Whitebark Stream It's me defending in suspense

surya looked relieved as the man not only took his awkwardness in stride but forgave him for it. the question took him slightly aback, though, and he paused. should he tell kavik the truth, or. . .? it wasn't a very pretty truth, after all. and maybe his new packmate didn't need to know the whole story, after all.

she lives in the south, near the coast, he explained, meeting the other wolf's emerald eyes. . .so like his own. it was like staring into a mirror, but moreover, it was like talking to a parent. someone he could trust. i wanted to be on my own, so i left home last autumn.

there. that was vague enough. and if kavik wanted to pry, he could pry—surya would just have to mentally steel himself for that outcome. have you lived here long? he asked, shifting the topic away from himself.