Redhawk Caldera you are blood and earth, not theory and chalk

With a single Yes, Fin felt the entire future of her family shift firmly into place. She gazed steadily at the commander's face for a moment before giving a nod herself and taking a slow breath. It somehow felt like this moment was between them, in spite of how much stake she knew that her mate had in this as well. Since Peregrine and Fox had passed, she doubted that there were any two wolves in this world that loved Wildfire as fiercely as they did, and certainly no two women had ever cared more for the safety of their families.

Eljay's movement forward broke the moment, and Fin turned to focus on this new one. In the tension, she had forgotten that Thur's return to Drageda might mean the departure of her son. Now that fact was highly apparent, and she felt her heart beginning to crack as he pushed against her and murmured his good byes. She opened and closed her mouth twice, protests forming in the suddenness of it all that didn't actually escape her throat. She didn't want him to go, but she knew that he had to. He had grown more in the few months he'd been away than in all the time he'd spent in the Caldera. Much as she wanted him to be with her, she knew that it would be a disservice to him in the end.

"I love you, Jaybird," Fin said softly as she pressed her muzzle into his ruff. She held tight as she could - even for a few seconds after he'd begun to pull away. But she reeled herself in, transferring her weight from Elwood Junior to Elwood Senior for support as the former stepped back towards his alpha in preparation to leave while she looked on.