A Rose With No Thorns

Metas couldn't get comfortable - even with Myranda at his side, everything felt wrong. The sun was just about to get to the middle of the sky, and while everyone else was snoozing, Metas was tossing and turning in hopes he could fall asleep for just five goddamn minutes.

Just as he was turning over, he heard the 'click' from the door as someone pushed it open slowly. This of course pushed Metas to sit up and ready himself to attack whoever it was coming into their chambers with such bold--

It was Syri.

"Hey, little princess. What brings you here?" The Alpha asked with the softest voice he could muster.

"I had a bad dream. I want to sleep with Aunt Myri....I miss my mommy..." Syri sniffled and rubbed her eyes to wipe away the tears.

"Oh, absolutely - come on in here. You can take my spot, it's nice and warm." He offered and got up from the bed so he could pick up the toddler and give her a big hug. "Now, Aunti Myri is sleeping - and you know she can sleep really really good - so don't be alarmed if she doesn't wake up right away."

The Alpha King helped the small child into the bed and covered her up with the same care he had done for Myranda. His next plan was to sleep on the floor - but the young pup gasped in horror. "I forgot lion."

"I can get Lion. Would that be okay?"

Syri nodded her head and snuggled up close to her aunt.

"Very good, then. I'll go get him and come right back, okay?" The King smiled sweetly even through the ache in his heart - now for both his wife, and the suffering of this small pup who had done nothing wrong, and yet was taking the heaviest of burdens.

Metas left without another word, and went on a quest to find a ferocious, and yet sweet lion.

Once he left, Syri crawled in closer to her aunt and moved her top, limp arm up and over her. The little girl trembled and sobbed softly as she wrapped her arms tightly around Myranda's.

"Aunty Myri, please wake up....I'm scared..." she whispered as tears soaked her hair and the sheets below her. "I don't want to be alone..."

Syri's tiny voice was actually much louder than anyone's had been lately. Her cries echoed in Myranda's ear like a wailing infant. Lost in a maze no more, the Luna sprang to life and tightened her arms around the little girl and tried to hold back her own sorrow.

She missed Syranna just as badly as Syri. Syranna and Jyriah had raised her, after all - and Syranna was more of a mother than a sister. Hell, if it hadn't been for her, Myranda wouldn't be here right now. It was her elder sister that insisted she pursue Metas. It was her elder sister who had scolded Metas that night in the caves. It was her elder sister who even made Myranda feel like she was anything other than dirt before Metas came along.

In repayment, she vowed to care for Syri as though she were Syranna herself. That included middle-of-sleepy-time cuddles and reassurance. It also included having to be strong when you wanted to really just fall apart.

"Please don't leave me. I love you..." Syri sobbed.

"I love you too, sweetheart. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere," Myranda said softly, as her eyes opened for the first time in nearly a week and a half.

Where was she? What was this place?

As much as she wanted to freak out, she had a little kid depending on her to even and calm. A big whiff of air told her that Metas was here very recently - which meant he was likely coming back. She knew more than ever - that he wouldn't leave her side for long.

Myranda calmed herself further and began to run her fingers through Syri's red and gold hair that was a beautiful blend of her mother and father. Even though Silas was a horrible wolf, he did at least help give life to the gem that was her niece. Hell, the selfish jerk had actually stayed at her sister's side and shared her pain through her long labor, which was one of the /very/ few selfless things he did.

Syri was noting but a blossom of love, no matter how shitty and weedy her father was - she was a rose without thorns.

"Mandy?" Came Metas' deep, sweet voice.

The Luna turned her head over to smile at him, but ended up beaming when she beheld the giant male holding a very tiny stuffed Lion, and Syri's baby blanket that looked more like a washrag on his large forearm.

It made the moment much more sweet than bitter - especially after the young pup requested that Metas and Myranda tell her stories until she fell asleep between them on the giant bed. Just as the sun was starting to set, the three of them snoozed soundly as a brand new family.