Dante peered down into the hole, concern written plainly across his features as his brows furrowed tightly.

No injuries? he asked softly, worry heavy in his voice.

These children mattered to Apple, regardless of where her mind currently stood or how difficult things had become. And because they mattered to her, they mattered to him as well.

Slowly, carefully, Dante had been trying to integrate himself into their small circle, allowing the children to grow familiar with him without ever pushing too hard or overstepping boundaries.

When it became clear there were no immediate threats lurking nearby, some of the tension finally eased from his muscles. A quiet sigh escaped him.

At this rate, these children were going to give their mutter a heart attack.

The thought had barely crossed his mind before Pomegranate suddenly launched himself toward the edge of the hole, claws scrabbling furiously at the dirt while snapping his teeth wildly at it.

It clicked instantly.

Apple’s worried voice followed close behind, fretting about Pom tumbling in after his mother and sister.

Without hesitation, Dante surged forward.

Large jaws carefully caught the boy by the scruff before he hauled him firmly away from the edge and deposited him several feet back onto his rump with surprising gentleness.

Hey now, Dante rumbled softly, moving quickly to position himself between Pom and the hole to block any further attempts at scrambling toward it. We already have two wolves in the hole. We certainly do not need a third, hm?

Though his tone remained calm and patient, there was unmistakable concern lingering beneath it as emerald eyes flicked cautiously back toward the hole once more.