Redhawk Caldera adrift

Peter still wasn't home. It wasn't like him. Not one bit. Peter had always been the more timid, the more easygoing, the more docile of the bunch, and it simply didn't make sense. He wasn't the crazy, wild, free Ferret. The others, Gannet and Whip, were somewhere in between Peter and Ferret personality-wise. It wasn't like Fox could just take off looking for him, though. She had three other boys to worry about, not to mention the fact that Finley was pregnant and she really didn't want to leave Elwood here as the only suitable leader.

If only Peregrine were home... but she didn't know how much longer he'd be gone, and she didn't want to take that risk. Fox gritted her teeth, pacing on the edge of the rendezvous site. She had to get somebody out there looking for him. Though she would have rather done it herself, she called out for the four able-bodied wolves they did have: @Eljay, @Shrike, @Nashoba, and @Hatshepsut. Eljay probably wouldn't be that useful (sorry, kid), but Fox had high hopes for the other three.

Snuffling through the bare stalks of grass and the still sipder-leg-like branches of bushes in hopes of scrounging up something (anything) to eat for a snack, Shrike hadn't been too far from the rendezvous site when the call went up. He lifted his head, pointing his eartips to the sky as he recognized Fox's voice, and wondered what she have in mind when she'd called out for himself and a few other wolves. Not prey, he didn't imagine. He hadn't smelled much in the way of large game yet, aside from the few times when his mind and apetite had played cruel tricks on him. He was thin and hungry, but even still he would obey his alpha's call, and set off in her direction at an easy trot. 

His ears turned to the sides and his head lowered as he approached to show respect, and his tail swung loosely from side to side, brushing against his hocks as he slowed. He sniffed the air to see if he could pick up on anything- any reason she might've called for him that might've had something to do with food, but it was the strained look on her face that told him this wasn't going to be for a hunt. He tilted his head to the side and offered a short, high whine which was both empathetic and questioning. He was ready for command, and wasn't going to waste time with small talk.

She had only been with the Caldera wolves for a short while, but the woman's way of silent observation had gleaned her many details. As per Fox's order, she kept away from the den where the pack's youngest generation was housed, hunting as often as she was able, and allowing herself to slumber through the hottest portion of the day, as she had done in Karnak.

When Fox's summons rose, the Regent drew herself up, burning with a brief anger before she assumed a swifter gait, and soon came upon the red leader and a grey packmate. She was silent, glancing between the two of them momentarily before her attention was given fully to Fox.

The other two hadn't shown up, but Fox couldn't waste any time. As soon as Shrike appeared, followed quickly by Hap-et-a-shut, Fox let them know the situation. "Peter is missing," she said abruptly, skipping any introduction. The mother didn't pause between that statement and her next. "I need you to look for him. He couldn't have gone far, he wouldn't have." Fox simply could not believe the possibility that he had run away. It wasn't like him. He had probably gotten lost while exploring, unable to find his way home.

"Bring him home," she pleaded, using everything she had to keep her voice from breaking.

Shrike gritted his teeth slightly in anticipation of heavy news. Though he was not the most emotional wolf, he was empathetic and the alpha's stress seeped into his body like rain soaking through a thin cloth. His blank gaze turned to the female who joined them, and though he was disappointed it was not Allure, to whom he'd taken an immediate fancy, this female would at least be a help.

Shrike's lips parted in a grimace when Fox said that Peter was missing. This was her son, and through Peregrine, a member of Shrike's family as well. He knew that Fox's orders were clear and that she would not want small talk. "Will do." He said diligently, gave the alpha a nod of his head, and once they were dismissed he would begin his first trek around the borders, beginning the search for the lost boy.

Hatshepsut followed the greyscale man in silence, Fox's tense words resounding in her ear. She herself was unmerciful, her thoughts tending to the annoyance it was to be roused into the heat on a pointless search for a wayward child. He was dead, she told herself, as dead as his brother might have been had she snatched him before Fox could arrive.

but she said nothing, her face impassive, as she lowered her slim muzzle to the ground and began to search for the boy's scent, keeping the other man within her sights as to follow where he led.

Last one from me. :)

The two search and rescue units agreed, and Fox looked on anxiously. She wished that she could be out there looking with them, but there was so much else to do. She gave Shrike a nod to dismiss him, and another nod to Hat as the girl began to search for his scent. As for Fox, she needed to keep an eye on the three remaining children to ensure that they were well-cared for. Just because she had a missing one did not mean she could ignore them, even if she was distracted.

Turning away from the two, she made her way to the three boys at the rendezvous site, planning to assure them that Peter would be back soon. It was the only outcome she would allow herself to imagine at this point in time.