Swiftcurrent Creek Is this love?

Arric told her his story. On the time with Cygnet and he had walked off because he wouldn't be able to control his anger. And what bothered him about the girl. She nodded. "I understand, Arric. But don't you realize that I see that behavior too?," she reasoned with him. "And you walking away only enforces that behavior within her. She got what she wanted because you walked away. She was rewarded for it. You know much that sucked on top of you just leaving to deal with that?" She could speak to Cygnet all she wanted that this wasn't a good thing, but she knew how it had felt for the child. The man she hated was gone, a win.

Arlette nodded quietly. "Of course, all of us want to be liked or at least tolerated. That is understandable. It is confusing that the girl doesn't like you and once we find the root of the problem we can work on it with her. But-- Perhaps with Cygnet is more about setting her up for success instead of failure. If she hates you so much, avoid her. Or if she is around always make sure some other wolf is there too so she can't do the behavior you see. So we only enforce the behavior we do want to see." It was just a suggestion, but she had the feeling that Cygnet was always going to be difficult. She didn't seem to have the symptoms her mother had though.

"But in that moment you didn't make me feel like you trusted my judgement," she reasoned. "You made an assumption," she stated the fact. "And while that is very admiring that you put the pup first even though you dislike her, I think it did more harm than good," she stated a little more quietly. And sure him having to learn how to deal with his temper was one thing, but Cygnet also could use some work on controlling hers.

Arlette looked at him curiously when he continued on Eshe and Akavir. The pale woman blinked at his admittance of not trusting Eshe. Was there anyone in the pack that Arric did like? Besides her? He seemed to squabble with Akavir, and have trust issues with Eshe, and then the whole thing with Cygnet. "I guess that does put things in perspective," she admitted. "It was just the timing that made it more painful," she added.

"I forgive you," Arlette said after his apology. She appreciated it that he came to apologize. She also wasn't one to stay mad for a long time but she wouldn't forget. He and Cygnet still needed to come find some common ground. Perhaps she should ask the girl why she hated Arric, but also should prepare her for incoming season. "And I will help too with Cygnet. After all we better prepare her for the fact that we are together whether she likes it or not."