Her laughter filled the forest as she reached farther, trying with fervor to win this game of keep away, but she was at a decided disadvantage and no matter how long she stretched herself she was still no match for the man’s height. Then again, the man’s height was never a match for her climbing skills, and the audacity of her nature. She kept her head angled toward the meat and Shawchert’s nose bumped against her muzzle in a loving kiss. She snickered and shot him a faux look of anger, then leaped up with her arms out, wrapping them around him and boosting herself until one claw touched the meat. She couldn’t catch hold of it, but tagging it was enough.
“Hah!” she bragged as she slipped down, though the meat was still in Shawchert’s grasp. “I win!” She hadn’t really won anything, but that always seemed to be the rules when Orin was playing. Whatever happened, their play ended in ‘I win.’ It wasn’t arrogance, just a long running joke for the woman.
She slipped back down to the ground and nestled up next to Shawchert, watching quietly as he pulled out more food. She had seen the yellow vegetable before but had never enjoyed it herself, but judging by the delicious scent she knew that she would be giving it a fair chance today. Her eyes were on the food and her thoughts were on the picnic so Orin had forgotten all about earlier when she thought there was something else on the red wolf’s mind. She didn’t even notice at first when he began to situate himself around to face her, but a moment later he caught her attention and she turned her honey gaze to look at him.
He was kneeling. Well, that wasn’t so out of the ordinary seeing as he had been setting up their lunch. But that serious look was back on his face again… and then he started talking. She looked confused for a split second, giving him her somber attention while he said what he had to say. Perhaps this was going to be one of those fun little picnics that involved lots of long speeches like in the books from the 1800’s. Though she didn’t read them anymore she still approved of living them. So she settled and smiled, awaiting his speech…
And as he spoke his words and they sank in her expression mutated from politely curious to shocked splendor. At first her white ears sank back to hide within her shaggy yellow mane, and then they perked up again when he finally got it all out.
Her hands flew up to her mouth to cover her gasp, and she froze for a moment, staring at him. Though the moment was only a couple seconds long it might have felt like eternity for the other, or anyone who might have witnessed the event and so dearly wanted to know her answer. Then she began to nod. It was a slow, unsteady motion that grew stronger and surer until it was a vehement gesture, paired with sparkling eyes and a wide grin.
“Oh my… by the moon, Shawchert, yes!” She laughed softly, her mind so wrapped up in his proposal that she hadn’t even bothered to stop and think. “But… on one condition.” She paused, a seriousness suddenly overcoming her. “We have a ceremony. I want to be wed in front of the pack, with the pack’s blessing. Only then can we truly be together.” It was what she wanted, what she desired so badly. She wanted to be joined with Shawchert but she would not do it without the sanction and celebration of the rest of their family – of the pack.
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