Mature Content Warning

It was hot as always that morning, nothing Jhala wasn't already used to by then. But, somehow, she felt like she was burning. Her limbs ached and her throat was parched, her blood pumping through her veins. She felt terrible, and somehow, energized, like she had some sort of predestined plan for today. Had she believed in Raas, the Daystar, she might have assumed it was he himself burning his light into her-- calling her to speak his word. But she did not, and only assumed she had overheated in her sleep. The rest made no sense-- but she was no medic, she didn't think anything of it.

She stands, her tail raising along with it. There was no reason for a dominance display currently, but somehow it felt right-- better even. It felt like it extinguished some of the flames that licked at her blood. With a long stretch-- longer than usual-- the dark Vicar thought it was appropriate to get something to drink. She was hot, her throat burned-- surely that would fix her problems. But, as she began towards a nearby stream, a scent trailed past her nose. Without a second thought, she turns towards, it, nose twitching.

Reek had returned a day or two prior, but he'd been extremely busy with his family. He'd brought back his children-- not what she'd expected, but she sure was happy for him. She'd felt intrusive though, and although she enjoyed seeing her alpha so happy-- she knew she needed to give him space. So she did. But right now, she couldn't fathom staying so far away from him. She needed to find him, be near him. She wondered if she should turn back-- but just couldn't His scent was closer, and she followed it more strictly now, her nose to the ground and tail towards the sky. 

The closer she came, she more she worried she grew-- was something wrong? She almost left, to go straight to Vuk. Vuk would know what to do. But, as it was, she couldn't pull herself away from her destination. Maybe he would know. 

She stood outside his grotto, her hind legs shifting positions uncomfortably. She gave a loud call for @Hiram, hoping he wold come to aid her. 

Reek comes quickly-- like he'd already been up and coming towards her. So strange, but that was her alpha-- always one step ahead, it seemed. "Reek," she says, her tail wagging behind her. But as she tries to fit together what she wants to tell him-- she feels embarrassed, angry even that she'd come to him. Vuk might've been more understanding, Vuk was a female, maybe she'd had these problems too. Even thinking this, she speaks, unable to find the motivation within herself to leave. 

"I don't feel right," she finally spits out, taking a step towards him. She studies his face, eyes as bold enough to find his gaze, hoping he had answers for her. Her toes tingle, urging her forward one or two more steps. "Can.. can you help?" she asks, somewhat more pitifully. 

He seems different. He speaks sweeter to her than he usually does. Although she doesn't mind currently, she has at least noticed. He steps forward, nosing her gently. She didn't truly understand what was happening, but for a moment the heat is cooled, and when he moves warmth begins to spread once again. It was weird-- how sick really was she? Her feet pull her after him, craving for a soft touch to relieve her discomfort once more. 

She steps into his den, her normal curiosity blurred by her current state. She'd usually want to go deeper, or stare at every crevice of the space, wondering where her alpha really lived-- how her alpha really lived. But she only stared at him, wondering how he would help.

Today, ignorance would rule. Jhala grew up where her training was more important than any knowledge that could ever be given to her. As she aged, and found things happening around her-- she never asked questions. It was the way of the world, but not her own way, and therefore she didn't care. And when she did, when she asked, there were more important matters to tend to-- and her questions went unanswered. Today seemed no different.

She followed, walking with discomfort and a newfound greed-- for she was always so patient when it came to others wants. Hers would always wait. But now, something boiled within her that demanded attention-- desire, someone else might call it. He turns to her, and her eyes glint in the pale light of the den. He pressed his lips to her neck, and then further and further. She didn't understand, but it helps, and so she does not argue. Her only words are short and breathless, confusion and desire laced between them. They are mere mutters, and are probably not heard. 

In a brief, naive, and selfish attempt to soothe her heat, she turns to him, pressing her nose to his own neck. She doesn't really know what to do with it there, but if his touch heals than why should she not be closer? It makes sense to her. So she stands beside him with her head nuzzled against his neck, soaking in the strange feeling. 

He tells her to be still. Reluctantly, she does, for his word is her law. 

She holds as still as she can, but his touch now brings shudders to the surface, and her feet can't help but shift as she longs for something intangible. She can't figure out what it is, or what this means, or what is even going on for that matter. She needs something, but she can't tell if it is simply to move-- especially now that he's asked her to stay still. But moving seems wrong, and like it will only make her feel as anxious as she did earlier. So she holds off, waiting impatiently for something as his lips move down her.

As he noses away her tail, she's confused, wondering why anyone would ever move down there. And, in only a moment, she feels that she maybe understands-- but is way more confused now. She gasps loudly, her eyes shutting as she bathes in whatever she just felt-- but holds still.

It was strange but, awesome, Jhala might've said-- she wasn't very good with words. He moved in ways she would never understand and did things that just made no sense, but they somehow were all the right things. This was what she needed, although it was not the medicine she thought that she'd be given. 

Suddenly, he stopped, and she took a moment to let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Then, even more surprisingly, he grabbed hold of her waist. He entered her, but it was not something that she understood, and began to rock. It hurt, she thought, at first, but as time went on it began to feel as it did earlier-- but better, even, maybe. She held still, his warmth along her back, and pressed back against him.

She could only gasp and breath in sporadic, heavy breathes. Her name was called sweetly behind her, but she could not form her own words. Even if she could they would not be necessary, she would ask if he was OK, and if he was uncomfortable, and how long they would have to stay there-- not that she truthfully minded being here for so long. She might ask what was happening, and why it helped her illness. If other wolves could do this, or if only he could as Cardinal. Why had she never seen this before? Was this common? She did not understand, but her mind swam with questions. 

He moved faster, harder, her rump pressed against his hips so tightly she felt they may never part. Would they part? How long did this last? Had she asked him that? She did not know. Her lips parted in a final gasp for air, as a new wave of sensations shook through her entire body. For a moment, she was as hot as she was this morning-- but it felt different. She could not explain it. She merely stood, his body still connected with hers, choking on sensation after sensation, confused to every extent.

A strange thing happened, another thing that left poor Jhala in confusion. He seemed to feel something similar to what he does, but he shudders less and tenses more-- she feels against her back. He lets out a sound that makes it seem like he's hurt, going limp against her and breathing heavily. But when he slides to the side-- pulling her with-- she finds he's far from hurt, he actually seems quite opposite. She's confused why they're still bonded, but Reek eventually seems to let go, and buries his face in her fur. 

She doesn't understand this sudden display of affection from him-- but maybe it was just more healing. She did feel better-- tons better, actually, and though she was tired and panting heavily, her sickness felt healed. She almost asked him how he knew, if he'd seem it before in another woman, when he springs a question on her that absolutely blows her mind. She chokes on words she hasn't said yet, her ears flattening in surprise.

"Your... your wife?" she asks, almost mortified. So much had just happened! it was all too much. But she calms herself best she can, thinking only in the best interests of her alpha. "Do you want me to?" she asks. Would that help me serve you better? she almost asks him, but is so tired she can't form the question.

She was tired, and confused, and maybe even a bit woozy at this point-- but she knew what marriage was. It signified love between two people. She did not love Reek-- not in the way she pieced together with marriage. She almost said no, right there. Almost shook her head and wheeled out of the den as fast her her tired legs could take her. But somehow, she couldn't.

To say no to her alpha-- to let him down... she couldn't do it. Marriage wouldn't be bad. It just meant others thought you were in love-- she didn't need to be in love with him to do that. She could do it, for his sake. If it made him happy she would do it.

Still, her mind traveled to Vuk... she would understand? Right? Reek asked her-- she couldn't say no when he'd asked so nicely. And-- take a name. She'd never had a name besides her first one. Nothing to identify her as-- she was never so important to take one. 

So, in a groggy haze, she nods her head, his breath hot against her neck. "Yeah," she mutters softly. She nuzzles into his chest briefly, and falls asleep. Out like a light-- a pitiful, confused, light.