He’d made the plans, informed much of the pack- they all seemed supportive, or at least tolerant of his decision to spend more time pursuing a degree. He’d saved up a meager sum from working with Emily in the garage; not enough to offset all the costs, but a good start. A promising new job on campus would help with the rest. By the time classes started up, he would probably have enough.

This was what he wanted- that’s what he had to keep reminding himself. It wasn’t easy to leave his pack like this, and being in the same city didn’t help. The life of an Uratha was filled with the potential for death at every corner- if he returned to find out that someone had fallen…

...It would be terrible. And he’d resigned himself to the pain he might feel. But also resigned to the fact that until he did this, until he could fulfill an aspiration left since (and in part because of) his change, that weight would hinder him.

Nathaniel gave a sigh- next time the pack met, he wouldn’t be present. Next time they needed to talk to a spirit, to deal with the Pure… He wouldn’t be present. That Emily was still there allowed the crescent some relief that his pack would remain consistent- she was by far Nathaniel’s senior in crescent matters.

Hector had remained a stable Alpha, and Nathaniel was confident he could continue to lead the pack.

Brigit was loyal- and continued to hold a promising future in her redemption. Nathaniel hoped she might one day reach some form of atonement with mother Luna, but for now he was glad she had a pack that trusted her, and that she could trust.

Matt had always been a good friend, and the crescent trusted him to protect his family (and to keep them well fed).

Bleeds Well had promise- in time, he could serve a valuable fighter against the onslaught. Luna Above his help was needed, now more than ever.

Chris- mysterious at times, always showing up and disappearing just as fast. Always a font of information to help the pack. The pack wouldn’t be blind with him out there.

And then, a newcomer in their group- aye, in the past few days their numbers seemed to be growing more than dwindling. More promise. More assurance that they would survive.

The Pack would survive… Luna Above and Father Below, it would survive. And when the time was right, he would rejoin them.

Hector Yumyumcrow Brigit Stray @%1; Kaze @%1; Mark @%1; Xadun @%1; Woland