The Tangle She says the joys of life are lost among the living

While his other lover might not have been his anchor, Ashlar’s dedication to his pack was definitely to his benefit. Perhaps, then, she could forgive him a bit if she simply accepted that he could not be with her because he had a duty to his leader. Whatever his relationship was to her, Chacal couldn’t bear to know.

She stepped back when he offered to leave. She had to stay strong, at least while in sight. But she’d begun to reckon with the heavy disappointment that her fantasy of having both happy children and a happy partner would not be so easily obtained. The pain was almost crippling, yet she stood back as a strong, steeled statue despite all the cracks that were forming inside of her.

”Go on, den.” She said softly, watching him with a critical gaze to see if he would simply do as he had offered- or if he struggled at all with the concept that he might not see her again if he did.