Janius wrapped his arms around Kaleeth as she leaned in. The grief of losing Meesei pressed into his heart, as did the guilt he had hidden over Kaleeth's injury. He wished he could fix it all.

"It hurts," Janius managed to say. "I miss her too."

He breathed long and slow. Then he ran his hand down Kaleeth's arm comfortingly.

"The last time I felt such loss was when I first became a werewolf. When it really sank in, that is. From what I remember, I could see the same in you back when you joined us. What brought me back was what I gained and what I still had. It's a comfort to see our Julan, our pack, and...that I do not need to spend my life without you. Those things are real." Janius smiled. "This picnic today will help that sink in, I think."