Redhawk Caldera If the world would end today

Had it not been for Liffey's sudden shriek of "DADDY!" interrupting the otherwise quiet afternoon, Finley might not have known her mate had returned. His call had become a part of the dream she was having in an effortless way that her daughter's screech could not. Her eyelids fluttered apart to spy the little girl sprinting across the terrain. She lifted her head in alarm, only to catch scent of Elwood. Her eyes widening, Fin leaped onto all fours and dashed after her daughter.

The pair came upon Elwood together. Liffey smashed herself happily against her father's legs while Fin slowed and searched. The realization that she was missing sank like a hot stone into the pit of the Blackthorn's stomach. Her face contorted in misery and she closed her eyes to steady herself for a minute before they snapped open again and set hard upon her mate's face, ignoring Peregrine's presence altogether.

"I'm going," she said, her voice leaving no room for argument, "I will find her." She took a breath, frustration welling in her. She would not tolerate any arguments against it this time. Elwood had failed. Finley would not.

Her eyes flashed across his face again. "Did you learn anything?"