Redhawk Caldera Oh, darling

She apologized for missing the litter's childhood and he said nothing. It was her loss, though of course he now understood she hadn't left willingly. Somnia wanted to know if she could make it up to him by helping with the second batch. His gaze returned to her and he paused a moment, then bobbed his head. That's why he'd mentioned in the first place; it was his hope that she could make up for lost time by throwing herself back into care-giving.

"We'd appreciate the help. We've still never had a formal sitter." The Alpha had proved himself as a capable caretaker but he had given up the role to focus on other things. It would please him very much if Somnia (or someone else, for that matter) became the pups' formal custodian. "I understand that it wasn't your decision to leave, nor really your fault... but if you want to redeem yourself anyway in the eyes of the pack, that would be a good way," he encouraged.

"To answer your earlier question, Som," Peregrine said in the next moment, once again nudging the conversation  in a different direction, "no, I'm not okay. My dear friend, Pan, recently vanished. He said he was going to visit a friend and we haven't heard from him since. Hearing your story, I'm not sure whether to be afraid that he suffered a similar fate, or hopeful. Because I'm pretty much convinced that nothing would keep Pan away from me, except for one thing..." He didn't say it out loud but it was clear in the dark flash of his eyes. Death.