Blackfeather Woods Draw me not without reason; sheath me not without honour.

His frown didn't surprise her, nor did his words. In fact, Maegi respected him somewhat for actually announcing his departure, rather than vanishing like all the others had. It showed integrity. Perhaps if she hadn't come across him today, he may have disappeared without a word. . .but then, he could have lied, just now. And he hadn't.

She fixed him with a gimlet stare, tilting her head slightly as she queried: Why?

Her voice was calmer than she felt inside. There was turmoil, angst at potentially losing yet another wolf. Their relationship had been built upon misunderstandings; maybe if she corrected him— No. It was too little, too late, like always. Right?