Golden Glade Get Lonely

He hesitated. Reek drew to a halt beneath the cover of a stately and mature yellow cedar tree. A solemn look of contemplation then fell across his face. He needed to think carefully about what he said next. He did not want to lie to his daughter, but he knew the truth would hurt her. This was not how he wanted her to be. His hopes had always been naïve when it came to his kin -- Reek's vision of fatherhood was something akin to a fairytale. With his first litter, he found these hopes to be unrealistic.

He sighed and shook his head. When he gave his answer, Reek's voice was weary and resigned. "No." This had not been what he expected. "But I haven't been what you hoped for either." In many ways, Reek felt that most of Laurel's resentment of him had been entirely his fault. There was so much more that he wished he could have done, and even more still that he wished that he could take back.

But for what felt like the first time, Reek could see that Laurel was trying, despite her admittance that she didn't know where to begin. "Just talk to me Lorry," he pleaded as he stepped toward his daughter in earnest. "I just -- Sometimes, I feel like I don't even know you." His ears fell flat against the top of his head and a tired whine passed his lips. All he wanted was for her to open up.