that was one hell of a field trip

Artorias shushed Avantika gently and told her that she was home and she'd never had to go back there again. She felt like she was collapsing into his hug, the soft warmth of a brother and an alpha who would never let her or their pack get hurt, and letting her worries melt away into his fur. He continued, telling her that he would never expect her to do something like that for the pack and that she did the right thing. She'd been looking at her paws for most of her description, so she hadn't seen the lack of surprise in his face when she'd mentioned Chimera's slaves. She was still operating under the assumption that he hadn't known before she told him.

They drew apart, Avantika smiling gratefully at Art as he smiled reassuringly at her. Despite being a season younger than her, he'd always acted like he was the big sibling. He'd seemingly matured so much faster than her. She wondered whether he felt overwhelmed by all his responsibility like she would in his place. He praised her again and told her to get some food and rest, and she would.

"Speech"