Redtail Rise Never Bet the Devil Your Head

Reki, she repeated, prepared to extend a proper invitation when he queried about a game. There was a smile on her lips as she added, Yes, we can practice our sneaking and watch the squirrels. Study them.

She motioned for him to come along as she returned to striding through the woods, senses attuned to her surroundings. There was plenty of wildlife sharing the rise with the wolves, though until they began properly disguising their approach, most small animals scattered long before they passed through.

There were a couple spots around the territory where Masquerade had established a blind of sorts. She led Reki toward one now, gesturing and maneuvering until the two of them were crouched behind a large bramble called a salmonberry (not that she knew it), with plenty more of the Rubus spectabilis growing nearby.

Little fruits grow around here. See how they’re all over the ground? I bet we’ll see some squirrels here, th—

Masque’s voice cut off immediately when she saw a flash of movement nearby. Something very small and reddish brown scurried through the underbrush, almost blending in with the leaf litter. She tried to track the chipmunk’s movements, though it rapidly disappeared, leaving Masquerade to huff out a breath and exchange a look with Reki.