Niernan was coming to terms with his impending fatherhood, his mind kept rewinding to the moment when Saul rolled his handpaws over Graces abdomen and felt the hardening there. He had announced to the new couple that they were to be parents and their reactions had been entirely different; Nier had been shocked but ultimately ecstatic, while Grace had refused to believe it. She seemed to be struggling to come to terms with the fact that she was bearing pups. He knew that she was pleased they were Niernan's, her love for him still solid, but the prospect of being a mother was terrifying for her. Nevertheless she was remaining active and had decided that she wanted to accompany him on his patrol that morning.
Nier had set an easy pace, walking his circuit rather than running it as he usually did, Grace's handpaw held firmly in his, Ciaran, Leo, Cabbage and Pumpkin trotting along beside the pair. The quoll pups were old enough now to accompany them on walks, their lithe forms bounding ahead of the wolf couple. The two cats walked beside Niernan, the larger and fluffier Ciaran meowing eagerly to the younger, slimmer and smaller cat next to him. Leo's large green eyes were fixated on the elder cat, drinking in the knowledge the Maine Coon hybrid was imparting. Nier flicked his ears to listen to the cat, picking out a few words in his limited Low Speech, knowing enough to gather that Ciaran was informing the cat of the changing of the seasons and which prey was best for them in leaner times. The wolf smiled warmly, glad that the cats were finally getting along after their tenuous start.
He gave his lovers handpaw a firm and loving squeeze, gaining a beaming smile from her. Her dreadlocked and dyed hair pulled up into a loose ponytail swung slightly with the movement of their walking, her golden fur shone in the autumnal sun. As usual she was naked, allowing the world to see her natural beauty, her only adornments her Frithr necklace, her leather satchel and the beaded bracelet that Niernan had gotten for her at the pack feast. He felt that they were happy in this moment, that maybe Grace was coming to terms with her pregnancy, he stopped their walk for a moment. He turned to look into her ocean blue eyes, mustering all the love and sympathy he could into his own cerulean orbs and his voice, I know you've had a hard time adjusting to knowing that we're to have pups. But is it easier now? He waited in tense silence as Grace maintained eye contact, he watched her emotions warring in those bottomless blue pits, and he wished that he had never asked. He was about to open his mouth to tell her never mind, forget he even asked, when she raised a creamy handpaw to his face, turning his muzzle so that he was looking at her again. "You're right, for once." Her voice held it's normal teasing tone and he felt a smile tugging at his lips, "It has been difficult knowing that new life is growing in me, and I have been more of a bitch than usual lately, but yes. I have accepted it now, and I am happy."
Nier felt the grin stretch his face, tears threatening to fall. She added more words, hoping to make him understand, "It's still scary, I am terrified. But it's you and me Niernan, so I know you'll protect me, and you'll put up with my mad moods." Nier chuckled and pulled her in to him, holding her close and kissing her soundly, he was happier than he ever thought he could be, even more so than the moment in which his pups had been conceived and Grace had agreed to move in with him. They separated and he looked into her beautiful face, I love you Grace D'Angelo. He said quietly, his breath ruffling her bangs. She smiled sardonically at him, "I love you too, you great Stormbringer oaf." She placed a slim fingered handpaw on his chest and pushed him away playfully. She flagged her tail as she turned away, glancing back over her shoulder, her eyes sending him a challenge before she burst into a sprint, her creamy white footpaws easily negotiating the woodland floor. He grinned and followed, knowing he was faster than her, but indulging her for this moment and playing the game of chase. Quolls and cats trailed behind them.
Their chase brought them out of the woods to the grasslands near the Commune of the Salmon, Grace hiding as best she could in the long grass. The quolls and cats moved into the long stems, the only sign of their presence the rustling of movement and the excited squeals and yowls as they played their own game of chase. Nier grinned as he spotted a gold and cream furred tail tip flicking above the tops of the grass, moving steadily towards that tail and whatever mischief she had planned for him. Before he even reached her he froze, the scent of strange wolves drifting to him on the breeze. He flicked his head around, eyes scanning the horizon for figures. He yowled at the cats in Low Speech, calling them back to him. The Quoll's language was similar enough that they gathered the general meaning of his sudden noise and scampered back to him, scrambling up his body and curling themselves around his neck. Leo chose to seek out Grace and begged her to pick him up, she scooped him up into her arms and moved over to Niernan's side, "What do you see oh mighty Vald Niernan?" She asked, her tone lightly teasing. He shrugged, Not much yet, but I can smell strangers.
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