Redhawk Caldera Houston, we have a problem

Wildfire didn't even see Peregrine coming. All of a sudden, the Alpha male was just there, a pair of dead ducks at his feet as he moved close to Reek. The puppy sensed the tension in his body language and reacted by dropping to the ground, golden brown eyes wide and watchful. She blinked several times as her father snapped at Reek, who then retorted with plenty of foul language and name calling. The youth swallowed thickly, her large ears flattening against her head. She wanted to clap her paws over her face when her dad snarled and lunged at her would-be helper.

Stop! she thought but the word didn't make it to her lips. It died in her throat. She backpedaled instinctively, popping out at Elwood's rear as he surely moved forward to assist Peregrine. Wildfire then whirled, looking over her shoulder the entire time as she bounded several yards away. She didn't flee the scene, only put some space between herself and the skirmish. She then flattened to the ground again, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she watched the argument escalate to blows. Part of her wanted her father to lay off Reek—he had only been helping when no one else had come—but a larger part felt loyally indignant at the way Reek had spoken to the black king.