Ocean's Breath Plateau The wreck of the day

The panther thought no more of his own hurt; it had dissolved at once in the face of his wife's sorrows. He felt bad for causing her to doubt him even knowing it was not entirely his problem to circumvent. Even so, he would try harder.

"They will not," he agreed, his words grim. "But she will find her way. I worry for her, but — but she was not happy with us, I don't think. She was always an outsider, and I cannot make her friends for her. Perhaps this is why she seeks family."

It made him sad, but he hoped she would gain something from this newly forged bond.

"You have been quiet, too," he commented, wondering how to broach this topic. "I worry you will become lonely, even with me for company."