Blacktail Deer Plateau Closer to the sun

Rather than beat the tar out of his son, who'd begun to cry, Kisu began to soothe him instead. Pied's eyes darkened more and her lips pinched together. Her mate did defend her and asked Rob to apologize, even including a subtle threat with his words. But then he went on to tell his son he loved him and crooned his full name, which made the pregnant she-wolf feel strangely worthless.

The Tau's eyes narrowed as pain sliced through her. "Don't bother wasting an apology on me, as it won't be accepted. Your disrespectful, foul mouth isn't welcome anywhere near me or my pups," she said to Rob, her lip stiff. To Kisu, she added, "I guess I'm happy that you two were able to make up but your son has disrespected me twice now. He doesn't get a third chance. Sorry."

She'd wanted to show Kisu the den but now didn't seem like the right moment. In fact, Pied turned and began to walk back toward it without another word. She wasn't hungry anymore, so she needn't bother with food. Her stomach felt heavy and leaden as she arrived at the den site, crawled into the small hole, slid haphazardly down the chute and curled up inside.