Swiftcurrent Creek If only for a second, let me have you.

She pressed her lips to her infant's pale hide, nostrils flared to breathe deep his warm puppy scent. A soft croon swept over Viinturuth's back and she pulled back to settle her champagne gaze lovingly into his little face, her tail flopping happily over her hind limbs as he tried to hoist himself up onto his elbows.

She reached down to him again, gripping his tiny frame with gentle firmness between her jaws and plucking him from among his brothers. Carefully, Durnehviir extended her slim fores and placed him between them, before stealing a glance at her other children to be sure that they still dozed. Content that they hadn't been disturbed, she turned her head to focus on the one puppy that wasn't prepared to sleep.