Blacktail Deer Plateau This is hungry work

They walked in silence for a few minutes. The beta appeared to be lost in thought, so Kavik didn't pry. Instead, he marked a few trees as they passed them; they were close to the border and smelled like they were marked frequently by many of the plateau wolves. She eventually broke the silence by admitting that he was one she would allow to father her children. He stopped walking and met her gaze. Grezig, you are my friend and beta, and I appreciate your honesty, but I love Liri, he replied, brow creasing in concern. Kavik didn't want things to be weird between them, and he didn't want to lose her friendship; he trusted her more than anyone aside from his mate. That was all it was for him, though--friendship. He didn't think he would ever feel about anyone the way he felt about Liri.

When she dropped her gaze and added that she knew he wasn't available, Kavik sighed. Despite the fact that he wanted her to be able to tell him things, the whole situation still felt awkward. He also felt guilty because he didn't like letting others down and felt like he had let his friend down in some way. I'm sorry...I wish I could be that for you, he offered, looking away as well. He wished it not because he had romantic feelings, but because he wanted her to be happy.