Blacktail Deer Plateau [Meeting] Trying to take what's lost and broken, make it right

Lasher's announcement surprised Malachi, if only because he had never considered the Betas to be anything but mates. Offspring sealed any pair's union, as far as tradition taught. No announcement was necessary but the bearing of pups: Lasher and Blue Willow had been bound to each other at the moment of their brood's conception, but it appeared the Betas only recognized this now. He couldn't deny the sure sign of affection passed between the lovers as they rose to depart. It was how he'd seen them approach one another since he'd arrived on the Plateau, yet he felt a stir of unease knowing they'd never considered themselves more than lovers until now.

But this practice marked just another difference between them, and Malachi withdrew from the others as they departed, feeling isolated and distant despite his proximity to the rest of the pack. He did not deny each of his packmates a small nod of farewell before he struck a path for a quiet spot away from the opinion of others. Ever since arriving in the Wilds nearly a year ago, he'd let himself be swayed by this voice and that, a wave tossed on the open sea. This time, he intended to make his decision by the tradition he'd been raised by, and let no one interfere with what he knew was right.