Ankyra Sound I was born right here in Zion

Dey could never ‘ate you! Soft but urgent, she spoke those words hoping with every fibre of her being that he would believe her. She clicked her tongue a few times, wishing he’d never even needed to have such a thought- but it was natural for him to have some doubts, given the hierarchy of the pack. 

Sobo had led before, and Valravn now; men weren’t hated, but there was no climbing the ladder until you were a part of the family who had built it. 

I would t’ink you be right, dat children would be ‘appy to ‘ave a fat’er. Cannot say, because we did not get de chance to ‘ave one. I wonder if Maman introduced us to Ash- Ashlan, or Ashlar or whatever- because per’aps she realized we might ‘ave done well to ‘ave one but…Maybe she couldn’t make it work, an’ den just stopped taking us. She shrugged, and sighed. 

She drew her chin to her chest as they walked. Part of me wants de children to know Swordfish, if…If we can find ‘I’m, an’ if… She didn’t want to voice her doubts aloud- but she knew they were there. Swordfish might turn his back, as his father had once- and run, if he was scared. 

But part of me wants to keep dem safe an’ not…Not ‘ave a fat’er for dem dat will run away. If ‘e ever did, I…I don’t know. Dat would prove Maman right.

She wasn’t sure she could risk it.