Arrow Lake Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.

He bit back a growl at the disrespect shown their father, only the children prevented his reaction. He forced himself to sit down, knowing that he couldn’t let his emotions rule him. Not this time. He had a tendency towards violence when upset, but just as always, his family settled him if only so he could continue to be a part of their lives.

He couldn’t look her in the eye, instead he looked at the small babes nestled against her chest. Slowly he shook his head, an horrified look broke through his normal gruff exterior. His sky blue gaze took on a haunted look, shifting toward a stormy grey in appearance as he thought of what to say next. His lip quivered. “Mother and Father broke tradition and had a litter this year. You know how much mother loved having children, and the joy it brought her.” Surely being a mother herself Takiyok would understand, “Silla and Nuniq were born toward the end of winter.” He looked away from the Sandraudiga brood, and focused on the wall of the den. He had seemingly wandered off on a tangent, randomly spouting of new his sister had missed.

“She killed them Tak. They were only a month old, and she killed them.” Sadiq’s head dropped, he stared at his paws, and tried to make himself seem small. He was distinctly uncomfortable, and obviously sad. Neither term often used to describe the normally strong man.