Heron Lake Plateau First storm

She didn't even notice the sad tinge to his smile, though Wildfire felt like her heart stopped when he stammered. It felt like there was a bone lodged in her throat when he said the words, "...to go on without her." She swallowed thickly, her face crumpling into an expression of concerned empathy.

"I'm so sorry about Camilla," the Sovereign said, even though she'd never met the woman. "I'm glad the pups are okay." She paused, blinking slowly and wondering if it was completely uncouth to joke about Towhee's candidacy as a surrogate mother. She just seemed like the least likely wolf for the job, though what did she know?

She also couldn't help but think of their mother, though she didn't say anything about that either. Instead, Wildfire said, "I know every parent says this but I absolutely mean it: we should get our kids together for a play date when they're old enough. The fields in between here and the copse would be perfect for it. Finley and Niamh can bring theirs along too. Has anyone else here had a litter? Or expecting one...?" Like Raven, perhaps?