Shadewood ivy is taking over your sideboard

She didn’t react to the monosyllabic answer, though the slight ripple in the woman’s fur set her on edge. Every muscle in Masque’s body tensed, though whatever had provoked the prickling seemed to pass quickly. The smaller, younger she-wolf remained taut as a piano wire as the stranger leaned closer to read her scent.

She must’ve smelled Riley on her fur, prompting the question. Masquerade couldn’t possibly get any tenser. Of course Riley was strong, among many other things. She wished he was here. She mistakenly believed his presence beside her would deter this woman, encourage her on her way away from Shadewood.

Yes, she answered after a brief delay, her words soft and slow.

What do you want? she wondered. She was ready to defend her claim if it proved necessary, though considering the woman’s size, Masquerade certainly wasn’t looking for a fight.

She found herself saying, If you’re looking for someplace to stake a claim of your own, I spent weeks scouting the hinterlands. There are only two other packs here, right on top of one another to the east. Masque paused to huff out a breath. There are many viable territories further south, ripe for the picking.