Blacktail Deer Plateau This life is more than just a read through.

Kavik couldn't be sure, but something seemed off with her answer, and it confused him. Still, he would never push her to say more than she was comfortable with, so he just reached over with his nose to offer a comforting nuzzle to her cheek. The winter will be rough, but we'll get through it, he said softly, pulling back enough to meet her gaze. Our numbers have grown some, and I expect we'll pick up a few more stragglers as it starts to get colder, he added, smiling at her. And, the wolves who already call this place home are all capable and hard-working; they'll help us prepare as well, he stated, hoping to calm her worries a little. Talking to his mate always made him feel better, and he needed to try and remind himself of that in the future. He was trying really hard to change the way he dealt with his stress, but his deeply ingrained habits were sometimes hard to break, especially when his reluctance to share his worries with her was bred from a very hard-driving need to protect her.

He nuzzled her cheek again, both to comfort her and and sooth his own unease. He stood back up a second later and motioned for her to follow. He wasn't finished patrolling and wanted to make sure everything was in order. They were close to the river, so he made his way there next, stopping as his inky paws touched the water and dipping his head to take a drink. He lifted muzzle from the liquid and turned to his mate, offering her another smile, eyes sparkling with contentment. Even at his most anxious, he was always glad to have a place to call home and a mate to share it with.