With clarity of mind from beginning to dig a den and manning the borders for the first time in months, Saena was able to lift her spirits just a little. In so doing, she unclouded the thoughts that fogged up her skull, and for just a minute, thought of something other than Reek fucking Tavi or ripping Tavi to pieces or witnessing her children lying dead because of their father's deeds. For just a minute, she was able to think about the future—and then those thoughts came to a crashing halt and her heart plummeted into her chest.
Luke. She had made a promise to Luke. That, plus a need for comfort, was what brought her to stumble across the Phoenix Maplewood borders and keep on stumbling out into the neutral lands beyond, heedless of the danger of heading out while pregnant, and what eventually brought her to the wetlands near to where they had themselves committed adultery. Breathing heavily, the alpha female continued stumbling along, but she had no idea where the hollow pack was in relation to hers and was soon lost. At first she howled for him, but then she decided to go further and try to find him that way, and soon she was stuck fast in a mixture of mud and stagnant water. Saena floundered against it, but she was unable to move properly and felt like she was 500 pounds heavier than normal and was soon sobbing loudly and crying out, "@Luke!" at random with quickly sinking hope that she would ever find him again.
Luke. She had made a promise to Luke. That, plus a need for comfort, was what brought her to stumble across the Phoenix Maplewood borders and keep on stumbling out into the neutral lands beyond, heedless of the danger of heading out while pregnant, and what eventually brought her to the wetlands near to where they had themselves committed adultery. Breathing heavily, the alpha female continued stumbling along, but she had no idea where the hollow pack was in relation to hers and was soon lost. At first she howled for him, but then she decided to go further and try to find him that way, and soon she was stuck fast in a mixture of mud and stagnant water. Saena floundered against it, but she was unable to move properly and felt like she was 500 pounds heavier than normal and was soon sobbing loudly and crying out, "@Luke!" at random with quickly sinking hope that she would ever find him again.
March 18, 2016, 10:05 AM
It was by chance that he would be near enough to hear her howl.
In the wake of his meet up with Smash, the white wolf had calmed somewhat, and in a way had been able to ground himself, in much the same fashion as he had when he had left home that first time. Though he was still anxious and troubled, speaking to his old friend about what had happened, admitting what was the catalyst for all of this, had allowed him to start thinking more clearly. He was slowly beginning to understand the sheer wrongness of most of his thoughts and feelings, and more importantly, he knew he had to tie the loose ends before he could move on and recover.
So, he headed west, intending to hit the shoreline and follow it South until he had found Lasher. Then, he intended he would loop back to the hollow, before resuming his wander around the north as he waited for Saena. The idea of leaving this place, of a fresh start with her, was what he clung to, casting aside his doubts and embracing optimism for the first time in months.
His gait was halted abruptly as he heard the howl. It took a moment for him to confirm past his disbelief that it was her. Luke swung south, galloping in her direction, until his ears caught her calling out his name. "Saena!" he called back, his silver eyes roaming the boggy ground for her until he spotted her, trapped in the mud and water of the wetlands. He picked a careful path toward her, testing the ground with tentative steps, until he was at her side, perched precariously on a relatively solid lump of grass and dirt.
"I got you," he said, reaching forward to grasp her scruff and help her pull clear of the muck.
In the wake of his meet up with Smash, the white wolf had calmed somewhat, and in a way had been able to ground himself, in much the same fashion as he had when he had left home that first time. Though he was still anxious and troubled, speaking to his old friend about what had happened, admitting what was the catalyst for all of this, had allowed him to start thinking more clearly. He was slowly beginning to understand the sheer wrongness of most of his thoughts and feelings, and more importantly, he knew he had to tie the loose ends before he could move on and recover.
So, he headed west, intending to hit the shoreline and follow it South until he had found Lasher. Then, he intended he would loop back to the hollow, before resuming his wander around the north as he waited for Saena. The idea of leaving this place, of a fresh start with her, was what he clung to, casting aside his doubts and embracing optimism for the first time in months.
His gait was halted abruptly as he heard the howl. It took a moment for him to confirm past his disbelief that it was her. Luke swung south, galloping in her direction, until his ears caught her calling out his name. "Saena!" he called back, his silver eyes roaming the boggy ground for her until he spotted her, trapped in the mud and water of the wetlands. He picked a careful path toward her, testing the ground with tentative steps, until he was at her side, perched precariously on a relatively solid lump of grass and dirt.
"I got you," he said, reaching forward to grasp her scruff and help her pull clear of the muck.
March 18, 2016, 08:14 PM
Her floundering weakened, and though the mud puddle really only went up to her belly, Saena felt like she was mired in an endless swamp. She would sink to the bottom, barely able to keep her nose above water, and die alone with a stomach full of pups she didn't want who shared genes with possibly the worst wolf in the wilds. It was a sad and pathetic story that she almost had herself believing, even going so far as to blow snot bubbles into the air as if drowning, at least until Luke's teeth pinched her scruff.
She thrashed, momentarily confusing him for Reek and Tavi adjoined at the genitals with the intent of ripping her apart, but when he extracted her (along with her kicking) from the mud, the scent overwhelmed her nightmarish imagination and slumped against him and sobbed pitifully and blubbered something about being alone. It wasn't exactly the most tactful thing, sobbing about the loss of her lecherous mate in the arms of the man she'd sworn to run away with, but hey, it was Saena. Tactless was almost a lifestyle for her.
She thrashed, momentarily confusing him for Reek and Tavi adjoined at the genitals with the intent of ripping her apart, but when he extracted her (along with her kicking) from the mud, the scent overwhelmed her nightmarish imagination and slumped against him and sobbed pitifully and blubbered something about being alone. It wasn't exactly the most tactful thing, sobbing about the loss of her lecherous mate in the arms of the man she'd sworn to run away with, but hey, it was Saena. Tactless was almost a lifestyle for her.
March 19, 2016, 06:52 PM
She was a mess; not just from the muck and grime but emotionally. It was apparent as soon as she fell against him, sobbing and blubbering. It had been even in the way she seemed not to recognize him, fighting against his efforts to help. "You're not alone," he reassured as he swept his tongue over the top of her head, smoothing the fur there and nuzzling her copper ears. "I'm here, what's wrong?" Something had happened, but what, he could not even guess at. Seeing her distraught had the immediate effect of making him forget that he had troubles of his own.
March 22, 2016, 08:35 PM
She was a blubbering mess, and was embarrassed to know she was falling apart in front of Luke, but if there was anyone she was comfortable with anymore, it was him. Her closest friends were no longer around and she had become so withdrawn from her own pack that she was surrounded by strangers. She would seek to fix that, but until then, the only wolf she could be herself with was him. The knowledge was terrifying and brought a fresh wave of tears streaming down her cheeks.
But, in the end, she was able to compose herself enough to thickly blubber, "Reek cheated on me with Tavi," as if Luke should care. She'd promised to run away with him and the likelihood that he would be understanding of her being so torn up over her mate's infidelity was low. Even Saena, on a more reasonable day, knew it was a poor thing to bring up with the man she herself had been unfaithful with. But she couldn't help it. It came out to anyone who seemed to ask, perhaps because she wanted the world to know how terrible Reek was in order to hide how terrible she herself had been.
But, in the end, she was able to compose herself enough to thickly blubber, "Reek cheated on me with Tavi," as if Luke should care. She'd promised to run away with him and the likelihood that he would be understanding of her being so torn up over her mate's infidelity was low. Even Saena, on a more reasonable day, knew it was a poor thing to bring up with the man she herself had been unfaithful with. But she couldn't help it. It came out to anyone who seemed to ask, perhaps because she wanted the world to know how terrible Reek was in order to hide how terrible she herself had been.
March 24, 2016, 10:35 AM
He had been drawn to her when he felt his world break apart beneath his feet, though he would be unable to explain why if asked. He simply felt that she was a companion he could depend on not to hurt him. Now, as her life crumbled, she had come to him. Both wolves were torn over the pains bestowed upon them by others, and by the sting of their own mistakes and shortcomings.
Perhaps this is why the white wolf did not think much on her hypocrisy. It did not matter. He himself loathed what the cat had done to him, and then had turned around and done it to another. He was no better. He thought himself worse, and was haunted by the actions he had taken, even more so by the lingering want he had to do them again. To feel so in control, so above the threat of harm.
"His loss," he said coldly, but in contrast he moved to kiss the tears from her cheeks with incredible tenderness and warmth. His own problems were momentarily forgotten, a savage sense of protectiveness over Saena taking their place. He bristled as he thought of that pitiful scrap, unable to fathom how the fool had seen fit to turn his back on his mate and his pups. His teeth pressed tightly together, his jaws aching with the force... he wanted to rend that sorry wolf.
He exhaled, slackening the tension that had gathered throughout him. then Luke slipped his muzzle beneath Saena's own and nudged it upward. "You don't need him. Show me that beautiful, proud, ambitious girl I first met. Come on," he said as his lips twitched into a faint smile. But it was not until he swept away from her, to beckon her to follow, did his eyes find the swell of her belly. He stopped with his brows furrowed.
She was in no condition to leave this place.
Perhaps this is why the white wolf did not think much on her hypocrisy. It did not matter. He himself loathed what the cat had done to him, and then had turned around and done it to another. He was no better. He thought himself worse, and was haunted by the actions he had taken, even more so by the lingering want he had to do them again. To feel so in control, so above the threat of harm.
"His loss," he said coldly, but in contrast he moved to kiss the tears from her cheeks with incredible tenderness and warmth. His own problems were momentarily forgotten, a savage sense of protectiveness over Saena taking their place. He bristled as he thought of that pitiful scrap, unable to fathom how the fool had seen fit to turn his back on his mate and his pups. His teeth pressed tightly together, his jaws aching with the force... he wanted to rend that sorry wolf.
He exhaled, slackening the tension that had gathered throughout him. then Luke slipped his muzzle beneath Saena's own and nudged it upward. "You don't need him. Show me that beautiful, proud, ambitious girl I first met. Come on," he said as his lips twitched into a faint smile. But it was not until he swept away from her, to beckon her to follow, did his eyes find the swell of her belly. He stopped with his brows furrowed.
She was in no condition to leave this place.
March 26, 2016, 11:14 PM
Luke's brand of reassurance was tough to swallow at first, but a little voice in the back of Saena's mind agreed. He was right, of course. The last thing she needed was another wolf to throw her aside and leave her behind and that was exactly what Reek had done when he chose to cheat on her. She'd had enough of that all her life. Still, it was a daunting task to rebuild her confidence after having it so thoroughly smashed and presently she didn't feel up to the task at all. Wallowing in her despair was somehow easier.
She managed to sniffle and fix Luke with a sad, watery smile before he pulled away from her. Whining sharply, the alpha female found her paws, but she didn't make to follow after him. There was a reason she wanted to birth her pups in the maple wood, after all. Previously she had thought of Reek and what he deserved, but now she thought only of the safety of her cubs. Either way, the outcome of the decision was the same: they had to be born there, and without a parent besides her to look after them, she was also bound.
Feeling tethered and defeated and resentful of the wolf who had put her in such a position without ever realizing how thoroughly he had destroyed her, Saena glanced at the ground, awaiting Luke's decision to leave as well. He wanted to leave the wilds, and she couldn't. His choice now seemed obvious.
She managed to sniffle and fix Luke with a sad, watery smile before he pulled away from her. Whining sharply, the alpha female found her paws, but she didn't make to follow after him. There was a reason she wanted to birth her pups in the maple wood, after all. Previously she had thought of Reek and what he deserved, but now she thought only of the safety of her cubs. Either way, the outcome of the decision was the same: they had to be born there, and without a parent besides her to look after them, she was also bound.
Feeling tethered and defeated and resentful of the wolf who had put her in such a position without ever realizing how thoroughly he had destroyed her, Saena glanced at the ground, awaiting Luke's decision to leave as well. He wanted to leave the wilds, and she couldn't. His choice now seemed obvious.
March 27, 2016, 01:06 PM
He looked into the distance as her own eyes met the ground, but his desire to be with her was far greater than his desire to run away from these lands, the wolves in them, and his problems. So, the white wolf did not hesitate in his decision, and just as she had quickly agreed to run away with him, he immediately agreed to stay. "Okay," he said, stepping back to her side and rubbing the crown of his head against her cheek. "I guess I'm going back with you, because I'm not leaving your side anymore. You're stuck with me," he concluded, finding his humor for the first time since the attack, and favoring her with what had become a rare, warm smile.
He accompanied her back to the maplewood, feeling an alien contentment now that he had some direction, some purpose, and most importantly, her. She would be his anchor, and perhaps he would be hers. They could rebuild their broken confidence and face their mistakes and their pains together. The continuation of their story could not have been more appropriate for the titular bird of her home. His home. It had never been in the plans, but maybe this was how it was meant to be.
He accompanied her back to the maplewood, feeling an alien contentment now that he had some direction, some purpose, and most importantly, her. She would be his anchor, and perhaps he would be hers. They could rebuild their broken confidence and face their mistakes and their pains together. The continuation of their story could not have been more appropriate for the titular bird of her home. His home. It had never been in the plans, but maybe this was how it was meant to be.
March 27, 2016, 01:27 PM
Her ears twitched at the sound of earth grinding beneath his paws, and she sunk her head lower in expectation. He would depart without her and Saena would be left with just her pack and her babes—a great deal, all things considered, but perhaps too much for the young female to handle alone. She pressed closed her eyelids and tried to keep her face impassive. She lifted her head only when his head brushed over her cheek, and it was with wide, glistening eyes that she absorbed what he said.
He would stay. For her, with her, or for him, it didn't matter too much. She wouldn't be alone.
"You mean it?" she whispered quietly even as they managed to pick up from the marsh and begin the trek back, her heavily stained with mud and him stalwart in his changed way. "Thank you, Luke," she murmured as they went, lowering her head to press it against his shoulder in a wordless gesture of intense gratitude. What purpose he wished to fill within the maplewood pack was his to claim. Saena would deny him nothing that he wished for, not after denying him his wish to roam the world with her.
He would stay. For her, with her, or for him, it didn't matter too much. She wouldn't be alone.
"You mean it?" she whispered quietly even as they managed to pick up from the marsh and begin the trek back, her heavily stained with mud and him stalwart in his changed way. "Thank you, Luke," she murmured as they went, lowering her head to press it against his shoulder in a wordless gesture of intense gratitude. What purpose he wished to fill within the maplewood pack was his to claim. Saena would deny him nothing that he wished for, not after denying him his wish to roam the world with her.
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