Noctisardor Bypass Miserablism

Kaertok had never seen his younger siblings in their first few weeks. They had always been kept inside the den, outside of his view. By the time he'd met them, they were already standing, walking, and blinking at him with wide, curious eyes. He had, of course, been told what they looked like when they first arrived, and he had seen Raleska's newborns at her side, although he hadn't paid them much mind. Briefly, he wondered how she was doing. Once the children were older, he planned to go check in on her, even though he doubted she would appreciate it.

He nodded when she mentioned that there would be less wiggle room for this year's litter. With Kaertok as their father, he would not let them get away with much. The way of Tartok was strict, and he had no intentions of softening around the edges for his children. The strictness was what made him into who he was, and being the arrogant wolf he was, he believed he was one of the best. No match for his mother, of course, but she had raised him to be strong.

Slowing as they approached the burrow, he caught Arbiter's gaze with an unsaid question: would this one do?