Roshan's paws hit the ground hard as he ran.
Faster than necessary.
Putting distance between himself and Shadowclaw.
Between himself and the look on Faelyn's face when he'd tried to kiss her.
She'd turned away.
Small rejection.
But it had cut deep.
'She knows something's wrong,' he thought as trees blurred past. 'She's too smart not to notice. But I can't tell her. Can't add that burden on top of everything else she's been through.'
The leopard village appeared through the trees.
Home.
Except it didn't feel like home anymore.
Not without her.
He shifted to human form at the village edge, pulling on the clothes he'd stashed there earlier.
Warriors bowed respectfully as he passed.
But their expressions were guarded.
Careful.
Not the easy camaraderie from before.
Talon approached quickly.
"Chief. The council is assembled. They're waiting."
"How bad?" Roshan asked quietly.
