Maddy had been terrified of this since Rhydian had returned. He left once for his family, it was only a matter of time before it happened again, but how could she blame him? She wasn't exactly sure she could leave her parents forever either but then again she'd had them in her life forever, Rhydian had only just got his mum back, maybe he needed to make up for lost time but his mum was just so frustrating, she very clearly didn't like Maddy or her lifestyle and she got inside Rhydians head and if she got him for long enough she'd turn him to her way of thinking and directly into Jana's arms.
Maddy wasn't stupid she had seen Jana's obvious crush on Rhydian, it has been depleting since she'd become a more permanent part of their group she was slowly turning their relationship to just friends and getting over him but if they were both together, alone in the wild it would only be a matter of time, but maybe that was best for him. He'd be with his mother and brother and he'd be where he belonged, the wild, there was no doubt he had wild in his heart, he never seemed miserable being in the tame world but maybe he was just hiding it from her so she didn't feel guilty, he obviously cared about her but maybe not in the same way she cared about him.
Rhydian had text her a few minutes ago saying he was coming over because they needed to talk, she knew what he was going to say it had been nagging at her since the parents day, she saw the way he reacted to what people said about his mum and juts her being in this world, he missed his family, she couldn't fault him for that but he was still leaving her, again, at least this time he'd say goodbye, hopefully. Her parents were out, probably trying to calm down before coming home, always trying to protect her, they were the definition of over-protective, sure she loved them but they didn't even want to get upset in front of her, she wasn't a cub anymore she could handle it.
Maddy's head shot up to the slight sound from outside her house, he was here, it was time to say goodbye. Maddy slowly walked down from her room to the door and opened it to reveal the boy she couldn't stop thinking about.
'Hey.' He said simply, Maddy smiled, she wouldn't cry, it would make him feel worse, she'd be strong, it wasn't his fault his family needed him.
'Hi.' She replied happily and ushered him inside. 'So what did you want to talk about?' She asked softly, his smile faltered slightly.
'Can we talk upstairs?' He asked softly.
'Yeah, sure.' Maddy answered nodding, he was probably worried her parents were somewhere in the house. The two teens walked upstairs quietly, neither wanting to reveal their thoughts. They sat on Maddy's bed, facing each other slightly.
'Maddy, my mum's been talking to me; she says that if she leaves with Jana, I'm probably not going to be able to see her or Brynn again. Something about the pack still being a little sensitive about tames and your family and me, but if I were to go back with her, they'd forgive me and I'd be able to be with my family.' He said quietly, Maddy nodded lightly, trying not to cry.
'Yeah.' She said calmly, she couldn't say much else.
'I'm sorry Maddy but I have to go.' He got out finally, what they were both waiting for. Maddy looked away for a moment still holding back any signs of tears and nodded.
'Yeah, I know.' She answered. She took in a deep breath and stood up folding her arms across her chest looking out her window so she could keep it together, if she had to look at him to say this she knew she'd break down. 'I've always known at some point you'd go back, the only reason you left was because you were being chased, by Alric, if that hadn't had happened you would still be there now. I get why you have to go, they're you're family, I don't think I could imagine being away from my parents and you didn't even have your mum for most of your life and you didn't even know you had a brother, they need you and you need them and at least you can say goodbye this time.' Maddy said feeling her eyes get watery, she heard Rhydian get up off her bed and walk towards her.
'Maddy look at me.' He said sternly, she shook her head. 'Why not?' He asked, hurt.
'Because if I look at you I'm going to break down into tears and I don't want you to feel bad for wanting to be with your family.' She answered shakily.
'Maddy.' He said softly, moving to wrap his arms around her.
'When do you leave?' Maddy asked leaning into his touch probably for the last time.
'Tomorrow, Jana wants to get back to the pack as soon as possible, fix things.' He said softly, Maddy squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to open the flood gates just yet.
'Okay, then tomorrow morning, you, Jana and your mum should come round here to say goodbye and I'll get Tom and Shannon to be here too but right now I need you to leave.' She said sniffling, opening her arms and taking a breath before stepping out of his embrace.
'Mads.' He said sadly, reaching for her again, he wanted to see her face but she moved away from him.
'Please just go Rhydian, I'll see you tomorrow.' She finalised, he nodded and walked backwards out of her, shutting the door and scrubbing his face to stop any tears from falling, he quickly made his way downstairs, ignoring the shout from Emma and Daniel who were in the lounge room.
Maddy dropped to her knees as soon as she heard Rhydian walk away from her door, she stayed quiet because she knew her parents had returned, little did she know, Rhydian was still in her back garden listening to the sounds of her small intakes of breath, the tears running slowly down her face and hitting her knees and the floor and the sound of her heartbeat speeding up and slowly down simultaneously, those sound imprinted themselves on his soul and he sadly ran from Maddy's home, angrily trying to force the tears not to come and failing.