Noctisardor Bypass [m] northernmost

Her season had come on time, and finally Dione was swollen with something other than pride.

She was burning hot and unproductive. That alone had made her miserable already, but not so much that she hadn't taken herself all the way to the eastern borders. She paced them like a restless animal waiting for a door to open, but for a reason she couldn't place other than a sudden urge to take a trip north to the claimed valley.

It was strange, provided there was nothing for her there. Not really. Not certainly.

Regaining her composure, she finally stood still and shut her mouth. Maybe she was due for another trip, but not yet. Not until this had passed entirely or a solution had been found.

The eastern opening of the Bypass loomed in the distance. Veteran hadn't really intended to wander all the to the border of the forming pack's territory; he had only intended to scout the land where the taiga melted into the valley below. 

Well, perhaps that hadn't been his only intention. If he was being truly honest with himself, he was hoping to engineer another meet-cute with the fascinating woman from the Bypass, Dione. But even if he did see her again, what did he really think would happen? That she would agree to run off with him? He turned away from the Bypass and shook his head, as if he could fling away the silly fantasy.

A strong gust of wind from the east brought an unusual scent to him, and just like that, he found himself entirely unable to push away his swirling thoughts of Dione. He froze, one paw hovering in the air. Moments ago, he had been ready to head back home, but now that would be quite impossible. 

A hungry howl ripped from a primal place in his chest, willing Dione to meet him at the Bypass's border. He had no thoughts for who else might hear or object to his intentions.

It was then that something like thunder rang through the air. A familiar voice. Veteran.

Without hesitation Dione's head whipped up, a forceful howl that promised she was waiting for him to arrive. Concerns of borders and packmates melted away, her mind focused on only one thing; someone was coming for her.

Pale blue eyes scoured the lands beyond the bypass, waiting to spot the dark shape and confirm that she hadn't only been hearing things or that she had been mistaken.

Veteran's howl echoed through the Bypass, and as it faded, he began to pace the borderlands like a caged animal. It only took a short moment for Dione's reply to meet his ears. She would not come out to him; instead, she would stay in place and await his arrival. He should have expected such from a refined woman like Dione. 

She was waiting for him, but she would not wait forever. Furthermore, anyone in the Bypass with ears would likely be on the way to confront him. Perhaps there was another in the Bypass who wished to claim Dione for himself. 

With that thought, what remained of Veteran's self-control shattered. A growl tore from him, and he charged deeper into the Bypass's borderlands. The seductive scent urged him forward and guided his path like a beacon. In a few short minutes, she was in his view, and she had never looked more heavenly. 

He slowed his pace when he had drawn to a respectful distance, and the effort of ceasing his charge almost physically pained him. He suppressed an agitated whine. Dione was a lady, and he would treat her as such. He dropped his shoulders into a careful bow, his tail switching to signal his desire to approach. His azure gaze darted to survey his surroundings, watchful for those who would come to interfere.

Veteran came charging, but Dione took notice of how he slowed himself before getting too close. She was pleased with his manners, a fact made obvious through her lightly waving tail.

She was a woman of traditions carved through instinct. It didn't matter how well she did or didn't know Veteran, what mattered was whether or not he could commit to the life she desired. Veteran, She smiled, closing the gap until their shoulders could touch with little more than a lean forward.

She wanted her borders to keep, her children to raise and her pack to hunt for. Could he provide that? Would he? I was just thinking about a trip to the valley.