Redhawk Caldera groundseep

Teya seemed to linger in her hug this time and Maia took the opportunity to do it properly, enfolding her in the embrace completely. She'd comforted Eljay like this so many times, and her children too. It was one of the few things she could do when talking about it was too much, or when Eljay's panic took him and he needed an anchor. She didn't let go until she felt Teya relax and lessen, sensing she was ready.

Making it work. She didn't understand. They seemed like a pair now, and both looked like happy parents. If Reyes and she were both happy with Sorana, what was there to make work?

Maia wanted to ask so many questions, but she managed to stop herself. Teya had literally just said she needed to go. I don't want to keep you if you need to get back. But it sounds like something isn't right. Not with you and Reyes, sorry, just... She trailed off, feeling like she was flubbing this. She didn't have any right to say what Teya should do, but she was worried.

Sorana cares about your happiness too. When she gets older, if either of you are unhappy because of her, she might blame herself. It should work for you too. Teya's words were too vague for Maia to know exactly what was going on, but she guessed from it that they were compromising on something to make Sorana happy, something that maybe neither of them wanted. Pups were so smart and so caring. She remembered how Hymnal and Sylvie had been, those first few months, when she'd still been struggling with her own grief. She'd had to be so careful to make sure they knew it wasn't anything to do with them. She hated worrying them so much.

If you need help with that, either of you, Eljay and I are here. But I think you are a wonderful mother, Teya. She reached out to nose her cheek encouragingly, then drew back. Hopefully they could talk later, but she wouldn't pry.