I didn't respond immediately. Because the truth was that she wasn't entirely wrong.
There was a certain logic to what she was saying.
Taking in more people. More goblins. More responsibilities. More problems. Now more wolves. Every decision carried risks. Every additional responsibility was another burden placed on my shoulders.
And it wasn't as though I had never considered that before. I had more times than I could count. Even so, no matter how often I turned it over in my mind, I couldn't bring myself to agree with her. Maybe that made me foolish. Maybe it made me reckless. Either way, it was who I was.
"The alternative is being cruel, grumpy, and alone, Ariel," I said. Then I looked down at the sleeping pup in my arms. "I'd pass on that."
Ariel frowned.
"Even if it means carrying the burden of many?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "I am strong enough to do that. Don't you think?"
The fox was silent for a moment. Then she shook her head and turned away.
