Silvertip Mountain And You Let Her Go

His niece was quiet for the longest time, and Steady worried that she wasn't talking. Normally, she was an open book to him. He sat back on his haunches, giving her the time she seemed to need. There had many losses as of late, and the adults hadn't kept them from the pups- couldn't have. He could understand what their little hearts were going through, long before they were able to understand it themselves.

He lent her the support he could, allow her to snuggle into his chest, bringing his head down to press against her outside shoulder in a wolf hug. Eventually, she spoke in a pleading voice that made him feel like his heart was in a million pieces and he was the size of an ant. He lifted his head as she counted off the ones they had lost, and exclaimed it should have been her. His ears flipped back in discontent. No, Odette, he said firmly. It shouldn't have been you, of that I am sure, he added, attempting for his gaze to meet hers in an effort to show her how much he needed it not to be her. Odette, we can't pick and choose who goes and who stays. Things happen, sometimes things that can't be explained, but while you miss the ones that are gone, you need to focus more on the ones that are here. We love you, and I don't know what I would do if I lost you, too, he said softly, nosing her, trying to make her feel better. He knew, though, it was something she would ultimately need to work out on her own.