Emberwood someone say a hail mary for this house

Short post to avoid removal! :o

Fortunately, her mother did not insist she stay back with her brothers. Larkspur let out a shaky breath of relief when Harlyn lifted her, the mere act of being hoisted by her scruff releasing comforting hormones into her bloodstream. She relaxed (as much as she could, anyway) and became dead weight swinging from the Alpha female's maw.

When Harlyn eventually placed her back on the ground a few minutes later, Spur made a light murmur of protest, then quieted when her dam's tongue soothingly passed over her ears. With a weary sigh, the child pressed her cheek against Harlyn's leg foreleg and let her eyes drift shut as her parents spoke over her head.

But the instant the stranger approached, Larkspur stiffened and jumped to her feet. Her tail dropped between her hind legs and she scrambled backward, trying to hide beneath her mother even as Harlyn positioned herself more protectively over the shivering cub. Larkspur made a soft hiccuping sound, face now mashing into the pale, soft fur of her mother's underbelly.