Swiftcurrent Creek twelve years a slave

Bones said nothing because, for once, words simply didn't come. She was afraid that Ira would force her hand by making her feel obligated to tell him the graphic details, if only to explain herself and the gravity of the matter. Luckily, he retreated, changing the subject again. Bones let out a shaky breath and felt the tension — tension she hadn't even realized was there — leaving her body.

"Yer not a monster, yer a blaggard," she told him affectionately. "What will become of ye now, Ira? Will ye stay in Jinx's pack? There's space for ye here. Yer not obligated to stay with me, 'course, considering..." Bones trailed off a bit sadly, though her lips remained curved in a smile.

"Hey," she said after a beat of silence, "once I'm feeling better, I'm gonna visit me dad at the plateau. That's where Fox lives now. She's actually me aunt; she's mates with me Uncle Peregrine," the yearling divulged. "If ye still wanna see her, ye can come with me." Her silver tail swayed back and forth as she tilted her head inquisitively at him.