Duskfire Glacier moth to a flame

He met her concern with confusion, which made Meerkat blurt, "What?" She was depending on him to ground her and help her navigate next steps. Instead, he met her with bewilderment, which made her feel a little panicky.

But he quickly gathered himself and his next few words were a bit more reassuring. He mentioned appointing someone, which tracked with her scattered thoughts so far. Meerkat nodded jerkily.

There was one thing she knew for certain. "I'm not cut out for leadership." The thought of Meerkat as an Alpha was absurd. Surely he and the others would agree. "But I can help appoint someone. I mean, I think? I was thinking of calling a meeting to ask if anyone's—"

She cut off abruptly, eyes shrewdly boring into Issorartuyok's as she read between the lines. "Are you saying I should skip that step and just pick someone?" Meerkat demanded quietly. "But I don't know who's interested or qualified..." Except for you...