Emberwood Remember when you said you loved me?

She was quiet for a moment after he finished. It had never occurred to her that he would want her to be bothered for his sake when it came to his mother... and more and more, the cracks between the wolf she'd built him up to be in her head, and the wolf who was speaking to her, began to define themselves. Things like that, the things that bothered him. Maybe they'd been there all along and, unlike her, he just never spoke them aloud. And maybe the reason all of their problems had fallen on her shoulders in the past was because at least she had been honest.

She felt a sinking feeling with the realization of this possibility. I'd kill them tomorrow if I knew where to find them. I've tried before. She finally stated plainly, an edge to the statement that wasn't directed at him. If he thought she didn't have enough reason, he was wrong. She couldn't imagine wanting their blood spilled more than she already did. They'd taken him away from her, from Killdeer, and sent him back nearly unrecognizable. She hated them like she'd never hated anything before and likely ever would again.

It's yours to tell. But if you don't respect me enough to make that decision myself, or to even see if I can understand, then I think we really are better off finished. That isn't a partnership. At least not the kind I need. Despite the harsh honesty of the words, there was no malice behind them. Mostly she was tired and a little beyond sorrow. She felt empty, a little numb.

She'd been so wrong about him. Her image of Bronco had always been warmth, gentle honesty, care. How many things had he hid from her along the way? How many times had she upset him and he just silently taken it?

She didn't want to think about this anymore.

I'm not your responsibility Bronco. I never felt like you were mine, and I won't change that. I'm sorry. She could feel her emotional control starting to fracture again, but she stood stock still while she waited for any response. She didn't place too much hope in him arguing with her. When had he ever been the one to start a fight?