Swiftcurrent Creek But you never realized

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couldn't resist

Arric was happy beyond happy and gods the way his wife looked. She was gorgeous. But underneath that happy, there was a cold dose of fear.

Yesterday he had noticed how Arlette was growing larger and it was incredibly attractive yessir, and yet it worried the absolute fucking shit out of him. Because he truly noticed their size difference.

What if his children ripped her apart. She was hearty and strong. She had fought a wildcat and won for fucks sake, but she was also small and dainty and gentle. And he was scared. So freaking scared.

He found himself in pursuit of a yearling stag. She had wanted deer if he could catch it for her. 

He had told @Akavir and @Cygnet both he was hunting one that they could join.

His tongue smoothed across a tooth as he laughed. Arlette had a pregnancy craving, it seemed, and had sent her husband out on the equivalent task of providing something akin to pickles and chips, with a side of cheese—and Arric was playing the role of good husband. Who was he to say no to such a request? And so he trailed after the larger man, nose down, tracing the path of the yearling stag. “Plan?”

She could have shunned him. Maybe she should have shunned him! It was his doing, after all, that had made Arlette change so much! They were married- and from what Cygnet could glean, they would be having children too! Out of spite, she should have denied her help, turned her back and scuffed scorned with toward him.

Her avoidance clearly had not worked; if anything, it had given Arric and Arlette the chance to grow closer. Lesson learned.

So when the invitation came, she was stiff, bristly and reluctant- but clear that she would participate simply because Akavir was there. Hunger stoked her flame; she was ready to be involved with this formation, now that she was being taken seriously enough to include. 

Her glance toward Arric were fleeting, but less caustic than before out of necessity. She hoped Akavir might lead the hunt but suspected Arric would be the one to do so.

Arric chuckled. Was about to answer when color him surprised Cygnet showed up. He tried not to let his little bit of joy or maybe relief show. Because he wasn't certain how she'd take it. 

She hadn't ever hunted anything large as far as he knew. So he would need to figure out how to both give her a task and test her skill level.

He didn't know if she would tolerate working in tandem with him. So he decided to let her and Akavir chase. Although. He eyed them both.

Theres a yearling stag. Has a small limp in his hind leg. I'll go around to front. If you and Cygnet can chase to me? Unless you and she would rather dispatch?

He was giving Akavir the reins to teach cygnet how to kill it if he wanted. Because she seemed to like the big leader better than him. And he wouldn't cut her short on a lesson if he could manage. He just hoped Akavir saw what he was doing.

A glance was given to Cygnet as Arric spoke—a crooked grin pressing to his muzzle as she bristled in the presence of the Beta. “Chase,” he responded—this seemed one of the easiest ways to get Cygnet used to the idea of hunting larger game, and he would be able to keep an eye on her easier.

With a nudge aimed to the girl’s shoulder, he waited for her to lead them to where she thought was best for the chase to begin—a glance shared to Arric before they divided—keen on a meal to feed the pregnant Beta and other hungry mouths.

Arric blinked at both a small smile on his face.

Alright. Be mindful of hooves and antlers both of you.

He really wanted to say something smart ass to Akavir, but he kept himself in check. Though he did wink at the big guy. 

Then ran towards and then around to the front. Positioning himself so he could both watch for the deer and his two pack mates. Blue eyes narrowed and body at the ready.

As much as it was possible, she'd ignore Arric- showing no signs that she heard or saw him at all. She kept one ear turned toward Akavir, but cast her gaze out into the wilderness, focusing more on her sense of smell. Arric spoke and made suggestions, but she gave no indication she'd heard. It was only when Akavir accepted a position on her behalf that she blinked in acknowledgement. 

Deftly, she dodged his nudge, baring her teeth silently, though her breath hissed in quiet laughter. She chomped her teeth together as Arric cautioned them, mockingly, but she moved alongside Akavir to get into position.

He withheld a laugh at Cygnet’s absolute denial of Arric’s presence—mirthful eyes resting on the Beta before he trailed after her, a sideways glance given as she settled close to him. An ear flicked—Arric was in position it seemed—and the mood drifted to concentration—his own form sweeping lower to allow for a speedy push off, a gentle chuff given to Cygnet to urge her to begin this—she would be the one to lead the chase of their prey to Arric—he was going to test her mettle.

It wasn’t often enough she was given a chance like this, it seemed.

Arric was irritated that Cygnet was blatant in her disregard of his presence, but not because of his need to be liked. More this time he hoped she had been listening, because what he had said had been important. But he knew that Akavir would make sure she would follow directions. Given that she tolerated him twice as much as Arric.

So the beta waited for the signal from the leader that the creature was coming. And he also kept a wary eye on Cygnent, fearful that she may get hurt. But hopefull that she succeeded too.