Redhawk Caldera Into darkness, into danger

He watched Gannet unblinkingly, and when the boy didn't turn tail and run, he exhaled quietly. Elwood wanted the Redhawk and Blackthorn families to stick together in the wake of the most recent tragedy. He and Finley were already caring for Fox's newborns like they were their own, and the older godchildren were just as important. Thankfully, Raven had stepped up to help raise her tiniest siblings; he hoped that Gannet would embrace his role as big brother, too.

Rather than comment on his mother's abrupt and unexpected death, Gannet uttered a single word that spoke volumes. Elwood hadn't seen Whip since the pack meeting. Whip was old enough to look after himself outside of Redhawk Caldera, but Elwood did worry since the youth had departed in such an emotionally-charged way. He shook his head slowly. "Whip isn't here. I'm not sure where he is...he ran off," he explained. "There was a pack meeting -- Kaizer challenged your mother, and Whip attacked him. I stepped in and killed Kaizer before he could hurt Whip, but he disappeared after that." He winced as he elaborated; it didn't bother him to speak so nonchalantly of Kaizer's death, but he hated that the scuffle had resulted in Whip's flight.