Sun Mote Copse if heaven's grief brings hell's rain

You need it. He said simply, as if it were obvious. As if it had never been a question or a choice-- and in some ways it was true. The moment Nat had realized what she was implying, he knew he couldn't just walk away.
Nathaniel flicked an ear and gave Mara a half-smile. It was the closest he got to a warm expression, and even then it seemed slightly wry. The ex-soldier wasn't sure what charmed him about this she-wolf; in a past life he'd have found her too weak. Not worthless, not to be culled, but certainly not worth his time.

Being a father had changed him, he supposed, as short-lived as it was. His pups had been so weak, so helpless, but more worthy of his time than any. It had given him a new perspective. He would have thought himself soft, perhaps, but Nat still knew full well he was a force to be reckoned with. No, he wasn't soft-- he would never be soft. Nathaniel would always be full of sharp edges and roiling storms, but time and experience had brought him new perspective. Hopefully it would be enough.