Phoenix Maplewood many men can't see the open road

The day of reckoning approaced at a slow, trudging pace and the pack readied itself to fight a war. The raiding party had been assembled with care, and it was only a matter of time before they chased this foul, fledgling pack that had taken up residence to the west into oblivion and onwards. As the day drew closer, a peculiar sinking feeling had settled in the pit of Reek's gut. It wasn't fear, as Reek was sure the Maplewood would return victorious, but a nervous apprehensive feeling had taken root. A quaver. A spark.

He was unable to sit still. He fidgited about the territory, bouncing from one place to the next with a nearly manic energy. From the borders, to the caches, to the clearing, to the stream; Reek walked with little purpose other than satisfying his desire for moment.  

He passed the den that Ukko had previously occupied. His scent had already begun to fade. Tavi's however, remained strong as ever. In fact, she stood not far away, inspecting the den that she had shared with her compatriot (or as Reek would have called him; boyfriend-not-boyfriend). There was as sadness to her expression and Reek struggled to empathise, but he mirrored her sadness in the best he could. "He's gone Tav," spoke the alpha as he approached. "I'm so sorry." His apology, sincere as it was, was not for being the one responible for Ukko's absence, but one levied in Ukko's place, for the pain he had caused her himself.