Hushed Willows all alone

Lorcan tilted his head slightly, watching her as she moved forward. Her question hung in the air for a moment before he gave a low, bemused chuckle, shaking his head.

Not a fatherly man, he admitted, his voice edged with a trace of humor. The idea of himself surrounded by pups seemed almost laughable. He wasn’t the type to cradle young ones or offer soft reassurances. His world had always been too sharp-edged for that kind of tenderness.

As she spoke of Chaudry, his ears twitched, catching the irritation in her tone. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, sharp and knowing.

Sounds like he fancies you, Lorcan said plainly, his amber-green gaze flicking to her briefly. The sharp frown on her face only seemed to amuse him further. Smiling at you but not his mother? That says plenty.

He fell into step beside her, his posture easy and fluid as he added, You’ll have to let me know if he makes a move. Could be fun to watch him try. There was a teasing lilt to his words, but his grin was disarming, if not a little mischievous.