Blacktail Deer Plateau st ashlar [m]

Lasher pointed out that, while Osprey's life had been woefully brief, it had also been full of wonderful things. "Quality over quantity," he murmured as if to himself, trying to find comfort in this perspective. It failed to console him, however, as the idea that she could have lived many happy years filled him with anguish. Joy wasn't a finite resource, after all, and it wasn't like she'd passed some quota.

Peregrine drew in a shaky breath, his chest hitching in a silent sob. When Lasher leaned into him, he leaned back. This intimacy contained no edge of sensuality or lust and the Alpha male was glad of that. He realized he was incredibly lucky to have someone like Lasher in his life, who gave of himself so freely. He briefly mused on the fact that theirs obviously wasn't a solely physical connection either; this moment was powerful evidence of that.

He wanted to express his gratitude to his companion but he had a difficult time finding the words and those that did come to mind didn't feel right. In the end, Peregrine simply pressed his nose into the side of Lasher's neck, closed his eyes and breathed a quiet, "Thank-you."