Bearclaw Valley [M] this love that came like a wind

Scarlett woke up with a start and jumped up, obviously thinking that something terrible had happened. But once she realised it was him who had woken her up, she told him sharply that he could have woken her up more gently and sat down on the ground, lifting her head so her bright red eyes were fixed on his fierce gleaming teal ones. But much to his disappointment, she asked him if they could talk here instead, nosing over her children as she did so. He could see the love for her children in her gaze, and hoped that soon, they would be for him too.

Raziel was resolute and shook his head, saying no, we have to talk there. But she asked once more, this time less as a question and more as if she was actually begging him to talk with her here. He bit his tongue in annoyance and his velvety silver ears slicked back against his skull for a brief moment, signifying his irritation. For a moment, he wanted to invoke his Alpha power and force her to go to the next room to talk, but he gave in and sighed, ears flicking upwards once more. "You can't always be near them you know. You're far too protective as of now. When they grow older, you need to let them grow by themselves but be there when they need you." He was new to this parenting business too, but he had been an older brother once, and he believed it was almost the same thing.

"I've been with you since the beginning of Bearclaw Valley. I supported you, I defended the pack, I was loyal. Then Kove left, and I took over his duty. I cared for you, brought food for you, did all I could for you but when Kove came back, you forgave him in a second and somehow loved him once more, leaving me at the edges," Raziel stared at her, right into those bright eyes. "I tolerated it, however bitter I felt and bided my time. If Kove was nice to you again, I would be your friend always, but I could see he wasn't. He didn't do what he was supposed to do as a father and husband, leaving me to do his job once again. Sense a pattern here?"

The Roman canted his head, flashing the children a glance before looking at Scarlett once more. "I was actually planning on leaving for I didn't seem to be acknowledged for my efforts and my care. I plan to leave this all behind when the flood started, but I realised I couldn't leave you or your children and came back," he hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing. "I love you, and not in a platonic way either. I've always been here for you since the start of Bearclaw Valley, I've done what Kove's supposed to do. I care for you a lot. Kove's becoming shittier and shittier with each passing day, he doesn't deserve you, Scarlett. I'm not saying I deserve you, but I can promise I'll be a better mate to you than he ever will be."

"I've always been the second best, always did my things in the shadows. But I can't do that anymore, I can't live here if you're always going to choose that bastard over me. I love you, and I want you to be my mate. I want to be the father to your children, to be a loving husband to you. If I can only always be the second best, then I'm going to leave Bearclaw Valley for good, because I cannot live my life like this." His voice was firm and unwavering as he spoke, and his eyes were bright and unyielding. "Not all relationships are meant to be, contrary to what you might think. Sometimes.....you have to break it off and start anew." 

Some wolves might turn into nervous stuttering bastards when they confessed their love but Raziel did not. One, because he wasn't that type of person. Two, because he had waited too long to stutter and make a fool of himself which would simply delay the process in the end.