What You Need Isn't Always What You Want

Just as Avacyn felt she didn't recognize her brother, so too did Saracyn feel like he didn't know the wolf standing before him now. He had thought out of anyone in the world that his sister would have had his back. He had been prepared to wage war against their mother's demands and their family's insipid laws with her, but Ava had caved in without any sort of a fight. Had he really meant that little to her? Did she really value her succession that much more than their relationship? That betrayal had cut him deep, and the one wolf he thought was on his side had shown where she stood. He couldn't understand Avacyn's obsession with her role and the family laws. Like he had told her once before, Saracyn would have burned the world down for her and forsaken their family in the name of their love. Now it was clear to him that Avacyn did not share that same level of devotion for him, and that struck him through the heart like a dagger plunged into his chest. Hell, a dagger probably would've been a gentler mercy at this point.

The look of pain and shock on Avacyn's face once would have made Saracyn withdraw his anger in favor of comforting her, but not this time. The tears in her obsidian eyes were warranted as far as he was concerned. She had made her decision and it hadn't been him. The only difference was he wouldn't cry about it. No, he'd just go, kill some things, and then maybe he'd come back when he'd settled down. Maybe. Or maybe he'd just run off. Who knew? At least then he'd have some semblance of choice and control back in his life again. Maybe Ava would regret her decision if he disappeared and didn't come back, or maybe Manea would realize how costly her overreach had been when her only son vanished without a trace. Ava did nothing to stop him this time as he stepped around her, and her lack of action made Sara's scowl deepen. Fine then... Saracyn released a heavy breath and began to walk away, not sure where he was going, but anywhere was better than here.

"You have never been second best... Not to me. You never will be."

Avacyn's words made Saracyn stop mid step, ears pricking to catch her shaking voice. Shock crossed his face and he turned to glance over his shoulder at her, but his violet twin was already up and walking away. She'd given up on him. That was expected. He would have given up on himself too. Sara lingered where he stood, watching Ava disappear back up the mountain path until she was gone from sight and he was sure she wasn't coming back. The prince's shoulders slumped, his soul deflating and heart broken. Turning away from his home, he gave a sharp whistle for his raptors and marched his way off the island to the Boreal mainland. With no direction and no plan, Saracyn set off on his own to find any sort of comfort he could find. Maybe he'd return home eventually... or maybe this was the last time he'd ever set foot on Alias Island.

- exit Saracyn -

"Saracyn Mendacium"