The Sentinels The pain passes, but the beauty remains.

He had been dutiful with his days, but sullen, and had withdrawn from much of the activities of the pack. The loss of Lasher had been a turning point of sorts, and Renoir had hidden himself away from the attentions of others - not for lack of desire, because he did grow quite lonely without the company of his family - but because of a deeply rooted fear. He had shared something with the passed Alpha and then promptly lost him, which indicated to the boy's young mind that he should be more careful, more guarded.

Thus he had become that way.

Renoir spoke little when he encountered others, and went about his daily tasks in his own time, in his own way, and often during the very early or the very late hours, so as not to disturb others with his presence. All the while, Renoir thought of Deirdre and the promise she had made to him. Perhaps enough time had passed by now? Perhaps they could sneak away for a night or two, and things could return to the way they once were. At the very least, he would experience happiness again. He would bask in her beauty and her love, and all would be right - he would be right, healed by her very presence.