Phoenix Maplewood darling, a bad romance

"Thanks," she said, and even managed a grateful smile. She was haggard compared to how she'd been a month ago, but even now she was better than when she had last seen Casmir, physically at least. Mentally and emotionally she was so drained she wondered if she was even alive somedays. She felt zombie-esque. To be told she didn't look completely like a corpse was reassuring.

She was surprised to learn of the plateau's move and to hear that Lasher had more children, but not to hear that Dante was still involved. She almost asked what Casmir thought of him, but managed to hold her tongue with a personal reminder that it didn't matter. Instead, she tried to focus on the positives: "little sisters, huh? Hard to believe it's already been that long since you were born." It was even harder to believe she would soon be welcoming her first litter into the world, albeit under less than ideal circumstances.

She wanted to ask more about them, but as Casmir explained the reason for his departure, she found it hard to grasp the words. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said, thinking momentarily of Junior and how her sister had almost succumbed to infection as well. Her heart wrenched painfully in her chest and before she could stop herself, she blurted, "my mate cheated on me, so I kind of get it." Saying it aloud still brought tears to her eyes, but she fought them as best she could and said, "how upsetting it is to lose someone, I mean. I'm lucky to have wolves who can help me through it." She blinked back her own misery and finally accepted Casmir to the woods with a suggestion of, "I hope we can be that for you, too."