Felltree Marsh alone and only a sojourner in the land, without friends or the need of them

there was something to be said for not belonging anywhere. it was a feeling that the young man was incredibly familiar with. no matter where he had lived, there was always an aching reminder that he did not belong. even after having been reunited with his family, illidan felt as though he was plagued by that reminder. his mother would have argued; she would have told him he was a fool. he would never have uttered such feelings to her. it was not a respectful thing to say to someone who had given him life and a home to come back to.

“you know, you can have all those things and still belong to a pack... you just need to find the right one,” he assured her, even though he was not so certain of that fact himself. he wanted to believe that if he offered this advice to cadeau, it would prove to him that even he could belong somewhere. “you could come live with us? or there are other packs on the coast that i've heard are welcoming to all kinds of wolves,” he told her with a soft, haunted smile.

“we could visit them together if you wanted? find a place that's perfect for you...” but really, illidan mostly wanted to help this woman so that he did not have to think about himself. as difficult as it was for him, he thought that putting energy into a stranger's life was more rewarding than facing his own demons head-on.