Swiftcurrent Creek daffodils

and there it was, simple. I'm happy to see you. she knew well that attitudes towards others could change, rifts could mend; one had only to think of Siarut. had she been simply an old packmate, family member, the past would have been forgiven in an instant, smile and easy words would have come naturally. 

but she had been a mother, and now she needed to know. "why did you leave, all those years ago?" she asks, neutrally, knowing she won't be able to pull the thought from her mind and finding bluntness to be the best option, here.