Redhawk Caldera block up

He sucked in a sharp breath, the sound of Bridget’s voice drawing his attention back toward her and their destination. She spoke to Teya, out of view inside the den. Caracal hung back, reluctant to intrude. He would politely wait for a proper invitation. There was always a chance he wouldn’t be welcome, he knew that.

He was equal parts delighted and surprised when Teya didn’t dismiss him. Shooting her a slightly awkward grin, he took a step closer to the den’s interior. He caught a glimpse of tiny Sorana, his heart melting at the sight of her sweet little face, when Reyes charged onto the scene and forcefully shouldered past the two visitors.

The commotion triggered the yearling. He yelped and scrambled backward, urinating all over himself as his tail went to tuck between his legs. He dropped to the ground and scuttled away, freezing to peer over his shoulder. What if Reyes was after Sorana, the way he had once come after Caracal? His insides twisted and a whine burst from his throat.

That wasn’t the case. Rather the opposite, really. Fright rapidly gave way to embarrassment when Caracal realized he’d overreacted to the present situation. Confused, trembling and unable to look at any of them—Bridget, in particular—the yearling turned and fled.