Aspen lay on her side but quickly moved to her stomach and then to the other side.  She could not get comfortable what so ever and it was becoming more and more frustrating for the Queen.  She got up on her paws and proceeded to pace back and forth across the den. She was in heat so she knew she really should stay here but right now she also wanted to be anywhere else. 

Aspen let out a very soft probably in audible whine in frustration. She was scuffing her paws on the ground wondering where on earth Charley was. She needed his help. She wanted his help. 

She continued to pace back back and forth across the den seriously debating going out and finding him but she also worried then about Nico or Pritmor finding her first. Obviously she would stop them.....or try but she didn't want to take that chance. At least in here she was "safe". Only other person permitted to enter the tunnels that were not Alpha's was Ayla. 

Nico had just finished his daily patrol and was beginning his daily, rather aimless, wanderings around the packlands. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing to do...yet. He'd done patrols, filled the caches, sparred with a tree — all the usuals. Now was his time for peaceful meditation while admiring the beautiful view of Golden Glade, despite it's somewhat suffocating presence. A few days ago, while he was on the same meditating journey, the soldier had located where the tunnels were. He stayed around the entrance for a few minutes, observing the opening with quiet interest before leaving. Nico knew only Inner Circle members were allowed in, and he didn't care much for tunnels anyways: too many closed walls, so he left without thinking much about it.

But today, when the silver creature crossed by the exact same spot he'd passed just days ago, a new tantalising scent drifted through the entrance, a scent he very much remembered from his past experiences. He licked his lips, eyes darting to scan his surroundings. In his current state of mind, however, the soldier wasn't very dilligent; he was too busy trying to convince the sane part of his brain that this was a good idea. Obviously, it wasn't, given the fact that Charley would probably attempt to kill him, but in his current predicament, that was the last thing on his mind.

The sterling male lingered by the entrance before sticking his head in, inhaling sharply and he took one step forward, testing his boundaries. It wouldn't be long before his mind completely unravelled and he gave in to his homones, but for now, some of his self-control still lingered, though that too was slowly fading away.

Charley was thrilled with the way his life was going so far: He was a King, followed by loyal subjects that were already shifting more into friends and family, a wonderful, perfect Queen that was bound to go into heat any day now, and a gorgeous home to call his own! What more could he ask for?
Carrying in his jaws a fat, soft pheasant for Aspen, he headed off towards the tunnels. It wasn't until he drew close to the entrance that her scent reached him: warm, enticing, and.... Nico. He, too, was close, and with the Queen's hormones already ensnaring Charley, the unruly furred man rushed forward. A growl rumbled deep in his chest as he broke the trees, seeing the pale coat of his possible future General. He trotted close, hackles slightly poofed out and lips curling as the pheasant dropped behind Nico.
                     "I suggest you back away, now."
He didn't want to lose such a promising member, especially now, but he would not allow a single soul with a dick near his Queen. She was his, his alone, and he would be sure that was known even if Nico wasn't happy with it.

Aspen's ears twitched remaining alert though still frustrated. It wasn't long before she heard pawsteps in the entrance. " Charley....? " she muttered just loud enough to be heaRd at the entrance. She padded out of the den and began to walk towards the entrance anxiously not aware that it was not her mate around the bend but Nico that had stepped into the tunnels.  

Aspen poked her head around the corner to see Nico standing paw over the boundary. Not really able to form solid thoughts right now she just looked at him puzzled. " Nico?!? " she said slightly alarmed and taking a few steps backwards. 

Where was charley? she thought for a moment but as if on cue Charley broke through the tree line pray hanging from his maw. Aspen looked between the two wolves as Charley spoke. Not quite sure what to do with herself and not fully aware she wasn't aiding in the situation.

A roguish smile plays at Nico's lips as the scent grows closer and closer, the harbringer of the woman in heat. Soon enough, Aspen appears, saving the soldier from making a decision as a puzzled look flits over her face and she utters his name while backing away. He takes the initiative to take a few steps forward, a glint in his green eyes as he lowers his head ever so slightly, the smile never leaving his features, his expression almost predatory. The deWinter was by no means a violent man; a soldier he might be, but he respected everyone's boundaries and would not force himself on someone. Yet...when it came to a woman in heat, the self-respecting soldier turned into someone even he himself did not recognise.

It wasn't even his fault. In a way, the way he acted right now was Aspen's doing. In a twisted way, this was all her fault.

Thundering footfalls echoes from behind him but Nico refuses to turn around, his gaze fixed on the woman. In his current state, she was nothing but 'the woman'; he couldn't be bothered to remember her name, not right now. He hears a growl, and reluctantly, turns around, an irritable look plastered on his face as he meets the King, the husband to the woman. Nico's hackles bristled in reply and he lowers his head, muzzle crinkling as he bares his teeth threateningly, his muscles tense beneath his feathery coat.

The words rumble from Charley's maw and Nico hisses between his teeth, aggression emitting from every part of his body and he tenses, ready to leap forward and pin that massive hunk of meat onto the ground and shove him away from what was, in his current state of mind, his. No longer was he the respectable gentleman of a soldier; he was ensnared and he wanted his prize. The deWinter had always been the one affected most by a woman in heat, and that was definitely not going to help him in anyway in this situation.

Then he blinks, and in a strange moment of clarity, realises what he's doing. It vanishes a second later, but he has backed a step away already. "Take her, then," he says between gritted teeth, and while he takes yet another step back, his tail lashes behind him, almost unwilling to leave. "Not going to do anything," he half snarls as he continues to back away. He does not vanish completely from sight, instead, stays by the treeline, snorting quietly as he watches. Nico will not leave well until Charley and his wife has vanished into the tunnels. Then, he would approach, linger, before hiding by the trees once more and perhaps, finally, return to the safety of his makeshift den where he clears his mind from the intoxicating drug going by the name of 'a woman's heat'.

Aspen's voice calls from the tunnels, recognizing Nico, and anger burns through Charley again: she doesn't sound happy, and that is unacceptable to the King in any moment. 
Where Charley expect this to go easy, Nico backing off and him taking his Queen back down into the tunnels, it doesn't. Nico actually took another step forward, towards Aspen, and a more heated growl sounds from his throat as his last warning. Unlike the grey soldier, Charley didn't think it was Aspen's fault, though he did know it was her scent driving them to act like this. It is Nico who calls the blame to himself when he bares his fangs at the King, aggressive and clearly thinking that it was he who belonged on top. Surprise shocks Charley into stillness for a brief moment, and that was probably good for both of them: Nico moves away just as Charley is lunging for his grey face.It isn't a true attack, just a flurry of snapping fangs and lots of vicsious snarls and snaps.
Charley doesn't care if the hit lands or not, but as Nicolas backs further away the patchy alpha moves in front of the tunnels to block both entrance or exit. His teeth are bared savagely, and his one blue eye does not leave Nico until he's past the treeline. Even then, he only turns his head to glance back at Aspen and make sure she's okay. His words were laced with venom, snarling out without a care that Nico is just some yards away. 
            "Did he touch you? Say anything? I'll fucking kill him now, Aspen, run him from our borders if he's lucky: Did he bother you in a way he shouldn't have? Friend, family, or Gentry, I won't tolerate such things!"

Aspen watched nervously as Nico took a few steps towards her. She looked worried. She knew that if Nico had his way, she couldn't stop him, she was small compared to him. By no means strong enough. " Nico.....don't...back off....please.... " she said slightly nervous and ignoring all her other emotions right now.  She wasn't angry, she wasn't happy, she was slightly scared more than anything. 

Aspen watched Nico turn to face charley and he seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in. The one that drove him to go after her. He backed off and Aspen relaxed as he went behind the trees Charley snapping jaws at him as he went. 

Charleys attention to hen moved to her and a flurry of questions. He mentioned killing Nico and Aspen quickly shook her head. "Charley don't I'm fine. Please...He didn't touch me. You got here just in time. Calm down," Aspen said in a half pleading half calming tone. Her mood quickly switching to anger when she realized what Nico had done and the extent of what he did. He had stepped into time he timeheunnels way before his time and attempted to take someone that wasn't rightfully his. Let alone his alpha. His queen. Aspen pondered letting Charley go but became quite selfish and decided she needed him more than she needed to deal with Nico. 

Aspen nuzzled her face into Charleys soldier her voice turning soft. Inaudible to any others. " Come with me Charley...please " she said softly and slowly. " Ignore him...I need you , " she spoke turning tail back towards the den hoping praying he will follow.

Nico avoids Charley's snapping jaws deftly, his soldier reflexes snapping into play as he whirls away from the flashing teeth, almost tempted to dish out some of his own combat skills in reply but he refrains from doing so, his mind somewhat clear from the influence of the heat. He doesn't speak anymore but retreats, a scowl creasing his brows as he observes from the distance, ears pricked as Charley questions his mate if the soldier had touched him and that if he did, he would kill the deWinter wolf. He raised an eyebrow at that, almost amused. As if. As if Charley could kill him, as if he could even touch the soldier. That big sack of muscle was no good against someone as agile as himself.

He hissed quietly between his teeth, rolling his eyes in exasperation. Tolerate? Oh, fuck that. Right now, Nico couldn't care less about what Charley thought of him, or Aspen, for that matter. His mind was in a state of confusion and the last time that happened, things had not gone well for him, at all. And while the winter soldier was tempted to release all self control he had and barge in after them, he resisted the urge. Instead, he withdraws into the treeline, watching until they disappear into the entrance. Nicolas waits then, for some minutes, but he too, will turn to go, back to the safety of his den.

Nico only just pulls away, but its not like Charley's attention was really into anything other than the angel behind him. It wasn't even truly the words that put out his fiery anger, but her pleading, worried tone. First off, he didn't like the near panic he heard in her voice: while it would have been perfectly acceptable to make the connection that Nico had scared her, but there was more fear that it was he who'd scared her. 
The silvery goddess pressed her frame close, nuzzled gently into his shoulder, and any thoughts of anything else-even Nico- were completely washed away by the scent of heat. She was the only thing that mattered, and right after came the need that hormones demanded. The need in her voice was the only thing he heard, the words themselves lost on his ears. His one soft, loving blue eye gazed into hers, shining with an equal need that he was happy to fill. Hell, he barely even heard the only two words that fell from his lips: Aspen was both lucky and unfortunate that her man wasn't one known for being able to resist the call of hormones. 
              "Lead me."

Aspen felt a smile crawl along her maw at the two words Charley spoke to her. "Lead me." She nodded and glanced back with this sly smile. "Gladly," knowing she was probably teasing at the same time. She began to walk slowly down the tunnels and then into their den. She was happy right now. Happy all the drama was over and that she could finally spend some time with Charley. Some very much needed time. Both of them had been working very hard to get this pack grounded. Now that it was, they finally had some free time. 

One Aspen was in the den she turned to face Charley, her blue eyes soft and a smile never fading from her muzzle. She licked his muzzle a few times, not quite sure what to do now, she hadn't done this before. She felt like she should know but she didn't really. The frustration nagging at the back of her mind. It didn't help she could no longer think straight. Hormones were everywhere but her mind wanted to focus on here and now. 

She brushed her face into his neck again taking in his scent and rubbing hers on him too.

"Gladly"
Her voice was soft, sweet, but oh so tempting. His angel went slowly down the tunnels, and the impatient Charley nipped gently at her flanks, even licking at her tail and nudging her. Faint whined slipped from his throat, but eventually they were slipping into the tunnel that bore their strong scents, and their scents only. The den.... Aspen turned, blue eyes full of love and happiness: all because of him. He'd given her this life, rose to the top with his Queen by her side. He was the reason she was happy.... That fact hit hard for Charley, and a grin plastered across his coal face. 
                     "Did you know you are the most gorgeous woman in all the universe, Angel?"
She drew close, and a shudder ran down his spine as Charley stepped to meet her. Her pale fur met his chest, and Charley lathered her crown, ears, and neck in as many kisses as he could.

Aspen's ears twitched as Charley spoke saying that she was the most gorgeous woman in the unvierse followed by his pet name for her. She felt her face get hot though it was physically impossible for wolves to blush she felt her stomach do a backflip. Happiness and also because she was still nervous though she didnt let it show. So many questions ran through her mind about what was about to happen but she tried to ignore them as he embraced her with a flurry of kisses.  "I know now," Aspen spoke warmly.  She took a moment to puase between kisses just looking at him. "You're not to shabby yourself you know," she teased licking his cheeks and ears some more.

She realized just how lucky she was to have Charley. She cared for him so much and nothing could ever come between them. Not ever. Her mind traveled back to the situation they were now in craving the attention and contact that only he could provide her right now. She let out a ever so slight whine as she ran her nose down his side before turning around to walk back around in front of him. She gently brushed her tail over his muzzle as she walked past enticing him with the scent radiating from her body turning with a mischievious smile to see his reaction.  She was teasing right now but she knew it wouldn't be long before he stopped letting that happen and had his way with her.

Charley watched her start to melt at his words, but it flipped back on him twofold: she licked at his face, whined, and began to circle him like fresh prey. This was far from his first time, and it showed in his confident movements. When she swiped her tail across his nose, though, he thought he might lose it. The King trembled a little, soft pants coming from slightly parted lips and a whine as she grinned at him. This was the first time the tables had been turned on the Pryor: where he was not totally the one in control, the one teasing. 
           "Oh I know: even with half a face I'm still the best looking MAN in the universe." 
He turned his head to follow Aspen, but soon enough she'd crossed over to his blindside and he had to turn his face all the way around. A goofy, sloppy grin was wrought cross his face and he stepped forward to intercept her before another inbearable loop was done. The King drew close alongside her, nipping gently at her scruff and whining again in need. He reached to her ears and nipped there, too, whispering in a shaken up but still husky tone.
                            "Please, angel... No more."

Aspen let out a soft chuckle as Charley retorted to her statement agreeing with her. "Tis true," she mused. Her ears twitched as Charley moved to stop her from walking circles around him and let out a whine in need. Followed by "Please angel, no more."  

She paused almost as if to think for a moment before nodding. "You're no fun" she said playfully her eyes showing nothing but the love and affection she had for Charley and also how much she needed him too.  

She moved to turn facing her tail to him almost inviting him to mount her letting out her own whine as the teasing she had been doing to Charley had backfired slightly in that she also craved the attention that she would eventually hopefully receive. 

She turned her head to keep her eyes on his,  smile never faltering, despite the countless backflips her stomach was still doing. 

Aspen gave in, much to his relief, and Alder could see the passion in her eyes that she held for him. His needs were reflected from her, and as she turned away from him with a swish of her feathery tail-driving him crazy even more with the scent of her whipped into his face- the King wasted no time. 
She turned to look at him, and he reached out to rub his cheek against hers before wrapping his forelegs around her waist. The brute was gentle with her, careful as he placed himself above her-trembling with the effort of holding his own weight on hind legs- and thrust until he met his mark.
                "Ill show you no fun."
Voice husky with need and restraint, Alder grinned.

Aspen waited knowing full well that neither of them could handle the teasing much longer and as she  tail she knew that it was the end. She gave him a lick over his cheek as his face met hers before he shifted his body so his forelegs were either side of her hips.

Her ears twitched she was slightly unsure of herself but she knew what she wanted. She held his weight fairly well for a wolf nearly half his size. She wasn't comfortable but she wasn't uncomfortable either. 

It wasn't long before his thrusts met the mark and their two bodys connected. The feeling unfamiliar to the silver fae was strange but not by any means unwanted. Never had she felt so much love and passion for one wolf and she couldn't help but smile as words rolled off his tongue. "I'll show you no fun," she knew, he too was smiling and nothing could be done to ruin this now.

They danced - all the while Alder made sure to be very gentle - and in a couple of minutes of passion they were knotted together. Twisting around to take his weight off of her, panting harshly, and waited until he could pull free and sink to the earth. As soon as he was free, he sprawled across the cave on his side, tongue lolling out of his mouth, but a grin splitting his face. 

                   "S-See? That... Was... FUN!" 

It was not too long before the deed was done and the two were connected unable to seperate. The feeling was slightly uncomfortable but in that moment Aspen really didn't care. It wasn't too long before Alder was able to move and he flopped over onto the floor of their den. Aspen followed her legs having grown tired from holding him.

She was panting but she couldn't help but smile when Alder's comment rolled off his tongue. "Yes it was," she said a glint in her eyes. "I love you Alder," she said using his new name with those words for the first time. It felt even more right than Charley did. "Forever and always," she added before laying her head completely on the ground just watching him. How had she been so lucky?

Aspen followed his lead, flopping to her side beside him - he was swift to curl around her gently, putting a paw over her shoulder and letting his head rest beside her paws. 

                         "I love you too, Aspen, forever and always."

Licking her muzzle lovingly, Alder's blue eye fluttered shut - within seconds, he was fast asleep.