Thalina let out a breathless laugh, her fingers gently wiping away the pup's tears.
"You spoke," she murmured, eyes shining. "And I heard you."
Vanora whimpered softly, pressing her tiny paws against Thalina's chest, as if testing if she was real.
Thalina chuckled, kissing the top of her head once more.
"I hear you, little one," she promised, holding her close. "I always will."
Vanora let out a tiny hiccup.
Then—
She finally, finally wagged her tail.
For a second, it was slow, hesitant, almost unsure—
And then it sped up.
Her little pink tail blurred with excitement as she wriggled in Thalina's arms.
"You really hear me?!" she gasped, eyes wide with wonder.
Thalina grinned, nodding. "Loud and clear."
Vanora's ears perked up, her little paws pressing insistently against Thalina's cheeks as if to make sure she was really listening.
"Then tell me why you left me, Mama!" she wailed dramatically. "Do you know how lonely I was?!"
