Redhawk Caldera i've never been great with peer pressure.

She couldn't explain how she knew the time had come. Some sixth sense compelled Towhee to abandon her border patrol only halfway through and make a hasty return to the rendezvous site. But even as she climbed, her inner compass directed her in another direction: toward Finley's whelping den. That's when the Xi actually thought consciously, Aunt Finley's having her babies.

Although she wanted to throw herself headlong into the den, the youth instead chose a post about fifteen yards away and stood sentinel there. Towhee couldn't deny that she glanced curiously toward the mouth every minute or two—tail doing a happy little wiggle each and every time—though she didn't disturb the proud parents. She was a mercenary, a guardian specifically, and her job right now was to protect the den site.