He didn't cry as much, but his heart still lay shattered and he imagined it would for a lifetime. He took solace in hunting as he always did. And also in the presence of his son's
@Panuk and
@Rolayne.
They were slowly growing and each new growth or milestone was noth awe inspiring amd bittersweet that their mother was not here to see it.
Today he lay outaide while they napped slowly stripp8ng flesh from the fur of the rabbit he caught keeping eyes and mind busy, while listening for any movements.
tags for reference, but you can join in. As can
@Sialuk and
@Elentari if they so please <3
Baby Rolayne was only two weeks old, but he was already a force to be reckoned with at the milk bar. He was large for a pup his age, and he ate greedily every chance he could get. He had no problems with pushing his brother out of the way, either.
His eyes had begun to open just a little bit, and he could see the barest of light coming through. It was hardly above a shadow since he spent most of his time in the dark den. His ears hadn't yet opened, but he could feel the vibrations in the ground when others moved.
He was already a very vocal pup who didn't miss an opportunity to whine and yell. He was too young to turn it into a bark or a howl, but it didn't stop him from screaming out some sort of noise from his mouth.
Like right now, for example. He was rooting around, huffing and whining for some sort of attention. He moved as much as his little legs would allow him. Should he bump in to something warm and furry, he would likely clamp his jaws down on it in hopes it might provide him with more milk.
Rodyn enjoyed watching the children grow. They already had little personalities emerging. Rolayne was vocal and fidgety. Rodyn could respect that.
Rodyn gathered the small pup to him. A soft rumble in his chest. He knew the child would root and whine when he found nothing. However, it didn't stop him from paying attention. He licked along the pups head. Speaking softly.
Look at you.
Something moved and molded him closer to something warm. He liked warm things. Except warm wet things, which is what he got next on his head. He protested in a verbal whine, wiggling his head back and forth as much as he could to get away from it. He had tried to find a nipple, but he was unsuccessful. Why didn't this warm thing give him what he wanted? The other one did. He tired himself out and eventually settled down into the warmth of this one anyways.
Rodyn chuckled at the protest that met him. He spoke softly. I realize you don't like baths, but you need one all the same.
A soft nuzzle to the boys head, warm breath upon his head. Contwnt to just hold him as long as he would allow. Eyescwet at how beautiful their children were. Samani had done so well. He wished he could tell her.
Though he protested at first, there was something soothing about being groomed. Eventually he settled down, curling into the warm fur next to him. After just a few minutes, he was fast asleep, his little paws jerking every once in a while as he dreamed.
Rodyn would stay awake watching over his son. Aching to know he wouldn't know his mom in a physical sense. But he'd do his best to let them know her other ways. And they would know she had loved them so much.