Redsand Canyon Hangman is comin’ down from the gallows, and I don’t have very long.

Kallik had the twins between his front paws, hugging them to his chest as he waited for his wife to return. She had left quickly when Maxim called for help. Kallik had no idea what was going on, but he was on high alert. His senses were acutely attuned to anything going on outside the den. Usually, he was the one to answer a call, but this had been for Aquene. Still, he didn't like it. How was he supposed to know if she needed help?

The time ticked by, and kallik didn't ease his awareness one bit. In fact, the longer he waited, the more tense he became. So when he heard a sound outside the den, he raised to his feet to stand over his sons. His body language was aggressive, his lip lifting. He was ready to lunge. But he was stopped by the realization that it was Towhee; she walked in with a tiny child in her mouth, Aquene right behind her, another child between her own jaws. He released a long sigh in an attempt to calm his nerves, then he settled back down with the twins, pulling them to his chest again. 

He watched silently as the two walked in, apparently in mid conversation. He could tell Aquene was upset, which upset him in return. What had happened? 

Aquene started feeding what he could only assume were Towhee's pups, and that was when he spoke up. What is going on? he asked his wife. Clearly something happened other than Towhee giving birth.