Heron Lake Plateau they rush to tell, they rush to say

Raven smiled at the visitors' eagerness to escort them to see the new pups, appreciating the gesture but content to remain here at home. She knew that she certainly wouldn't appreciate having a parade of strangers brought to see her puppies -- the most fragile and precious members of the pack -- so she had no intentions of inflicting such an intrusion on Liffey. It was a mom thing, though, and she expected that Elwood would feel differently. The excitement was clear in his face and she hoped that he would go and visit soon. The idea that Uncle El was a grandfather now was a little jarring to her. Sometimes the passage of time could be unexpectedly sudden.

"I will have to come and visit another time," Raven commented, an almost apologetic tone accompanying her grin. "But will you please convey my warmest greetings to Rannoch and Liffey? And let them know that as far as I'm concerned, they are family and that extends to their pack as well. If they need anything, we've got their backs." The longer that Raven led the Redhawks, the more isolationist she became in her dealings with others outside of her borders, be they individuals or packs. However, Sunspire was different -- it was a Blackthorn pack.