other three pups would be shoved off on their own, evidently. Never mind that they were already quite self-sufficient; it was the principle of the thing!

The youth fidgeted, looking to Danica as if simultaneously afraid of more questions (about Kaskara's departure from the plateau, namely) but hoping she'd ask her something so she wouldn't have to think about being replaced.