Sleepy Fox Hollow every outcome is such a comedown

wylla seemed as surprised as mahler. he rose when his mate did, following at a soft distance as she made her way to the natal den. it seemed hardly a moment longer when her breathing changed, and the guttural drop of her voice suggested that their children were already ready to enter the world.
in observation of her own skill and autonomy, and in full remembrance of how her teeth had scarred him once for that already, the patriarch sat outside the den.
he would not leave save for water, raising his head with cupped ears at each utterance from wylla.
and if she called for him, he would be present; if the situation to his experience seemed to be dipping, mahler would position toward the doorway.
mahler refused to fall prey to any musings upon dire predicament.
all others warded off as the gargoyle kept sentinel.