Heron Lake Plateau home is where your heart is

Eljay hadn't really heard anyone else ever mention that they would like to have kids even if they didn't have a mate, so he didn't think it was 'totally normal' at all (and he doubted that Wildfire really thought that, too). He didn't speak up against Wildfire though, just simmering quietly in his anxiety while he tried to get a grip on himself. His breathing just refused to fully calm down, though he was managing to keep it at manageable levels.

At first Wildfire said that he'd find someone, but then she decided to change her mind and said that she wasn't too sure he would. Of course he wouldn't so easily -- Eljay knew that he was a total loser, so who would want to be with him, let alone raise pups with him? What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he just accept that it may not be in the stars for him, and be happy with his life surrounded by family, where he was at least allowed to take care of the other pups in the pack even if they weren't his?

Wildfire's words were only vaguely registered; she was saying he'd be a good father but even if he would find someone that could love him, he wasn't too sure he'd be good at any of it. He just nodded numbly and said, "Thanks, Wiffle," even though his face was still rife with a panic he was trying -- and failing -- desperately to hide.