Bearclaw Valley a

The bear imitated him, which made Aventus' face break out in a little smile—the very first smile he'd ever directed at someone other than his mother and his sister. If left to his own devices, the Bearberry would find his way to Jaylen's humongous paw, but fate—specifically in the form of a mother hen—saw fit to disrupt his plans.

Astara's shadow fell over the child and his demeanour changed in an instant. His dam didn't inspire the same fearful reverence in him that his sire did, but for all the freedom she granted and all the boldness she inspired in her tiny son, she was nevertheless commander of his life. He heeded her without question when the mischief was over, and her stance suggested now was not the time for it. The earth shuddered under his sensitive feet when Jaylen reclined upon his bottom, prompting the pup to tilt his head, inquisitive.

He wouldn't advance past the protective cage of his mother's limbs, but he tipped himself back onto his hindquarters as well, attempting to straighten his torso the way the bear did, only to overbalance and topple sideways against his mother's ankle.