Forgiveness in a Small Package

He looked at his little sister, expression watchful concerned as she admitted to being exhausted more than worn. She looked it, but she seemed so put together and certain, so it was difficult to see the underlying mess behind her gentle, watchful eyes. He nudged her gently with his snout, easily enough with her curled up between himself and Bast.

He growled softly at the reminder of her murdering father, and how this was part of the reason she could not sleep. In that moment, he hated his inability to sleep without hurting those around him. “How about I make a third branch in my den, you and Bast can sleep there?’ he suggested softly. He couldn’t offer himself, but it hadn’t passed his notice how his little sister and cat companion had bonded. His eyes upon her were gentle, any of moodiness, or bastardly personality melted away. He genuinely cared for the wolf beside him.

“If I can do anything to make it easier for you, just let me know. For now, how about see if you can get some more shut eye?” he asked gently, nuzzling her again, before starting a slow, rhythmic grooming of her fur behind her ears, in the hope the gentle massage might lull her into sleep.