Emberwood Isn't this such a beautiful night?

He felt a little more like himself lately, though the growing girls constantly tested Cambria’s resolve. He loved them so intensely and feared for them in equal measure. They were healthy, as far as he could tell, thanks mostly to Odessia’s doting; she was a natural. But they would remain vulnerable for a while yet, which meant everything outside the den presented a threat.

As far as Cambria knew, he and his mate could simply contain them in the den in Emberwood until they were bigger. Sophia and Victoria would get the opposite of his upbringing: coddled, loved and safe. He saw no problem with this approach, blissfully ignorant to the pups’ autonomy and instincts.

Reality slapped him upside the head when he returned to the den after a brief patrol of the area to discover Victoria outside, totally exposed to the wilderness. Cambria gasped, dropped the bone he’d scavenged and raced toward the wayward puppy. Without thinking, he snatched her scruff and lifted her, carrying her haphazardly toward the den’s mouth.

If you mind the power-play, just let me know and I’ll edit!