Felltree Marsh fill your hands with the rain

she traveled on the edge of the swamp, just past the border. he saw her, even from a distance, a dark blotch against the gray-green. unable to suppress the sense of alarm that rose within him at the sight of a stranger--alarm mixed with joy, though, at the potential of a new recruit--aditya headed hastily toward her, tail raised in a show of dominance, yet a welcoming smile playing across his muzzle. he crossed the border and trotted that way, pulling to a halt in the damp earth.

"you're quite close to pack lands," he advised, though his voice was kind. his golden eyes raked over her with interest, nostrils flaring as he picked up her scent. not one he knew; not a pack-scent at all, really. she was alone, this girl with eyes of dark crimson, or so he gathered. perhaps morningside could aid in relieving that solitude. "aditya. i'm from morningside, a band just over that way," he said, flicking his tail back from where he'd appeared.

it was a constant adjustment, these past days, living with no mate to tether him to duty, to romance. a lonely existence, perhaps, save for the presence of the children. he slept by himself, now--at least the nights were warm enough to not need the heat of another. but come fall, he would be shivering.

as far as regrets? he had a thousand and one. but he dare not say them aloud, lest he act on any of them. the bond between dawn and him was irreparable; no amount of reason or will could mend it.