Hushed Willows seventeen

She sucked in a ragged breath when he peppered her with kisses.  Finally she felt safe enough to feel the emotions she'd kept at bay.  So used to the practice, Banner hadn't realized how much more difficult it was to hold back negative emotions other than anger.  The gray cloud that had follwed her around all evening seemed to crack open and storm all over her, though the short female was with it enough to only tremble a bit in her mate's embrace.

His apology was appreciated, but she didn't know how to respond to it.  Octavia hadn't been a friend by any stretch of the imagination.  In fact, Banner had spent quite a few hours in private seething at the former Alpha female for disappearing and treating both Stark and Tambourine as she had.  Hindsight afforded her the knowledge that serious illness was to blame, but those thoughts were tough to chase away.  Thank you, she murmured quietly into his fur, a soft and affectionate growl rounding out her brief reply.

I'm worred about Stark, she admitted after a brief pause.  Buchanan pressed himself closer and her eyes closed to enjoy the moment of bliss.  I don't know how I would.. if it were.. you..  She stumbled over her words, her throat feeling awfully tight.