Wolf RPG

Alder, just days after telling @Aspen about his affair, had gone off in a fit of guilt and sadness. His dearest Queen wasn't happy, obviously, but she gave a reaction that was much, much worse.... Disappointment. It was hard to deal with, NOT being lashed out at, and with only a howl to the sole woman who held his heart, the unruly pelted man left the borders. He made sure she knew he'd be back, that he'd never be far, but the one eyed King decided that they both needed their space for a few days.
A few days went by, and as he was on his way home, feeling much better mentally, he found himself ill. Vomiting, weakness, aches: he was den ridden for another three weeks, only venturing out to hunt whatever was close- and slow- to keep himself just alive. Even as he finally departed, the stench of sickness engulfed him, fading but still present. It took a few days, but eventually he made it to the borders with a weakened howl to the Royal Fire Court announcing his return. There wasn't a bit of hesitation as he stepped into the Golden Glade, noting to himself the paling of the leaves and the crisp touch to the air, taking a deep breath of the scent of his home and grinning ear to half-ear. Home.... He'd been gone too long. Ayla's scent was painfully lacking, and fear rumbled in his gut; she'd deserted them? That, he would deal with later-his wife was at the top of his priorities.
With a shock, he realized that Aspen was probably showing by now, and that brought his massive paws to a halt for a minute. He was going to be a FATHER soon! Potentially, not just by his wife... He knew that he'd have to search out Heartha too, see if their coupling had produced more than just a strained relationship. Aspen wouldn't be happy about it, but honestly Alder hoped it was true. His children would always be important, no matter the mother: he would not neglect his pups like his mother had hurt him. No harm would come to any of them, no force in the world would take them from the Court, not if he had a say. They would be royalty, just like the babies Aspen carried, no matter what anyone said about it.
Stepping forward once again, Alder howled for the company of Aspen: things needed to be talked about, cleared up, and he planned to apologize for probably the millionth time too. Excitement-and a slight, rising fear- filled his heart in anticipation of his goddess showing her face. She would come, right? Had she been worried about him, or had she written it off as him abandoning them?

Aspen lay in an undisturbed silence in her den, the one she and charley had chosen the day they discovered the court. She missed him and her heart longed for his return, hopefully in time to meet his children who were growing larger by the day.

It was getting to the point where Aspen felt herself with less energy and taking naps more frequently because her thin frame was not used to carrying excess weight.  She missed being able to run free but at the same time she was proud she would soon become a mother.  

Aspen was about to doze off when a howl drifted on the breeze, it was not just any howl however, it was the howl of her mate. Alder. He had returned.  Aspen was dealing with a mixture of emotions but the main one was happiness. She knew he would return but didn't know when, or if he was safe. 

Aspen chambered to her feed taking a moment to steady herself before trailing through the tunnels once more. Ayla's den remaining empty and the site of the female no longer present. Aspen couldn't help but feel betrayed, Ayla had been there from the start and became the first member of the inner circle, only to have her leave. Thankfully the pack remained strong with Shalon taking a place alongside the queen as duchess and the rest remaining loyal, though she often worried that Nico would leave them as well. 

Aspen trailed her way through the trees until her eyes caught a glimpse of Alder she couldn't help the smile that crawled slowly across her maw. She approached her mate, tail high and wagging and showing off her belly too. " Alder! You're back," she said relief present in her tone as she nuzzled her face into his shoulder.

Aspen had many questions but right now she just wanted to stay close to him and take in his scent. " I missed you so much..." she added through his fur and then giving him a few affectionate links over his face and shoulder.

He'd kept walking towards the tunnels in hopes she was there, and if she didn't come to him, then Alder would go right down into the tunnels.

Fortunatley, Aspen heard and came - and the Queen was happy to see him. She was smiling, and though her tail was high, it was also wagging. 
To her, he would lay low. His own tail wagged low, and he lowered his head as she approached - he knew that he was in trouble, even if still from the affair. His one open eye flicked at once to her swollen belly, and a grin spread across his face. 

She pressed into him though, nuzzling into his shouder and breathing deeply. Draping his neck over her shoulders and putting a paw around her waist, Alder pulled his wife close in a warm embrace - niether of them willing to let go. She said she missed him, but the first thing out of his inky maw was an apology.
     
                                 "Aspen, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be gone so long: I got really, really sick on my way home. Could barely hunt to feed myself. I missed you too, my angel. I'll never leave again...."

Aspen held herself close to him not willing to move an inch. She had been so worried about Alder while he was gone and it seems with good reason too. He had fallen ill while he was away and he explained that was the reason it took him so long to return. he also promised he would never do that again. Aspen hoped he was right..

Aspen licked his shoulder a few times before speaking. "I've been so worried, I knew you would come back eventually, but...I-I didnt know when...or if you were even okay...and as it turns out you weren't...Alder..Why did you leave like that..." she said her breathe catching once but she had to keep pausing to hold back any tears. She dare not cry right now, but it seems her hormones might have other plans right now as a stray tear rolled down her cheek.

Aspen had faith in him, knew he would return - that fact alone made his heart soar. Her question pricked guilt into his heart, but he held her no less tight. 

                           "I only meant to be gone over a night or two at the longest - I thought you would want your space to think about what I did, i-if you still loved me. I would never leave you for so long without warning. "

Her sadness struck him like fangs, and a whimper fell from his lips. 

                                                       "I-I'm going to hold no offical rank, not till I prove to you that I deserve it again. I'll act the same, but I hold no title." 

Aspen made a sharp movement as the words of his explanation caused a twinge in her heart. " I thought you would want your space to think about what I did, i-if you still loved me." she frowned slightly head still tucked into him. "Alder, nothing could ever make me stop loving you," she stated meaning every single word.

"Not a thing. You were right in saying perhaps I needed some space, but I think that we both did, I just...I wasn't prepared for it to be so long. I'm slightly relieved that you didn't just stay away that much time, you had wanted to come back but you couldn't and I'm glad to see you're healthy now....but please don't do that again," she stated calmly but a whine towards the end almost begging him.

Alder explained that he would not hold any rank until he had proven himself back to her and for a moment she almost tried to talk him out of it. Though, she figured that attempt might fail because he could be stubborn if he wanted to be. So instead she just nodded remaning silent in his embrace.

At his wife's swift movement, he winced -- damn him for causing her so much pain -- and his eyes fell to the earth in shame. Her words made him feel much better, and he simply held her tighter. 

                                     "I promise, angel. I'll never do anything like that again."

She didn't comment on his rank, and some part of the King had hoped she would, but he would stick to his word and work his way back up to King. 
 
                                                                    "C'mon. Lets go cuddle."

Nudging her gently, Alder would lead her back down into the tunnels to simply curl up with her. Nap maybe, who knows, he was just glad to come home and be with the woman he loved.

Aspen nodded as he explained he wouldn't do that again and she prayed that he was right and that this whole situation wouldn't have to be dealt with again. She couldn't stand the thought of them seperating for any reason but at the same time if it happened again she didn't know what she would do or if she could even handle it. This situation had been a rahter stressful one, especially since she was to be a mother to his children. 

Aspen licked him over the muzzle once more as he mentioned going to cuddle. "Alright Alder, lets go," she spoke softly and warmly as she moved to follow him into the tunnels. She was happy to have him back truly happy. Forgiving him on the other hand, that would take time. For now, she just wanted to curl up beside him and feel his warmth around her body and forget about everything else.