Redhawk Caldera trust issues

Extra-posting with permission!

In her excitement, Grimm missed the initial rise of anger in Finley - but it continued to burn her like proximity to fire, and several wolves later, it was obvious what had happened.

Grimm's heart dropped into her paws, continued through the earth's crust, and settled somewhere in the red-hot mantle to die. She shot Finwood a few cautious glances, suppressing a wince each time her caught sight of a bristling hair. She knew. Maybe they all knew. Grimm's heart burrowed deeper. She chanced a glance at the Alpha pair, catching Peregrine's disapproving look and slicked-back ears - and took it as confirmation. Yes, they all knew. Slowly, Grimm's almost permanently forward-facing ears rotated and fell. Her posture followed suit. Two seconds passed. Three. Ten.

Under the pretence that she was desperate for a pee, the Caldera's newly crowned Least Wanted wordlessly excused herself to take refuge in the nearest evergreen bush, giving Elwood the very briefest of looks as she turned. When she emerged, it was several paces behind the newest recruits - and only until it was socially acceptable to make an early exit.