Whitebark Stream when that strange shape drove suddenly betwixt us and the Sun [mtr.]

Though the morning's fog had been swift to fade, that familiar chill remained in the air: the promise of snow. Artyom awaited it with excited anticipation, keen to frolic among fresh drifts in celebration of Whitebark's announcement of their claim, though it waited until evening crept in to greet them.

So out he went, into the open where the frozen rain could fall freely without the obstruction of foliage, and loped along the forest's edge with all the joy of a Springtime lamb. He clacked his fangs toward the largest of snowflakes from time to time, tail swishing merrily at his rear as he entertained his inner child.

A voice called out to him, however, silky smooth and enough to distract him completely. Artyom halted immediately and swung around to face the woods that'd been behind him, ears forward and gaze searching, until he spotted Dawn among the trees.

He was glad to see her, and innocently beckoned her closer with a soft woof of encouragement - hopeful that she might enjoy a night time run alongside him to work off any stress she may have accumulated in recent days. As she drew nearer, however, there was a small discomfort niggling at him, and it grew more apparent as he caught her staring right at him with those bedroom eyes.

He blinked, twitterpated, driven at once to appreciate her delicate beauty as she moved toward him. Artyom felt suddenly drunk as he swayed, inhaling deep an aroma designed to lure a male in like moth to flame.

The ranger had never wanted find himself victim to the season's embrace, not without the appropriate courting beforehand. It was not in his nature to take advantage: he was gentle, respectful, romantic. Yet there he stood, caught off guard and, suddenly, very aware of his very real desires to cast each of those virtues aside in favour of a thrilling night with his sterling Queen.

But he would not.

He could not.

Artyom maintained his silence, rooted to the spot and increasingly fearful of the reason his Alphess had come searching for him. To her he dipped his muzzle and smoothed back his ears, submissive, tail twitching anxiously behind him as he eyed her with growing guilt for such selfish thoughts.