Redhawk Caldera the oak when it blooms; a fox in the brush

He gave Maia a smile at her arrival and nodded at her mention of the hunt. Right, that. He ought to have tagged along—but honestly, he'd wallowed in the aftermath of, well, everything, and had neglected to volunteer himself.

I hope it was a successful hunt, Killdeer replied. I think I'm here to stay, for a little while. For—

He broke off abruptly at Teya's entrance, giving the woman a soft stare. They were both grieving, even if it was in separate, distinct ways. He'd have to connect with her one-on-one, once he'd settled in.

I was telling Maia that I'm here to stay, he went on. I'd like to get to know my brothers and sisters—I didn't have any littermates, he explained, as an aside, and they're family. And if you loved Bronco, you're family, too.

Even if that last bit hurt a little to say, given the tiny part of him that still smarted from his parents' separation.