Maybe Askan was being selfish, arrogant in thinking that Shallows Edge could ever hope to compare to the former glory of his birth pack.  As frustrating as it was, he hadn't founded this pack with the intentions of recreating his family's legacy. Shallows Edge was his way of leaving his stamp on the world, of putting his fate in his own paws. He supposed the issue was that he was scared it would fail, that all of his effort and sacrifices would be for nothing. The Selwyn was well aware of the fact that packs came and went, that lineages dried up like rivers, but that wasn't what he wanted for himself or even the Selwyns, for the matter. It was about damn time he did something about that...

Askan couldn't help but roll his eyes at her words. He should have seen it coming, should have anticipated that his monologue would encourage Lyanna to give him a piece or two of her mind. He flicked his ears back, fully prepared to block out the humdrum flow of her words but-well, okay. Maybe she a point. Not the whole 'easier to love' spiel, as that was a bit too fluffy for Askan's tastes, but the fact that those who mattered were still here counted for something. Meant a lot, really, more than he could ever say.

Which of course, wasn't to say he'd disowned Hawthorne for leaving, she was still as Selwyn as they came. Rather, instead of bitching about those who'd left, he ought to care for those who remained. Or something along those lines, Lyanna had said an awful lot and it was hard to find meaning amongst all her niceties.  It was too late for this, but he appreciated the sentiment. Sort of, as much as Askan could anyway.

At least there was one thing they could agree on.

"Fuck 'em."

What was it that Reyes had said? 'If they hate you, their loss.' That sounded about right, a good mantra to live by. But as much as he was loath to admit it, it all felt very personal and maybe just maybe Askan wasn't quite as tough as he liked to think. Fake it till you make it, am I right?

"If you can't tell, I hold grudges for a really long time. Don't piss me off, Tainn." He warned, shooting her a sharp, if not wry look.

With a huff, he climbed to his paws and rolled his shoulders. He would have bowed down into a full stretch but decided against it, he could work out the kinks and knots once he'd gotten back to his den, away from prying eyes.