Elli blinked, green eyes widening. The conversation had suddenly taken a slightly dark turn. “I’m sorry,” she said softly to both of them. “But here in Amberbjorne, you’re safe now. You won’t have to worry about being cast out or killed or any of that . . . my mother and I are the two zetas, so we take care of pups; with that said I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot of you two. If you like, I can begin teaching you about how a pack works if you don’t already know. Ranks, all that stuff. And I’m sure if you should find a rank you fancy, we can speak to Themis and Mabbit about finding you a way to train.” Elane’s protective, motherly side was coming out, and she couldn’t help but want to care for Water and Dragonfire . . . they had queer names, but she kind of liked them. They were unique names to give pups, that was for certain.

“Step one, you say, we need to talk, he walks, you say sit down it’s just a talk.”