Redhawk Caldera Fire and brimstone

His ears twitched when she said his name and his eyes shifted briefly to her face before dropping again. Peregrine listened, motionless. He was more than a little surprised that she was taking her judgments back so quickly. He supposed he had known this era of punishment wouldn't go on forever... but even he thought this was too soon. He wanted to pay his dues, to Fox and the rest of the pack. He wasn't finished doing his penance.

"No," Peregrine said, shaking his head. "Not yet." This time, he looked her in the eyes for the first time since the incident, holding her gaze. "I'm still here in whatever capacity you want..." He was still very uncertain of their spousal status, yet truthfully romance was the furthest thing from his mind. "I'm still here for the kids. But I deserve to be exactly where I am. I failed this pack by bringing a wildcard right into our heart.

I'm learning from this mistake," he continued. It was a painful lesson. "I'm learning that I need to go back to my old ways, where I never left my home and I defended its borders from all manner of outsiders, even friendly ones. This land is sacred, as are the children we birthed here. I know you and the rest of the pack are already upping the ante but I am joining forces too. I want to prove myself. Let me earn the caldera's forgiveness.

Then," Peregrine finished, "I'll come back to you, if you still want me."