i may not follow, i may not lead, just walk beside me

Mercury listened. He didn't tell her that she had too much loyalty or say that she shouldn't worry so much about the safety of the pack like Art would have. Maybe he did understand. Maybe she'd finally found someone who saw the dangers of the world as strongly as she did. Art and those wolves born and never leaving the Hallows were sometimes too... not dumb, of course, but trusting. And they deserved to be able to keep that sense of safety! But at least one of them had to be the suspicious one. Avantika had never trusted the world outside of her pack, and so far she'd never met anyone that contradicted that belief.

He spoke softly, confirming that yes, he understood, and bumped her shoulder gently. He promised that they would keep the pack safe together. Avantika smiled back at him. It wasn't a cure-all for her anxiety, but it helped, knowing she wasn't alone. "I'm glad you're here," she said. "The Hallows is lucky to have you."

"Speech"