Redhawk Caldera The heart wants what it wants

Elwood said he hadn't thought about it much and he didn't seem particularly fussed about it one way or the other. Peregrine smiled and replied, "I was the same way at your age." He assumed the other male was a yearling, close to two at the most. "I never dreamed I would settle down and start a family, much less be the leader of a pack, by age three. Before my older brother kicked me out of my birth pack, I was content to live day to day with my family. I didn't have any particular goals or ambitions."

Suddenly, the Alpha male spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. His lips froze and he arched his head, tail stiffening behind him. It turned out to be a red fox dashing across the snow. He watched it, reminiscing about his previous hunt with Elwood. How ironic that such a critter should cross their paths now. Peregrine was tempted to give chase, yet he surely wouldn't catch it and with lean times up ahead, he didn't want to waste his energy or his subordinate's.

Plodding again now, Peregrine said, "I'm glad everyone is so supportive of us. It really means a lot to me. I just hope I do better this time around. I did my best with my first litter... but I made a lot of mistakes too. I learned a lot." He wetted his lips. "I'm going to do everything in my power to keep them happy and healthy, though I do know it's up to nature as much as anything else."