Moonsong Glacier mama cuts like a man-of-war

"Mine as well!" said Dutch, his tail wheeling in pleasure at this similarity. "Of course I will show you — to be very honest, Sumac, I show them off every chance I get. I like to watch them, too."

He guided them in that direction, one ear cupped toward Sumac while the other strained to detect the cutting barks of the seals. It seemed that Sumac had come from a place not so different from White Spine in values, which made the panther just a little more confident in the match. And, while Sumac would outlive her, Dutch thought this was preferable to the current state of affairs, where the black bear was certain to outlive his father.

This train of thought saddened him. As did another similarity — this time one that they shared with Aditya as well.

"Travel?" he asked, his tone idle but his mind whirring.

The next part clanged another warning bell, but this bell just told him he was missing something. Why was caring for his family not an option? Was his mother now barren? He could not believe that a man like Sumac could speak so easily about such a thing, even with the level of comfort they'd already reached. He came to a halt at the top of the cliffside which overlooked their lake, but he did not yet turn his attention to the scene below.

"There is always more family in the world," he said to the man. "Even if you must sometimes search for it, or make it yourself."

His brows raised significantly. Was he not going to "make them"?