Phoenix Maplewood there was an empty space in the shadow beside you

he shook his head at her words, smiling graciously. "too hot for your father," he said, thinking of grayday's thick, plush pelt, "and yours, as well. sunny. . .shale. . .you all were born and bred for the north." aditya shrugged, with another minute sigh. "sab theek. it'll be spring soon enough."

spring, with its promise of new life. though none would come from their loins, he had seen the look between his alpha and catori at the blood moon. pups would come. . .and perhaps pema would choose to have a litter, too. he wondered briefly whether the healer had anyone in mind, in the first place.

her next statement jarred him slightly, and he peered at her, wondering if this was the reason she had been so solemn as of late. lust, and its effect on the young mind. surely not? dawn was passionate, but he'd never known the girl to have an appetite of that nature. not yet, anyway.

and he--oh. almost too late, he saw her eyes, bold and brave but with the barest hint of something akin to fear buried deep within the amber orbs. not lust, then, something else. . .

"but," he prompted blandly, his mouth suddenly dry. his lips drew in a straight, tight line. "there's a 'but' coming, right? you want me, but. . ."