Blacktail Deer Plateau I call through the fog

He closed his eyes and smiled in response to the gentle touch of her muzzle against his own, and he was grateful that he'd been able to comfort her in a time when she'd needed it. He wasn't the wittiest wolf and didn't always know the right things to say at the right times, but the beauty of moments like this was that silence could be more powerful than words sometimes, and silence was something he did well. Gently, he licked her cheek, a gentlemanly and reassuring gesture to let her know that it was all right.

After a few quiet moments, Atticus commented, "I'm glad your dad was there to protect you." He couldn't imagine how scary and confusing such a situation had to have been to a young girl. It made his stomach feel queasy. "He might not be around now, but Perry and I will keep you safe." His voice was almost a whisper, it was so soft. It was a promise he made to her as well as himself. He already bore the scars of his dedication to protect the ones he loved.