Emberwood clutch

His whole body froze when Sophia waddled closer to him, then promptly assaulted his paw. It didn’t hurt—if anything, it tickled—and he began to relax when he realized she was only playing around. Then she rammed her tiny skull against the protrusion of bone near his dewclaw, causing him to wince. Cambria wanted to yank his paw away from her, though he checked himself, withdrawing it slowly. He tucked both forelegs under his body like a loafing cat.

Okay, he said, trying to reassure himself as much as address the girls, if you really wanna headbutt me, go for the chest. At least it’s soft. But don’t go too fast, he cautioned (or more like pleaded). I don’t want you to hurt yourself, Soph. He nuzzled toward both daughters, then raised his head, took a deep breath and said, Okay. Come at me, bro.