Heart beat out my chest.

He huffed in disapproval, narrowing his eyes a bit.  "Boo."  the boy replied.  It was a disappointment to not be able to flaunt his kill in the face of his sister and brother, to have no father to caress his head with a tender muzzle in affection at his success.

Then he realized: he had his mama all to himself!  "Cawnie mama 'lone!"  he said excitedly, tail whipping back and forth with delight.  It was amazing how fast young minds and feelings could change.  Dizzying, really.  "Wha do, mama?"  hopefully they could do something awesome before his siblings and father came home to interrupt this pocket of Constantine-Blue time.