It'd been awhile since he'd really spoken to Sparrow. Lark was sure beyond a reasonable doubt that she didn't approve of he and Lillianna's relationship, nor of the fact that they'd had kids, but he was far too busy worrying about them to spend much time dwelling on it. Maybe he should face it, but things weren't always as easy as they seemed, so he would conveniently avoid the topic - and instead, he felt a jolt of worry strike right through him when he heard Sparrow's uneasy call. He followed after Lillie and their kids, keeping them in line while she ran ahead of the group. Being a father had quite easily consumed his life whole; he didn't regret it in the least, but to say it was more than he had expected.. well, that would be an understatement.
By the time he arrived, he settled in next to his mate and tried to keep their three kids from wandering off to much. They were growing rapidly, but that wouldn't stop Lark from worrying over them and trying to keep them in line regardless. Even now he found himself having to stand and drag Corvus back to his side by the scruff as he watched the oversized boy catch sight of something and start to wander off. It wasn't long, luckily, before others arrived and Sparrow started to speak.
His brows instantly furrowed at her words. In what world would any of them take that kind of offer instead of stand and fight? What would his father have done? He shook his head, wondering why it even mattered anymore what Bass would've done. He was gone now, permanently gone, and not coming back - so Lark knew he shouldn't even consider what his view would've been. Maybe he only thought of that because now.. well, his younger self would've been angry at the mere thought of giving in to their bargain instead of fighting for their home. But he was a father now, and even though he quietly bristled at the thought, he was silent for a long while too. Perhaps he just wondered what his own father would've done, for his children, not just his pack. His children meant more to him than Abaven's traditions or names, and while he was proud of his sister for taking over leadership, he wouldn't risk the life of Corvus or Rhea or Aiden over her maintaining it.
Would continuing life as they always had be such a bad idea? Especially since this was over a family who had a history of destroying other packs. Lark frowned, his expression softening as Lillie spoke up. Her questions were basically the same ones she had, but he had to agree. At the end of the day, he wasn't comfortable knowing that if Sparrow tried to fight this Abraxas and she lost, that they might turn into slaves - or worse. And if they tried to flee? Who knew what kind of outcome that could lead to. He grit his teeth before speaking up. "I'd have to agree with Lillie," Lark said, somewhat dejectedly, almost hating himself for not even musing over whether fighting for their home was a possibility. "It's not a fight I'm willing to risk." Becoming a father truly had changed him, hadn't it? He hadn't realized it completely until now. Brandr had similar questions, important ones, and his ears swiveled as he listened to Abaven's lead hunter quietly before turning questioning eyes back to Sparrow.
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