His agony

Ever just stood, staring at me silently, his expression a mixture of frustration and lost hope. Because he too knew the answer, she would never believe me. I said quietly, "You need to go home. It's been a week since Gwen finished her heat. She's going to need you tonight."

Now his expression looked pained for an entirely different reason. His mate had finished her heat seven days ago, and within hours, he would either scent a pup in her belly, or she would begin the process of expelling the birthing byproduct no longer needed in the absence of a pup.

He nodded, turned and left.

I sank back down into the chair. After another moment, I finished my drink. I missed my little mouse. There was still some daylight left, and there was some place I wanted her to see.

"Where are we going?" She looked up at me curiously as we walked through the woods.

"A place of refuge and adventure I went to as a young pup."

"Oh," she breathed and then lapsed into silence.

After a moment, I asked, "Did you se