Heron Lake Plateau she's tore up plenty, but she'll fly true

Fin watched her goddaughter with steel in her eyes as the girl spoke. Her own bitter words had been meant to let out some of the steam of her anger, but the pot apparently had only just begun to boil. It took everything in her not to react until Towhee was finished, and then to remain silent and still for a few moments longer while she gathered her thoughts. She wanted to explode, but Elwood had taught her something of the value of remaining silent and giving herself time to think things through before speaking. He might have been proud if her if he were there. But probably not for much longer.

For as honest and maybe slightly sensible as Towhee’s reasons were, it wasn’t good enough for Fin. After everything they had gone through, this was the result. She had lead the pack to war with their neighbors to secure the Caldera for the Redhawks, only for Towhee to walk away from it. She had defended her against multiple wolves who didn’t think her good enough, including herself, only for Towhee to prove them all right. Possibly worst of all, and certainly the most recent wound, was that Fin said good bye to her own brother just to give Towhee a better chance at winning over her followers, and she was making that, and all of it, a complete waste.

Fin didn’t speak for a long time until finally she turned to Raven. ”Congrats,” she said in a quiet voice that did not mask the disappointment or the hurt, ”You’ll be needing a new beta though.”

With that, Fin turned and walked away. She didn’t trust herself to stay, nor could she trust herself to actually explain why she had decided now was the time to step down for good. It had been something she suspected would come in the next few months or year, likely when one of her own children rose to be a better candidate for the rank than her. But if nothing else, this proved to Finley that her time leading this pack was over. It was another generation’s turn - and they clearly did not value her guidance any longer.