The forest was quite, its silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves. Mikhail stood under a tree and looked down in the distance. The brilliance created by some sort of sunlight shimmer gave his golden irises a soft almost otherworldly effect, as if wearing a white robe.
A familiar scent drifted through the air, faint at first, but unmistakable.
"Mikhail," a soft voice called out behind him.
He didn't turn. "Susan. What are you doing here?"
She moved toward it, her boots clicking softly on the ground all around her. "I could ask you the same thing. You've been out here for Days."
Mikhail pushed himself off the tree and turned to face her, his features unreadable. "I have things to capture."
Susan crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. "Since when do you think? I thought you just charged into fights and let instinct handle the rest.
A faint smirk tugged at Mikhail's lips. "Still as sharp-tongued as ever, I see."
"And you're still as annoying, Susan shot back, though her voice lacked malice.
Mikhail tilted his head, studying her. Her dark hair was slightly whispery from the wind and her eyes ablaze with the same intensity as the one from which he remembered from their childhood.
"What do you want, Susan? he asked, his voice softer now.
Susan hesitated, then took a step closer. "I want to know what's happened to you. The Mikhail I knew wasn't like this."
Mikhail's expression darkened. "People change."
"Not this much," she countered. "You used to care, Mikhail. All about me, all about the pack, all about more than just fighting.
He looked away, his jaw tightening. "That was a long time ago."
Susan's voice softened. "You don't have to push everyone away, you know."
Mikhail scoffed, his golden gaze gleaming as he turned back to her. "Push them away? Or protect them? You wouldn't understand."
"Then make me understand, Susan said, her voice trembling slightly. Right now, all I can see is the one trying hard to show something that he has forgotten about what he is.
Mikhail stared at her, his chest tightening.
"Why do you care so much? he asked, his tone sharp.
Susan blinked, taken aback by the question. "Why wouldn't I? You're my... you've always been important to me, Mikhail. Even when you were a pain in the butt."
A bitter laugh escaped him. "Important? Don't lie to yourself, Susan. You used to think I was weak. You made it clear every chance you got."
Susan flinched at the words. "That was when we were little kids, Mikhail. I didn't mean it like that. You know what I meant."
"Do I?" he shot back, his voice rising. Since, back then, all you could do was remind me how little I was. How much I didn't measure up."
"That's not fair," Susan said, her voice breaking. "I never thought you were small. I just... I didn't know how to deal with you.
"Deal with me?" Mikhail laughed bitterly. "That's what I was? A problem to deal with?"
"No!" Susan said quickly. "That's not what I meant."
Mikhail shook his head, his expression hardening. "It doesn't matter. None of it matters anymore. I've moved on."
"Have you?" Susan challenged, stepping closer. "Because it doesn't look like it. It looks like you're still fighting to prove something to the pack which you aren't even it.
Her words rang in her ears and Mikhail's eyes narrowed as his fists squeezed at his sides.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, he said coldly.
"Then tell me," Susan pressed. "What is it, Mikhail? What are you so afraid of?"
Mikhail's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not afraid of anything, definitely not what you are thinking."
Yes, you are," Susan said, her voice calm despite the stress. "You're afraid of being vulnerable. Of letting anyone in. That's why you keep pushing me away."
He laughed bitterly. "Pushing you away? Susan, you don't belong here. This isn't your fight."
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare say that to me? I've trained just as hard as you. I've bled for this pack, just like you. Don't act like you're the only one who cares or have sacrificed anything or anyone.
Mikhail's stare momentarily seemed to melt, but he immediately covered it. "You don't understand, Susan. You never will."
"Then make me understand," she said, her voice rising. "Tell me why you've shut me out. Tell me why you've buried yourself in this endless cycle of fighting and bloodshed.
Mikhail hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, he looked away, the weight of her words sinking in.
Just 'cause that's all the good I got to offer," he mumbled at last, his voice a breathy echo.
Susan's breath hitched. "That's not true."
"Yes, it is," Mikhail said, his tone bitter. "I've tried to be something more, Susan. I have. Every time I try, however, it always fails. So I stopped trying. This is who I am now."
Susan reached out, her hand brushing against his arm. "You're more than this, Mikhail. I know you are."
He pulled away, his eyes hard. "You don't know anything."
Susan's hand dropped to her side and her heart strained at the space of distance between them.
"I know you're angry," she said quietly. "But you don't have to face it alone."
Mikhail stared at her, his golden eyes filled with a state of fury and agony.
"You need to leave," he said, his voice cold.
Susan's eyes widened. "What?"
"You heard me," he said, turning away. "Go back to the pack. This isn't your fight."
Her voice shook as she spoke. "You can't just push me away like this, Mikhail. I won't let you."
"Then you don't have a choice," he said, his tone final.
Susan clenched her fists, with her eyes filled with unseen tears. "Fine. But don't you think for a second that I'm giving up on you.
She turned and walked away.
Mikhail watched her go, his chest tightening with a pain he couldn't name.
As she disappeared into the woods, he made a hesitant sigh and moved to leaning against the tree.
"I'm sorry," he whispered out to the empty forest.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees.
Mikhail's head snapped up, his senses on high alert.
The growl occurred again, closer this time, and Mikhail's claws retracted automatically.
For a second, the forest lay quiet, and then a silhouette emerged from the darkness.
Mikhail's eyes narrowed.
You've got some nerve coming in here," he purred, his voice dripping with hatred.
The figure smirked. "Miss me, little brother?