Blackfoot Forest take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears

This was not something that could be fixed with play or affectionate nips. He had done wrong by her, allowing himself to be surrounded by other women in heat when she was always right there with him. But, at the same time, had he really? In truth, neither had a claim over the other, not officially, and this was something he was both aware of and worried over. That she had nothing tying her to him, that she could up and leave at any point or give herself to any man—these thoughts all swirled around in his head, weighing him down whilst also pushing him to do something about it. But how could he do anything, make them anything more to one another, when she could not communicate as fluently and he was incapable of experiencing love? It paved the road for a disastrous event.

Alexander’s ears fell flat against his head when she snapped at him, for even though contact was not made the fact alone that she’d done that left him feeling rejected. Another whine worked its way out of his throat, but he refused to leave her side—he couldn’t abandon her there, or anywhere, knowing he would never forgive himself if he did.

Their gazes met and he fell victim to her emotions, sinking down towards the snow, defeated. The questions that lingered in her eyes were ones that he could not answer, not easily, because he didn’t know. He didn’t know what he could say or do, or how he could set things right. All he knew was that he didn’t want her to leave, he wanted her to remain with him in the valley, he wanted to be there to hear her voice each time she learned something new.

He was attached.

Stretching his neck out, he tried to touch his nose to her cheek, caring not for the risk of being bit. He just wanted to make contact with her, to assure her in the only way that he knew how, before tossing his head in the valley’s direction. Come home with me, he pleaded silently, please don’t leave. He couldn’t take being abandoned, not again. Surely, this time would be his breaking point, the weight of his pain caused by everyone in the past eager to crush him.