Sun Mote Copse We get wild like a safari.

He had given her space. His intent on discussing what clearly needed to be discussed had been deferred when he had noted Towhee skulk back to her den, wrapping herself protectively around what he assumed was a miracle child, and withdrawing into herself. The death of Elwood and Finley hit her hard—the Ostrega hadn’t known them, but the Firebirds were an intense familial unit… it seemed they were all related to one another.

Except, perhaps, for him, as Wraen had pointed out.

But he couldn’t put it off any longer. Towhee might have been happy to ignore the elephant in the room, and while the elephant had started off tiny… she was now a romping bundle of busy limbs and curiosity.

Amber eyes skimmed over the girl as she moved, thoughtful. Her gallop was whimsical—clumsy, like so many her age were. He had no knowledge of pups. Had never considered himself the type to father anyone… but the possibility was before him now. Family, within arms reach.

He felt frozen to the spot, nervous at whatever the outcome of any of this would be. But with a sudden inhale, the tawny male moved forward, his tail swinging in a neutral manner as he gave the kid a small smile, though his eyes flitted up to Towhee, glinting in a far more serious manner than they ever did. “I think we need to talk.”