A shiver rolled down his spine, but Felix was pretty certain it had nothing to do with the chill or the heavy snow threatening to bury the wolves of Grizzly Hollow where they sat. He’d done nothing wrong. Goodness, he’d discussed the prospect of a journey away from his natal territory with his father at length before making more solid plans, but still, the young Macieo felt as though he was being scolding. He felt embarrassed for Pip, his friend, and for Oula, his mother. Why was his father being like this? Why was Ophelia being like that?
Well, because that’s just how Opie was sometimes, but still.
As far as the coming yearling was concerned, he couldn’t get out of the meeting fast enough. No punishments leveled at him – heck, Rook hadn’t even noticed him – but the collective shame and hurt and unhappiness was almost too much to bear. With hunched shoulders, the youth leaned up, offering Oula one more kiss on her cheek before turning to depart like the others. His tail was tucked between his legs as he broke away; he did not want company. He wanted only silence, and his thoughts. He was leaving soon! This surely wouldn’t be solved by then, but… Well, Felix had to make his own peace before he left Grizzly Hollow.
He wanted a reason to come back.
Exit.