Redtail Rise XLV

There was no mistaking the sound of affirmation as Augur settled beside them, looking particularly world weary. Masquerade looked at him for a long moment and realized just how much Avicus’s disappearance had affected everyone and everything. She had been the force of nature keeping all things in alignment. Now that she was gone, their little corner of the world had spun off its axis, flinging the wolves of the rise every which way.

The pups had become the new center of Masque’s universe, in a sense. Drawn by this gravitational pull, perhaps, their mind wandered to them now. Maybe they wouldn’t need the Caru much longer, yet there was so much left to teach them. Maybe if Masque could just set aside their concerns about ranks and roles and really focus on them…

I should get back to them, they thought aloud, the pups, I mean.

Alpha or Omega, they supposed it really made no difference in the quality of care they would provide the pack’s young. Masque’s tail flicked, aware that the matter wasn’t quite so simple. This entire situation was so complex, though much of it was out of their control. They should put more of their energy toward focusing on what they could affect.

See you later, Masque murmured, making a point to touch their nose to Augur’s shoulder, then his chin, before turning and trotting away.