Nova Peak The sun won't let up.

Riley’s lip quivered. Whatever specter followed him disappeared. His gaze snapped back to movement in front of him.

Riot.

The sight of his son was enough to restore brief lucidity in Riley. He’d come this way to warn Goldeneye and collect the kids. He was in no condition to travel and he knew this.

But the longer he walked the more malaise settled into his skin. He had bouts of incoherency where he came to with an abrupt gasp, remembering that she was dead;

A touch along his chin caused his fur to stand on end and his muzzle to crinkle in a snarl. Riley jerked his head out of reach, surprised by his own reaction.

Oh, he gasped softly, taking a step away from Riot. He must not be here he must be here he must not —

Riley’s body quivered as he wrestled with the delirium spreading its malignant fingers inside of him. The kids —

He was gradually coming to terms with the cold realization he would not survive whatever this was. His body shook outside of his own control. His only directive now, before he lost too much lucidity, was to find someone to take in the kids. Go — go tell @Redd. Riley begged of Goldeneye, collapsing against the stone wall of the dugout.

His mate was dead and he would soon follow. Some latent instinct inside him informed him he must not allow the kids to get any closer. It broke his heart to do so, but Riley must not imperil them.

Riot. Rowdy. Ruckus. Listen to me. His golden gaze was waning, and it took all of his cognizance to form his next sentence. Daddy is sick — don’t.. don’t touch papa, okay? A sob choked out between his gritted teeth as he begun to walk out of the den and into the settling dusk.