Wurd count: 360.
It was only when Kaena did not consider Vieira in moral terms—that is, forcibly shoving such thoughts from her head—that the girl's existence, her position within the clan, their relationship, even made sense. When Rikka had confronted her Kaena had begun to crumble, the pale silver-and-gold she-wolf striking tiny holes into her mother's mentality, her belief system surrounding Vieira. It was true—there was no good reason for Kaena to keep Vieira as she was. Even so, the silver-furred hybrid was hesitant to release her. She was a resource, a precious and valuable resource. With her, Kaena simply had less to worry about. She had support, unfailing and unflinching, always ready to do exactly as she was asked.
The dusky grey canine did not need Vieira to survive, true, but it would seem to her that their relationship made both of their lives easier. Vieira no longer had to deal with the abuse dealt out by Eris, Sivaro, and her very own father. Kaena was not that bad to Vieira, and she knew it. Still, it would have been the high ground to simply release her and let her do as she wanted. Still, Kae did not know if the other canine was even capable of surviving on her own. She had always been dependent on others, kept carefully subservient and absolutely reliant on others for her survival. It was a careful balance to keep her that way, and even if Kaena did not release Vieira on her own, eventually her behavior would reveal to the girl that she was more than she seemed, more than a simple tool existing to make others' lives easier.
The other canine's tongue continued on down her neck, with the silvery-gray hybrid enjoying the feeling of being comforted—even if it was not intended as comfort—by the smaller canine. If only the rain or the tongue of another could wash away the pain and the memories, perhaps then Kaena would be better off. Her yellow-golden eye opened and she looked to the other canine still hard at work, a very disconcerting sense of pity washing over the Centurion for her charge.
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