Few words had been exchanged between the pair as they returned home from the lake to the north. He hadn’t wanted to bombard her with questions, for he figured her absent mother was still a touchy subject. So they made haste in returning to the shallows, for he knew the comfort of the den (and some familiar faces) would help soothe her mind. However, the pair was greeted by the most familiar scent, bringing a wide smile to the boy’s dark features. He bumped his age-mate’s shoulder and sprinted toward the main den, his oversized paws carrying him quickly through the distance that separated them from the Edge Lord. Kanaaaaa! He screamed as he nearly barrelled into the dark leader, his tail wagging frantically behind him. It felt as though it had been forever since the boy had last seen the grumpy wolf and he hoped he (and @Hawthorne) had made him proud during his absence.

A soft frown creased his dark lips at the boop he’d received from his Edge Lord, but his mismatched eyes still glistened with mischief. He shuffled back from the charcoal wolf, his hindquarters flopping down against the soft ground. It had felt like forever since Askan had left to visit the pack south of them—Oak Tree Bend. The boy had encountered a cub from the pack during his time in the Vale. Mabel. Silky ivory and soft pink. He absently began to wonder how she was doing when words tumbled from Askan’s mouth, pulling him out of his thoughts and into reality. He swallowed, his mismatched gaze falling onto his grey counterpart. Uh, he started, his tail quivering behind him. Be honest. He couldn’t even lie to Askan if he wanted to. The grumpy leader had ben oh so kind to him and Sachiel didn’t want to give him a reason not to keep him around. How was he supposed to hang out with Pumpkin Eyes?! We sort of ran into her mom, he explained with an exaggerated yikes expression tugging at his tawny features.

… and I saw my dad … he added hastily, his ears collapsing against his skull. He had not told Pumpkin Eyes that yet.

He felt bad for bombarding Askan with so much information all at once. Unnecessary information that had disrupted Sir Grumpsalot’s quiet time. His dark lips were still curved into a soft frown, his mismatched gaze focused on his oversized paws. Mostly he felt bad for not telling his adventure partner about the encounter with father. He had intended to, but stumbling upon her mother had foiled his plans. Her question, a single word breathed into the space between them, only caused his shoulders to sag even more and his frown to deepen. If that was even possible. A week ago? He answered in a dismissive tone, his tail tucking against his coiled legs. He would apologize to Pumpkin Eyes later, for not confiding in her.

Askan’s voice earned an amused snort from the tawny boy, his ears perking up. S’okay, he answered with a shrug, his nostrils twitching. M’still here, he added with a cheeky grin before shoving his nose into Askan’s armpit, an’ I left for a reason. Although he had been ecstatic to learn that his father had actually looked for him Sachiel couldn't give up on the shallows. He had pledged his loyalty to the grumpy duo and the other edgy wolves. His father’s arrival didn't change that.