What does it mean?

He was not happy with Briar. Marshal had scouted her exit to the pack and ensured she was watched and safe on her journey to the Southern pack. All the same, Sirius was remarkably lenient with his children. Despite how young they were, he gave them a large amount of freedom. His rules were only to ensure their safety as they learnt and explored. Having one of his children flaunt his rules and leave without an experienced guide frustrated him. She knew she needed only to ask for Marshal, the Bear, or Bast and would be relatively free with her silent watcher.

When the trouble in question approached him, he regarded her with stern eyes, and withheld the affection he was always so free with when it came to his kids. Instead he lightly leaned over and tapped her nose with a paw. “Ask your question first, and then we will speak after.”