:D I did obtain part of the title from LOR. Can't go wrong with a hobbit's tale!
He had been keeping to himself since the attack on Potema. Grim wanted to make sure that he would do no more harm to the pack. He was unable to control himself. It was something he had to work on. He was afraid of himself. Of what he could do. He was afraid to lose his love. His home. He was changed, but the darkness still flickered in and out of his thoughts. He hadn't lost that part of himself completely yet. Though he wasn't sure that he ever would.
Grim was looking for @Lusa now. Large paws padded over spongy green grass dappled by sunlight that had found it's way through gaps in the tree branches above. He snarled at the pools of light when he passed them. It was the light inside himself that had brought about his feelings of fear. He hated the feeling. Hated the light. Before he would not have cared if he was banished from Blackfeather Woods or not. He would have enjoyed killing a few of the wolves here and then left himself. He had no fear. But now he is bound to this place. He had to be grateful to the good in himself as well though for without it he would not have his little killer. He would not have known love.
He thinks of her as he searches for her. How beautiful she is. How perfect she is. He loves the silvery spots on her coat, the scars on her rump. He will kiss each one when he sees her. Curiosity wants him to ask of how she obtained those scars as well. He guesses that she has been in many fights. Grim laughs a little. Lusa is a feisty one. He can believe that she even started most of the fights she's been in. It makes him smile. He feels a bit sad that he has not seen her since their last mating. He wishes more for her. She is special to him. He will do anything for her and above all he wants to make her happy. A frown pulls at the corner of his maw. Has she been happy even though he has been gone? He scowls at himself. How stupid could he be to have left her alone for so long. But it was for her safety as well. She had been attacked by Ohen for being suspected of Potema's attack. She had protected him. Grim's stride picks up, bouncing into a trot. He will stick to her side now. Make sure that she is happy.
She had been in the warm little den for days now, sleeping for most of the day. Only waking up to get food from nearby caches. She felt awful. She was always sick, her belly was the size of a tree trunk, and she felt little unborn puppies kicking into her sides all the time. How long is this going to take?! she had cursed in her mind every day.
Today she was doing her usual things. Sleeping. Her body ached from all of this training stuff. All she wanted now was Grimnir to comfort her. Nobody else would be able to do it the same. She woke up from a heavy kick. But it wasn't a kick, it was a cramp. She whimpered softly to herself.
A sudden crunch of leaves and a familiar smell got her up. "Grim?" she whimpered in a hopeful tone, "Are you there?" Without waiting for an answer, she got up slowly, and paced to the sound. When she saw him, she ran up and covered his face with affectionate licks. "I thought you had left me!" And she was glad he had not. She burried her head in his chest, tail wagging behind her.
A rough head buried itself in Grim's chest as he came close to a den. His ears perked up. "Lusa?" She was different. She smelled different. He looked her over, noticing her round belly. His tail began wagging excitedly. The scent on her was of pups. "You're pregnant?" He questioned. "We're going to have pups?" He lapped her face, showering her with kisses. "I'm sorry I was away for so long, my love. Please forgive me. I won't leave you again." The guilt of being away became worse at the news of her pregnancy. He nuzzled her. Kissed down her neck, and then along her belly. "Have you spoken with Meldresi? Do you know when you are expecting?" He shot off questions one after another in his excitement. "Has a healer been over seeing you?" Again guilt at not having been here to protect her nags at him. But he was here now. That's what mattered. "Do you need anything?"
She excepted Grimnir's love and affection happily. It was great to see him again. He was excited to see her belly full of puppies. "We're going to be parents Grim!" she exclaimed in excitment. She had never thought she would be a mother when she was younger. But now that she was grown, she was super excited to be mothering children. Their children.
She giggled a bit at how Grim asked question after question. "I have. They should be here very soon." She didn't know how soon, which scared her a bit. They could come at any moment and she wouldn't even know about it.
He continued his affections, rubbing his side against hers. "Can I do anything for you? Are you hungry? Have you been safe? Any troubles with Ohen? Or any of the others?" Grim's hair slightly bristled at the mention of the male's name. He still had a fight to pick with that one. You can't fight anymore, a voice corrected him. He snarled at it internally, brushing it aside. "Would you like to lay back down, or would you rather go for a walk?" He was perhaps a little too eager to please his lover. But it was all with the best intentions. Grim wants everything for her. If he could, he would do it all in a single moment. Whatever she needed or wanted, it didn't matter to him. She deserved it. He pushed his nose to her belly, hoping to feel the pups inside. A smile touched his muzzled when something kicked at him.
She licked the scar over her mate's eye as he rubbed against her side. It was a bit flattering how he cared for her so much. "No trouble at all dearest Grimnir, and I am a bit hungry." she had ate last night, but it was useless. Her unborn children always wants to devour everything she ate.
"I think it would be better if I lied back down. Bruke was nice enough to let me rest in his old den." She smiled down as Grim touched her belly with his nose. She felt a little kick, making her grunt happily. She was so excited for these pups.
Grim began to lead Lusa back to the den, unhappy that it had been Burke's. Did he really trust the male with his Lusa? His unborn pups? He decided to voice his concerns to his mate. "I don't trust him. Burke. After everything..." His voice lowered. "After everything with Potema. The brute may have it out for me." What better way for the male to get back at him than to injure his beloved. He still felt guilty over the attack. It was something he wished he could take back. Would Lusa be afraid that he would harm their pups? Grim couldn't help but feel sad over the possibility. He would never harm them. He wanted to protect them, teach them, and watch them grow into fine wolves. They would be the best of the pack. "Be wary of Burke, my love. My little killer." He kissed her, worry in his gaze.
"I will hunt for you," he told her, though not wishing to leave her side after having just gotten back together with her. "It shouldn't take me long. I will find the fattest, juiciest animal around. Only the best for you, my Lusa." He smiled, nuzzling her before turning to leave.
Right when they had returned to the den, she flopped down on her side. She was more tired then she thought. And hungry. Her head tilted questionaly at Grim's first words, but understood as he finished. "I wouldn't be surprised Grimnir. You need to be careful." It seemed as though her mate was hated by everyone (except Ayana of corse) because he was a target now. To make it worse, Grimnir and Bruke didn't like eachother so much, but Lusa was totally unaware.
She rested on the ground, enjoying the warmth. She smiled at Grimnir's words. "Thank you," she yawned. She licked his nose as he came forth, and lay back down as he watched him leave. She would take a nap when he came back.
It didn't take him long to find something. Though it wasn't something very large. A Rabbit was sniffing beneath a bush, it's cotton tail shivering back and fourth. Grim narrowed his eyes, dropping in a stalking position. He made his way slowly, patiently up to the prey. If he was too quick it would notice him. If he wasn't light on his paws it would feel him. Rabbits were sensitive creatures.
Once he felt that he was close enough, Grim rushed forward with jaws wide open. The prey squealed and ran. Grim cursed to himself as he gave chase. He hadn't been close enough and that had given the rabbit time to escape his reaching jaws. Now he had to out run it. White fur zigzagged around trees and under bushed causing Grim to snarl with frustration. He was gaining on the prey, but slowly. With his neck stretched forward he snapped his teeth together. The critters squeals increased. He had snagged it by its back leg. Jerking his head back and forth, Grim broke its neck. He was panting, tongue dripping from the side of his maw as he held the prey.
He brought it back to his mate, tail wagging. With a thump he dropped it next to her paws. Eyes shining with pride he stepped back to give her room to eat without him hovering over her. He had hoped to find her something larger. "If you are still hungry I could find more," he offered still panting from the chase.
Fade next post?
She awoken to the sound of a thud and her mate's voice. She smiled up at him. "
That's ok Grim." He obviously chased the rabbit, for his panting was heavy.
She leaned forward to grab the rabbit in her jaws, and started gorging it down quickly. It was like she thought she would die if she didn't eat quick enough. When finished, she licked her jaws, saticified with the food. "
Thank you. You can stay here if you like." She would much rather have company than be alone. But she knew that he might have tasks to do.
When Lusa offered for him to stay he immediately laid down behind her. His head laid on the ground beneath hers. The motion was to say that he would support her in everything. "I won't leave you again." He had said it before, but he wanted to reassure her. "Whenever you need me, my love, I'm here for you." He believes that he will feel guilty about leaving her for quite some time. At least until he could make it up to her. He had to make the pack believe that Lusa was his for more than just mating.
He began to doze off. The warmth of the day was making him drowsy. Having Lusa close calmed him as well. As always she was the water to his fire. He smiled, shifting closer to her.