Redhawk Caldera goodnight, officers

When the howl came, Fin had been quick to seek out her son as an escort over to the alphas' den.  Part of it was because she knew Nightjar would be there and that Eljay might be grateful for his mother's support having to face him.  A much larger and less easily admitted part was that Finley needed his support just as much, if not more.

The bullying issue had successfully distracted her and Elwood's conversation about having another litter, but it had not stopped the question from blaring like a foghorn in Finley's mind every second since.  There was a part of her that had cast a very firm fuck no vote.  Despite what Elwood might have to say about it, Fin was positive she was a terrible mother to Eljay, and to inflict her mothership (Stevie can't words) on a second generation was just too cruel.  She would fail them, she would fail her first son, she would fail her mate, and this time there would be no coming back from it.  She was absolutely certain, and she just couldn't bear the thought of losing or disappointing her family.

Unfortunately, she was also pretty convinced that she'd be doing the same were she to refuse to have more kids with her mate.  

Level 1: Rock.
Level 2: Hard Place.
Level 1.5: Finley

Being the avoider that she was, Fin didn't want to even look at other puppies.  She felt guilty over staying away.  After all, she and Elwood had been there to see the Firebirds 1.0 the very night they'd been born, and now here it was however long after 2.0 had greeted the world and Fin hadn't even tried to stop by.  She hoped that had gone unnoticed, for even now as she strode alongside of her son, she wanted to turn and run for it.  But, she couldn't.  She needed to be there for Eljay.  So she insisted feebly in her mind, anyway, if only to finally get herself to approach the den.

Fin glanced at those that had gathered as they stopped - her gaze first freezing for a moment of uncertainty over Nightjar before shifting to Elwood upon seeing the boy was weirdly deflated for some reason.  She gave her mate a smile and a wag of her tail, determined to communicate that she was fine and everything was fine and there was totally not this huge unanswered question between them that just so happened to be revolving around the subject matter they were currently observing.  She felt like she ought to say something casual then.  Casual and breezy.  Yes, that would be good and very normal of her.  Something like...

Eljay moved at her side, lowering to the ground.  Fin's ears perked in alarm at his movement, thinking something negative had caused it.  But then she spotted the puppies as they crept towards the pack one by one.  They were so tiny.  She had forgotten puppies could be so tiny.  Her own had been even tinier, she remembered fondly.  Fin looked at Eljay and realized with a jolt that he wasn't being scared or anxious.  He was eager.  He was excited.  He was.. happy.

Finley was quiet as she watched the gathering unfold.  Her expression was blank and impassive.  Inwardly, though, her emotions were exploding all over the place.