Redhawk Caldera Betting on the bull in the heather

It was a dangerous game for her to be playing- enticing a stranger and leading him on a chase around the outskirts of the Caldera's edge, which at any other point in her life would have merited an entirely different reaction from the normally hostile Regent. She was risking being overpowered by the stranger, who could have taken advantage of the fact that she had one leg compromised by her recent injury. She was also weakened by her grief, which robber her of both her appetite and energy. But what she also risked was both her relationship and her rank, by enticing someone who was not her mate.

Dutiful as he was, Phox came charging after the duo, and as soon as Niamh realized she'd been caught, she felt a wave of shame hit her. She'd been willingly leading Whip on- but perhaps Phox didn't know that. She wasn't sure how much he'd seen- or if he'd simply caught sight of her being pursued by a stranger before chasing after them to intervene. She could spin this to her advantage yet, and rescue some of her reputation. 

So as soon as she had backup- and a legitimate reason not to indulge in something she shouldn't- she wheeled around, and postured herself as the Regent that she was, stiffening her pose and donning a more serious expression. Fortunately, the male deferred to Phox's authoritative presence as he approached. She waved her tail from side to side, as though silently amused to see the stranger almost getting caught doing something he probably would have regretted. He looked friendly enough, though- and was smart enough not to try and provoke a fight. 

She'd forgotten, by this point, that the stranger had even called out for an audience to begin with. "Well, you've found our borders," She said. There was much more she wanted to say- but she refrained. Phox wouldn't have approved. "What've you come for?" She asked.