Redhawk Caldera The heart wants what it wants

Though Peregrine moved on with the conversation, talking about his own goals and ambitions when he had been younger, Elwood's mind temporarily got stuck on the previous set of questions. Until that very moment, he truly hadn't considered the implications of growing up; if he decided to stay in Redhawk Caldera beyond the winter, and if he continued to forge friendships with his packmates, who really did know what could happen? He hadn't given it much thought, but he did enjoy spending time with Finley -- with time, he wondered how their relationship could change. There were too many unknowns for the logical thinker to consider, so he gave his head a gentle shake and refocused on what Peregrine was saying.

Before he could give any sort of organized response, however, their patrol was briefly interrupted as a fox darted across their path. Elwood froze, his hackles stiffening instinctually; the fox posed no danger to the wolves or to their pack, but its sudden appearance had surprised him. He followed it with his eyes, watching as it disappeared into the underbrush, then looked to Peregrine as the Alpha continued speaking.

"I'm sure that's part of parenting -- trying your best and making mistakes -- and you know more now that you've already raised a litter," Elwood said supportively, though he obviously had no experience in the matter. But he imagined it was like anything else in life; you learned with each passing day, making errors and then correcting them. Peregrine would certainly be able to use what he had gleaned from raising his first litter and apply it appropriately to his and Fox's children. "And you'll have the rest of us to help out as you need it," he added, for the first time making a statement that indicated his intent to stay with the pack long-term. "How many are you hoping to have?" he asked after a beat, knowing that it wouldn't be up to either of the parents to decide. That wouldn't stop them from thinking about it, though.