il was under the tree, his line of sight took itself far into the distance. Irises kept gentle as

e start, but most certainly it was there. A faint v

"Susan. What are

on the ground all around her. "I could ask you

nd turned to face her, his features u

you just charged into fights and let instinct handle the rest. A faint smiled li

ing, Susan shot back, thou

and her eyes were shining brightly, exactly like the childhood she remembered them. Be

am interested in your well-being. The Mikhail I used to know

to care, Mikhail. All about me, all about

aw tightening. "That

"You don't have to push

as he turned back to her. "Push them away?

slightly. Right now, all I can see is the one trying har

at her, as he felt a s

, whose countenance had changed, blinked, she was so shocked by that question. "Why wouldn't I? You're

lie to yourself, Susan. You used to think I wa

en we were little kids, Mikhail. I didn't

, back then, all you could do was remind me h

eaking. "I never thought you were small. I

hed bitterly. "That's what I

quickly. "That's

n hardening. "It doesn't matter. None

t doesn't look like it. It looks like you're still fighti

s she noticed Mikhail with narrowed eyes a

're talking about," he sna

sed. "What is it, Mikhail?

"I'm not afraid of anything, defi

e stress. "You're afraid of being vulnerable. Of let

ou away? Susan, you don't belon

as hard as you. I've bled for this pack, just like you. Don't act lik

lt, but he immediately covered it. "You

ell me why you've closed me off and why you've buried you

rted his eyes for a second as he thought abou

is why," he said morosely", wi

hitched. "Tha

be something more, Susan. I have. Every time I try, however,

t and then her hand touched his arm. "You'

r, his eyes hard. "You don'

e and her heart strained at the

he says softly. "But rest assured,

th rage and pain at once."You need to leave," he said, hi

yes widen

ning away. "Go back to the p

ou can't just push me away like

ve a choice," he s

ed with unseen tears. "Fine. But don't you t

d and wal

orest. "I'm sorry," he let out slowly with the wind in a whisper that was bare

the trees. Mikhail's head snapped up, his

rce was clearly closer, and Mikhai

as completely still and th

ranger. Every time that forest is invaded,

ou'll have to face the consequences," h

ked. "Miss me,