Dragoncrest Cliffs Break your fall

Of course, part of Wildfire wanted and hoped for Thuringwethil to refute her. The Heda did not, however, instead agreeing with the Bandrona's assessment. Wildfire's mouth went even drier than before and she felt as if her stomach dropped out of her body. Her chest clinched and she sipped at the cold air as if her airway was no wider than a straw. She ran hot, then cold, then hot again.

She almost took back her words and begged for some sort of compromise. But her mate's four damning words rang in her ears and Wildfire just felt defeated. It was probably good to come to this realization before trying to start a family but all the pain and suffering she had gone through lately had really taken a toll on her. She didn't feel up to fighting for this, especially if it didn't seem like Thuringwethil would budge any further than she already had.

Now feeling as if her entire body had turned to gelatin, the Bandrona stood. Were they really going to both throw in the towel, just like that? Was it really over? Wildfire blinked, feeling horribly disoriented. She hadn't really prepared herself for this possibility and she locked up for a moment, unsure what to do. She felt a fresh wave of disbelief and dismay wash over her when she realized she might not just be losing her mate and her chance at a family—as if that wasn't already enough—but everything.

"Should I... go?" Wildfire barely managed to choke out the words. Summoning up strength she wasn't sure she had, she added, "I'll go to the caldera. I'll be safe there, with family," just because she still loved Thuringwethil and her first instinct was to put her at ease.