Redtail Rise melisma

Ashlar had expected her to go back, not to cross the river and join him. Despite the shake she gave he felt his guilt intensify. It wasn't her he was avoiding. It wasn't the pack, entirely, either. It was the complicated feelings he could neither explain nor tell anyone, ones he'd never felt or spoken of, not even with baba or mama.

I hope not. He said, pushing himself up to sitting. Then he heard how that sounded and his ears tilted back, slightly chagrined. I mean, not too much. I hope it's quick. Her goal and what she wanted to find, he hoped she found it and achieved it without needing him at all. Doing so would mean someone was hurt, and while that was likely, it felt wrong to wish to be needed like that.

Will you go back? When you finish it? The wolves here were not family, but they were kinder than the wolves of Ursus had been. Friends to him already. Ashlar had wondered for a while if she would return to her father when her goal was met, to her brother too. It would make sense for her to wish to share this with them, but she hadn't seemed happy there either.