She was a team player for sure, the way she swallowed the root even though he could tell from her face that it tasted horrible. He was glad that he'd never been made to eat something like that, at least not yet. The wounds from the bear attack had all but healed on their own and though they left a nice scar from his claws, Dexter didn't mind it in the slightest. Add it to the rest of the bite marks that riddled his body beneath his thick fur and it all went together nicely. He could see her worry about the boy and it made his own chest tighten, wanting to rid her of that worry in whatever way he could. He was glad Zeltzin was there to assure her that he could still live a nice normal life. Perhaps in time he would have to introduce her to Tuari after all, if only to show her that muteness does not make a wolf any less of a wolf. He saw Tuari as quite strong and capable. She was the best hunter in the pack. He went to Talien, wanting to comfort her in these time of anxiety as she got over the news that her son would be a mute. She was beautiful as a mother and he couldn't take his eyes from her. She gave the girl a name and then he offered his name for the boy, watching as she murmured it repeatively before nuzzling the pups and wagging her tail. She told him that Eztli was a good name and he beamed at her, happy that she approved.

She could have easily overrode his name and he would have gone along with anything she suggested, if only to make her happy, but at least he did something right this time. He could feel Zeltzin's judgement halfway across the den but he knew she meant well. Everyone wanted him to be happy, just not like this. They expected him to be with one mate and one love and have one family. He hadn't meant for it to happen but he also knew he couldn't live on what-if's and change the past. That was impossible. So instead he had to live in the now but while he smiled on the outside, he was eternally suffering inside. He had caused this and someone was going to get hurt. His joy was shadowed by pain and a feeling of loss and he hadn't even gotten up the strength to tell Talien about Tuari. He knew Tuari know about his feelings for Talien but she didn't know that he had pups with her now. Talien had no idea about Tuari as far as he knew and both deserved to know of the other. He knew he would have to tell them and take whatever consequences it would bring but for now, this was a happy moment and he wouldn't see it ruined.

His children already meant the world to him. With just one glance, they had each stolen a piece of his heart that he knew he would never get back, nor would he want to. They were perfect and beautiful and forever his. He would be crushed if anything ever happened to any of them or if either female decided to exclude him from their lives. He understood now more than ever how low Zeltzin must feel after losing a child. He couldn't bear the thought. Talien was shattered by the news of Eztli being mute but Dexter didn't see his son as anything less than perfect, no matter what. He knew from Tuari that the boy could live a normal life though Talien didn't know that yet. Zeltzin was nice not to bring it up but he knew she would give him an earful when he saw her next. He deserved every bit of it. Zeltzin wanted names and while he knew she wasn't rushing him for them now, he was happy enough to let Talien choose the girl's name after her grandmother and then it was up to him to name his son.

He knew the boy would probably feel misunderstood, maybe even like an outcast, just as he did when he was young. Somehow the word for blood came to mind when he looked at him. It made him think of his darker parts, what called to him when he was only a pup himself. How he had dragged himself from Taviora to Diveen to see the blood from a crime at such a young age. That was how he'd met Calliel. So he chose the name but figured his family and Talien would give it a different meaning, like the blood that holds family together and that was fine too. Zeltzin seemed satisfied, saying she would be back to check on them and he nodded in gratitude. He watched her leave then hurried to Talien's side, curling up around her and their small family. He smirked and licked her cheek.

"You heard her. You should probably rest now. I'll stay on watch."