Noctisardor Bypass now i'm wandering around, wandering without a clue

Speaking of terrible mothers, Laurel was taking a drink at the Bypass' lake and then started heading towards its western borders. She hadn't yet found any of her pack mates today; perhaps some of them were out patrolling? Laurel trotted towards the borders, where she found an unexpectedly somewhat familiar face. Was that Reek?

When she came closer she realised how dumb her initial assessment had been. First of all, what would Reek be doing here? (Laurel had no clue how close she was to the Grotto and to the forest where she was born) And second of all, he was probably long dead. One could always hope, she thought bitterly as she watched the approaching figure up ahead. He didn't seem to have noticed her just yet as he made his way towards the Bypass, and Laurel stood, not exactly a stalwart guardian. Her body was tense — because he was a man (because you know what men can do to you, dearest, and there's nothing you can do about it or their desires) — as she watched him; wary, apprehensive, but not backing down from her new pack's borders.