Redsand Canyon Fading like a flower.

No, he answered flatly. He didn't think anyone had come out and said that to him, though he knew it about himself. 

To her next question, he raised an eyebrow. Delicate? No, Kallik started. But you are more vulnerable than you would normally be. She couldn't deny that. I guess you can share this with the matrona, and I can bring something else later. He glanced between her and the den opening. He supposed she could have been resting in there. How are the pups? he asked. He tried to give the matrona as much privacy as he could. Usually, he just left food outside the den for her to retrieve whenever she needed it.