Redtail Rise Þief

The Wealda quickly reassured her with a damp nose against her cheek. Masque’s tail wiggled in relief as she nuzzled Avicus’s chin, an expression of gladness and respect. When her dam moved, Masquerade easily folded in alongside her, her rump still hunched and tail flapping. Her muzzle bumped against some point of Avicus’s shoulder with every other step.

She hung back instinctively once they approached the kill. Masquerade immediately slung her belly to the ground and watched her mother feed. Her eyes trailed over the enormous carcass. Now that it was no longer animated, it did not frighten her but she marveled at the sheer amount of meat and her pack mates’ ability of bringing down such a creature.

When Avicus raised her head and gestured for the pups to join her at the supper table, Masque lifted off the ground and crept closer. She mouthed at the matriarch’s bloody chin before turning her own attention to the hot flesh, eyes going wide as saucers as she tucked in to the feast.