Growing pains

Lurid eased herself back down as the boy apologized and asked if they could go home. Part of her wanted to relent and say they could, but the sensible part knew they couldn't, and that was the part she needed to listen to. With a sigh she scooped her adopted son into a warm embrace, and gave a regretful whine. "No, Little Love, we must do this. But fear not, we are only going to chase rabbits today." She hugged him close and smiled into the small boy's scruff. It truly pained her to be hard with him, but it was for his own good. At least she was not like her own father, who would have shaken her senseless for such a comment.

Lurid sighed again and pulled back to look deep in those ocean blue eyes. "One day you will understand. You will have to eat somehow." Nodding her head toward a rabbit warren not far off, where a big buck rabbit sat. "Just one bunny..." She whispered, almost like she wanted him to keep it a secret and not tell the rabbits.