Surrender up my heart, and swap it for yours.

Still, it didn't have to be his sister of all females in the pack that Paar used to live in, he would never do that to his own sister despite the fact that men usually ruled over women, that women should be under men's control. He would never give away his sister to another pack's random male willingly just to solve a rivalry. It was absurd. The other Romans may have done as Paar's brother had done but he and Flame would never give away their sister. She deserved to choose who she wished to be with.

When he spoke about Romans haven't multiple mates, his keen sterling eyes did not miss the way her ears shot straight up and the way she looked directly at him, with big eyes filled with wonder and concern. "Do you plan to... you know, court multiple she-wolves...?" He would've laughed at that, no, he didn't plan on courting a bunch of she-wolves at the same time or have a bunch of mates like most Romans did.

But he thought it would be a good joke, for him at least. He shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe, maybe not. Depends." he paused and did not speak for a long moment wondering what would be her reaction before finally saying "Nah, just kidding. I don't plan on taking multiple mates." Just yet. But plans change so it depended on the fates whether that would happen or not. Truthfully, he doubted that would happen, the idea of him taking multiple mates was ridiculous, at least in his head.

When Shadow joked that he might take more than one bride, Paarthurnax'expression drooped noticeably. Her brow furrowed as she lingered on how she was to respond, but want sure how. The whole idea of escaping Samarkand was to avoid being thrust into a relationship like that her parents had had. And despite the love that she'd been nurturing for her ashen outrider, she would not hesitate to exit his life if he saw fit to pursue a second partner. Paranoia gripped her heart then, and even when he announced that he was kidding and that he did not plan to court other females, she still held onto her dread.

"And if I were to allow other men to court me?" She smirked playfully, eyeing her mate-to-be with a curious glance, and nipped playfully at his powerful neck. Given his attitude toward her talk of Sahrotaar and his very obvious concern for her well being at every waking moment, she doubted that he'd appreciate such a thought. But it was one that Paarthurnax wished to plant, considering he'd done likewise with her. She knew in her heart that she could not stick around to watch her beloved embrace another woman.

"And if I were to allow other men to court me?" Since he didn't bother to hide his emotions around Paar, it was very obvious what he felt from the words that escaped Paar's mouth. He scrunched up his face, furrowing his brows in disgust at the thought of Paar with another man. He knew that he would never ever want to see that happen and now that she said that, the image of her with an unknown male was forever implanted in his mind. He could not bear the thought of his crimson healer being with someone else.

"You wouldn't do that would you?" the words coming out as a soft whine. "I promise I won't court other females, besides why would I even want to do that? You're pretty, nice, kind, smart, basically everything I wish I was. You're all I will ever need." he said truthfully.

The sterling outrider did not lie, he hated doing it and would only lie to save his loved ones or to protect them. He leaned down to kiss her gently on her cheek before moving forward, stepping into quite a large clearing although smaller than the one but just as pretty.

The crimson beauty brushed her flank briefly to that of her beau as he whined in her direction, an act of comfort and support. "I could never betray you like that," the healer promised with a smile, and her copper eyes lit up when he announced that she was all he could ever need.

From the dense foliage they emerged into another clearing, one illuminated by the moon, and together the lovers were bathed in pale light. Her eyes glimmered lovingly as she paused in her tracks, welcomed his deep kiss, and crooned affectionately in response.

"I could never betray you like that," A genuine smile appeared on the silver outrider's lips at those words and he wrapped his tail protectively over her as he gazed into her bright copper eyes. The eyes he always found himself lost in and his silver orbs lit up and he rested his head gently upon Paar's crown, licking her affectionately on the top of her head. The moonlight shone brightly upon the two lovers and he sighed contently.

"I love you." he spoke softly into her ear, and he meant every word he said. He cared for her from the bottom of his heart and he knew that he would never let her be with someone else, the thought itself was heart-wrenching. He wished to be with her for the rest of his life, he wanted her to be his.

Paarthurnax looked upon her lover's face, glad to see the discomfort leech from his expression and be replaced by one of adoration. She leaned against him as he moved in cost to embrace her, sinking against his warmth and briefly closing her eyes to ball in the moment.

The future worried her; if Shadow decided to pursue additional mates like his relatives before him, it would surely destroy them as a couple. Eager to return to happy thoughts of their brand new pack, Paarthurnax cast her woes aside to ponder over at a later date. She was determined to enjoy her time with Shadow, and want willing to let it be spoiled by her newfound paranoia.

"And I love you, " the crimson beauty said, without even really thinking about it.

"And I love you," His platinum eyes widened as she said the three words that he'd been hoping she would say. If he had known that she hadn't really thought about it as she said the words, he would have stepped away from her however he wasn't a mind reader so he just murmured a pathetic "Really?". For he knew that she needed time to get use to this, to him. A slight doubt stirred but he shook it away, unwilling to ruin his good mood.

Platinum gaze warm as he pressed his flank against hers, leaning down towards her spine to shower her with loving kisses.

She didn't think about it because she didn't have to think about it. Paarthurnax knew that she felt something for Shadow (or was she to call him Nox, now that she knew his true title?), had done for some time, but fear of rushing into things had held her back. Although she still had doubts and desired to know him better, she felt far more confident to take the next step of their relationship.

He gawked at her and, with a grin, the crimson healer nuzzled his jawline and flicked her tongue fleetingly across his lower lip. "Yes," she said simply, a whisper, her copper eyes alight with certainty. She adored him despite his possessiveness, his pride and the identity he kept from her. More than anything, Paarthurnax wanted to believe that this was the same wolf who'd claimed her desperate heart.

"Yes," she whispered, her copper eyes bright with certainty. He blinked at her, his usually cold and steely platinum eyes wide wide with adoration and affection. He knew he had feelings for her, he'd known that for a long time but he never actually truly knew how she felt about him. He remembered what she said beside Duck Lake but never really knew if she truly meant it or just said it in the spur of the moment. "I'll be your mate. I'll bear your pups, I'll follow you and give you my all. I'll be yours, if you still want to be mine." The words flashed through his head and finally a bright smile appeared on his lips, silver eyes alight with something that he hadn't looked upon anyone in a long time. The last time he did, it was when he looked at his siblings.

He knew it was hard for anyone to stay with him, much less become friends with him. He knew he appeared as a sarcastic arrogant bastard and that he basically annoyed the hell out of anyone except well for Danica. But then, she had also annoyed everyone too. However she was less arrogant, or appeared less arrogant and sarcastic. But he had a good reason to appear like a brat, and those who disliked him might have a perfect childhood. They would never know how he'd suffered everyday.

Once more, silence hung between the pair. This time, however, awkwardness did not keep them apart. Instead they remained close to one another, relishing the presence of their partner, basking in the warmth and affection provided. Paarthurnax closed her eyes and tucked herself against her beau until she could press the side of her face firmly to Shadow's strong neck.

"What are you thinking?" Paar asked after a short while, eyelids flicking open as she rose her head to seek her beloved's sterling gaze. She caught his smile and matched it with one of her one, beckoning him to respond with an affectionate growl.

"What are you thinking?" A flash of uncertainty appeared in his silver gaze before it vanished and he smiled down at her, kissing the top of her crown affectionately before answering. "I know many wolves think of me as an arrogant snotty bastard and I know that I appear as one," he paused and gazed at her with clear platinum eyes. "Do you think I'm an arrogant bastard?" he had taken off his mask of smirks whenever he was around her, feeling safe enough to be able to show the real himself instead of the fake him but still he wondered whether she saw him as what Scimitar and Bazi and the others probably saw him as.

He sank down onto his haunches, nipping at her flank gently for her to do the same. The truth was he was tired, tired of acting, tired of the mask, tired of wolves thinking that he was a narcissistic and arrogant bastard. All he wanted was to have a happy life with the wolf he loved, for his pack to flourish in peace. He was tired of all the bloodshed he had to do, tired of being the Roman he was, tired of the whole world. But he knew the gods and the fates would never let him have a peaceful life.

An arrogant bastard, he said. Paarthurnax blinked up at her beau with wide, lovely eyes, her copper irises alight with wonder as to why he'd ask such a question. Why did he care what others thought of him? Nobody could ever be perfect. Each wolf had its own unique flaws and strengths - she had hers, and Shadow of course had his.

She truly felt that, before Shadow admitted his heritage and unmasked his strange accent, she knew the real him. And she knew that wolf was far from arrogant. He'd been a doting, gentle, caring lover, a dreamer. Dominant and stubborn, yes, but to her he'd been nothing but kind. That was what she loved about him.

"I don't think you are," the russet beauty said softly, swinging her muzzle toward her partner to clack her teeth playfully at the fur of his neck before lowering to her haunches by his side. "But why pretend?"

"I don't think you are," he smiled, silver gaze warm as he looked at her. "But why pretend?" He wasn't really sure if he was ready to tell her why, it was a complicated matter that he didn't like speaking about, but he knew he had to tell Paarthurnax even though his heart clenched at the thought. He knew she would understand if he told her he couldn't tell, that he needed more time but then he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. A soft sigh escaped his maw at that and he curled his tail protectively around her. "It's complicated," he began, "but you deserve to know.".

"I'm not actually pretending, well..." he paused trying to find a way to explain. "I've had that smirky, sarcastic, arrogant part of me for a long time already. Sometimes someone comes along and gets amused but mostly it just annoys the hell out of them and makes them think I'm an arrogant bastard. Works better that way too, the more friends I have, the more wolves I might hurt." he concluded. It was actually way more complicated than that but this was the simplest way he could express it.

Paarthurnax had never seen that side of him, well perhaps she had seen glimpses of it but he had always tried to keep that side of him away when he was around her. It wasn't really a mask but a part of him that was useful sometimes and hurtful on others.

The moonlight illuminated Paar, making her glow brightly like an angel. He took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. "There's something that I've been meaning to ask you for sometime already but it never seemed right. But now, we have all the time in the world."

His explanation confused her, but Paarthurnax maintained her calm and collected appearance. She knew his upbringing had been an unfair one, one filled with violence and much bloodshed, but he was free from that now. He did not have to continue wearing his grim mask. But she supposed old habits died hard, and it would be done time before he could let go off his past and live fully in the present.

"I only wish for you to be happy," the crimson beauty answered simply, a smile on her face and her copper eyes lingering on her lover's broad features. Paarthurnax knew she could contribute largely to that happiness, and vowed to try her very best to be at his side whenever he needed her to be.

The announcement of something he wished to ask her caused her demeanour to fall away, and curiosity was lot within her gaze. Concerned, she caught Shadow's platinum eyes and silently prompted him to continue.

"I only wish for you to be happy," he managed to keep himself from visibly stiffening at that, the last time somebody had said that, it was his sister and his brother and however much he wished to forget about them, he couldn't and it hurt. Paarthurnax had managed to claim his heart and soothed his angry soul but he knew that there was a small part inside him that only his siblings could fill. But now wasn't the time for such thoughts, it wasn't a time for regrets or sadness so he shook them away and smiled gently at his crimson healer.

He steeled himself for her reaction but managed to collect enough courage to speak "I love you Paarthurnax and I have for sometime already. I know this might be a step too fast into our relationship and I will understand if you need more time but I'll ask you just the same. Will you be my mate?" he said, somehow managing not to collapse and stammer that it was all a joke and he didn't mean anything.

Silver eyes gazed into hers, with no barriers hiding anything from her anymore and he waited, his heart beating frantically against his chest.

He told her that he loved her, and her sudden onset of stress leeched away. Paarthurnax slackened noticeably and sank against his side, relief flooding through her that her beau did not plan to ask something of her that she may not be able to do for him. She breathed in deep the scent of him, silver fur mingling lovingly with cinnamon, and she listened carefully to what he had to say.

It had only been a few short months that she'd known him, but in that time Paarthurnax had found exactly what she's been looking for. Shadow was a doting, gentle and selfless creature when it came to her happiness. He'd been willing to give her his all, right from the very start.

And she was willing to do likewise for him. "I will be yours," Paarthurnax smiled, lifting her head from Shadow's powerful shoulder to look deeply into the liquid mercury of his irises. She has vowed to him upon their rendezvous at Duck Lake that she would be his and bear his offspring, and that had not changed in the weeks since.

<3 xD

"I will be yours," He closed his eyes, trying to take in what she just said. He knew that she had said to be his mate by the shore of Duck Lake just before they departed from Swiftcurrent Creek but he hadn't been sure if she had meant it or just said it out of a daze but now, it was official and he just couldn't believe it. He gazed at her, silver eyes wide with love and affection. "I'm must be the luckiest guy in the world right now." he breathed out, still unable to actually absorb the words she just spoke. He half expected himself to wake up beside Paar to find that all of this was a dream and none of it had happened.

But it wasn't a dream. It was real. He grinned a moment later, joy and adoration in his eyes and he thumped his tail contently against the ground as he spoke "You're mine, Mrs Angelus Mortis." then he paused, realizing that she might not want to take on his last name or her cultures were different. "If you want to take my last name of course, since women usually take on their husband's last names and their children would too but I don't mind if you don't want to." He smiled at her.

He crumbled somewhat, overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude, and he looked at her with utmost adoration. His tail thumped the ground and her own did likewise as she thrust her muzzle against her partner's pale cheek to deliver an enthusiastic kiss.

Mrs Angelus Mortis, he called her, then they both seemed to freeze. Paarthurnax blinked up at the sterling male, and exhaled softly as he announced that he did not mind if she bore his surname or not, and her expression softened. Her father had not shared his family name with any of his wives (did he even have one?) nor his offspring. It had been traditional for wolves of Samarkand to inherit the surname of their mother, and although she wished to hold onto her tradition, she did have a compromise to suit them both.

"I am and will always be a Frostfur," the crimson beauty announced, her heart aflutter. "I would like for my daughters to bear my family name, too, and my sons to inherit that of their father. Or we could combine both our names, if you wish?"

He would have liked all of his children to bear his last name as a sign of their Roman heritage because as horrible as his father had been to him, he had seen the beauty of Rome and loved it with all his heart. He was proud to be a Roman, learn their language, their stories and to pass them on to his children. He wanted his offspring to be proud of Rome too, be proud of their heritage, descendants of Jupiter. But he knew he would have to compromise with Paar, but he vowed that his children would know and love to beauty of Rome.

"I would like for my daughters to bear my family name, too, and my sons to inherit that of their father. Or we could combine both our names, if you wish?" He gazed at her, deep in thought before smiling. "I would like to combine both of our names, if you don't mind. But how will we combine them, our last names I mean. And will your surname be Frostfur or the combined name?" he asked curiously, his gaze warm.

He had chose to combine their names because he did not wish for his daughters to only have the last name of the wolves of the desert. He wished for them to be Romans too, to learn both of their cultures and traditions and to learn about the gods.

She nodded at his response, the smile never once leaving her features. Paarthurnax didn't have any real preference to which surnames her children held - she would love them wholly no matter their titles. A hyphenated surname made the most sense as it combined them both, for she did not wish for her bloodline to be left out of the picture. "I'd love that," the crimson she-wolf said. "Frostfur-Mortis?"A part of her had been afraid that Shadow might wish to disconnect from his daughters like Shahs of Samarkand did; it wasn't that they had not been loved, but male children always seemed preferable.

Paar knew that she wanted daughters. She and her mother had been firm friends while she was growing up. Their bond had been a strong one, just as it had been with her sisters, and when Nita had decided to uproot and retire elsewhere with Xerxes, the relationship had been severed. Paarthurnax did miss her family fiercely and she often pined for the warmth of the desert, but her Northern life was beautiful too. If only she could combine the best of both worlds...

"I would like to remain a Frostfur," she said softly, not wishing to cause offense, "like my mother before me." Perhaps one day she would hyphenate her own surname with Shadow's, but for the time being she wished to hold onto her maiden name. She brushed her cheek briefly to her beloved's shoulder, "I can't wait to raise a family with you."

One last one from you? :) Edited your titles and stuff.

"Frostfur-Mortis?" If translated, that would technically mean Frostfur-Death and he didn't want their offspring's names to become Death, no they were angels. He shook his head, "Frostfur-Angelus Mortis, since if we say Frostfur-Mortis it would mean Frostfur-Death and that won't be nice." He smiled at her when she said she wished to keep her maiden name, he would've preferred for her to take his last name but it was her choice. He wasn't going to be one of those Roman males that thought women were their property because they weren't. He didn't even think of slaves as his property, just a servant but still another wolf even if treated a bit differently.

He wrapped himself protectively around his mate, his coniunx now and smiled, glancing up at the sky, a flash of fiery light appeared in the dark pelt for a second before vanishing. And he knew Jupiter and Juno and all the gods had approved of his marriage with Paarthurnax. He sighed contently and nosed her affectionately, murmuring teasingly "What about our sleeping arrangements?".

Yep, I'll fade here. :)

She didn't really understand how his surname worked. Did he have two? Was one passed on from his father, and the other from his mother? He said they meant something, which she never really considered, and truthfully she was curious as to why he was so determined to hold onto his father's title when her childhood beneath his rule had been such a cruel one.

Happy to let the topic go for the time being, Paarthurnax nodded and sank against her mate's strong frame. Relaxed and content, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "I built my den near my herb cache," she said softly, craving an eye open to look upon her partner with a mischievous smirk. "I think I could squeeze you in. "

Together they could expand it, and perhaps it could even serve as her whelping den when it came time for her litter to be born. She wished for it to be snug and warm, which it was not, but with extra bodies it would need to be larger.