Redhawk Caldera friends become family

When she didn't pull away, Shrike felt relieved. In his mind, the last thing she'd want would be for someone else to come near her if they weren't close enough to her. His relationship with Fox was a friendly one, but distant still due to the difference in their ranks and Shrike's inability to connect with wolves on a personal level, except for a few very distinct situations. She licked his cheek and Shrike blindly assumed it was a thank you, for offering to do something. Anything beyond that was missed, even the fact that she'd pulled away for any reason beyond the fact that she was grieving and didn't want too much closeness just then. So he accepted the lick as a gesture of gratitude, and gave her space, though he kept his silver gaze in her direction, in case she asked something of him. 

Blithely unaware of the fact that Fox was struggling with her hormones and emotions, and seeing only a grieving wolf before him, Shrike dipped his head in a gesture. "Wants a drink. Come to the creek with me?" He asked, licking his lips. His tail waved gently between his hind feet, hoping he could maybe take her mind off things.