Redhawk Caldera two years past

Gannet's question was like a brick in the face for so many reasons. Eljay didn't really know if he'd done a specific thing wrong; heck, he'd done a lot of things wrong, but not the a thing that Gannet meant. But he felt confused too, because to Eljay it was very clear why it was better for Redhawk Caldera if he wasn't a part of it.

"I don't know, I mean, I — It's just that... Parents expect young wolves to leave, and I'm not doing anything useful, and Lagan's so much better at, uhm, at everything I do. I don't want to be the weakest link to bring the pack down, I... I have to..." His lip quivered as he contemplated, "... become better, or — or stay away forever." He really hoped that he didn't need to stay away forever, but if he didn't become a better wolf, then he would never be able to return, and he fully understood that out of the two options, that was the likelier one.