Redtail Rise Phoenix

Once, years ago, New Snow had ran. 

If she did now, it would be for loyalty then—and if she ran today, it would be for loyalty now. Her gaze panned from Bloodspot, to Blood Star. New Snow did not wish to be the fracture in the pack, but she wanted cubs. She would fight for cubs, 

It was not her, but instinct that responded. New Snow, bristling, lifted her plume in turn and huffed out a heavy exhale. Perhaps she did not wish for Wealda, but Caru. Her own loyalty was for her mate, and her cubs that still took residence here—but it was also still to Red Woman, who accepted her here and who still lived in the ones before her. It was to each of her children, who New Snow looked to as a piece of herself, having helped where she could. 

The charge of Bloodspot was not unexpected, and she was unoffended; she understood. This was the way of things when cubs became girls who became women. And New Snow squared herself. 

She would be mother again. And if they did not want that of her here, of her and Mountain Boulder—

New Snow did not know. For all of the challenge that she answers with, there is also love there. She did not know which would win out in her. She answered only to the call of the wild in this moment, which willed this of her. 

But she did not wish for Bloodspot to go! Bloodspot, who might have cubs of their own! 

Now she saw why Mountain Boulder had moved as he did. And she wondered what was the right thing. What would keep all happy, all whole. She too wished for no great fracture. 

Blood Stars snarl brought her gaze away from Bloodspot, who would then have the advantage as New Snow heeded her, distracted and considering.