Greatwater Lake we are the reckless

❝I don't mind.❞ Atka said with a small smile, extending her head forward to catch Heph's gaze, emphasizing her point.

❝I think leaving was the best way for you to recover. It's not easy to repair things when others aren't interested. I'm sorry it happened that way, and not out of your inner calling to roam.❞ She paused, looking back at the water, reflecting on her relation to Heph.

❝My pack was built on morals I don't necessarily agree with, so when the only other I aligned myself was killed over inner conflict there was no reason for me stay.❞

Atka's still felt the lump rise in her throat when she thought about it. Recalling everything from the pack that was barren of connection, the things they did to strangers that ventured past borders, to each other when a disagreement was established, and fights were all to common. The group simply felt an obligation to one another, nothing more. So, when her reserved, prudent aunt, who was more maternal to her than her mother defended a stranger at the borders was killed, she could not stay.

❝I feel it was right for us to meet though.❞ Atka wasn't the best at creating reason in the midst of tragedy, she'd never be happy those events happened, but it did.

It left both Atka and Heph the opportunity to grow, bond, and wander.