with lavender on her grave

Alma had crawled from the crevice of rock before they left the maw, she was still clinging to his back, forgotten as the pups appeared. Verse was first, and Rhyme removed himself from his work at the grave as she scooted up to her mother’s tiny body. He looked to Shaye and silently asked for her to finished where he left off as he went to comfort his daughter. Almost more of their young lives had been spent with out Tana. He had no doubt how much the loss would hurt, however.

Theo appeared shortly after, her distressed voice something Rhyme would never be able to forget. He gave her a quick nuzzle as Noir barged through. The slate alpha was unable to give an explanation as Noi tried to retreat as quickly as he had come. There was no running from this conflict though. With only a few strides he intercepted his son and stared him down. This tactic wouldn’t have worked if he wasn’t already in trouble. He could see the rebellion in his son’s eye. ”Sit down.” He warned, and before his hackles could raise Noir had turned to seat himself with Verse and Theory.

He returned to where he had been standing next to the red cloak. He looked back into his children’s faces with sympathy. They had lost their mom before, and now they were doing so again. This time with no hope of her return.

”Today, on the other side of the volcano, your mother was attacked.” He started softly as he tried to catch their eyes, but they were filled with mist like his own threatened to do. ”A mountain lion took her life, as well as Basil.” he couldn’t help but sigh again as his gaze fell to the ground. The senseless death liked to ty and destroy him within. Rhyme had to be strong for his pups. His voice broke, and he looked to Shaye to explain the plan to put the cat down.

If she began to speak he’d find his feet, and gently offer his support to his grieving children. Giving a tender nudge, or kissing away tears.