Julooke was returning to the den after the morning hunt. It had been a little stressful on her, knowing she was in heat but trying to ignore it and focus on the hunt. She figured the ones who came along on the hunt had to do the same as well. It almost made her feel as if she should have given the lead of the hunt over to someone else and bowed out. No one made her feel like that, though. Those feelings were her own doing. She had taken some time to herself after the hunt, to wind down and gather her thoughts. If she and Verrine wanted to have pups this year instead of waiting for the summer, now would be the time to do it. Literally do it.

Her own feelings were a little cloudy. Part of her wanted puppies and to be a mother. Another, immature part, was scared. She was an adult, but there were many days she didn't feel like one, and sometimes she wouldn't even act like one. She loved being carefree and being the clown of the pack. She felt like she lifted spirits and made wolves feel better. Would she have to mature if she wanted to have pups? She was familiar with raising pups, but not on a full time basis. Care-taking did seem to come as natural to her as hunting did. Would parenting her own children come as easily to her? She wished her own mother were around so that she could talk to her. Fatalis would understand what she was going through and be able to guide her. Guidance, she thought. Her gaze went skyward, but the trees obstructed her view. It didn't matter though, since she couldn't see the stars in the middle of the day, anyways.

She supposed she needed to talk to Verrine, sooner rather than later. He was one-half of this decision, after all, and she knew he could calm her fears. She howled for him, asking him to come, then sat back on her haunches and waited for him at the mouth of their den. While she waited, her brain ran with thoughts of how the conversation would turn out.

It was true that Julooke had gone into heat with Verrine around before, but this time was so much different. Before, it was a nuisance that Julooke waited out, usually away from everyone else, except for Verrine. This time, they were mates, and it meant the opportunity to expand their family. Julooke had her reservations, but she hoped to see past them. She knew she was good with puppies, and she would need to keep that in mind if she ever wanted to become a mother herself.

Verrine came in no time and Julooke stood to greet him, her tail wagging at his greeting. Hello, love, she said, attempting to bury her face in his neck. She inhaled the scent of him, letting it calm her, as it usually did. This time, though, it seemed to excite something deep within her; something she hadn't felt before. It was stirring of her loins, and for a moment, she thought about trying to seduce him. They were mates, after all, and that was part of the deal, right? But, they still needed to talk first, and with a frustrated sigh, she pulled back. She wanted to just come out and say it and make him say yes so that he could give her body what it wanted, but she knew she would regret charging through it. So, she took a deep breath, So, we both know the elephant in the room, she said with a nervous chuckle. And I know you've been around me before, but this time is different, you know? She was fumbling with her words a bit, and she knew it was out of fear of rejection. What if he didn't want puppies? As scared as she was to become a Mom, she knew deep down she did want children. I know it's soon, and that we just became mates, but my current condition has brought to light a certain opportunity, and I... I wanted to get your opinion on whether or not you... wanted children. Her gaze was on him, gauging his reaction.

At first, it seemed his reaction was negative. He was right, they had only just become mates. But, in the same breath, he realized they they had been together longer than just a few short weeks. She nodded her understanding, Exactly. I mean, I know we've only just made it official, but... you've been the only one for me since I met you, she admitted with a smile. She hadn't realized it until recently because their friendship had come so easily and it had taken her a while to see that it was more than just friendship, and then a while to finally say the words. They had come a long way since they met, and though they had just taken a more serious role with each other, it didn't seem so out of place to think pups could be a possibility.

She nodded again in agreement, I'm both scared and excited. I know I'm not the most... mature wolf sometimes, but I am great with other wolves' pups. I worry I may not be a great Mom because I don't always find the seriousness in things, but maybe that's not so bad? Her eyes turned to him, silently asking if he thought the same. She had always been a happy-go-lucky wolf- the one who could find a friend in a foe. Those were admiral qualities, weren't they? No, she wouldn't be the first to run off a wolf at the borders, but maybe she could be the first to find an ally in a neighboring pack.

Hearing his reassuring words, she smiled softly as her heart swelled. He seemed to have that affect a lot lately. Not that she minded. He admitted that the qualities she feared might not make her a good mother were the ones he loved the most about her. Thanks, sweetie, she said, trying out a pet name. She rather like it. She was glad she could verbalize her fears to him and not worry about any negative feedback. He always had a way of saying the right thing, without lying and just telling her what she needed to hear. He had a way with words.

Taking a deep breath, her gaze looked into his, Sooo, have we decided then? she asked with a smile. They seemed on the same page, and Julooke was feeling a little braver now that she had spoken with him. She figured any new potential parent was going to have fears, but so long as they both wanted this and did their best, it should all work out fine in the end.

Julooke, too, realized the double meaning of his words, and smiled shyly, her gaze looking downwards for a moment. It was really now or never, and Julooke knew she needed to get her courage up. She looked back up at him and seen his goofy smile, and it was like she fell in love all over again. I love that smile. she said simply, knowing she was the lucky one who would get to see it for the rest of their lives together. In that moment, she gained the confidence she needed and attempted to bury her face in his neck as she stood.

She rubbed her face against his side, and then her body against his as she took a few steps forward. Her tail brushed against his chest as she turned to come around his back to his other side, rubbing up against him once more. She was calm and collected on the outside, but inside her heart was racing. Her brain was conflicted with self-doubt, but her body was sure enough for the both of them. She took a few steps forward until her backside was just in front of him, her tail swaying side to side, just barely brushing his chest. Her head turned so that she could gaze at him and gauge his reaction.

Julooke wasn't sure what to do, either. She had never been in this sort of position before, and had no knowledge of the correct way to go about it. But, what she did have was instinct. She was born with the innate knowledge that would come out when the time came. It was here. She was generally an outgoing wolf, but she turned shy for a moment, suddenly self conscious. But, this was Verrine. Her best friend. Her mate. And now, he would be her lover. Her heart fluttered with every touch of his kiss, and she stood still, allowing him the freedom to go where he wanted with her body.

It was erotic... Their gazes locked together while he kissed her in new places. Her breathing was quickened with a need she couldn't vocalize, her heart beat picking up its pace. Her whole body screamed for something. Her front paws danced in place as she became restless. Verrine, she whispered. She needed him to release her body from this craziness. He was the only one who could do it. Instinctively, her tail raised slightly, possibly brushing up against the side of his neck.

Her heart quicken as she felt him rear up and wrap his legs around her waist. She steadied her legs to take on his weight. They may have fumbled, she may have stumbled a bit under the added weight, but it didn't make their love any less perfect for her. It was Verrine, her best friend, her love, her soul mate. It didn't matter that they weren't experienced; it mattered that they loved each other and they were showing it. Hopefully, a few little fur balls would come along in remembrance of their love, as well.

The fact that it didn't last long was of no consequence to Julooke. It was a very special moment for her- one she would relive over and over. She was grateful that it seemed he was supporting most of his weight, as she wasn't strong enough to fully take him on. She felt his kisses, heard his whisper. Her neck turned, craned to kiss him back, but she couldn't. She let out a giggle, I can't kiss you back, she said, breaking the seriousness for a moment, before returning to it. I love you, too, Verrine, she replied.

When they were able to part, she laid down, her legs feeling slightly weak from their activities. Come snuggle with me? she asked with a smile. She loved feeling their bodies together, and the safeness she felt when he was around.