Blacktail Deer Plateau breathing in the view

’Of course, if he does disappear, please try to bring him back,’ Liri said.

Grezig nodded. Good. She would be given permission to track him if he left. She would not—but Liri wasn’t done.

’Unless… he is old enough to care for himself and does not want to return.’

Grezig’s breath caught in her throat. 

’In that case, I wouldn't want to force him to stay.’

“No,” the Beta managed to force out, choking on the word. “Of course not.”

’I know I've called him our son before…’

Son.

’He’s something like a son to you too, though. I've noticed it.’

“Yes,” Grezig said, her brows drawing together. Tears stinging her eyes. She turned her face away from Liri, attempting a slow and steady breath through her nose. It only shook a little. 

She spoke again, but Grezig heard only muffled sound. She would not cry in front of Liri. “Excuse me,” she said quickly, standing and running away before she allowed her emotions to overcome her. This was stupid. She needed to get a grip on herself or risk losing it all. She ran until she could no longer feel anything beyond the burning in her legs, and then collapsed in exhaustion, too tired at this point to cry. Good. No crying. Not ever.

[Exit]

Sorry! I was not expecting this resonse out of Grezig at all!