Swiftcurrent Creek if you spent your whole life working

His nose would graze her nape—trailing from the crown of her head to the blades of her shoulders. He would indulge himself for only a moment, but knew it to be cruel in that moment—the warmth and softness of her. It would have been a lie to say he had not missed holding another in his embrace.

But if he were to explore her further, he knew he wouldn’t be able to let go. He had loved once, and he had lost her. Had lost a part of himself with her—his family had crumbled. He had failed to keep them safe.

His muzzle trailed upward once more—heated words to the curve of her ear and his own larger form melded closer to her supple frame, appreciative of the curves pressed to him. “I can’t in the way you want. It's not a good idea,” he rumbled, sighing out—fully believing nothing good could come from it. “But you have my permission to seek out Arric. Or Lestan, should he ever get his ass here. Because the creek is your home. Jakoul is safe here.”