Noctisardor Bypass Sitting here underneath the bridge

As it turned out, Bartholomew had hoofed it. Anselm reflected on this news bitterly. Wasn’t that just the way?

He didn’t keep his gaze long on Amadeo after initially seeing him. His fur might have visibly prickled if it wasn’t for the weight of the water around him. Heda greeted the man with more warmth than Anselm felt, and when the man spoke Anselm made a point to answer his pleasantry with blunt directive. I hope I am not… intruding on anything. You are. 

Anselm rose from the river, pelt sodden as he made his way to the bank. He could not name the emotion that flared in his breast, but he recognized it was not a charitable one. To Heda, he gave the brief sweep of his golden gaze. Heda, Anselm said by way of strained goodbye, completely ignoring the man as he stalked out of the river to the opposite bank. He was in no mood to entertain Amadeo today - not his smarmy face or smarmy voice - and it turned his stomach to think of watching him cozy up to Heda. 

Anselm vigorously shook the water from his pelt and strode towards Sequoia’s site. Maybe watching the kids would help take his mind off of things, and remove the thorn under his skin that was the way Amadeo’a gaze crawled hungrily over the silvery angles of Heda’s willowy body.