Firefly Glen And only so many hours in a day

The rest of the journey to Firefly Glen was short, but it allowed @Cole and Ameline to share words as they went. Ameline spoke of things she loved most- her husband, her daughters, and of Bearclaw Valley. She explained the great gathering, and how their first elk hunt had been a success, with several prey being slain. Soon, the scent of it all came to them- several dozen wolves of all ages mingling together, mixed with the scent of drying meat, herbs, and pelts being processed.

We’uh ovuh here, She said, leading Cole toward the site which had been prepared for the Bearclaw wolves. She chuffed, calling out for her daughters to come greet her, and then sought out the form of @Ancelin so he might come and introduce himself to the sharpshooter.

Cole listened like the good gentlemen that he was. Ameline spoke of her husband, children that she had, and a strange pang of jealousy emitted from his chest. He wanted something like that one day, and maybe he could find it.

He trailed beside her in silence, chiming in here and there, but he really wanted to know more about where she was taking him. He trusted her upon first glance, but it's not like he had much of a choice— do or die.

Cole surveyed the area as Ameline called out for anyone in the brush— he waited, patiently, with his head held high to make it seem like he wasn't nervous.

a similar jealousy found root in ancelin as he watched ameline traipse toward him with a tall and well-muscled man at her side.
shaking himself free of where he had been wrestling with two of the girls, the bearclaw rolled to his feet and approached. tailwave for his queen, kiss for her cheek, and only then did the indigo eyes shift sideways to appraise the dude.
"who's this?" ancelin asked, managing to remain friendly despite the clawing masculine sense of territoriality he always felt when she was around. ameline experienced it too for him, he was sure, a goodly part of the fire between them.

She had eyes for her husband, and for him only. She slow-blinked at him as he came to greet her, and offered him an affectionate growl that demanded he return his attention to her for one more moment before he could look at the man again. 

I'm yours, Her sultry gaze assured him. She rubbed her muzzle along his jaw, like a cat marking her possessions, before she gestured toward the dark-ruffed drawler with a smile. "Thith ith Cole. Foun' him on my way back from the Valley which ith now in the care of our newetht recruit, a nithe woman named Milana." She felt she had done well- one pledged member to watch over their Valley in their absence, and perhaps this hulking man as well. 'Cole, thith ith my huthband, Anthuhlin." She said proudly. "Our daughterth, Adalynn, Athella, Andrelia, Avalita an' Athalia." She gestured to each, once they came into view.

Cole tipped his head politely, a touch of admiration lighting his dark eyes as he met the gaze of the couple before him. There was an energy between them, one he respected, and he aimed to tread carefully here. His easy charm kicked in naturally, a warm smile softening his rugged face as he dipped his head again in greeting.

Well, pleased to meet y’all, Ancelin, he said smoothly, his voice carrying the cadence of the southern hills. Ameline was kind enough to cross my path, and I reckon I owe her a thank-you for leadin’ me to good company. He cast a brief, respectful glance toward Ameline before acknowledging each daughter with a nod and a soft, Miss.

Cole held his ground with a calmness that was both steady and unassuming, clearly aware of the dynamics but neither threatened nor imposing. Hope I’m not intrudin’ on any family time, he added with a gentlemanly drawl, but I’m mighty grateful for the warm welcome.

cole. milana. ameline warmed ancelin right up, to the point he was nosing the girls one by one as his queen named them. "you're not intruding," the rex said with a warmer smile than he'd offered before.
"pleased to meet you, cole. what sorts of things do you bring the valley?" he went on, chortling a bit as one of the girls pretended to bite his paw before skipping off. his tone, he hoped, would indicate that this wasn't an interview. cole had already passed that with the reina of bearclaw valley.
indeed he was charming. ancelin wondered if he could be cunning as well.

Cole’s gaze drifted over the playful scene, his expression softening as he took in Ancelin’s warmth toward the girls. A glint of something unspoken sparked in his eye, a silent acknowledgment of the bond the rex had with his family. He dipped his head in thanks, a gesture both genuine and respectful, appreciating the welcoming words from a leader he could already tell had both strength and heart.

Feels like a place where I can put some roots down, he mused internally, though he kept that thought to himself. Instead, Cole's gaze returned to Ancelin with a subtle grin—quietly promising that he’d bring more than just brawn to Bearclaw Valley. He’d bring loyalty, a sharp mind, and maybe a little mischief too.

Carry my weight, do good things.

She wore her own security like a custom fit tiara. She grinned at her daughter’s impish behaviour, and gestured for the others to give chase as the guilty party loped off. Casually, she turned an ear toward Cole, interested in his answer but like her husband, not terribly concerned that he might say something that would put her judgement in question. He seemed kind, sane, healthy. 

Put down roots; she was impressed. It implied that he hoped to father more generations, and to raise them in a community. It would be nice, she thought, for their children to have playmates of another family to grow up with. 

The valley’th a good plathe for a fresh thtart. She said, mildly aware that Cole was looking for such a thing. Good fishin’, good huntin’, an’ the wintuh wath mild…Valley’th got good wallth aroun’ it, tho…She shrugged. It’th been a comfy netht for uth for a year now…Hopefully many more to come.