Sick of Riddles [Sparrow]

Sparrow wanted to scream. Why did Peregrine always make her want to scream? It was frustrating how much she wanted to beat the shit out of the other woman and then force her to stay.

Peregrine said leadership suited her. That was a lie. She said she hoped it was treating Sparrow well. A dry laugh escaped Sparrow's lips.

"Me too," she said. "Tell me, how many wolves do you scent on the borders? Most of the pack left-" Sparrow hesitated for just a moment, swallowing. She had told Peregrine about her family, right? "Along with my father and sister. If I'm not able to bring in more wolves, Abaven will die by my paw."

Peregrine seemed honestly regretful and it was harder than Sparrow cared to admit to not just try to comfort the other woman. Peregrine said she never intended to be another wolf coming in and out of Sparrow's life.

Another dry laugh.

"I don't know what I expect anymore," she said flatly.

Peregrine said she came to check in and Sparrow's ears flattened. She didn't know why that phrase seemed to cut her heart. "Check in? Y- you're planning on leaving again already?"

Sparrow didn't realize her voice had cracked. Her cold, angry exterior shattering in an instant, revealing the needy, lonely Sparrow. The Sparrow who had lost most of her family and suddenly became the alpha. The Sparrow who's only friends vanished for seasons at a time without a word.

Suddenly, it was like she was a little kid again.

"What's making you leave? If- even if it's not forever... would it be so bad to stay-" with me, she thought "-just for a little while?"

Sparrow's eyes dropped to Peregrine's paws for a moment before she looked back up to the larger woman as if to ask 'please.'