The sudden movement of her friend startled Kirain, and she stared at her in wide-eyed surprise. That… wasn’t what she’d been expecting. This… this could be a problem.

You would leave the other two?! Her voice came out sharper and higher than she intended, and she immediately blanched at herself. Stardust, there are furs! You can wrap them up and carry the fur. There’s no reason to escape with just one! If he comes back and sees you with only one of them, what do you think he’d do to me? Letting you run off with his child, that could spell my doom, and the demise of my other children!

The remaining two pups began to squeak and wriggle, alarmed by the tension and the sudden absence of their sister.

Hush, little ones… Kirain whispered softly, trying to soothe the tiny, frightened things.

It was all hypothetical in Kirain’s mind, but clearly not so lighthearted in Stardust’s.

Take it easy, darling! Give me back Eilidh. Everything is fine. Nothing’s happening. Nothing at all, everything is so good. She tried to sound reassuring, but her tone came out too sweet, too forced, as though she were overcompensating for the panic rising in her chest.

Take a deep breath… Everything’s okay. Lestan wouldn’t hurt me… right? He’s a good man. Everything is fine.

Kirain rose to her feet and gently nipped at her friend’s shoulder, trying to stop her from bolting from the den. Come on, Stardust. It’s okay. Really.

She managed a small, wavering smile, though the shock still shone clearly in her wide, trembling eyes.