Blacktail Deer Plateau Lover, Lover

he grinned at her threat; he did not think that luke would do that. he was not like peregrine in any way, even in the manner of his comeliness. "yes, of course," he agreed. the children were old enough now to be reared without the tradition that had ensnared their forbears; he wished long and free lives for them, as he himself had lived. "nor would i chain your own, my love," he answered in vague allusion to the idea that she was welcome, even encouraged, to take a lover whenever she so decided -- if she so decided.

the leap of tears to her eyes sparked his own; he embraced her, preening the ebon fur along the bulb of one ear. "we shall make it official before dante, then, and before the pack." pleased that she had accepted, he groomed her slowly and in comfortable quietude.