Horizon Ridge If I fall for you, I'll never recover

Pied followed him, her hips swaying gently with the rhythm of her footsteps as they reached the dune. Practically the moment she settled on her haunches, Kisu launched into his life story. Soon, the sounds of the wind and surf fell away and she heard only the timbre of his voice as he spoke of his mother, father and brother, then of his mate and pups... and so much more.

Admittedly, Pied's lips parted in some surprise at the news of his previous mate and children, as she hadn't ever given any thought to the fact that she might not be Kisu's first love. Thinking on it now, it made sense that he'd been partnered before, considering his age. Although this new information made Pied feel a little bit strange, it didn't prevent her heart from dropping at the news of his slain puppies.

"Oh, gods, Kisu, I'm sorry," she managed to say before he plunged onward in his tales. She listened, though part of her brain couldn't get past the image of his murdered offspring. She could picture them perfectly and, though they hadn't been hers, Pied felt her heart squeezing painfully at the long-ago loss.

She found herself stretching forward to nuzzle beneath his eye as he finished sharing his story. It had been a lot bloodier than Pied had anticipated and part of her regretted making Kisu bring up such tragic subjects. Her two-toned eyes searched his face, easily spotting the pain in his eyes. She hoped her own gaze said how sorry she was for making him relive such pain.

"I hope your mate and pups rest in peace," she said softly, her ears falling back, then lifting slightly again as she added, "As for me... my life hasn't been anywhere near as eventful, so to speak. I grew up in my parents' pack, their only living child, and followed them when they disbanded and went back to my maternal grandparents' pack. My father disappeared shortly after that." She nibbled at her lip, then realized he was one of only two wolves she could tell about the next detail. "He's dead. I know this because he comes to visit me sometimes."