Redhawk Caldera Tremble

He could not understand why Fox would choose, of all things, to give him the cold shoulder. Had he done something horribly wrong—as he had done when inviting Junior into the territory back in summer, for instance—then her current behavior toward him would make perfect sense. But Peregrine had done nothing wrong this time. His body was breaking down on him, yes... but why would the love of his life treat him like a ghost? Like he was (already) dead (to her)?

The only way he could find out was to ask, yet Peregrine—who hadn't the first clue just how dark his mate's thoughts had become—wasn't sure he was ready to find out the truth. He sat beneath a bent pine, trying to steady his rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing, waiting for her to come explain. The fallen Alpha was ashamed to admit he was trembling. Didn't she know he needed her, desperately, now more than ever?