Morningside Cuesta isn't hope an animal?

I promise.

Adeline heaves a breath and holds it, repeating the words over and over in her mind.

I promise. I promise. I promise.

She releases the breath we great relief and, slowly, pulls away from him when he speaks. She blinks a few times as she tries to sort it. He’s never asked anything of her, never forced her to do anything she didn’t want to do. She doesn’t even blame him for taking her away from her family and, yet, he’s laying the world at her feet for forgiveness that she doesn’t have to give. Her tongue crosses her muzzle, feeling the dryness in her throat that makes it difficult to continue with the lump lodged in the back.

“I want—” What?

She tries again: “I want to stay with you.”