eyes lidded as peregrine gave forth his affectionate gesture, and gave the man a gentle look as he spoke, confirming his thoughts about the ruby. in truth, taltos was taken aback again by the devil's question, and his lips thinned into a line as he thought over his response. blue willow has been a part of this pack for quite some time. she has touched many lives, and the wolves here adore her. she is also a woman with ambition who climbed the ranks of her own accord to become beta female,
the earthen servant added quietly, touching with vague spirit upon fox's almost immediate elevation to the leadership ranks, without her having worked as the willow had.
if fox refuses, and i believe she will, and that you are right, then i would question her as to why. the willow stepped down from her rank not only to tend atticus, but to avoid conflict between herself and fox. that is my belief. she is a strong woman, but she would not stand against your mate without a valid reason. therefore, she sacrificed her rank, which she had earned, for a noble cause. add to that her age. she is a gentle, honeyed soul tempered by experience. fox is young and fiery. if it were blue willow making this decision, and not fox, i daresay that her attitudes toward it would not be biased. i cannot say the same of fox.
he was long-winded, and paused for a series of moments before ending his answer: the decision rests also with blue willow. i know that her heart wants more than mere children. however, if fox were to deny her, and the offer i have made, then i would be displeased, but i trust you and your judgement. you will do what is right, peregrine. fox must understand that blue willow's history to this land and to these lives runs far deeper than her own contributions thus far. the rank of alpha is a gift and to be yoked together into the role of alpha pair is not without its conflict, and its benefits. however, it is not a weapon, to be invoked based solely on jealousy.
at length, taltos chuffed lightly at himself. i am sorry, my love; i speak too much.