Do you remember?
#1
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Word count +3:: OOC

The strange twist in the dynamic of the pack that had been lingering in New Dawn ever since Titania’s disappearance was only maddening. Zalen knew what it was; it was his male instinct driving him to dominate the males and procreate with the females, but the already established relationships was making something that was naturally simple so very complicated. He had already copulated with one female, Adonia, and had almost done so with a second, Thana, if Shadowfang had not intervened. He could tell the others in the pack knew what was happened, and while some accepted it as normal, others were somewhat put off by it. He didn’t wish for any of them to distrust them, so his sake and theirs he was taking a little day trip.

A moon’s turn ago, representatives from Sangi’lak had come to New Dawn for formal introductions. He had not been present, but had learned from the others that the leader of the pack was none other than his long lost friend X’yrin, who had seemingly disappeared into the wind after Ichika had disbanded. Zalen was filled with delight to know she alright, and had decided it was time he pay her a visit. In the past, she had always been a support for him, and he for her, and he enjoyed the way they so naturally interacted. He needed to see her again, and tried to put of his mind that one of his reasons for doing so might be instinctual as well.

The trip North to Sangi’lak was an easy one, the land was relatively level and there were treeless areas that were easy to run through. The scenery here was just as beautiful and wild as New Dawn’s was, but only after he had made it through the suburbs of Amherst. It had only taken him only a few hours jaunt to reach their borders, which surprised him; he had not realized how close they were. Once there, he sniffed at their scent and was rewarded with confirmation that X’yrin was in fact here. His tail already wagging, Zalen lifted his head and called for her presence.

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#2
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ooc:

  • Setting:
  • Location: Along the Northeast borderline heading South
  • Form:Secui


  • Normality would always be relative, but it was something to strive toward during her days. When her mind was ravaged with turmoil, it seemed difficult to take the time to find a calm again. In little Zeus's presence she could find a reason to smile and bring that nurturing desire forward when there was none of her own blood, even growing to coddle and care for. In her fellow lead's presence, the Issum and her loved, she found a happiness that was shamefully satisfied by one part of her whole. The part that went against the civilized mind and craved to be appeased by instinct. The part that felt disappointed and went on unfulfilled due to the emptiness within her. Nothing was growing, her instinct would rage feeling the ticking of the clock go on. And though her civilized nature contested it...she felt perhaps it was again not meant to be.

    But it was not fair to Jaden, to assume he was not able to sire. After-all, it took more than one go to make it a success, but complications kept her from seeking him again despite the scent still clinging to her person. The complication was with a face and name, but she was reluctant to seek him as well without a reason. What became of them was to an extent she did not wish to entertain for the time. Rather...she wanted time alone. The Issor that craved life within her, that wanted stability again, that desired a less complicated existence for the sake of her own selfish wants. She wanted to think for a moment only of the borderline that separated her Family from the eastern wolves. She wanted to pretend there was simplicity and that she could look upon the face of her beautiful land and know that its sanctity was preserved. She wanted to enjoy the day and forget all else mattered.

    Such was the want of a selfish Shepard.

    Her ears were drawn from the auburn bed to receive an enchanting call from the borders. Familiar...in a distant sense that suddenly surfaced a fond memory and the remnant of a scent, like remembering a fine delicacy, the feeling associated came to mind inciting all the sensations coupled with it and made the female's digits dance with excitement. Oh, this was a pleasure, hearing the voice of the New Dawn male. It had been many moons since she seen the male, and that alone encouraged her swift stride to greet him. In her attempt to create a distraction, she had taken to adorning her long mane with the glossy feathers of her vulture companion, lavishing her hair with a darker hue even under the sunlight as she ran with all limbs working determinedly with her. Few came loose and glided away under a favoring wind, but she minded it little as her mind was pleasantly taken by the potential for seeing a friend and company.

    Excitement got the better of her as she raised her head and sounded her greeting, heavy paws continuing their rhythm til the dark male was in sight and the tune turned to a staccato beat. Happily, she called his name not by the civil tongue but the lupine nearly lost to their kind. And when near, her pace did not lessen. Instead she quickened her stride, building momentum and made to plow into him... but veered left at the last moment to cut along his side then skirt around his back to tackle him from behind.

    588 words.

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    #3
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    Word count +3:: OOC

    Zalen crouched patiently at the borders, his knees drawn up to his sides and both hands and feet planted firmly. He had taken care to make himself presentable before he departed, redoing the braid in his hair and his eye-mark, and securing with fresh, green sapling bark the feathers to his mane. Now he adjusting himself again, picking off any burrs he found, and licking away any excess dirt. He wanted to look good, and hoped X’yrin would only be aware of his subtle pea-cocking without having to point it out and putting him on the spot.

    Soon, a glorious and rich howl came to him on the breeze, and his tail began thumping against the ground in anticipation; she was coming! Soon her could hear her pad-falls and then she appeared, nearly glowing in the sunlight, her main shimmering. For a moment he thought she might be in Optime, running in the same fashion as he did but as she came up on him he realized it was Secui; she was coming at him fast and hard.

    The dark New Dawn Alpha tensed, preparing himself to be trounced, but she expertly maneuvered around him and then sprung onto him from behind. He twisted in time to catch her frame as it landed on top of him, and he was instantly captivated by her shimmering golden eyes. Whines and barks of pure ecstasy escaped him as he held her wriggling and panting form close, and he planted several wolfish kisses on the underside of her chin in submission and joy; this was her land and he would show her due respect, even in the face of his excitement.

    The way Xy’rin spoke in wolf low-speech was even more primitive and natural than the way Shawchert was now speaking. The broken man’s speech was much more audible, despite the lack of true words, where X’y’s was much more a language of the body. Zalen realized it would take him a moment to remember the etiquette of this subtle language, but at the moment his whole body said one, very clear thing, I’ve missed you so much!

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    #4
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    ooc:

    The language of the ancestors was a lost tongue among their kind, at least this was the assumption she had come to. So to speak as such as she had when coming to this land, was a true treasure that she cherished all the more. Seeing the lost look in other's eyes never ceased to dampen her spirits, but those rare moments when her 'words' were received always brightened her mood and gave her hope that the language still had a chance of survival. That not all of their kind was contaminated by the allured of the distant culture.

    Within his hold she whined happily, wriggling like an excitedly pup and turning her muzzle to and fro to catch his beneath her chin. Her rapidly coming words were overflowing, overlapping each other, rolling smoothly over varying octaves in melodious tune, conveying a single, unbridled emotion. She had missed him too. She sang of her ancestor's cruelty in keeping them apart, her kindred spirit, but in the same voice thanked them for their generous gift. Her exuberance lessened for put a moment as her muzzle found the crook of his neck and rubbed her nose within the handsomely groomed fur in apology. A subtle ask for forgiveness for the time she had spent apart. Her sudden absence after the fall of Ichika, and the months she allowed to pass without word. Friends were dear to her, and the Nomad would be damned to tarnish what was had with any.

    After placing a gentle lick along his neck, both in accepting his submission and to solidify her sincerity for her apology, she craned back her head just a bit and poked his nose with her own wet one. With tail wagging she raised a paw to lightly bat his muzzle then proceeded to worm her way out of his hold to lie on the grass beside him. Though she was glad to see him, surely the presence of the Alpha was for more than a social call. With intrigue in her amber eyes, she looked to Zalen expectantly with a soft smile touching her lips.

    353 words.

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    #5
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    Word count +1:: OOC

    X’yrin knew just what to say, simultaneously accepting him, supporting him, and being affectionate and playful before wriggling from his grasp to lay beside him. He stay laying on his back, but let his head lay flat against the ground and looked up at her with open muzzle, tongue lolling out, green eyes popping as he looked at her goofily. His tail thumped the ground as if it were a drum, but her soft gaze held a question, and so he righted himself onto his stomach to answer it.

    For a moment, everything about him was silent; he just laid on his front, arms in front of him as he looked out over the woodland area they were in. It was peaceful here, and quiet. Zalen had been so used to the constant hum of the ocean that the absence of it was somewhat jarring. His black nose twitched as he examined the scents; they were of the norm, besides the beautiful woman sitting beside him, who smelled amazing.

    The dark Alpha then let out a long, heavy sigh, and decided it was time to break the spell of the natural language; there was just too much to explain, and his body could only say so much. Titania is gone… He said, surprising himself that he had immediately gone to the darkest, most uncomfortable of subjects. Though a part of him wept for the disappearance of his former mate, the rest of him was angry, and frustrated. With a huff he set his mighty head down upon the backs of his hands, … we would have had three children. This hurt more than even Titania’s leaving did; three tiny lives never having had the chance to see the sunlight; it disturbed and pained him greatly.

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    #6
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    ooc:

    His break of their natural tongue was with words of pain to dampen the elated mood. Her soft smiled waned to sadness with the news of her friend's lost mate. Only one that had experienced this loss would understand the pain of the one left behind. And such a pain the Nomad knew well of, yet did not offer her voice in sympathy. It was in comfort instead; a low soothing sound joined with a touch of her nose upon his lowered muzzle. A sweet kiss to his twitching nose.

    She kept her silence as he continued on, her gaze shifting from the black of his nose to the vibrant green of his eyes. Her own amber gems closed at the unfortunate news of life lost, three the ancestors took before their time. It was not uncommon, but it was a bitter act of nature.

    Sighing softly, the licked the leader's muzzle inhaling softly and offered the words her Shepard had once given her after the tragic loss within the collective. "The ancestors bless us with life. They watch over us...and they love us. Their actions are not without reason, however bitter it may be to us. I asked my Shepard...my Father once, why the ancestors allowed the death of so many lives during our birthing season. He said...it was because the females were jealous of the life below now that they could never give like again. Only through the death would they have pups again, forever kept in their vulnerable forms so that our ancestors may care for and nurture them." And then the Nomad would smile and inch herself closer to lay alongside her dear friend's form.

    "Yet...they knew of their selfishness and the pain they caused their earthbound children. If their children's faith remained in them...if they continued to follow their guidance, then the following season there would be no deaths. Only the life they were robbed of. If it is a comfort to you, do not think of their lives as lost, but cared for by your ancestors. And when you sire again, you will be gifted with life.

    "But Zalen...please tell me. Why has your mate left you?...have you not looked for her?" Her ears lowered as she sang mournfully, 'Did you look for her my friend, as I looked for mine those painful seasons ago?'

    400 words.

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    #7
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    Word count +4:: OOC

    X'yrin was quick to comfort and slow to frustration at his having broken the reverie. She was so soft and warm, like a ray of sunlight filtering through freshly green trees and Zalen felt like he could just lie against her and rest forever. She then began speaking; it had been so long since he had heard her voice that it was somewhat jarring though her tongue was even and calm. She spoke of a story she had been told in her past, explaining that Titania’s loss was just the cruel fate bestowed on her by the Gods. Zalen figured it was as good an explanation as any.

    Her story ended with a seed of hope, a promise that such a thing could not possibly happen to Zalen again if he had faith. His ears perked just slightly at this, wishing very much for it to be true; the drive for children was the strongest he had ever felt, even more so than his desire to hunt down Amy. He felt that both were an inevitability.

    X’yrin than asked the most painful of questions; had he gone looking for Titania? Zalen had not really spoken of his initial search for his lost mate, she would be the first to hear it, Yes, when I discovered the birthing den abandoned, I followed her scent until it faded. I called her, she never answered, and never reappeared. Then, heaving a sigh, It was not until her broken father came to New Dawn’s doorstep that I learned that Titania has become mind-sick, wandering the wilds, a husk of her former self with no memory. She didn’t even recognize her own father, I know for sure she would not recognize me, or any of New Dawn. He looked over at X’y with sadness deep within his olive eyes, I could not bear looking for her any longer. What could I do, what could I say? Seeing me would be like seeing a complete stranger. Titania may as well have died; the woman I loved is no more.

    His heart nearly wrenched in two by the verbal confirmation of what he had held deep inside. Many in New Dawn wondered on his seeming callousness, wondering why he had not sent out a full search party to bring Titania back. He could not do that, it would hurt him too much to force a broken woman to return to a pack she never knew. Instead, he had pushed any emotion from his heart, instead filling it with instinct and dominance. He could mourn silently, but remain a stead-fast and cold leader if need be.

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    #8
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    ooc:

    The Nomad lay quietly lost within the woven tale of what had become of her friend and his lost beloved. She lacked the intimacy in knowing their relationship, how strong the love ran deeply between the young pale female and her darling dark Alpha, but she could imagine how deeply their love had rooted into his heart and how it pained him to have them snatched from his chest leaving him barren within. The pain was evident within his emerald eyes and his heart was in dire need of mending.

    X’yrin saw within him the agony forced upon him when her own mate was lost. Still, she in vain held out hope trying to fabricate a reality that he would return with arms open awaiting her return. Perhaps with an excuse she would gladly accept so long as he rejoined her again. But the pair of them differed in that the Dawn’s Alpha barred his heart from missing his beloved. Foregoing the search when hope was deemed lost…carrying on though it hurt him dearly. For this, the Nomad was envious of him, for at least someone had come to him and let him know what become of his mate. The Exultare would never know and this wrenched at her heart and twisted it bitterly. As the pain resurfaced, she gasped for breath to ease the burning then closed her eyes in repose.

    “Most within our lifetime are not given that closure.” Her lips turned into sorrowful smile. “Our kind travel so far and experience danger even when all seems safe. We are left wandering…hoping…waiting for perhaps what our hearts are not willing to accept.” Slowly, she opened her eyes and peered into vibrant green. “Forgive my bitter words…but take comfort that you know what has become of her. Embrace your inner strength and prevail, not only for yourself but for those you lead. But my friend…my dear friend.” Gently, she brought the tip of her nose to grace his own then let her voice fall to a whisper. “Do not let this bar your heart forever. Make it strong…make it impregnable. But leave a fault…just a sliver. So that one worthwhile being may find their way in and mend what has been broken. Despite the loss…the cruelty of our ancestors, the misfortune they have made you suffer…could you do this, Zalen?” ‘Could you keep yourself from growing cold and hard?’

    400 words.

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    #9
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    Word count +4:: OOC

    X’yrin’s reaction to his tale was somewhat surprising; she seemed jealous of him for having learned of Titania’s fate. He wasn’t sure if she was serious or if it was some cruel joke but one look into her honey eyes and it was confirmed; she too had lost someone, perhaps long ago, and had never learned of their fate as he had. He supposed from one point of view he was lucky, but the idea that Titania had not died and yet did not remember him was almost torturous; he nearly wished she was dead, or that had had never heard of her fate.

    Then, X’yrin captured all his attention with a soft touch to his muzzle and he turned to look into her eyes. She told him to protect his heart, but leave it vulnerable to love, but the way she wove her words was as if she put a tangible cover of warmth over him. He found his mind nearly drifting, her words like a soothing lullaby, and as she finished he raised a hand to cup her strong yet feminine face. Luperci couldn’t kiss in the way humans could, their lips and mouths did not allow for it, but Zalen’s touch against her muzzle was as close as any canine could come to the affectionate gesture.

    While he deeply nuzzled her, he ran his hand into the thick of her mane, where it was warm. She smelled amazing, now that he had his face buried in her, and he realized suddenly that she was in the cusp of heat. It was subtle, much more so than the New Dawn females, and so he had missed it at first. Perhaps she used herbs, or bathed herself in such a way that hid the scent, he could not be sure, but now that his nose was locked onto it, it was all that he could smell. Surprisingly though, it didn’t drive him to madness, instead, it warmed his insides pleasantly.

    A low, grumbling purr of a growl emanated from deep in his throat, What have you become in this pack of yours, X’yrin? A witch? A Sorceress? What is this spell you weave into me? He smiled lightly, his eyes glittered as he looked at her. He was teasing her, but part of what he said he felt might be true.

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    #10
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    ooc:

    As the warm press of fine fur and flesh graced her own, she thought nothing of betrayal, but of the kindness she felt within that warm touch. A healing compress upon a wound that never truly healed and within it, a remedy had been offered to her even if it were a fleeting one.

    The smile that turned her lips was one of gratitude birthed by the heart and conveyed in silence when her tongue was too heavy to say it aloud. She had found since the departure of her beloved, that none understood that sort of pain she lived with. What she still lived with. She had been so blindly in love then, too ignorant, too unprepared for the loss that she was left scathed raw with no means to truly mend the damage. This was perhaps the first time she had received a comforting gesture that was not offered out of sympathy, but of genuine understanding. And she was so very grateful for that.

    Words of sorcery had her body trembling pleasantly and endearing giggles spilled from her parted maw. It was amusing to be addressed as part of what her culture would call the UnSpoken, those that practiced what the Nomads deemed unfit for their lifestyle. In one form, it could have been an insult, but in this instance she understood it to be a flattering gesture. An expression of captivation. A little tease that swept her tail gaily through the grass had her heart fluttering excitedly. “I am merely the Issor- the Shepard of my Family,” she whispered, lowering her muzzle to slip beneath his chin and breathe in the masculine allure there in. “There is no spell… but the words of a wolf that has shared your pain, who’s desire is that you do not suffer as she had alone;” Drawing strength from his warm, she sank deeper into him with gold maw plunging into its obsidian refuge. Again, she breathed deeply, finding the words to continue. “…that you are not forever robbed of happiness regardless of the blessings the ancestors bequeath to you.”


    349 words.



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    #11
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    X’y’s laughter was like the tinkling of silver bells and it just elated Zalen to no end. He could not help but smile as her mirthful golden eyes came to rest on him, and she explained that there was no spell, save for empathy, if you could call that witchcraft. The feel of her regal head under his chin filled him with a masculine pride that he could not truly express; he had never had had such a powerful and sure of herself wolfess treat him in such a way, and it was exciting. His tail began to thumb against the grass once more and he righted himself so that he was sitting on his hip beside her, allowing his now free hands to roam through her mane. It had been too long since he had groomed another with his hands and now seemed as good a time as any.

    Now that the sadness had been broken between them, Zalen could finally speak of happier things, I was very glad to hear you had settled another pack north of us. When I had heard of Ichika’s downfall, my heart worried greatly for you… I thought you might have… his voice trailed off. There had been times in the deep of night when the Alpha had lain awake thinking that X’yrin had died alone in the wilderness, despite the fact that he knew she was such a powerful female that she could take care of herself. Still, no one really knew the relief and joy he felt when his pack-mates had informed him of the arrival of Sangi’lak’s envoys, and the information they had given.

    Zalen reached his head down to lick X’yrin behind the ear, I do hope that we can become allies as we once were, and kindle a friendship between our two packs. New Dawn needed the camaraderie, and Zalen trusted X’yrin enough to believe that her members would be nothing but welcoming to his.

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    #12
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    The dreary mood had lifted allowing the woman to smile freely once more. Her maw had parted and tongue lolled as she was groomed so fondly by dexterous fingers. It had been a long while since another had played through her mane; one of her most favorite pleasures she had thought she would have to live on without. Truly she was in the Ancestors’ favor if they would grant her this, simple treat and by the hands of her handsome and respectable friend, no less. A long time had passed since she had seen him, and what was given to her now when beyond her expectations. Her heart fluttered happily within her strong breast and tail teased the air with erratic sways. She sang a joyous tune to thank her forebears for their favor, and in her voice was a lower sung prayer, asking that their graces fall upon the Dawn Alpha as well. For of the male leaders she had come to know, she wished for the Damaichu’s prosperity more than any other.

    At the words of allies and friendship, the Nomads ears perked up with interest but did not distract herself from the pleasant ministrations. She tilted her head more into his touch whilst answering. “It would be an honor to take New Dawn as an ally. It is harder than I’d like to admit to find compatible allies in a land that is so…diverse.” Still within her private heaven, the female rolled into her back and nudged her head further into the male’s to be petted. “As the seasons pass, I become witness to packs taking dogs into their ranks and calling them family. The masters of their own domain have their right to do so, but I cannot befriend a pack that would willingly adopt weakness into their families. Rather I see the dogs make a family of their own than infiltrate others.” She turned her eyes to Zalen, smiling as she met his emerald gaze. “As I recall, you do not invite that into your ranks.”



    341 words.



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    #13
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    Word count +3:: OOC

    Zalen saw how much pleasure X’yrin was receiving from his roving fingers and so he continued it, though there was not much to find in the depths of her silky mane; she obviously kept herself well groomed and clean on her own. It was good to see the smile grace her features once more, it became her much better than any other expression, and it lifted Zalen’s spirits. The mention of allying seemed to peek her interest, and she then spoke of her difficultly finding allies amongst the packs. Zalen knew this all too well and nodded in agreement. She then spoke of dogs and how she did not allow them in Sangi’lak and Zalen found this interesting; up until now he believed New Dawn and Inferni were the only packs to disallow joining due to species, he wondered what had changed in X’yrin that she chose to disallow dogs in particular.

    She prompted him to speak about his own acceptance practices when she mentioned that New Dawn also didn’t allow dogs and Zalen nodded, Indeed, we do not allow dogs nor coyotes in our ranks. It is not natural to do so, and who are we to go against what nature shows us is right. Coyotes are loners and scavengers by nature, though I find it interesting that Inferni has remained as strong as it has. Dogs are better suited to a humanized life, for they were created from humanity and it is where they thrive. He smiled at her; he believed that there was nothing wrong with his logic in this manner; he believed that different species did better when separate but equal.

    But then, continuing, However, there are some in my pack who surely have dog and coyote in their ancestry, you can see it marked in their coats. But they have denounced whatever may be left of their non-wolf heritage and have embraced pack-hood and wolven fellowship, and I could not in good conscience turn them away. There were only three wolves in New Dawn that truly let on about their dog heritage, those being Jiva, Cody and Adonia. But they were more wolf than anything, and it took a trained eye and ear to pick up the dog in them.

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    #14
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    Strongly differing views tended to have negative effects in a conversational setting, but with the pair so at ease and positively enthralled with each other’s company, the Nomad could safely assume that a turn something more confrontational would not befall them. And that alone made the she-wolf’s tail pat the ground just a little more soundly, and body further relax against the conjurer of this sublime sensation. Even though he admitted to having some within his pack as part of that dreadful heritage, she did not fault him and took the Alpha at his word. It was not her place to pass judgment on another’s rule, so long as it did not interfere with her own and she felt no reason to start now.

    “Wonderful…” she sighed softly with eyes growing heavy as her breathing evened as she fell deeper into sweet repose. “But… we could talk on pack relations another time, shall we my friend.” She peeked from beneath a heavy lid whist a mischievous smile pulled delicately at the corners of her muzzle. “It is a lovely day-“ she curled one paw to the endless blue then gentle bat at the Alpha’s muzzle with the other “- and with the autumn and winter to follow, such days like this will be rare. Why not spend the time and relax with me and think of pleasant things that make us smile. At least…” With a knowing smile she tilted her muzzle toward his.

    “At least until we are again troubled by these obstacles of life and we are made to cling to days like these in our memory.”


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