Redhawk Caldera WSS: Prologue

She bobbed her head thoughtfully, surveying the sky beyond Bronco's shoulder while he spoke. Those dark clouds were getting awfully close. Probably best that they seek cover just in case it was a wicked storm on the way, and with her leg, it would be slow going. Wanna walk? she suggested when a break in conversation presented itself, gesturing toward the forest. The trees would offer some protection if things did get hairy.

I don't want her to ruin their lives, she admitted, having never considered what would come next. She was selfish enough that she hadn't thought of younger siblings until now. It was inevitable that Phox and Niamh would have another litter. Suddenly, a cold lump settled in her ribs.

D'you think I should stay and make sure she doesn't? Truthfully, the idea didn't appeal to her much. No one had stayed to stop Niamh from affecting her second litter, so did she really owe it to her younger siblings? While she was sure she would love them as much as Bronco loved her and her littermates, Alyx sincerely doubted that she would be able to protect them from Niamh's mothering tactics. Not without sacrificing her own well-being, and she couldn't see that being worth it.

She hadn't changed much from when Bronco asked if she would save her family from a mud monster, and she had cheerfully said she would abandon them all to save herself.