Blacktail Deer Plateau Not without you

For @Koda if you have time

Kesuk knew she said she was going to leave, but she didn't think she could do it. As soon as she had left pack territory, left Koda, she felt a hole open up in her heart. What was the point of starting a new life if it wasn't with him? He was her life. She had kept going, hoping the pain would subside, that it would go away. But it just kept getting worse, every step she took. Eventually, she knew she couldn't continue, it hurt her too much.

Turning away from the jagged slopes of the mountains, she bounded towards the plateau, her dark paws a blur against the soft grass of the plains. The adrenaline of speed combined with the excitement of seeing Koda again shot her like a bullet towards the trees. Apon reaching the plateau, she skidded to a halt and called for her love. If he didn't want to leave, the so be it, no matter where they where, Kesuk knew he was her home.

I have nothing but time ;)

Koda was returning from a rather unproductive fishing trip. His catch, a measly whitefish, dangled from his jaws as he climbed the steep path back up to the plateau. The angler had been unusually off his game today, and was thankful no one had been there to witness his pitiful display.

The familiar howl that rose up on the crisp autumn air made him stop in his tracks. 'Kesuk?' It couldn't be. She had gone to the mountains.

He turned and headed back down the path as quickly as he could without falling and killing himself. But when the sleek black form of his lost love came into view, Koda dropped his fish and broke into a run.

"Kesuk!" he yipped, not unlike a pup, in excitement. He skidded to a halt as he reached her, tail wagging vigorously. He reached out and touched her soft cheek with his nose, just to be sure he wasn't seeing things. "I can't believe it! It's you!"

Kesuk saw Koda spot her and was so delighted to see him that she actually had tears of joy in her sparkling blue eyes. She reached him and licked his cheek, her tail matching the extreme speed of his.

"Yes! Its me, I'm back! I realized that I didn't need to go into the mountains to find a new life, you are my life! And I need you." She started in normal voice and ended with a whisper, her dark head leaning against his broad chest. "I don't know what I was thinking when I left." She admitted, lifting her head and meeting his yellow eyes with her own love filled ones.

Koda's heart almost exploded when Kesuk laid her sweet head against his chest. He rested his chin atop her head and just savored holding his love so close. He'd been longing for this moment for a long time, and now that it was finally happening he didn't want to let it go.

She pulled away and met his yellow eyes with her loving gaze. "I'm just happy you're back," he told her, pulling her back in for another embrace. "I'm so sorry I let you go," he said, choking back tears. "I missed you so much."

I'm doing this on my tablet, be warned for typos

"Im missed you too, I dont know why I ever thought I could leave you!" She exclaimed, her heart beating a mile a minute. She covered his chest in little licks, before nuzzling his fur, just enjoying being with him. It was like finally being able to breath air again. A warm tingly feeling spread from her claws all the way to the tips of her ears. She had missed the feeling. The feeling she got from being with her love.

Koda wrapped a paw around Kesuk and pulled her in close. As she snuggled into his gray pelt, he ran his tongue over the velvety soft fur on the crown of her head. After a moment, he pulled back so he could look into her eyes as he spoke to her. His breath caught in his throat as he gazed into their crystal depths. He momentarily forgot what he'd intended to say to her.

"So, this means you're rejoining the pack, right?" He asked. He hoped Kesuk could call the plateau home again, but if she wanted to leave, there was no way he'd stay behind and let her go again.

Kesuk watched his yellow eyes and took in a deep breath when he asked her if she was staying. She looked down at her paws then back up to his hopeful eyes. She licked his cheek.

"If it means being with you, I would do anything." She said quietly, her voice filled with love. She didn't care where she was, if she was in the mountains, on the plateau, where ever, she needed to be with Koda. She nuzzled her head against him again.

"If they let me stay, that is." Kesuk's voice sounded doubtful. Dante probably thought she left because she didn't want him to lead the pack and she didn't know if he would let her back.

"I think they'll be glad to have you back," he assured her, recalling his conversation with Dante. The Alpha hadn't been angry with Kesuk at all, in fact, he'd seemed a little sad when Koda told him she'd gone. Not as sad as he was, of course. A piece of his heart had gone with his love.

Suddenly, he couldn't contain all the excitement and energy any longer. He bounced around Kesuk, circling to her back and nudging her rump with his forehead, pushing her toward the plateau. "C'mon, let's go tell everyone!"

Should we tag Dante? or just pretend it happened?

Happiness filled Kesuk to the brim as Koda urged her to her feet. She let out a bubbly laugh as she bounded along Koda's side into the heart of the plateau to tell everyone she was back. She was lucky to have someone like Koda who supported and loved her. They entered the trees and Kesuk started looking for a good place where they could call for the pack.

Let's tag Dante, just to make it more official like :)

Koda felt as though he had wings on his feet as he ran alongside Kesuk. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had so much spring in his step. After she'd gone, he'd been in a bit of a slump, shuffling around like a brainless zombie. He'd gotten over the worst of it, and returned to a fairly normal, productive life, but nothing, not even landing the biggest fish in his life, could match the feeling of being with the girl he loved.

They reached a clearing on the plateau, encircled by tall spruce trees. This seemed as good a place as any for a reunion with the pack. He turned to Kesuk, a warm, supportive smile on his lips. "Would you like to do the honors?" He prompted, with a nudge to her cheek.

Okay :) @Dante

When Kesuk howled it was more like a song, filled with happiness and excitement. She nudged Koda to sing with her. Her life had been empty without him. Now she felt filled up. Filled with happiness, promise, excitement, pretty much every good feeling you could possible have. She stopped singing and curled up against Koda's soft fur.

"I love you." She whispered. It was the first time she had said that to anybody like that. It felt good to tell him. She knew that was how she felt, she just hoped he felt the same.

Throwing his back dramatically, Koda lifted his own voice to join Kesuk's. He poured his happiness, his love, his hopes and dreams into his song. All who heard their howling would know, these two souls were deeply in love.

Their song ended, and in the quiet that followed, Kesuk curled up against his side. Koda was not expecting what she said next, but it was by no means unwelcome. The young man knew he felt the same way, he'd just been unable to find the right moment to let it out. Kesuk had just created the perfect opportunity for him to finally share his own feelings.

His heart overflowing with joy, he pushed his face into Kesuk's ruff, kissing her raven fur. "I love you, too," he whispered back.

Dante was stalking a deer trail when the twin calls rose, initially sounding like a request. With one last look he turned from the task, it had been wishful thinking anyway. He'd follow up later. As the calls changed, though, he hesitated. Maybe he'd been mistaken? He didn't think so, and though he recognized one tone as Koda, the other was unfamiliar to him.

Well, they'd have him anyway. He set off to investigate, encountering the two fairly quickly. "Koda, and Kesuk? Hey!" He remembered his conversation with Koda and now the nature of the call made sense. He had a pretty good idea what this was about but he'd let them explain briefly.

Kesuk smiled widely at Dante and took a moment to think. What if there wasn't enough room in the pack? Then what would happen? Then she remembered the words she and Koda had shared mere seconds ago and all worry was forgotten and replaced with excitement.

"I'm back! I am going to join the pack again! That is if you'll have me..." she finished, hopeful that answer Dante would share would be a positive one.

The Blacktail Alpha soon appeared before the pair of wolves. Koda greeted Dante with a smile and a wag of his bushy gray tail. "Dante! Look who's here!" He exclaimed, looking from Dante to Kesuk. "Someone nip me, because I must be dreaming," he said with a merry laugh. He was only half-joking however. The whole thing felt like a dream, as if it might fade away any moment. Koda had had many such dreams when he was missing Kesuk badly.

It never occurred to him that Dante might not be willing to welcome her back. Kesuk had left the pack on good terms, so what could he possibly have against her?

Last from me <3

They both looked so optimistic, but Dante was a realist, so he had to think a moment. Kesuk had bolted without a word to him and that put him a bit on edge. Was she so flighty that she might run off again? Still, it had been a time of chaos and he wondered if he shouldn't give her the benefit of the doubt because of that. Peregrine's abrupt departure had thrown many of them for a loop and her departure might not indicate that she was disloyal. Other factors could have been in play.

Truth was, they also could use the bodies. Food was going to be a problem soon if they didn't get some successful hunts in and having another able-bodied member to help would be invaluable. Decided, he gave her a soft smile. "Alright. So long as you pledge to do all you can in helping the pack and staying true to it, you are welcome to remain here." He was glad to see that Koda had his friend (or more than friend?) back, he'd seemed rather upset when he had told Dante of her absence. Thank goodness someone was having some good luck. "If you need anything further, let me know. It is good to have you back." He said genuinely, giving her and Koda a nod. "I had better get back though." He wished to give the trail he'd been following one last try.

Kesuk felt a huge grin spread across her face when Dante approved of her rejoining the pack. She stopped and thought for a moment, trying to figure out what she would do next. Where would she live? Could she go back to her old den? What some other wolf had taken it? The thought worried her slightly and she turned to Koda.

"What now?" She asked, her tail wagging behind her happily.

Maybe she could live with him. She did want to spend the rest of her life with him, but would that be going to fast? What if he thought she was weird and decided he didn't want to be with her. The would probably be one of the most devastating things that would ever happen to her. If that did happen she didn't know if she could live with her self. But she didn't think Koda was like that, he was more understanding than that. In her eyes, he was nothing short of perfect.

fading out :)

After Dante's departure, Koda turned back to Kesuk. He still couldn't believe she was back here with him. The depression he'd been feeling just hours before now felt like a distant memory. "Whatever we want," he replied, nudging her cheek with his nose. He didn't care what they did now, as long as they did it together.

A burst of energy coursed through his body, and Koda suddenly found it difficult to remain standing still. He lowered his body to the ground in a playful bow, then rushed past Kesuk into the trees, hoping the she-wolf would come chasing after him.

Fade :D

With a playful yelp, Kesuk pushed off in pursuit of Koda, happiness filling her and spurring her paws forward. The wind fluffed her fur and her crystal eyes sparkled endlessly as she followed him to a better life.