Redhawk Caldera Tremble

"I love you," she began and, despite himself, Peregrine clung to those first three words, hoping fiercely and desperately. Yet he could not deny the six more that came after them. It felt like his heart had stopped. His eyes squinted. He didn't know what to say to that. His nose had gone and died on him... but he wasn't his nose, nor was he his eyes (good or bad). He was a sum of all his parts—heart and soul most definitely included.

"Just—just like that?" Peregrine asked quietly, voice colored by disbelief. "I lose my sense of smell and suddenly I'm not me anymore?" It sounded like a painful excuse to throw him away now that he was no longer whole. "I'm not an Alpha anymore. But I'm still your mate. And still their father." His gaze momentarily fell to her middle, then he dragged it back up to her petite features. "And still doing my best. But that... it's not enough for you?"

He thought they'd both known he would grow old and retire sooner, given his age, even if they hadn't anticipated it this soon. She had even mentioned stepping down with him when the time came. Not that he wanted that but this was not the same Fox who had promised to stand by and with him in everything he did. It left him at a complete loss, his chest now feeling like ground zero.