'For how long will you carry on like this?' Samantha asked. 'You do not suckle these pups the way you ought. You need to keep bonding with them or they will get closer to their nanny than with you. Of course, some Luna's like that because of their official engagements and all but I thought that you were the few who wouldn't want official duties interfere with your maternal ones!'

'Please don't start, Samantha!' I snapped. 'You have said enough. Don't you get tired? Do you know what it is like to be without the father of your pups? To feel that your beloved pups might just be responsible?'

'How...