Heron Lake Plateau fake happy

Clover spoke first and Towhee managed a watery smile for her sister. Then her attention shifted to the two wolves whose say mattered more. She refused to blink during Finley's entire speech, causing her eyes to burn and water. At least, that's what she would tell anyone who asked why there was a single tear running down her cheek, a la Dean Winchester:



Elwood corroborated his mate and all Towhee could do for several moments was stand there and try to breathe through the immense waves of emotion rolling over her. She didn't trust her voice just yet. Plus, she wanted to give herself a moment to process and gather her thoughts.

"Okay," she finally said, her answer as simple and succinct as Finley's earlier response to Clover's rant. "I won't quit. I'll step up," she embellished slightly, still a little too overwhelmed to add much more.

In lieu of words, she stepped forward and offered up the greeting she'd neglected to give earlier. She first bumped her nose to her uncle's cheek, then turned to Finley and simply pressed her entire upper half into her godmother's neck. In case Clover didn't get her unspoken cue, Towhee waved at her to join the group hug too.

"Thanks guys," she muttered into the small space in between them, "for believing in me even when I don't believe in myself." With that, her throat closed and she didn't say anything else, just clinging weakly—and gratefully—to the best support system an imperfect young Alpha could possibly ask for.