Given how fiercely protective Ren had been of his family, Hana fully expected him to give an immediate, resounding yes.
Instead, Ren paused, his icy blue eyes softening with a deep, complex warmth as he looked at Mina.
"That decision is entirely up to my sister to make, Hana," Ren replied softly, his voice steady. He turned his gaze to Hana, his expression filled with absolute respect for the household hierarchy. "And more than that... I would need your permission to bring her along. She is an adult now, at an age where she needs to find her own path, find her mates, and start her own family. It isn't as simple as me making decisions for her anymore."
He let out a low, heavy sigh, his black-striped tail giving a tense flick against the snow. "But selfishly... I would really like her to come with us. I want to keep an eye on her and ensure her safety, especially now that the tribe has chosen to view me as an enemy. Leaving her here alone worries me."
