Ouroboros Spine momentum

It wasn't Vairë who came to greet him. He watched Kukutux approach with a sinking feeling in his chest even as he read her expression. He wanted Vairë — wanted her to come and sink her teeth into his hide, if she needed to. He was wary, almost, of Kukutux's embrace, but not strong enough to turn away.

Tears pricked at his eyes as he allowed himself to be held.

It was Valiant who drew away first.

"I'm sorry," he said, and the apology stuck in his throat. They seemed like such shallow, callous words to speak to the girl's grandmother, never mind to his wife. But they were words that must be spoken. "I'm so sorry. I didn't find her. But I should've been back a long time ago."

He would give explanations as asked for, but it seemed almost sacrilege not to give Vairë the chance to ask, first. Not to wait for her to decide whether or not it was good to see his face for any of the wolves here.