book 2: ghosts

The pups had undoubtedly gotten into deep shit once more. An alligator had wandered a little close to the shore and of course, those little punks had antagonized it. After a struggle, pulling the group from the advance of the reptile, night had fallen and so had the beast. Allowing them time to pull teeth and whatever other body parts they wished to harvest, he never allowed his gaze to leave the shore. If another were close by, he would be the first to interfere this time. Once the pups are done, fully bloody and exhausted, he places them onto his back and carries them up to his rooms. Carefully washing them of the blood and gore that coats their puppy fur, he nestles them around Modesty to keep her and him warm.

He is about to lay himself down when a whimper reaches him. Instantly on alert, he feels the last dregs of adrenaline return. The hair along his spine bristles as he breaks from his family and moves out the door. It is then that he hears the cries and muffled thrashing. Concern and anger light his eyes as he bursts into Jael's room. There he expects someone to be... no he couldn't imagine what his mind wanted to say. He visibly releases a sigh of relief as he sees her alone, but he doesn't waste time. Rushing toward her, he lands beside her, on her makeshift bed of pelts and blankets, and curls himself around her so that her body is forced to still. Placing his nose beside hers, he lets out a gentle rumble that is meant to calm her nightmares.