Larksong Grotto Gucci

As soon as the flurry of wing flaps subsided and the geese had flown the coop, Reek could finally see the spoils of Jhala's victory. A single bird lay limp on the ground at the young warrior's feet -- the feathers of a second, clung teasingly to her jaw. She called for him to join her on the battleground, and Reek couldn't help but feel some welling of emotion in response. Perhaps it was pride— but maybe it was something else. Reek wasn't entirely sure.

She beckoned him forward, and so the alpha male complied. Limping down from his place on the ridge overlooking the lake, Reek slid in beside her. Allowing himself to brush her flank with his, he greeted her with a friendly nudge. "Good catch," he said, motioning down to her fresh kill. A frail and broken smile crossed Reek's face.

With Tavi's departure still fresh in Reek's mind, there was something he had been meaning to ask. "Can I talk to you for a sec?" he asked, returning his gaze to his trusted gamma.