He knew that his father would be elated to know he had more grandchildren and really, he couldn't think of anyone better for advice on how to deal with the situation he was finding himself in. Sure, he expected to be told something like "follow your heart" or some other cheesy nonsense but he would still listen if only to indulge his father. He knew Coza wouldn't upbraid him or anything like that about it but he did expect some disappointment for letting his animal instincts override his mind. He knocked up two different girls in the same winter season and got both their hopes up that he would be with them and now he had to clean up his mess but in the meantime, he had brought five other lives into the mix and now they would have to pay the price for his mistake too. He wanted to be in their lives more than anything, all of them. They were his kids, his precious children and nothing would ever change that. But he also wanted both females in his life and he knew that was selfish but he couldn't change the way he felt. Tuari had been his best friend since childhood and she was his secret keeper and his confidante. He felt like he could always open up to her and tell her everything and anything that was going on in his life and he knew she would never turn her back on him. Even when he broke her heart, she still didn't hate him and he knew he deserved it.

Talien was so trusting and kind hearted and she had all but given her entire life to him ever since they first laid eyes on each other in the free lands. She had followed him into a hunt and then over the borders of Taviora without a second thought of her other options. She had decided, to his surprise, to join his pack without him even knowing and he could tell by the look in her eyes every time that it was because of him. It was like her whole world already revolved around him and he liked it. She brought out a different side of him and made him feel that things were possible for him, other things besides the chaos he had lived in ever since he could remember. He knew his life was like this because of his own choices, not anyone else's. Don't get him wrong, he didn't blame his parents or siblings or anyone for the way he grew up. He knew that he was the one who put himself on the outside looking in. He was the one who constantly ran off to find crime scenes and gory messes in other packs. He was the one who chose to leave Moladian and hunt down killers. He didn't blame anyone but himself for how messed up he was inside. But Talien reminded him that there were other things to life. Maybe that's why she was his weakness, because she saw him for him without seeing the dark passenger.

He could only hope to make Coza proud in everything he was doing now. He had come back and was throwing himself into tasks for Taviora and for others, even helping a complete stranger find his sister and he didn't find out the kid's name until just a few hours ago. He was wanting to help more than anything and he wanted his pack and family safe. He felt guilty for not being here when Amoxtli was poisoned or when Zeltzin's daughter was killed. Maybe he couldn't have done anything to stop it but maybe he could have. He would never know and it was killing himself. He carried around so much and he knew that he didn't need to. He knew that thinking about it endlessly wouldn't change what happened and wouldn't make it better but it's just the wolf he was. He was a killer but he was a killer of killers. He wanted justice for all, even if he had a very messed up way of getting it. He knew that Coza couldn't fight and defend like he used to do and it probably wasn't the best retirement for such an active wolf as he always was but Dexter did want his father to have the rest he always deserved. He wanted Coza to know that everyone would be okay when he finally closed his eyes for the last time. He wanted him to know that everyone was going to be safe and there would be peace and death would not win in this.

His father turned back with a smile on his face and a wag in his tail and Dexter's heart lifted to see his father always so happy to see him. He gave Coza a knowing smile as he got closer, knowing his father was probably checking him for wounds even now because that's just the wolf Coza was. A protector to the end. He called his name and he smiled and wagged his tail back in return, falling into step with Coza. He could tell Coza's leg was giving him trouble and he scowled thoughtfully, wondering if his father took any herbs for it or if he was being stubborn. Maybe he could drop some stuff off for him and just see if he took it if he thought it was from anonymous. Though, knowing his father, he would probably figure it out. Plus Zeltzin was probably already bringing him stuff, as motherly as she had become. He nodded in agreement when Coza told him that he was doing fine, but admitted that he was stiff and had to keep moving. Then he told him that Asriel was more independent and wandered around a lot, like he had done as a kid. His eyes twinkled at the memories and he nodded again.

"Hopefully I'll run across him again sometime. Does Zeltzin bring you anything for your stiffness, dad? I'm sure I can scounge up something."

He scowled again at his dad's stiff gait. He wanted to help everyone any way he could. Suddenly Coza was sniffing him and then he asked him about littles ones and Dexter stiffened a little. Dang, and here he was thinking he could ease him into it. No turning back now. He took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh before nodding.

"Yeah, I have. I, um, have news, dad. And...I need advice."

He took a moment to make sure his father was listening which he knew he would be. Coza was always a great listener and never one to pass judgement until he had thought of all the possible angles. He was a great teacher and so much more. Bracing himself, Dexter started.

"I'm a father, dad. Five kids, matter of fact. Four girls, one boy. The problem is...they're in two different litters....from two different girls. I'm sure you remember Tuari, my childhood best friend when Zeltzin and I started to separate...and then there's this new girl I met last summer. Her name is Talien. I, uh, I messed up, dad. I don't know how these emotions work. I don't know how to be a m-mate. I don't know how to be in a relationship. "

He stuttered over the word, having never had to say it before and yet knowing the weight of what came with it. He knew it meant forever, till death. He knew it meant two wolves in love and no one could tear them apart. He looked down at his paws for a minute, his brow furrowed in deep thought. Then he looked back up at Coza, his gaze almost pleading.

"Dad, I don't know what to do. I think I'm falling for two very different girls. Tell me I'm a fool. Tell me I'm stupid and I got myself into this mess. Tell me a thousand times how I should have just stayed away and then there wouldn't be two hearts set to be broken and five lives turned upside down all because of one great big stupid mistake. Tell me I'm a heartless monster, dad. It's not like I haven't told myself every bit of that and more. I'm a failure, dad. I don't deserve love, let alone those beautiful children that call me dad now."