I Thought You Were Gone Forever

Bramble is a busy daughter, taking her role within the pack seriously. Not a day went by that she didn't spend every waking moment doing something. Whether is patrolling, cooking, cleaning (anything but her own room), practicing, teaching, and sitting in on meetings, Bramble was doing it all. By the time her head hit the pillow every night, she would near instantly fall asleep from exhaustion. It was safe to say she was avoiding her room, her life, and all the worry that niggled at the back of her head. Not only was there threat of an enemy on the horizon, but Tate was nowhere to be found. No longer did he linger around the grove in their meeting spot. While she'd been contemplating whether staying with him was a good decision or not, his absence made her realize that she needed him in her life.

So though she has little hope for Tate to attend the summer festival, Bramble still takes her time to get ready. Bathing, brushing, and braiding her fur to near perfection. Her bright teal eyes encased in a slight shimmer of makeup borrowed from Clove. Makeup wasn't entirely her thing, but tonight, she wanted to feel pretty. Leaving her room as much of a disaster as it usually was, she finally made her way down the multiple staircases and out into the plains.

Already, so many wolves appeared. Wolves from her family and ones she had no idea who they even were. It seemed word had gotten out and attendance was higher than she could ever remember. Taking a deep breath, she puts on a cordial smile and makes her way over to her mother and father. Greeting both of them and all of her siblings and their dates in turn, her eyes finally land on Dusk and Sitri. Excitement zaps across her face as her tail begins to wag furiously. 'Is that him?!' Bramble mouths, taking a few steps toward her sister and the boy who clearly had been the one Dusk had confided in her about.

As she nears, a familiar scent wafts over to her, forcing her paws to stop. Freezing, eyes widening, her attention is suddenly drawn to a chocolate and white splashed figure weaving in and out of the crowd. How long had it been since he'd disappeared? Breathless, her heart slamming into her chest, Bramble can't believe it. Was she imaging him?

When their gazes finally meet after a few painful moments, Bramble's jaw actually drops. Her eyes feel misty, but she holds them back. Instead, she makes her way as quickly as she can without being noticed. As soon as she's within in distance, Bramble quickly wraps Tate up in an embrace, burying her face into his neck. Happiness and fury and relief all swirl around inside of her as she pulls back, her smile developing into a scowl. "You can't ever do that again," she hisses under her breath, her eyes still watery and fighting to hide all the emotions that swell up.