"I am grateful for it's security," her reply came without hesitation, no need to breathe nor form a pause to think. She was a creature of truth and it was all she ever spoke.

Though she would take a moment to breathe and reclaim again the masculine scent of her familiar. However heavy the scent, there was comfort to be found within it. No different than the night she had shared his warmth by the lake. It offered no reminder to some other thing in the past. It was a new creation, a new kind of memory she was keen to resurface fondly in any instance. Daring the faintest of smiles upon her muzzle, she tilted her muzzle upward slightly again gracing beneath his chin in kindly manner.

"It is a reflection of where I came from, " but she would never call that place before home. "There is much to absorb, much to take in with all senses. But before then, I seek a place within the mountain. If only to have a place within to return to."

Anything other than the expression of approval on the scarred visage was to her eyes a sign that she had done something wrong. His voice was not scolding, yet she recoiled none the less, her muzzle jerking from his as she settled immediately to her rear. Her ears fell and tail tucked as she turned her gaze anyway but to his glowing eye.

"Since I am not designated to breed, there was no urgency for me to create one," her voice was hardly a whisper as she tried to explain. The ways of her old pack were still deeply embedded in her mind, and would unlikely relinquish its hold without motivation.

"I did not want to trouble you, " she continued. Her gaze shifted slightly to hold fast to his paws. "...since you have your own responsibilities..."

Truly there was nothing to fear around them, other than the male himself, but even then he warranted no real fright from the female. Rather her fear was for his disappointment in her. That in some form she had done something other than what she was meant to. And even then, she did not know fully what the Beta expected of her. But it was the frown on his face, the knot of his brows that dashed rational thought aside as she prepared for the reprimand of her explanation.

Instead, he only looked around them strangely as if expecting something more to peel from the mountain rocks into existence. But it was only they; the light and the shadow not far from its source, and to her surprise with an invitation solely for her.

He had turned after her spoke, preparing to lead her on to his abode, and like a faithful thing she was compelled to follow. Though stopped after only a pawstep to contest, her ears fell back and tail lowered as she whispered to his back. "But I cannot," she protested although she did not retract her step. "It was not my intention to trouble you. What if you should take a... partner. It would be... inconvenient."

Laughter crept from the heart of living darkness, stilling the air for the sound to carry and command the ears of all to receive. A creature of life might have heard the foreboding chords as the song of coming death in the wake of insolence. But to the ears of the female, this frightened thing that care for not his appearance but his approval, heard his voice as an assuring echo that no- he was not wholly disappointed in her. But found no reason in her hesitation. No cause for her to resist. It was the suggestion that the very idea of her fear was as foolish as what could be conceived by a pup grown in a world of ignorance. But in hearing this, did she also feel the subtle pang of sadness work into her chest.

What was wrong that none would not seek him as a mate? Or he, any other? Was he simply incapable?

…had the thought never crossed his might at all?

“…but your line-“ In a single breath she began her thought then silenced it before it grew to life. She did not wish to speak on it now, nor let her thoughts stray away from the matter at hand. He reminded her with the inky smile on his muzzle that she needn’t let her mind surrender to fear. “…I know this,” she replied, having allowed her moment of doubt to slip away as she stepped forward with renewing confidence to again take the side of her shadow. She lowered her head respectfully, though boldly lifted her muzzle to touch beneath his blind, scarred eye. She hummed to him softly, always reminding him that she was near even when out of his sight. Though she would have done well to remember this truth herself. “A light cannot stand without its shadow,” she recited softly. Gently she licked his cheek. “Nor can a shadow be cast without its light. It is an existence that no force can cast away. I apologize. I should not have allowed myself to forget this.” Her ears fell back as her voice fell to sorrow. “…even for a moment.”

The rhythm of their footfalls in time with the other could not have been a better song to her ears as they traveled. Had he decided to speak further, it would not have disturbed the calm, but added to the contentment always embraced by his presence. In him she had found a peace felt only in the seclusion of the dark corridors of her mind, yet even they did not provide the sort of warmth that entranced her as the scarred male did. No shade of darkness offered her fulfillment other than his.

Reveling in this, she was disheartened that foolishly, even for a moment she had forgotten this rare feeling he brought into her life. Too consumed with worry that his promise were words only uttered to appease her, she had tread so close to no believing them at all. Yet he had only proven them true and meaningful time and again.

“You have not,” she whispered, never missing an opportunity to follow his song. Falling out of stride for a moment, she shifted at his rear to return instead to his opposite side that he might better see her, and she to him- the singular glowing orb was raw and captivating however darkened by thought. “You have done so such thing but given me purpose and reason to remain in this place. I am…grateful to you… Raheerah.” She tipped her muzzle down slightly casting a wayward glance to the path ahead as she sought to compose herself. She was a creature of truth that knew nothing of lies or how to conceal what she felt to be true. But she knew of silence and the protection it offered. Let closed her muzzle tightly lest more than what she was willing would come forth. Emotions derived not from mind but from heart was a force she did not feel able to harness without an extravagant mess in the wake.

And truly, her spirits could be livened by a lighter tone. However odd one might have beheld the deep tones adhering to mirth, to her ears it was blessed ringing that furthered the delicate smile upon her own maw, and stirred her heart to flutter. She was nearly beside herself, stepping nearer to her companion with a swift balanced thrust to press her shoulder beneath his in an innocent, prodding gesture. Had she been an innately joyous thing, she might has split her jaws without a moment’s hesitation and let free the bellow of mirth bubble to the surface. But she was a creature awkward around the expressions of joy, both naked and true. But she made due as she was able, her tail waving at leisure as she whined softly in content, and bore for him a smile upon her maw. Small yet true; a light just for him to see.

“I would have no other company than you.” Her voice was soft, near breathless as she assumed a quicker pace. Inhaling the fragrance of the Vale and of him, she swept her muzzle down to prod him lightly once more against his shoulder… then without word bound for a higher stone to stand upon, then just as quickly shifted to the earth and continued in rapid stride. Her tail whipped the air in taunt. Her exuberance unbound, she maintained a sort of grace as she raced through her preferred stage, but the light steps on the earth, the energetic pounce from frigid face to flat stone, expressed the elation she felt within herself. She hadn’t an idea where she was going, nor where his refuge resided. But she concluded that if he were to guide her to it, he would have to forgo his leisurely pace and find the drive within to catch her!

An assumed warrior and guardian of the pack, in this moment of leisure there was hardly evidence to this role. Perhaps if one were to take note of her dexterity when upon the mountains, there might have proved a testament of her worth to the role. But looking upon her actions as a whole, and undoubtedly those of her companion now in chase, she scarcely resembled the visage of a hardened warrior- but a joyous female giddy with the thrill of the run.

Her movements were instinctual, hardly a thought required as she slipped from the rocks to earth, then back again with ease. However sharply the path curved or jagged it became, it was numb against her paws as she performed her elated ballad to her pursuer. Ever so often she would glance at her rear to ensure he followed, throwing a taunting yip for him to catch before ascending to higher reaches. But it was not all fun to run. Part of the excitement came from the inevitable catch itself. It was thrilling, truly, for she could not imagine the result to come from its end. Would he be cross with her for making him run? Or would he smile his wicked grin and scoff at her youthful antics? Or would she see in his eye the same joy reflected in her own; the wordless, nameless expression that encompassed her and drove her to such antics like running blindly through the winter in the hope he would follow. It was the unknown that had her head pumping in earnest. It was the eagerness to know that directed her paws so skillfully.

Breathing deeply, she slipped from her rocky path to the more level field of the mountain’s base, skirting just along its borders toward the woodland. She glanced over her shoulder but swiftly turned then to face the single eye of the pursuer. However heavy her body, it would not hinder her movements, proven as she bent by her forelegs toward the ground, stretching them outward in taunt as her tail swayed high and eagerly at her rear. She had yet to be caught, and the game was well on. And she had every intention of seeing this impromptu chase to its conclusion.

Blind as she was to what lied behold the moment at present, she had with her expectations for his reaction. A mirror her current posture, or perhaps a skirt around to better assess what way he should assume to overtake her. But the literal frontal bound, she hadn’t been expecting. It was much too ‘puppyish’ for a male of his caliber to assume, but it made her smile none the less, followed by a throaty growl of glee.

A twist of his forelegs and she down with little resistance. Having such a large form made it difficult to wriggle free, but it did not prevent her from trying however in vain the effort. “That is not fair,” she breathed with a mocking scold, pointing out his advantage in using his superior weight against her. It was a game, little more, but she would not had without taking a trophy of the play of her own. Her front was trapped beneath his bulk, but both head and neck were still free to move at an agreeable angle. She leaned inward towards his muzzle with jaws parted and lips down over her teeth, crooning playfully as she sought to fix her muzzle around his and hopefully tug it down towards her level on the ground. All the while her tail once trapped beneath her legs wriggled free and pat the ground with an excitable rhythm. She could not remember the time she had been so happy, let alone so free as to express it.

Resistance was expected from a large, formidable beast, yet despite knowing this she hoped that his understanding of their little game would overrule his instinct to sense her gesture as a threat. Such play was for pups to recognize when their advances were wanted or done away with (usually by quick, scolding snaps to the muzzle), to enlighten them to the language of their kin. But this beast was a contradiction; a pup's nightmare in the lessons of understanding their kind. Though his nose wrinkled and teeth were bared, he did not growl, and even leaned into her grasp that she may find her muzzle around his. Such a smile might have meant her companion was enraged by her actions, but his calm demeanor suggested otherwise. It was a language meant for the already learned and practiced to understand, and behold the complications portrayed by the adult mind. Though she imagined that only he could sneer during play. A notion which she could not help by giggle at.

Whining contently, she guided his muzzle toward to lie beside hers then quickly withdrew with hardly a window of a moment to drape her head over his. She howled softly in puppyish victory, having tricked her companion to sweetly fall prey to her tactics. "I will be mindful then, that you do not play fair," her voice was light as she spoke, at last 'freeing' her captive (even though she remained trapped herself under his bulk).

Her heart had been dancing. The rhythm taking on a life all its own in the spirit of joy and play. So enraptured by the rhythm, the contentment felt by his presence, she had near forgotten the burdens that weighed down her heart- the past that stood as a reminder of the difficulties life could bring. Though lying there, at ease and without care, such notions had been forgotten. There was only the moment shared with her shadow, the warmth of his touch, and the elation felt by her fluttering heart. She would have remained there within the vale of paradise and her private refuge.

Though such things were not always meant to last by one's will.

Her ears came forward when her companion spoke, reminding her quickly of what their purpose had been prior to her distraction. It was to find a home, as she recalled. To share a residence with the male that had diligently brought her into the fold with promise and purpose. A respected, learned male- and there she was frolicking like an absent pup. Her emotions got the better of her, and it took his sobering words to remind her of that.

"Oh," she uttered softly. The contentment ebbed from visage and voice. The lightness of her chords were once again weighed by age and a practiced neutrality. Her eyes once sparked with life veered away to the earth as if in it she might find the means to return to her normality. She had strayed too far from what she had known as herself. "I am done. I apologize..." she mumbled. "I had not meant to distract you, after you were kind to allow me space within your den." Her ears fell back as shame crept into her eyes, lowering her brows to conceal the dulling umber and gold. "We may continue towards your den, if you would still have me. I will be mindful not to deviate..."

There was a time when the female would not have been so bothered by her impressions upon others. So used to the solitude and quiet of her own sanctuary within the mountains, that the thoughts of others of her were hardly a thing worth entertaining. As long as they did not harm her physically, she did not mind it. But a change had occurred since meeting the dark male- his impression, his thoughts of her… she never wanted them to be unflattering. Ever. She only wanted his smile (or what he could make of one within the smolder of his eye), and only his good word to ensure that purpose and fulfillment would be hers under his guide. She did not understand why his presence brought to her this unbridled joy, but she imagined… if not feared that he would grow tired of her exuberance if not damn her for it eventually. She was an adult, not a pup.

But when he spoke, whenever doubt would cross her mind, however callous his words, they were crafted to ease her and speak truly that no part of her actions displeased him. As if her worry was for naught, time and time again. And she listened, lifting her heavy gaze from the ground to address his weathered maw as he spoke. At last he had freed her but still she remained against the earth simply looking at the male above her intensely. Her gaze unwavering as it was only he that existed when sound came from his lips. “I…” she sound came forth without her meaning to. Eager to speak, for him to understand, all thought had been lost in eager pursuit. “I do not want to displease you. That is all.” She explained as best as she was able, given the articulate manner of her word-smithing seemingly vanished when freed.

Gradually she pushed herself to stand at his beckon, and was unable to ignore the slight flutter that came to her chest at the mention of his den. It was a joint living situation, nothing more, she was assured. But she could not fully ignore that thrill that came with the prospect of sharing. She had never done so with anyone. Let alone a male. Den-sharing of the like was for equal sexes and mates. Companions in arms, well… it was a whole different chapter all together to be written. “If you’d like,” her smile was meek though poorly hidden even as she slipped to his blindside to follow. She only hoped it would ebb long before he took notice.

[Follows Raheerah to the den then Fin]