Phoenix Maplewood many men can't see the open road

Like Tavi, Reek was also slightly befuddled by Ukko's hushed departure. Tensions may have ran high, but Reek had offered a perfectly good (albiet difficult) way to redeem himself in the alpha's eyes. This opportunity, however, was completly squandered with Ukko's decision to leave. He had been the beta. He had been a contributing member of the pack. But now, there was only one title Reek would ascribe to such a deserter.

"He's a coward," he spoke, unable to hide the bitter intonation hiding behind his words. To abandon the pack in their time of need without saying goodbye was the lowest of the low, an insult of which Reek would never forgive. "If he wasn't happy, he should have told me," he continued after a beat. It would have been of little use, as it had always been Reek's intention to break his beta in retaliation after his outburst, but Ukko had never come forward and aired his grievances to the Alpha. There was nothing that could have been done.

Their party of two soon became three as Esaro approached. Opinion soiled after the pack meeting, Reek regarded him with nothing more than a grumbled, "Mhm," to answer his question. He would have sent him on his way, but following his question came a string of words that gave Reek's hackles rise. He lied.. "Explain," he barked shortly.