Redtail Rise slate

She ate ravenously and the prey was gone too soon.  Normally she’d have insisted on sharing the catch with Masque, but the thought didn’t even enter her mind as she finished it.  For the first time in weeks her stomach wasn’t twisted with hunger.

Then Avicus was there.  Her sister had said, but it was different seeing her.  Redd’s tail waved and she greeted her the same way she’d greeted Masque; taking in her scent, pressing her muzzle to her mother’s fur gratefully.  She too smelled of safety and home.

And she too demanded answers.

She drew back as she considered what to provide, tail and posture lowering again with regret.  The flicker of shame returned, stronger now.  Perhaps none of it was her fault.  But perhaps she’d been a fool to hunt alone.

Trapped.  In the dark.  She finally answered, those two statements the best summary she could give.  She kept her eyes averted from both of theirs, deferring to her sister silently in a way she hadn’t before.  She no longer knew the ways of the pack well enough to claim respect.  Her place was to learn and to resolve all she’d missed.