Heron Lake Plateau shadow, my sweet shadow

The way she looked when she mentioned the pups.  But what about them?  Though he considered himself a realist, this was one of those instances where he just had to grasp for hope, as right now it was too awful to think otherwise.  His expression wavered,   You just let me know if there's anything I can do.  How many times had he repeated that by now?  It would be just the brutal kind of thing life enjoyed beating him down with if it turned out that after all this, she was going to lose the litter.  No.  Consider that not allowed.  She was  his mate, those were his kids, and he'd figure out some way to beat the snot out of fate if it tried.

Screech though?  Well, they were rid of him for now, weren't they?  He had no idea what she was actually leading towards -- he was half expecting her to reveal that there was some reason Screech shouldn't just be killed if he wandered back their way. Or.. Something.  But that also didn't seem quite right.  His ears tilted forward, asking what it could be without words.  Quixote regarded her with softness, reverence, and concern.