Blackfoot Forest we love a lot, so we only lose a little

He had agreed to take them farther only because they all seemed so happy to be out beyond the borders of the creek. He loved to see them happy, and he was always looking for ways to encourage their curiosity, but the farther they got from the creek, the more tense he became. As they moved into the forest at the base of the mountains, his gaze continuously scanned their surroundings before lowering to count and make sure four little pups were still behind him scattered around Alessia. As if she could sense his steadily increasing unease, his mate pushed up against his side and playfully nipped his shoulder. He turned to offer her an equally playful raise of his eyebrow, his muscles relaxing just a little as he waited for the children to answer their mother's question.