Blacktail Deer Plateau Nothing Else Matters

Had any other pair approached them in this situation, Peregrine would've turned them away immediately, even if they were Hawkeye's friends. More mouths to feed—especially young mouths—were a threat to his own litter's livelihood. He wanted his unborn children to have the best possible chance not only of surviving but living a rich, happy, healthy life.

And though he was related to Pied, this relationship wouldn't have bent him very much in her favor. In fact, the only thing that stayed his tongue was the fact that those pups growing in her belly—not even rounded yet—were related to him. Of course, his children were his direct bloodline but Peregrine wasn't going to issue a death sentence against anyone with Redleaf-DiSarinno blood in their veins. Turning Pied away or accepting her and killing her litter would both be just that, in his eyes.

The swarthy Alpha male remained silent for a long time as he contemplated the issue from every angle. His eyes glowed with speculative light as Kisu addressed him particularly. On any other day, Peregrine would not have connected to a stranger, in-law or not, nor sympathized with one. Today, though, he could only look at this Kisu and think, He's gonna be a daddy too.

"Why didn't you try to take over the pack?" Peregrine wondered, though the question didn't contain an interrogative edge. He was more curious than anything.

As he awaited a response, he looked sideways at Hawkeye and saw the imploring expression on her pretty, green-eyed face. Although he was doing his best to stand up for himself and act like an Alpha male, he found himself wanting to do whatever pleased her most. As he looked into her eyes, he already knew his answer, though he wouldn't give his approval too quickly, lest he look like a weak or impulsive leader. They were here for good, strong, sensible leadership, after all.