This year, she wasn't taken by surprise when her heat came. She felt the subtle signs in the week leading up to it and she figured it would come around the same time as the year before. Still, it brought forward painful memories and that mixed with an increasing flood of hormones had her seeking out Emrik's company any time it was possible. Of course they both had responsibilities, but whenever she could, she was near her mate. He hadn't seemed irritated by it that she could tell, at least not outwardly. She hadn't come out and explained her change in behavior because she assumed he would be able to figure it out on his own. Plus whenever they were together, mostly she just wanted to snuggle.
She had spent the evening gathering the marigolds she happened on while near the river. She was keeping an eye out for them, and tonight had actually found some. She was excited, and she trotted to her herb cache, jaws clasped gently around the bundle of plants. When she had deposited them, her excitement remained. It grew as she sprinted back out into the cool night and suddenly there was a burning in her stomach. The feeling began to spread through her veins, and instantly she recognized it for what it was.
She immediately sprinted away in search of Emrik. She knew his scent well, and from following him around all week, she knew most of his frequented spots. So it didn't take her very long to track him down. She couldn't even focus on what he was doing, all she knew was that he was handsome and safe and she wanted every bit of his attention. She burst forward and nipped whatever part of him she reached first. Then with an inviting flick of her tail against his cheek, she trotted off into the trees, hoping her scent would be enough to make him follow.
Luckily, it didn't take him long to figure things out. After she had sprinted through the trees a little, she slowed and looked over her shoulder at Emrik. A shy smile slowly made its way across her face, and she slowed even more so that she could turn to face him. Assuming he slowed as well, she trotted forward to meet him, unhappy with the space she had put between them in her moment of playfulness. She pushed her face into the soft fur of his neck and nuzzled him softly, breathing in his scent and reveling in how safe it made her feel. That was the most important thing for her, being in this moment again. Last year had been confusing and scary, but right now she felt the complete opposite. Emrik made her feel safe and loved, and the feeling settled in her stomach and slowly warmed her from the inside.
She remained pressed against him, leaving her face against his neck. Speedy trusted him more than anyone, so there were no nerves to speak of, but she did want to make sure he was feeling as ready as she was. She slowly lifted her muzzle to gently nibble along his jaw. Then she paused, hovering over the same spot, her quickened breaths heating the air between them. Her pause was a question and a relinquish of whatever control she might have had over the situation; she was giving him the power to guide things—she only needed to know what he wanted.
She leaned into his affection, pushed deeper into his embrace. She released a contented sigh and under normal circumstances, would have been happy to stay that way for however long he wanted. But the knot of need tightened in her stomach as his warmth seeped into her skin, and she thought he probably felt similarly. She hoped so, anyway. Her wondering was soon put to rest, though, as Emrik shifted and pulled away. The places where they had been touching felt unbearably cold. She turned to watch him just as his gentle affection reached her cheek. She leaned into his touch, the rest of her body leaning into his as he came to stand beside her.
Speedy knew Emrik well; she intimately knew the feeling of his energy and the shifts in that energy with his different emotions. She could sense his hesitation just as surely as she felt the control in his movements. She wasn't even aware that she could love him anymore than she already did, but his tenderness intensified her love; it swelled in her heart until she thought it might explode. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, and she searched for Emrik's gaze, and adoring smile slowly curving her lips. I love you,
she whispered. Then she shifted a little, pushing her muzzle into the fur of his neck to nuzzle him. Her affection was needy as she sought to make him understand that she wanted this very much. There was absolutely no fear on her end; she was his and she was ready.