Blacktail Deer Plateau Rock n' roll

The Healer brought up the very point of contention he'd already pondered. "Honestly? She'll probably be pissed off and she might even have a go at you out of pure petty jealousy. You just call for me if that happens, though. Despite everything that's happened, I've never once considered demoting her any further. But I'll kick her to the bottom of the heap if she disrespects her new Alpha." He stopped short of threatening to kick out Hawkeye, as he would hate to do that to their children.

Silence fell for a moment or two before he piped up again and said, "Even she must know you're the fittest and worthiest candidate and should respect that you will be the reason for this pack's continued success. And I'm sure she'll feel jilted but it's not as if she and I could lead together again anytime soon. And this pack's done spectacularly since she stepped down, mostly due to my actions and decisions. And this, Willow," he finished, "is one of the best decisions I've ever made."

"Thank-you," he replied simply when she accepted his offer. Peregrine felt a little lighter for it, though there was still plenty on his mind. He closed his eyes and slumped over, taking a moment to just breathe through the pain.