Redtail Rise cinereous

Redd wanted to tell her.  The temptation would have made her find the words, as best she could, were it not for the outcome she knew would follow.  Redd could cast aside the title of Wealda and Masquerade would step into it gracefully.  No matter how smooth the transition was, it would signal disarray to the pack.  The Rise would question the leadership even more than they already did, and those on the fringes would surely disperse.

She was frustrated with herself for trying to hold things together then.  And she would continue to be frustrated, because she wasn’t willing to let them fall apart now.

Not hungry, she replied, still apologetic.  You can eat.  She didn’t want to prevent Masquerade from having some if the intention had been to share.  Either way, she would eat later, when her stomach had hopefully settled.

She did not want to talk about herself, but she guessed that Masquerade had approached her for a reason.  So she sat and watched with open curiosity, inviting her to fill the silence if she wished.