Kintla Flatlands Unconditional

He received no answer, yet Peregrine refused to leave until he saw her. Perhaps someone would come in Osprey's stead, in which case he would implore said wolf to take him to his sister directly. This wasn't the sort of thing that could be dealt with via messengers. In the meantime, he sank to his haunches, then stretched out on the grass. He would wait.

Perhaps an hour hence, he saw a shape in the distance and pushed himself back onto all fours. Peregrine took several steps forward, squinting at the figure, then broke suddenly into a trot. When he confirmed recognition of his sibling, he galloped to meet her. Normally, he might have crashed into her, greeting her with enthusiasm, but as he drew closer, Peregrine could see that she was in bad shape. It was concern that slowed him, not abhorrence at the pups that swelled her middle.

"Oss," he whispered, his jade eyes lingering on her round abdomen before flicking up to meet hers. He didn't say anything else, just moved forward to nudge her bony cheek, beneath her sunken eyes. She looked terrible and his heart ached. Gently, he pressed himself closer to her, still maintaining his silence as he physically offered his support. All that escaped him was a thin whine.

"Please," he begged after several moments of silence, his voice low and ragged, "tell me you're going to be okay. What happened? Who did this to you?" As those words slipped out, somewhat unbidden, he revisited the thoughts that had plagued him on his way here. Who was the father? What were the circumstances of conception? What would become of these puppies... his nephews and nieces?