Redhawk Caldera Listen as the wind blows from across the great divide [m]

Mature Content Warning

This thread has been marked as mature. By reading and/or participating in this thread, you acknowledge that you are of age or have permission from your parents to do so.

The participants have indicated the following reason(s) for this warning: possibly graphic violence.

Peregrine woke with a start on the first day of March, his foggy jade eyes immediately seeking his week-old pups. For a second, he couldn't recall why it was so imperative to check on them, though the moment he saw only three and he remembered the events of yesterday, he felt his throat tighten. He swallowed, then bent over the three remaining puppies. They were all warm to the touch and Wildfire, naturally, squawked when he prodded her. A relieved noise escaped the father the second before he gently swept the trio away from their dozing mother's belly and squashed them against his chest.

The pups put up with his affections for a moment, though it wasn't only Wildfire that eventually began squirming and squalling in protest. Reluctantly, Peregrine nudged them back toward Fox's belly, where one by one they latched onto a teat and began to nurse. With a rueful smile, the Alpha planted a quick kiss on his mate's temple, then rose and strode from the den to take a leak and then refill the tank with a long, cold drink at the lake.

After slaking his thirst, he stood at the shore, staring over the water, for a long moment. Then he turned and gazed in the direction of the clearing where they'd buried little "Derp." He was tempted to visit the grave. Yet he found himself walking back home instead. His living pups needed him. He would be sure to drop by the grave sometime later. Peregrine had to admit he didn't feel as sad as he thought he would in the circumstances. It bothered him but it was also something of a relief.

There was a guilty look on his face when he appeared in the den's mouth. The atmosphere was so peaceful in there for once that he didn't dare disturb it. Instead, Peregrine backpedaled and took a seat just outside. He would enjoy the cool mountain air and steel himself. Even though he was not as overwrought as he could have been, the Alpha would still have to face the caldera's members and tell them the news, which would not be an easy task.