Relief never felt so good

She smiled as her son lapped at her chin, but his affection did not meet his eyes. His eyes had gone from innocent and carefree to cold and unfeeling. His words ignited a fire in her. Taurig had left him. Coral eyes narrowed, but her anger was not towards her son. But rather, his father. His gaze would drop, a massive paw playing with the dirt. He was stutter, before hesitantly asking to return to her care.

"Look at me boy." She spoke with soft tones, but still commanding. She would wait for his gaze to lift before speaking. "You are always welcome here." Leaning towards him, her crown would drop, her stuck her nose under his jaw, pushing him to sit taller, to hold some confidence in the way he held himself.

"Zaria is here always. And I have created a pack in these lands. This will be your home. Your sister is Dauphina, heir to the throne. If you stay, you will be given a rank of authority." She was thrilled to have her son back in her care. He would thrive, she was sure of it. He was broken, she could see that, he wasn't telling her everything, but she would not push him. If he wanted to tell her, then he would.