Blacktail Deer Plateau And your soul turned black as the sun grows somber

The moral he took away from Blue Willow's take was, The sooner, the better. He grimaced. This wasn't a decision he wanted to make lightly or quickly. It wasn't a decision he wanted to make at all. But perhaps if he thought of the pups (and only the pups), it would clarify the situation, allowing him to make choices objectively.

He laughed a quiet, entirely mirthless laugh when Blue Willow called Hawkeye complex. He saw between the lines, knowing this was the Beta's polite way of saying his mate was complicated and sometimes difficult. His laughter cut off very suddenly and sharply when the Healer mentioned that his wife was flirtatious. He had no idea whatsoever of the close encounters with his own brother, nor her previously promiscuous ways. This was news to him and he noted, bitterly, that of course he would be the last to know.

Blue Willow's final comment stung him, as it called his own judgment into question. But she was right on the money. "Thank-you for your honesty," he said genuinely, trying to work the grimace off his face and failing. His eyes squinted and his voice became ominously flat as he asked, "What do you mean when you say she can be flirtatious?" He then braced himself, wondering if it would piss him off or perhaps not bother him at all. Either way, it would not be good; it might even be the straw that broke the camel's back.