Redtail Rise End of passion play, crumbling away

ancelin growled as atreus began to go off on him, but his eyes widened at the direct threat to masquerade. he knew his brother hated her and always had. but this was different.
the boy thought of the dead elk, its mouth spread in a final anguished bellow, flies picking over the blood on its jaw. he shuddered, bile rising into his throat. "no," he said hoarsely, then harder: "no. we're gonna do my plan. it was an accident!" he growled. "she didn't mean to do it. go talk to her if you don't believe me."
his breath came harder and then the fight sagged out of ancelin. "i don't want you to hurt her," he mumbled, "because i don't know what dad will do to you if you try it."