Redhawk Caldera i may be crazy, don't mind me.

Some of Elwood's anxiety was eased by Lagan's reaction to his explanation. It was so simple and it brought a smile to his face. Although Finley seemed like she was preparing to add her own response, Elwood forged ahead in the brief silence that had settled after Lagan's question.

"Not exactly --" he said, but he stopped when his gaze was drawn away by the arrival of Eljay. They were like moths to a flame, and if it wasn't so weird, Elwood would have laughed. Eljay sidled up to Finley, accustomed to a certain level of closeness with his mother, and everyone present was surely surprised by what happened next.

Finley bared her teeth and moved abruptly away from the boys, coming to stand closer to Elwood. He felt his own feral instincts fighting for control as a peculiar defensiveness caused his hackles to momentarily prickle. Amidst the commotion, Phox slipped away, and when Elwood noticed, he was thankful. But now they would have to deal with Eljay's wounded feelings, and he nudged Finley's cheek reassuringly. Her display had given him the courage to say what he needed to say.

"Not exactly," he continued, picking up where he had left off. "It means -- it means she's ready to have a new litter of puppies. She's feeling very agitated and she can't help it. She needs some privacy. I think it's best if you boys go," he said, giving Eljay and Lagan a long look and hoping they would understand.