Blacktail Deer Plateau So long, lonesome

It felt quite natural when Blue Willow placed her head on his shoulder. He gently set his chin atop her crown. "You know I love you and that I consider you my sister, regardless of Atticus," he said. It sounded like a question but wasn't. "I may be the heart of this pack but you're its soul. That won't change, no matter what's going on with my brother or what title you wear." He nipped lightly at her nearer ear.

Peregrine withdrew after a moment, simply because it was time to scoop more food into his brother's mouth. It was only the fifth or so piece, though the Alpha felt like he'd been feeding Atticus forever. He didn't mind, though. He loved his brother and would do whatever task, no matter how tedious or grueling, to keep him well.

"Fox evidently wants to have twelve pups," Peregrine shared after a moment, deciding to converse about something a bit lighter. He just hoped he wasn't hurting Blue Willow's feelings by bringing up children. She'd said she would be happy to help raise his pups. "She's still too young yet, I think, and I'm in no hurry. I still have pups to raise. Maybe early next year or something."