Blacktail Deer Plateau So long, lonesome

Peregrine intuited that Blue Willow was voicing the same question that had passed through many a head since the pack meeting. He prickled slightly, resenting the implication, though it was not directed toward her personally. "I care for Fox. But if she was performing poorly as a leader or doing anything that put the pack in jeopardy, I wouldn't hesitate to address it. Did I not suggest that Hawkeye, my mate at the time, step down when she was proving that she couldn't handle leadership in addition to motherhood? I have no idea why you or anyone would think me anything less than a capable, reasonable Alpha. I lead with my head, not my heart or my crotch. I deserve the benefit of the doubt, at the very least, from you and everybody else who calls this place home."

There was nothing else to say on the matter and Peregrine considered their discussion about Blue Willow's future more pertinent anyhow. All he found himself thinking was, This dickbutt doesn't deserve you. Nobody does. Still, he smiled fondly if sadly at her, then at Atticus. He could argue with her that clinging to the ghost of his brother would lead only to heartache and loneliness, yet Peregrine did not deign to know what would be best for his friend. She was free to love whoever she chose and it was clear she chose Atticus, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.

An odd thought crossed his mind. If Atticus could eat, drink and walk around—albeit like a lifeless robot—could he not theoretically father pups with a little bit of, er, assistance? Peregrine felt creepy for thinking about it but there was a chance Blue Willow could bear his biological offspring. Still, he didn't dare mention it to her just yet. It was just too damn weird.