tempting newborns

Zephyr had been exceedingly patient while his mother recovered and the puppies began to grow. Having a litter of little ones almost ready to roam the halls was equal parts exciting and terrifying; what if they didn't like him? What if they thought having a bird for a brother was weird, and rejected him? He knew from experience that even adult wolves found him scary to look at at times and an intimidating presence in their homes, what if the puppies felt that way too? With half his heart he worried and worried and worried, while the other half swelled with love, affection, and unbridled excitement.

Today was the day that the puppies would be unleashed from their bedchambers and it was all Zephyr could do but not sit outside the door in wait. He made himself a place on the floor of the great hall instead, set on winning the small hearts of the younglings with some of his favorite things - food. Hopefully the alluring scent of the meats laid out carefully around him would bring a curious and hungry nose over while he absently busied himself by passing a small child's toy back and forth between his talons. The picture of subtlety.

"Zephyr"