Rising Sun Valley Wake me

Tauris did not think parenthood noble by default. Even if, biologically, that was the thing for wolves to do. But in their limited time together, Reverie’s maternal instincts were apparent, and if this is what the young wolf wanted, then Tauris would work on finding a way to support her.

“Your Lestan sounds like a good man. But even so, your pack will help you.” Packs loved puppies. She’d seen the most stoic adults melt before their little presence. And besides, pups were the spread of genes, the growth of numbers, a stronger claim to territory. Packs needed pups.

“And um, I can… pupsit.”

Nope, she could not. But it seemed like the polite thing to say to Reverie at the time. The right thing.

Tauris didn’t know the first thing about children, or their wormy little bodies, or razor-sharp chompy puppy teeth. She only knew that if not enough of the right words spoken, or otherwise too many of the wrong ones, they would be traumatized for the entirety of their lives, well into their adult years and their children and future generations yet to come, and thus creating, a never-ending cycle of trauma and pain…

....She’d clear her throat of the existential dread. A panic for another time. Reverie needed her right now, and though she did not know how to help, for her friend she would try.

She moved her paw to settle lightly overtop the girl’s golden one, giving a squeeze.

“You’re not alone in this.”

And that was more than truth. It was a promise.