Bearclaw Valley lotys

Cole’s gaze drifted to Winslet as she spoke, her soft words settling over him with an almost disarming warmth. The mention of children brought a tightness to his chest, a breath caught and held, and for a moment, he felt the weight of her potential place among them.

Good with children.

The thought lodged itself uncomfortably in his mind, pressing against something unspoken. He swallowed hard, his throat dry, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned his attention to Ancelin, catching the rex’s glance in his direction. The mention of litters hit him like a sudden wind, unbalancing. His brow furrowed slightly as he raised a questioning look, more to himself than to Ancelin.

Did he? No. No, he didn’t plan for a litter. That wasn’t something he had considered. Was it?

His jaw tightened slightly, but he kept his expression neutral, offering Ancelin a faint nod. Winslet’s hopeful energy deserved encouragement, not the weight of his own tangled thoughts.

She’ll do well here, he said simply, his voice steady, though the words were chosen carefully. She’s got more than enough to offer.

With that, he shifted his weight, letting the conversation flow back to its natural course while his thoughts churned quietly beneath the surface.