It almost makes me feel ashamed to see his scowl. Did he think I came here wanting him to take care of me? I felt some weird anger at the sentiment which was really weird considering that is EXACTLY what I had come here for. I didn't want to be pitiful but in these moments I wasn't sure I could be anything else. The world had splintered around me, a world where I had been Queen for so long and now I was once more a measly peon in a place where peon's were bear meat. Maybe if I had let the cougar get me those seasons ago then Carnifex would be fine now, alive... but my thoughts could not remain there. I was too selfish to wish for my own death even if it felt like I was living in a nightmare. I wished this male would tell me what to do - demand I leave him alone. An order might give me purpose, give me indignation once more. I think of Myrria, my little girl, waiting back at the grotto. It makes my eyes lift to the sky to see that the sun was a little past half way. She would be hungry by now, scared probably, and here I was acting like a fool in front of some male.

He is nice in a way that I can't understand. I was never this nice to people. Was he playing me like Helios played me? The idea has my eyes narrowing, an unsettled feeling nestling in my chest as my paper-heart beats against my fragile chest. I want to run, I want to stay, I want to know. I want it all. He doesn't react to a pup in the manner of some of the men would have that I had known. I don't get the sense that he is a slime ball with bad intentions. Quite the opposite, he seems to understand my need for solace and for companionship. I almost preferred if he was like all the others, at least I wouldn't feel so vulnerable. I feel a sense of satisfaction - short lived - at the startled stare I receive in response to my words. But I am swept away by my emotions, my choking grief, and I HATE it.

I don't even see him coming until he is in front of me. I blink, gasping in surprise and prepare to scuttle back lest her attack me but he wraps his neck around mine and pulls me to his chest. I find my maw nestled in the strength of his dark fur, his scent overwhelming me, and I feel guilt because I find comfort in it. It takes me less than two seconds before I press into his chest and let my tears flow. This stranger, this Exodus, he offered me a shoulder I hadn't even known I needed until now. I don't say anything as the tears slow for a moment, my maw opening so that I can catch my lost breath, and he pulls back. I should feel awkward but I am too exhausted to feel anything like that again.

He smirks at me and my ears fall back, wondering if maybe he liked seeing others in pain, but then he talks and I am taken with his idea. I don't gape at him, I nod hard, and on the count of three I scream. I scream so loud that the birds in nearby trees shoot up in a frenzy, screaming with me. The rocks echo it back to me. I stand up, unconsciously, and I scream some more. How cathartic it feels. If I had known how it would drain all these pestering things from me I would have been screaming everywhere.

My haunches hit the ground once more as I gasp, sucking in lungfuls of air, and I look at him, my eyes dry and burning from my most recent cry, and I grin. "You are right. Just what I needed." My voice is still hoarse, my belly still empty, but I feel better. "Thank you, Exodus." It is sincere and I can't remember a time when I had been so honest, so free. Even if it is only a moment, it is a moment I will remember. "I... I should really get back to hunting," I said, peering up at the sky once more with a worried look.