Rising Sun Valley the family

He regarded the pale dove, reassured only by the nudge to his chin before giving a small nod, his eyes then drifting to regard the others ahead of them. They were a small group compared to the numbers the pack was used to -- but more than ever, they were family.

His good ear swiveled to the direction of her voice, stirring his gaze upon her once more. It was very possible she carried his pups at this point, though it was too soon to tell -- it terrified him in a sense, to know that together, they might have created life. Were they responsible enough to do so?

But her words eased this concern, and he withheld a small sigh of relief. It seemed almost foreign -- her desire to tie herself to him fully and voiced with such confidence, when before, their budding relationship had been enough to scare her away. He had chosen to not rush her this time -- but somehow it felt wrong for her to be asking this question when it should have been him. "As my mate?" It was his version of a quiet proposal -- whether she was ready for this commitment or not had his stomach shift uncomfortably -- but now was the time.