It felt… simple. Her explanation of the wolves whom she lived with. It was an interesting way to describe them, especially when her former home… well, she would not have used those words to describe anyone. Dedicated was not the first adjective… but perhaps it was one she could use to describe her former packmates.

I have daughters. One was very sick. We needed stability. All were short, distinct sentences… and yet? They pieces together a different story… of dedication to her children… a dedication her mother had never had to her.

And she’d been the only child.

“My parents.” She offered in simply response as she asked what had brought her there. “Specifically, their insistence that I live their way… under their paw. I wasn’t interested.” She didn’t take the time to dive into the nuances of it… not when the complexities of their social hierarchy still rubbed Kiona the wrong way.

There was a notable pause, and Kiona almost allowed a frown on her features… but she held her tongue, her gaze shifting to the other woman as she found words that quelled any doubt Kiona had about sharing the small piece of information regarding her home. “I’m sorry. It’s never easy…” She offered back, a return of sympathy, and the only way she knew to relate to the woman without sharing more of her own personal story.

She didn’t know the woman nearly well enough for that.

She blinked, picking up the pace to keep up with the woman as she trotted forward. “That was fast!” She offered up, a pleasant surprise in her tone as her tail waved a little faster from side to side. It was strange, to be on the receiving end of kindness from a stranger… such a concept had previously been foreign to her.

“My home didn’t warrant or accept kindness… much less offering it to strangers. I cannot thank you enough for this.”