Redhawk Caldera malice through the looking-glass

If someone else wants to hop in to get this to 10, feel free. Otherwise, I'll just archive it. :)

"Yes, outsiders," Peregrine repeated just as coldly. He would have loved for Lasher to join them here, to be a part of the caldera. He had chosen to remain with the plateau. There was nothing intrinsically wrong with that choice; in fact, it had been for the best. But that divided their loyalties and made them outsiders to one another, natural rivals. Junior's actions had illustrated that vividly. Peregrine himself had been banished from the plateau for a long time due to this status, as was within the rights of any wild wolf pack.

Obviously, Peregrine wasn't worried about Junior. He knew exactly what had happened to her. "She came back? She never stayed in one place for long," he reminded Lasher even as the ocher male turned and, obeying Peregrine's wish, loped away. Hopefully he would carry this message forth with him. He might not like it or agree with it and it was highly possible he thought terribly of Peregrine for it. But Lasher's opinion could no longer matter. He wasn't pack.

Obviously, it wasn't that easy. Peregrine turned, feeling restless after that encounter. He knew he had done well by the caldera, standing by his mate, children and other pack mates no matter the cost to his reputation. What did it really matter if everyone in the world thought ill of him? He would just have to get used to it. As long as his wolves accepted him—as long as the caldera stayed fortified and powerful, a haven for the next generation—all else ceased to matter.

It's the way of the wolf, he reminded himself as he resumed his vigil.