Bearclaw Valley as you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined

"dad."
his mouth trembled. he covered athalia's hand with his own, curling his rough claws around the tiny digits.
"dad," he said again, with more feeling, and caught her next in a tight hug.
he'd never experienced this rush of protective adoration before, pride, joy, delight, and even worry, the burgeoning fear of a realized father counting all the dangers that could befall a child.
his child, ancelin reminded himself, knowing full well that he'd tear the sun from the sky if it looked sideways at anyone he loved.
athalia had always been among that number.
"we can make our own story."