Phoenix Maplewood 'you were,' my dear, is the saddest sentence left to say

As they continued to range through the forest, Wildfire's deduction proved absolutely true: there was nobody home. She said nothing else, simply keeping in step with her companions as they eventually circled back to regroup with the pack. She licked her lips as the commander addressed her subordinates. There was an edge of disappointment and dissatisfaction to her tone, yet she declared victory all the same. Wildfire bobbed her snout. She was celebrating for slightly different (and selfish) reasons than the others but the details didn't matter. Not a single drop of blood would be spilled today. This was the best possible outcome, in her books.

When Thuringwethil howled, Wildfire paused for a few beats, letting the others raise their voices before she followed suit. She could barely be heard, considering the age old damage to her throat. But she put all her earlier nervous energy into the song and, when it was over, she felt relief. Her amber eyes flicked to the Heda's face, wondering at the smug smile even as she unknowingly mirrored it. Her gaze then dropped respectfully to the ground, eyes closing as she gave silent thanks that everything had worked out this way in the end.