Alpine Lake A Thwack of Thought

After finding her way to the sweep, Masquerade rediscovered that woman’s scent leading northward into a neighboring copse. She gave the place a wide berth, though she made a mental note, complete with a curl of her lip.

Beyond that, their scouting continued. Masquerade couldn’t help but compare every potential territory to Shadewood. They all came up short. Still, she persisted. Today, she thought about the place where she’d first met Sable and went back to take a second look.

By now she was developing a rudimentary mental map of the area. Masque realized the lake was much too close to the copse and sweep, right along the time she happened upon a dazed stranger. He was talking to himself.

Crazy? she answered his question in her head, though out loud, she replied much more seriously, Well, you’re headed straight toward not one but two claimed territories. I’d tread carefully.