Panther Park I can't escape you

Taki nodded, frowning as she looked down at her paws. My father was a difficult man. Even when I was a child, he did not tolerate any form of weakness from me. I was in training to be a warrior from the moment I could walk, she began. And for a long time, I idolized him; all I wanted was his approval, but he was not easy to please. It shaped me in many way, some good and some bad. But in situations where I do not feel safe or I feel like I am responsible for others, I seem to fall back on that training and I can be very callous. She shook her head. When I look back on it, all I see is my father, and he is the last wolf I ever want to be like. She chanced a glance up at him. So I am sorry. They were not words she said often, and for good reason, but she felt they needed to be said now. And with her apology, came a break in the wall she had built up over the last few days—the one that was created to try and protect her scarred heart. I think the reason I acted so harshly was because I was afraid taking on an injured would wolf would make things more dangerous, and I would not forgive myself if something happened to you. She could feel the words building in her chest, pounding against her throat as they tried to break free; so she let them. I care about you as...more than just a friend. I want more than just friendship, and it has clouded some of my judgement, she said, looking away again. Her heart slammed against her ribs and her blood rushed in her ears—a fight or flight reaction to something that could quite possibly shatter her, depending on what he said next. For the first few seconds after she said the words, she wished she could take them back. Things would be easier on him if she just kept the feelings to herself and went on with life, and things would be easier for her if she just collected Taktuq and left. But both would be cowardly, and that was one thing she was not.