Bramblepoint the graveyard, the turnaround, it changed in you somehow

There was a bear. "Of course," Skwol smiled. He thought no further on her comment than that — it would have surprised him to learn that the bear was considered an ally to the wolves and not merely another denizen of the land from which it drew its name.

"I hope it all works out for you," he said, genuinely wishing her and her pack well even as he felt his heart start to sink. If he looked down he half expected to see it land between his paws. The white wolf tried not to dwell on what was supposed to have been, to live in the present and not in the past or the future. It was something his parents were good at it. Something he was still learning. But each time he was reminded of where he thought he would be compared to where he was now his inner wounds cracked open and bled.

Skwol stood up. "I should be going. Perhaps our trails will cross again." He dipped his head and turned away. He would depart if she did not stop him.