Heron Lake Plateau Cast aside for new and more

Gannet was not at all expecting the mix of emotion that swelled up in him now that it was finally time to tell her. The primary was sadness, and this was apparent in his entire demeanor as he stepped forward to return her hug. The other was odd, because it didn't feel like anger, but something Gannet had never felt before. It wasn't fear either.

Ever since his parents died, Gannet had gotten the sense that he didn't belong here. Finley and Elwood had raised his younger siblings and made them children in his eyes, and his older were all gone or indifferent to him. That she was coming here meant that she was coming home, but now that she was home, would she care about him anymore?

It was a strange insecurity for him to have when his own thoughts on family were so broad and unconcerned with pack. He just couldn't help it, and this made what he had to tell her even worse. He could tell that she already knew it was coming at least.

I didn't say anything. Mona can't come. I just talked to her, then came. he said, looking down as his entire demeanor drooped. I can't stay. This was goodbye to both her and her kids and he hadn't felt so alone since Moonspear. He would have Ashlar, Mona, and Sarah, but he'd joined the Hollow for Liffey and it had meant a lot to live with his best friend. Not having her there was going to hurt.