Heron Lake Plateau Norupo.

Towhee didn't intend to answer to Tegan or engage with him any further. But she could see that he wouldn't leave them alone. She was a master mercenary and she saw a fight when it was coming. She could barely believe that he was pushing it so far, in front of young pups. This was not the Tegan she knew and once loved.

"Fig, Fen," she said, moving closer to them again, "I need you to run over there and call for your dad." She pointed at a spot of brush about a hundred feet away, then quickly whirled back to face Tegan. "Go," she commanded, just hoping they'd listen for once so she didn't have to fear another lost innocent today.

"Tegan," the Beta warned, "don't." But he attacked her anyway. And Towhee didn't move to defend herself, save to present a shoulder to his teeth, which sank into her muscle. "Tegan, stop." It took every fiber in her body not to retaliate but Towhee didn't understand who he was or what he was doing. "Why are you doing this?" she wanted to know, wondering if she'd even get an answer or just another bite for her trouble.