Redhawk Caldera friends become family

There had been a time in the distant past, before she had left Swiftcurrent Creek, when Fox had let all manner of wolves court her. None of them, save two, had ever really been worthy of her, and now both of those were dead and gone. She had buried two of the wolves she had thought would stay with her until her dying day. At least Haunter had left her before he'd given her any children. And at least Peregrine had left her after he'd given her more children... but to be perfectly honest, she wasn't sure if he had.

It was entirely possible that he hadn't gotten her pregnant, despite the fact that they had boned numerous times that evening. (She'd lost count after the third or fourth time.) Their past litters had been a light for Fox, and she couldn't imagine a world where she would have to go a year without them. They were what made her whole, even if the tragedies that had struck two were never easy to bear. As she grew older and witnessed more lives disappear before her own eyes, she realized their deaths didn't mean the end for her.

Shrike's chuff broke her train of thought, and something in her was pulled toward him. The sensation of his nose upon her cheek was almost too much for her to handle. Even though Peregrine was gone, her hormones were still very, very much alive. She was in a swirling mess of emotions when she responded by gently licking Shrike's own cheek. A wordless reply. Fox pulled back, wanting and not wanting to see his reaction.