Broken Antler Fen lovers dance when they're feeling in love

I really am.  She'd been surprised to want the job, because in previous packs, she never had.  It had a lot to do with him, she realized.

Before Eljay, all Maia had wanted was to travel and collect as many stories as she could.  That, and sticking with Wraen, were her only plans.  Now a billion other things felt super important that never had before, and honestly it was a little hard to wrap her head around.  Leading meant not only taking responsibility for something other than herself... it also meant making this place home in a way she'd never done before.

You're probably right.  And I really am excited, even if I'm terrified.  I seriously never in a million years thought I'd do this, and I definitely didn't think anyone would let me.  Maia shook her head, then laughed.  I mean, all three of my older siblings were leaders! So why would I ever need to be one?  Except now two of them were gone, and one was getting tired.  Maia didn't like to think about what that meant.

So she focused on him instead.  Thanks.  Are you doing okay, though?  He'd listened to her problems, and he'd talked about a bear, but she wanted to make sure there wasn't anything going on with him outside of that.  It was weird, having so little idea of what he did any given day.