Whitebark Stream It's me defending in suspense

surya was willing to hear kavik out—all until the first three words. he kept his expression as neutral as he could, but inside, he was seething.

i left them. it echoed in his head, a shrieking bell-toll.

had this been what his blood-sire had reasoned? no—it had been worse, in those circumstances. adultery, betrayal, abandonment. this was simply the latter. . .and kavik had returned. but surya still couldn't help but see the man he'd never known, standing before him, explaining himself. the tale fell on deaf ears.

it is good that you came back, surya said woodenly, once the man had fallen silent. some men don't. he had lost his appetite for this conversation, struggling to keep his composure. it was nice to meet you, but i have to go, now.

with a stiff spine, he departed, hoping that kavik would forgive him for the abrupt departure.

but then again, what use was forgiveness from a man who would abandon his children?