Swiftcurrent Creek But you never realized

She could have shunned him. Maybe she should have shunned him! It was his doing, after all, that had made Arlette change so much! They were married- and from what Cygnet could glean, they would be having children too! Out of spite, she should have denied her help, turned her back and scuffed scorned with toward him.

Her avoidance clearly had not worked; if anything, it had given Arric and Arlette the chance to grow closer. Lesson learned.

So when the invitation came, she was stiff, bristly and reluctant- but clear that she would participate simply because Akavir was there. Hunger stoked her flame; she was ready to be involved with this formation, now that she was being taken seriously enough to include. 

Her glance toward Arric were fleeting, but less caustic than before out of necessity. She hoped Akavir might lead the hunt but suspected Arric would be the one to do so.