Blacktail Deer Plateau Rock n' roll

He hung on her every word. Six weeks was nearly a lifetime for his pups, he mused. For over a month (nearly two), he could not hunt, nor patrol, nor even walk properly. He would be unable to fulfill his duties as a leader. His heart clenched as he realized that his unfortunate misstep today had altered the course of the pack's future.

"With the pack so full and so many pups, we can't have a handicapped Alpha," he said slowly, a bit miserably. He paused, thinking, when his eyes suddenly flicked up to her face. "You will step up and lead in my stead. Will you? I will stay as Alpha beside you but you will be the acting leader of this pack. And you will be brilliant," Peregrine said decisively.

She was not only the best candidate for the job, she was the only one. Her sweet, diplomatic and motherly nature would a wonderful Alpha female make. He would hover in the background, offering advice, experience and support. He had not woken knowing he would fill the empty place at his side today but it sort of clicked in his head. The two of them would balance each other and make a great tag team. In fact, why hadn't he thought of it sooner?

He knew it had to do with Hawkeye and not wanting to jilt his former partner. But she was no longer fit to be a leader... especially not with someone like Blue Willow shining so strongly.