Kirain watched from the den as her husband paced and fretted, clearing and preparing with restless energy. His anxiety tugged at her heart, yet at the same time, it made her profoundly proud to call him her mate. Their children were proving to be anxious little things, much like their father. She wasn’t sure whether to find it amusing or heartbreaking that they had inherited such indecisiveness.

For now, they simply watched their father work, wide-eyed and curious. Lestan seemed so certain that the threat from the sky was of the utmost concern, but Kirain tempered his fear as best she could.

Then, little Faolán stumbled forward, surprisingly brave, all things considered, and Kirain smiled encouragingly. She had only just turned her gaze to reassure her daughters when a shadow flickered at the edge of her vision. Her head snapped up in time to see a bird diving, talons outstretched.

With a deep, guttural growl, she lunged to cover her son, every protective instinct flaring to life. The hawk thought better than to challenge teeth with talons and veered sharply away. Kirain’s heart thundered in her chest, a new and terrible fear rooting itself within her. Grabbing Faolán by the scruff, she retreated swiftly into the den, urging her other two deeper inside.