Blacktail Deer Plateau iii. time flies

"She was," Grayday agreed, wishing he'd seen it earlier. His ears fell back in regret and sorrow, and something a lot like shame. If he'd just said no - if he'd just stayed away from her, let her ride out her heat, told her to find some other man... But he loved all his children, and could not bring himself to regret their creation. Only that they'd have to be raised by him alone, without a mother in their lives.

"I told them she had to leave, and I didn't know if she'd be back," he sighed. "I don't want to lie, but I can't tell them the truth, can I? It's a mean enough world without them being angry - hatin', even - their mother." He fell silent for a beat. "I hope she doesn't, though. I don't want her back around here. If she tries... I don't know. Would it be better to let her? Can I really take away their chance at a mother?"