Swiftcurrent Creek nothing is as it has been

He sighed, closing his eyes again. He felt like he didn't deserve her encouragement, but he wasn't surprised to hear it from her; Ruenna was kind above all things, and had always appreciated that about her. I hope so, he replied, opening his eyes to meet his former beta's gaze again. He hoped the pack would eventually respect him; he thought the children needed that most of all. He didn't want them to be born into any kind of struggle. 

He would heed her advice to be less guarded with the new wolves. It was such a conditioned response to stress, that sometimes he didn't realize he was doing it, but he would try harder to be more open about what he was going through, assuming the creek wolves gave him a chance to do so. Thank you, Ruenna--for everything, he added quietly, unable to keep the emotion from his voice. It would hurt to lose her, but he wouldn't stop her from doing what she wanted, and he held on to the hope that they would remain family no matter the distance that separated them.