Facing Shadows

"A while..." He wondered how long 'a while' was. It wasn't surprising that he hadn't noticed considering he himself had been scarce from Abaven, choosing to focus on finding suitable lands and trying to work for his future, and the future of his niece and nephew. When she smiled, he knew it was forced. Last time he'd seen her she had cowered in front of him. And the last pack meeting? He couldn't remember how she'd been then, but probably not happy at that time, either. He didn't immediately say anything as he looked her over. Asides from her old scars, she looked relatively unharmed. But that was just the outside. He couldn't fathom what she might be feeling on the inside.

"Are you here to drag me back?" He was almost surprised when she asked that. Did she think that's what his reason for coming out here was? He shook his head, forgetting for a moment that she couldn't see him. "No. I got demoted, so I don't have that sort of power. Even if I still did, I wouldn't force you somewhere you don't want to be." He sighed and sat down, shoulder slumping when he thought about it. It still angered him, but as soon as he left the pack he wouldn't have to deal with that anymore. "I'm not here to hurt you, either." He was curious though. Why did she leave? "Why are you out here alone, anyway? Don't you have pups back in Abaven?"