Redhawk Caldera We don't laugh anymore

Although Peregrine wished he could tell Eljay he was doing just fine, the truth was that he wasn't and the Alpha wouldn't lie to him. "That's all I can ask," he said instead, voice gentle. "I'm here for you if you need help. And it goes without saying that your mom and dad are too." He thought of Finley's agitation and sighed inwardly, wondering how they'd move past that. Hopefully she would come around and realize he had never meant to step on toes or hurt Eljay. He just wanted what was best for the boy and his own boys too.

When his nephew turned shimmering eyes upon him, Peregrine couldn't help himself. He pulled the boy into a sudden bear hug and said gruffly against his closer ear, "You are not a bother, Eljay. You're just struggling with the death of a loved one. It's one of the hardest parts of life." He wanted to apologize again but Peregrine held his tongue, leaving it at that, holding onto Eljay tightly for a moment before releasing him.