it holds me till i break

"This one will be Ice," He murmured. He would be as strong as the Northern home they lived in. Ice could be both strong and beautiful. And this boy would be both. Turning to the black and white pup, he was reminded of the black and white creatures he often saw off their coast. Creatures he learned were called Orca's, but also bore another name he'd heard. Sea wolves. He leaned in and gently touched the top of his daughters head. "Orca," It was fitting. She would be a wolf of the Northern Sea, just as beautiful and powerful as the creatures that roamed it. Finally, when he laid eyes on the last pup, he nearly froze. Although white wolves weren't unusual, this one he couldn't help but feel like she was different. She had an uncanny resemblance to someone he once knew, and as he carefully looked her over, he couldn't help but feel like it was fate. She...she had been brought back to him...he felt choked up, wondering if she'd have the same eyes that his beloved once had. There was no doubt in his mind what her name would be. "Winter..." He swallowed past the lump in his throat. Would Heloise be upset he named their daughter that? She didn't know the story yet behind that part of his past...

He'd tell her someday. He knew that.

"They're beautiful," He murmured as he sought out her gaze before fiercely nuzzling and pressing his head into her neck. They were beautiful. She was beautiful. He had gotten lucky with her. With them. He felt like his heart would explode with both love and pride. He had a family. And although he knew he already had one, this was a different sort of feeling. He had a true family born from his own blood. And together with the others he had taken as his own, he knew he had one big family that he loved and trusted.