Burning Like Fire

Still she was growing accustomed to being a parent to Psalm and Hymn. They were too young to understand that she was not their birth parent. They seemed closer to Novel in some ways -- it was she that had fed them from birth, so the relationship they shared was understandable. She could only hope they would stay close to her, and love her, even when they realized that she was not a parent by blood. She dreaded the day when they would have to find out -- and she could only hope today wouldn't be that day.


The unfamiliar scent of a stranger suddenly impinged on her senses. Instantly she drew herself closer to the boys, an uncomfortable look stretching across her features. It was not someone from Sawtooth, and a flash of fur out of the corner of her eye told her that someone was near. Protectively she felt her hackles raising, turning to face the male, a stranger to her. He had not yet trespassed and yet she felt a pit of fear forming in her stomach at the way he spoke and how strangely he eyed the boys. Novel instantly reacted, bristling with anger. "Novel," she began under her breath, forcing herself to keep her voice level. "Who is this?" There was unmistakable recognition in her gaze as she watched him, but Ara knew exactly who it was. Novel's reaction said it all. Never had she seen her angry at all -- let alone this angry.


Her stomach would lurch as Psalm rushed forward toward the male. Knowing she would be putting herself into danger by being so close to this male -- but truly not caring -- she would rush forward, aiming to grab Pslam by his scruff and yank him away from potential danger.