The Secrets That You Keep

Seeing his mother's smile, hearing her laugh, it had made acting silly all the more worth it. He would have done anything to bring her just an ounce of the joy she had given them every day she was their mother because she deserved it. Artorias was thrilled to hear his mother state that she, Sirius, and Ulric would teach him everything he needed to know about what it meant to be a good leader and a good wolf. Picking up the pieces where Resin had left off with him. His greatest fear when she began to slip away from them hadn't been that he was losing his mother, but that he was losing his mentor, his role model, his guiding light before he could finish learning what she had to teach him. Brining dishonor to her family name... the thought was unbearable. Everything he did, he did for the protection and wellbeing of his loved ones, his family, his pack. He had seen Resin be the bulwark to keep them safe from all the dangers of the world, and perhaps one day he would also be the shield that guards their realm. Maybe...

His playful threat to stab any of Tamsyn's boyfriends had its intended effect, and he couldn't help but snicker when she rolled her eyes and proclaimed to not know what to do with him. Batting his eyelashes over big amber eyes, he replied in a sickeningly sweet, innocent voice, "Love me forever and ever and let me stab the unworthy wolves?" He grinned back and was eager to bump his nose back against her, seeing the familiar spark of life that had always been in her mint eyes returning to her. Pride swelled the boy's heart; even if just temporarily, he had brought his mother back. Once this was all said and done, he made a vow to work hard to make sure things stayed that way. Tamsyn thanked him, and he smiled bashfully, ears flicking back while she complimented his sweetness and kindness. That he had learned from her, and he hoped she knew that. Resin had taught him to be firm, to make tough decisions and take hard action, but Tamsyn had shown him how to love and how to live to be happy. Both lessons from his two dichotomous parents had been crucial to his development.

Her kiss to his cheek made him chuckle again, smiling through the sheepishness—only to blink in surprise when Tamsyn commented about Briar loving his sweetness too. His mouth dropped open in shock and he immediately went to refute that, but his mother was already running away with a lively giggle, disappearing down the trapdoor back into the tower. His smile widened, and Artorias sprung to his paws and raced after her. "Hey! It's not like that! Moooom! It's not like that!" he called after her, all but shouting, "It's not a crush!"


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"