Dragoncrest Cliffs Willow Tree March

It made sense to him, or so he said. Meerkat was glad Njord seemed to understand what she was trying to say, even though it was so difficult to articulate. She had gone through so many indescribable emotions these past few months, it didn’t surprise her that she would have trouble making sense of them or sharing them with someone else.

He proposed a jaunt to Hushed Willows, just the four of them. Meerkat knew he meant well, just like he had with the celebration for Mercy. But her insides went cold. For a moment, she didn’t even understand why. What could possibly be objectionable about a small foray with her husband and sons?

Then she realized it reminded her of taking the kids to Mereo, without their father, after having always intended to go as a family. The trip had been pleasant enough—a real boon for the kids especially, she liked to think—but it had resulted in Mercy’s desire to leave for good. At least, that’s how the logic worked out in the young mother’s mind.

And would their sons even want to go? Meerkat couldn’t get a good read on either one of them in regards to their da. She liked to think they could welcome him back just as easily as she had, yet she wasn’t so sure. As she inwardly fretted about this, it reminded her of some of the coolness she’d sensed toward her husband from the rest of the pack. Not everyone could forgive him readily, especially those who had been through it before. She thought of Mireille and Sobo.

Now that her thoughts and feelings were beginning to spin out of control, her mind made a sudden leap. Chacal had allowed Njord reentry into the pack. But she wasn’t the only one in charge. As far as Meerkat knew, neither one had refuted their elder sister’s pardon, though she wouldn’t be surprised if there were limits to their hospitality. What if… what if they wouldn’t allow Njord breeding privileges again, on the grounds that he’d failed the first two tries?

Where is all this coming from? Meerkat wondered with despair even as she clapped her paws over her face, wet with tears.