The Beauty of You - Part 2

RETH

It was hard to be certain through the tears, but Reth gathered that Elia had been trying to get Elreth to sleep, had been looking forward to some time with him alone, and instead he'd burst in like bear, getting Elreth all excited and being completely oblivious to his mate's efforts.

Reth felt terrible that she was sad. First he stood, Elreth still in his arms and gathered Elia to his chest, holding her and swinging them both, giving Elreth a dominating look when she tried to make him play. She'd sighed and put her little cub chin on his shoulder, but she stopped struggling.

Stroking Elia's back and murmuring to her that he was there and he would help, shushing her protests, he swayed with both of them—a movement that he'd noticed often settled Elreth quickly—until it was suddenly a tiny human bottom in the palm of his hand, and little fingers clawed into his neck.