Ouroboros Spine salumaruk ⇑

As swiftly as she offered him this future for himself, she revoked it. She denied him quickly enough that his smile faded; he looked at her now with more restraint. Like a boy who had been insulted for their enthusiasm. It was not the first time a good thing had been taken from him for his zeal.

Kukutux might have tried to remedy the situation with her continued conversation, but Raimo was not listening in entirety. He felt wounded, of all things. Steeling himself quickly, fortifying everything about himself, to contain what he felt. She spoke of taking wives and keeping his status as lead hunter contained to his own bloodline, an option he had not thought of before, and certainly did not appeal to him now.

Raimo wanted more than just a title that could be stolen from him. He was a vigilant creature who would not let anyone succeed in that; likewise, he would do everything in his power to advance to where he thought was best for himself — at this point, that was with Kukutux at his side. He was angry. He could not ignore that.

Maybe then I will take Sialuk, she is a fine huntress, and together our children would be formidable. He mused this openly, wondering how the mother might take this option. Did she covet strength as he did? Would it wound her to be overlooked in favor for her younger duplicate? Raimo wondered many things.