follow the echoes

I will probably never forget what I saw on that wolf documentary for as long as I live, lol.

Procreating was usually on Ragnar’s mind in some shape or form given his near single-minded drive to have the many sons that the Seer had predicted he would have. Already, he had three of them and though none were of his seed the fact of the matter was that he was their father and his ideals would be carried on through them since genetics were currently out of the question. Permission. There wasn’t a word he loathed more when it was applied to him. His time as Jarl of the Cove had not done wonders to his domineering tendencies and the fact that he had to go to another wolf and grovel and beg to be allowed to mate when even if it was denied he would likely do it anyway. It wasn’t as if Horizon Ridge was their only option, and though the Viking had focused his energy where it was most needed currently he had not forgotten the groundwork he had lain to claim Ravensblood Forest and build a pack there. As it stood he could call the wolves who had agreed to follow him to his side and have the lands claimed before nightfall; but it wasn’t practical not yet, at least. Though Ragnar desired to go off and find Pump to ask for breeding rights for Thistle’s next season right then and there he resisted because he was selfish and wanted Thistle to himself for an hour or two.

And because he was fairly certain Pump would look at him blankly and ask him why he was asking for permission for next season when his pups had only just been born; and what was he to tell her? That he was impatient and waiting to ask for permission was stupid to him? That he was a studious planner? That he was a bit of a man-whore and didn’t think he could exercise the type of restraint it took to keep from mounting any female in heat, let alone his own wife? Ragnar didn’t expect Pump to understand the latter given she wasn’t a male, still.

“I do not want to wait to ask. I want to know soon and she will probably deny me it if only because I should be focusing on the children we have now,” He liked to think he knew Pump enough to understand how her mind worked. Maybe she would prove him wrong — it was probable at least. “I do not know how to make a woman understand that your heat cycle scents drive us crazy. Some men have been known to hump logs or other men if they do not have a woman.” Once Ragnar saw a male humping a female’s face because he couldn’t get access to her reproductive organs because another man had that claimed.

“She has,” Ragnar responded. “I have been teaching her things and words, as well. She wishes to learn the language too. I believe it is so the children can’t say bad things that she won’t understand.” Ragnar laughed at the thought, though he would not put it past children to be conniving like that. He had certainly been and his brothers had followed along with Ragnar’s clever games. “I trust her. She is ambitious and has proven herself many times to me.” He had no problems admitting to Thistle what he could not admit to Julooke outright. It was not often he confessed trust to any wolf’s face, instead leaving it to be something that they realized over time. “I like her.” And if the chance ever arose he would ask her if she had any interest in following him when he decided to branch off from Pump. Originally, he had not intended to steal anyone other than Thistle and his children when he left but he wanted to at least let Julooke know that he valued her and that his offer was available whether she decided to take it or not, Verrine too since Ragnar automatically thought of them as a package deal.