Blacktail Deer Plateau A sailor went to sea, sea, sea

Kisu nodded. "Robur Aqua, who calls himself 'Rob', is my son." He looked away "My other two sons, and my first mate, were slaughtered by my brother. Now, yet another mate has been taken from me." The older male returned his gaze to Peregrine with a weak smile.

After staying quiet a long moment, and watching his daughter, Kisu spoke once more — quietly. "I will be all right. My pups are healthy. My life is for them." Kisu never spoke anything but the truth, but this did not mean that his heart did not ache. He had to be strong, though, for he had others to care about and put ahead of himself. Fragile, innocent lives that knew nothing of the pain of loss. Nothing of the touch of their mother.

The grey male wanted to bring himself to thank Peregrine, but it seemed like such a great effort to do so. Another male was caring for Kisu's children, on top of his own. He was grateful, but somewhat bitter and resentful that his Alpha still had his mate; in a way, he was like the children. He knew not of losing a mate.