Totoka River Ballingoola

Avicus confirmed the innate knowledge passed down through generations. Masquerade nodded, their heart suddenly beating faster. Those pups wouldn’t just be the Wealda’s offspring and future warriors. They would be Masque’s younger siblings.

They opened their mouth to ask Avicus how they might help when their mother indicated they would one day bear young. Masque’s stomach rolled. They immediately wanted to protest, insist they didn’t want that. Yet their tongue pressed up against the backs of interlocked teeth. They didn’t want to disappoint the Wealda, nor refute her.

I want to help, Masque said, staying focused on the most imminent litter. There was a lot to learn, though, I feed and look after the younger pups. I want to do that with them. I want to do more.

Would Avicus let them?