Redhawk Caldera Do you think you're better off alone?

All of her attention was riveted upon him now, anticipating his response, so Towhee didn't notice it when Meerkat's mouth dropped open and she choked out, "MOM—!" And, of course, she didn't hear it, either.

She weighed every single one of Issorartuyok's words and did not find them wanting. If anything, that was a hell of an answer. Her daughter had hit the jackpot with this one. And she deserved somebody like him, especially after what had happened with Atlas...

Towhee bothered to glance at Meerkat, who was now staring at the side of Issorartuyok's face as if utterly starstruck. It was endearing, the way Meerkat looked at him. Towhee's tail wagged, once again struck with happiness at the turn in the yearling's romantic fortunes.

"I'm really happy for you, you know," she said to Meerkat, eyes still fixed on Issorartuyok. "How long have you led at the glacier?" Towhee asked him, wondering if Meerkat would ever take him up on that fairly explicit offer to lead with him.