King Elk Forest There was this girl, the most beautiful in the world

This thread is meant to be placed some time after Vex's meeting call

Vivaan had been absent from the elk forest for a lengthy time now. No word had been given to Vex beforehand, nor had he checked in. Did he regret his choice? Not in the slightest. He had his reasoning.

Upon returning to the forest's view, the man sought out @Vex Cruor immediately. If she had known he was back, she would likely have sought him out too, but for a different reason. 

Vivaan was prepared to face her scolding words and enraged face. But unlike before, he was no wolf to fall to his belly in submission. Whether the Queen admitted it or not, Vivaan was practically her equal, and he would make her see this... one way or another.

With her pregnancy, Vex was quicker to irritate and anger, quicker to snap... so when she heard Vivaan calling for her, she was in a fury. She stalked towards his call, stiff-legged, and was more irritated when she had to stop to pee. She made it to Vivaan in some minutes, and she turned cold eyes on him. "You've got some nerve," she hissed, her lips curling back over yellowed teeth. "Where have you been?" If he didn't have a good reason for his absence, he was gone.

Though she was slow to arrive, Vex had every bit as much anger as he assumed she'd have — that much wasn't a surprise. Her size, however, was. Vivaan had forgotten just how long he'd been away, as the to-be mother had grown in size.

He remained seated, eyes upon her belly for a few, long moments as he relished the fact those were his children in her womb. 

Eventually he'd have to return to reality, and so, he did.

While you were here bitching about how much this place was yours and boasting about how much power you hold over everyone else, I decided to do something more proactive. I went on a scouting spree.. up through the mountains and some through the coast... Vivaan stopped himself from continuing the report of his findings. He was no slave to her, thus owing her no information unless she sought it in a calmer manner.

I'm not some pathetic ingrate that you can order around all the time. His eyes lowered to her belly. Their future is because of me. Your survival after your siblings betrayed us is because of me. I've been with you this whole time, yet it's all about you and whatever the hell it is you want to achieve.

Perhaps it was an ignorant, foolish move, but he turned his back to her then, holding in rage of his own. Sometimes I feel as if you take other's betrayal out on me. I've been your punching bag and messenger... nothing more.

Finally, he provided a bit of silence; room for her to speak.. if she even had anything worth her breath to say.

His eyes fell to her belly, and she did not miss the staring. She snorted softly, feeling more anger bubble up as he began to talk. And talk he did — he ranted for some minutes, but every word brought more and more rage. When finally he fell silent, Vex told him coldly, sharply, "Forget whatever is in your head, Vivaan. I did not need you to survive then, nor do I now. And neither will these whelps." She smiled coldly at his backside, then continued, "This place is mine. The Dominion is mine — mine, and no one else's!" 

Vex stalked forward to come face to face with him, and it was with a snarl and a raise of her tail as she commanded, "Stand down, or leave. You are not my equal. I do not need you — it is you who needs me. You are not a Cruor without me. You have no place here, if not for my decree." The Queen licked at her lips, sneering.

"I am the Queen." And he had been her Queensguard — his only job, to stand behind her. "You failed in your duties as Queensguard. You don't deserve that honor."

For what felt like the first time in forever, Vivaan was hurt. Her words stung, digging into him like a shovel until it had removed everything within.

His eyes fell for a moment, then came back up; cold, bitter, and full of regret — not for what he was about to say, but for the fact he stuck by her to begin with.

No, Vex... I haven't failed. You have.

Seeing as she clearly didn't need him, why stay? Hell, as she'd said, she could do it all.

Without looking back for even a second, Vivaan removed himself from her view as quickly as he could manage.

Vex laughed at his words, and even harder as he left. It was with tears of mirth and a cackle that she spat at his retreating form, "Show your face here again, and I'll have your hide. Of that, I can promise is." She needed nothing of his; she had found Vorilye herself, and her father had found Violante. Whatever news Vivaan had had, she didn't need. The Queen snickered, then turned and swung about, lifting her head in a call that told @Jaganatha and @Kevalin, "Vivaan is a traitor. Attack on-sight, and show no mercy."