Word Count → 395
A small silver body trotted over to Kiara, her small face a blessing. Sarian had been so brave and was so wonderful. Children could heal even the worst wounds with just their presence and seeing Sarian safe and sound always cheered the snow wolf. Kiara unfolded herself enough to let Sarain in. The bond between the two wolves was not that of mother and daughter, but it still ran strong and deep. Just as Sarian licked her face and whispered words in their nonsense language, so too did Kiara. She licked the small pups back and replied in short bursts. Kiara would keep Sarain safe. Amy would never get to her.
Their conversation was simple and sweet. Sarain talked about the snow and how she wished to run with Kiara again. Kiara responded just as any adult would, "of course." Approaching footsteps cut them off. The arctic wolf's head jerked up but her vision swirled at the sudden motion. Kiara lips pulled back to reveal her teeth, worried that the approaching figure was Amy. Soft words drifted through the air, but Kiara dare not trust them. When her vision cleared there was Shiloh, speaking to her in soothing tones.
Kiara closed her mouth and allowed Shiloh to approach. Her head turned away in shame. As Shiloh worked, the snow wolf slowly uncurled to allow Shiloh to reach her bleeding belly. Kiara whimpered a little as the water stung her neck. The wound was open in a few spots and it was tender to the touch. Shiloh's hands were soft and gentle, much like the words of her daughter. Shiloh begged for Kiara to talk, but she just sat in silence. Her tongue was heavy and thick as wool, making talking something she really didn't want to do.
Kiara tried her best to surround herself in this feeling, the feeling of family and kindness. But there was Amy's face again, the yellow dog smiling in her sickly sweet way. The snow wolf balked, her head rearing back and her ears flat against her skull. Kiara curled herself defensively around Sarian, and the small puppy whined. The snow wolf looked between Sarian, Shiloh, and the place where Amy's face had been. Another illusion.
With a heavy sigh she released her charge and sat up. "Sorry Sarian, Shiloh." Her voice came in a soft whisper. "I'm okay, really."
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