Redtail Rise a valentine

the dark, slight and familiar form of Ashlar enters her vision, and she draws closer to the entrance of her den, head and shoulders into the light. her shoulders loosen slightly, but her face is still tense; anyone could see that, and especially Ashlar.

he gone, she remarks, voice hollow. he knows who she speaks of. i dunno where. why.

her emotions color that last word like splatter paint. the one i trust. the one i took in. the one i love. she doesn't want to think of him in past tense and so she holds those words at bay, her chest aching.

your babiehh', she says, gesturing toward the four pups at her belly.

all his? likely not.

but circumstance may have made Ashlar a father, and he should see it now.