Redhawk Caldera out of feathers out of bones.

He braced himself, as she had essentially warned him to do, but even that was not enough to soften the blow when she explained herself. Before she even finished speaking, he knew what she was trying to say. The lack of food had taken its toll on her, and she worried that even if she delivered a healthy litter, she would not survive.

That singular thought was enough to knock the wind out of Elwood's lungs. "It'll be okay," Finley insisted, but he was already shaking his head to disagree. It wouldn't be okay -- it would be the opposite of okay. He wasn't meant to raise their children without her -- he wasn't meant to live without her, period. But even as he was overwhelmed by emotion, the logical side of his brain tried to rein him in.

He did need to think about what would happen if she didn't make it. That would leave a group of puppies -- and he didn't know how many -- without a mother. As much love as he and Eljay could provide, they would not be able to feed infants. Would Fox be able to act as a surrogate? Would she be willing to do so? These thoughts shifted through Elwood's mind in rapid succession, very nearly sending him into a panic attack. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves, though he was unsettled to realize that he was trembling all over.

"You're going to be fine," he said, attempting to reassure the both of them -- but his voice was thin, strained, and hoarse. Even he had a hard time believing himself. He pressed his face into Finley's fur, hoping that she wouldn't feel his hot tears.