Redhawk Caldera [joining] smoke and mirrors

This morning, the Alpha entertained the thought of taking one of his pups along with him to the borders while he patrolled—Nightjar, perhaps. Yet as he watched them eat breakfast and then move outside to play, he decided they were still a bit too small for that. The borders could be a dangerous place; he would be exposing his young offspring to the danger and unpredictability of the wilderness beyond the caldera's heart. It could wait.

So he kissed his family goodbye and traipsed alone to the outskirts. He had barely gone six feet before something drew his attention. Peregrine froze, then began galloping quickly toward a pale speck in the distance. As he ran, it took on shape and detail. By the time he drew near, he had recognized Pantaleimon... though as the Alpha came to a stop just a few feet from the familiar male, he saw that he was in bad shape.

Normally, he might have turned away a wolf that looked so poorly, yet all Peregrine could think aloud was, "You left them, didn't you?" There was wild curiosity and even a hint of smug pride in his inquiry as his jade eyes bored holes in the top of Pantaleimon's bowed head.