Shadewood Even though we know it, everyone remains in play.

You eat while I clean, Masquerade said in a perfunctory tone, setting about her task.

She cleaned the wound with as much care and thoroughness as she could, then sat back to give it a visual inspection. Her mouth tasted sour, not only with her mate’s blood but the implications of such a wound. Even a minor injury could majorly impact the two of them.

We need to be more careful, Masque murmured, almost as if to herself. We have to look out for ourselves, she said a little more loudly, catching Riley’s eye, for them.

And now she was starkly aware of their vulnerability as a duo. Even one more able-bodied adult could mean the difference between life and death, in the event of an illness or injury. Masquerade felt humbled by this realization and folded to the ground beside Riley, leaning lightly into him.

She didn’t touch the kill. She’d officially lost her taste for pork.