Sun Mote Copse my heart is open

It didn't bother her that he reacted as if he should be ashamed of himself, though Wildfire wondered if that behavior would eventually stop as they grew closer together and he became more comfortable around her, aware that he could be himself without judgment. She wanted to tell him this but she knew that simply demonstrating and letting time do its thing was the only possibility of success.

"I wish I'd been smart enough to think of pup-proofing," the Sovereign mused truthfully. She paused a moment, thinking about the fates of Phoenix and Bat, but knew no amount of prevention could've saved them. Sometimes, the world was simply cruel and freak accidents happened. "This looks like it'll make for a fun playground. Even when the snow melts, it'll probably get muddy, especially in the spring, and it could be a sort of slip-and-slide..."

But she was getting sidetracked. Chuckling at herself, Wildfire returned to her original query. "I was hoping you'd accept a spot on my Council, as an Honoree. It's not a leadership position but it's a respected one. You're essentially the queen's consort," she quipped with a twinkle in her chestnut eyes, "and, regardless, I think you deserve the recognition. You'll be in good company too. But," she finished, "you should only accept if it's something you want for yourself. You'll be a perfectly wonderful asset to this pack as a Tradesman too."