Bearclaw Valley They grow into adults, and become dangerous things

Water sloshed into his nose and mouth while he floundered. It should have been easy to get his legs back under him, but water had a peculiar way of turning right-side to upside-down. It took longer than he would've liked to straighten himself, and when he finally did, he was sopping wet and overcome with the warm flush of embarrassment. Astara witnessed the whole thing.

Perceptive as he was, he caught the searchlight of his dam's gaze on him, and imagined it was disapproving. Desperate to prove that he wasn't some struggling babe any longer, Aventus surged through the water again, gaping jaws seeking the side of her face while the water dragged him back.