Dawnlark Plains back when all her quiet words were thunder

she met his gaze as he pushed the kill closer, gratefulness changing suddenly to alarm and then a please don't. despite the strain, she wanted him here; for through all that had happened, he still offered comfort. swallowing once, thickly, she watched him as he padded off. she did not want to deal with Loir's tears right now, and not alone. bitterness ebbed up quickly and faded, and she turned back to the woman.

"and what would that achieve? we'd have one less hunter and the strain on the pack would be greater."  gentler, now, she continued. "be glad he ran when he did." still, her gaze was firm even through the pain, settled on the woman.