Swiftcurrent Creek i'm only a fool for you

backdated to 1/10

She wakes to an unfamiliar feeling; a strange, uncomfortable stirring within herself that she recognizes far too quickly for comfort. She recalls in an instant many memories: advice from her mother, lessons with Spiritlight Falls' resident crones long past their fertile years. Of course she'd known this would happen, but she hadn't expected it so soon. The season for children has only been upon them for a scant few weeks — yet her first heat is already calling to her.
She is slow to rise, stretching out reluctantly and wrinkling her nose at the scent wafting through the icy air around her. A slow-burning desire is building in her veins with each passing moment, threatening to consume her if left unchecked; she hates it already. The very idea of losing control of herself and her desires inspires a burning rage deep in her gut, multiplied infinitely now that this fear has become a reality. Her first thought, uncharacteristically, is that she needs protection.
At Spiritlight Falls, her father had been responsible for isolating and protecting women in season, as his father had done before him. He'd called it his duty, though she'd often rolled her eyes at him. She knows this to be the way of things, and therefore knows she needs an alpha — her alpha. She might never admit it, but @Kavik had gained more than her loyalty when he'd insisted on saving her. He'd gained her trust, too. So it is the green-eyed man she seeks for protection, setting off at an anxious trot without a single thought to spare for her mind's clear deception.

Like in the plateau, patrolling had become a way for the alpha to clear his mind. He had yet to find their missing members, one being his sick mate, and it tore at his protective nature. He had been searching the mountain pass that lead to what was once his home, but he found no trace of her or Corvus anywhere. When he woke this morning, it was to an almost crippling sorrow as he realized his reunion with Liri had only been in his dream. So, he made his way to the borders to try and forget his despair.

His plan hadn't really worked, and he was about to wander from the creek and explore the lands adjacent to his new claim but Myrren's scent halted his steps. He could never really tell if she actually liked him, but she had followed him here and stayed, so he felt he had at least earned some of her loyalty. He followed her trail, curious to see what she was up to and in need of a distraction, not realizing until he saw her in the distance the shift in her scent. He tensed, fighting the wave of desire that surged through him. He hadn't felt that way about anyone since Liri, and to say it was disconcerting would be an understatement. It was too late to turn around now, though--he didn't want to offend her, so he continued to move towards her, stopping in front of her with a dip of his head in greeting. Myrren, he rumbled, trying to keep his voice steady. Now that he was closer in proximity, the temptation was almost unbearable. He was sure she was aware of how she must smell to the opposite sex, and the last thing he would ever want to do is make her uncomfortable, so he fought to keep his composure as he asked, How are you this morning. If anything, he could try and reassure her that she could be around him without any unwanted advances.

She finds him more quickly than she'd expected; he's been scarce lately, presumably searching for those still missing. She knows he'd lost someone close, though she doesn't know exactly who — but none of that crosses her mind when she sees him. She halts suddenly at the sound of his voice, swallowing as she fully takes in the sight of the alpha. Has he always been so... attractive?
It takes her a moment to snap out of it, and heat begins to creep up her neck and ears as she realizes what's going on. Kavik, I — She falters, swallowing. I'm in heat. The words are said simply, almost expectantly, though there is a tinge of desperation to her tone. She regrets not paying more attention to the way things had been done at Spiritlight Falls — but surely Kavik will know what to do; her expression says she expects as much.

She hadn't needed to say it--her scent had already ensured that he knew she was in heat. It took him a second to realize why she felt the need to announce it as he was having some trouble thinking with his normal logic. But when he realized her issue, he nodded. Do you need somewhere safe to go? he asked. He assumed it had to make any female uncomfortable to smell so alluring to every male in the vicinity, so he had no second thoughts about offering her protection--no matter how tempted he was, he could control himself. My den is near--you can stay in there, and I'll stay outside to make sure no one comes in, he offered. He would make sure she was taken care of until she felt comfortable being on her own again. He would do the same for any of his wolves, but he felt especially protective of Myrren after finding her injured after the coyote attack and tending to her wounds.

She realizes belatedly that he must already know she's in heat, marveling despite herself at his self-control. One might never realize his struggle — if he is, in fact, struggling. The thought sends another heated flush through her. Perhaps his self-control isn't extraordinary at all, and he simply does not find her attractive. For some reason, the idea bothers her.
She nods mutely to his offer, shifting uncomfortably. Each moment that passes in his presence muddles her thoughts further, and she's beginning to wonder if she even needs protection. She feels fine; better than she's ever felt, actually, aside the overwhelming need to be touched. And that's easy enough to resist, isn't it? She sucks in a breath, suddenly hyper-aware of Kavik's scent and how alluring it seems in this moment. Okay, maybe not.

Myrren accepted his offer with no question. Alright, it's this way, he said, turning to head towards his den. He said little as they walked, unable to focus on anything other than keeping himself from burying his nose in her neck and inhaling more of her scent. It was actually a little confusing how much his instincts were ruling him right now, making him want something so desperately that he hadn't thought about before now. It wasn't that she was unattractive, but he had been a little distracted lately. Grief made him lonely, sure, but it also prevented him from seeing more than the day he was currently trying to get through. 

They neared his den opening, and he stopped to turn to her. This is it, he said, resting his gaze on her face. You can also stay out here if you don't want to be cooped up, he offered. You should still be safe. He had chosen this place for the thick vegetation that lined either side, making it difficult for anyone to come up to his den without being noticed. He was starting to have a difficult time with the way her scent mixed with his own now that they were in his area. He had the strong urge to claim her. It was so strong that a hard swallow moved through his throat almost unconsciously. He was never one for all that claiming shit, so he didn't understand where it was coming from. Whatever you're most comfortable with, he said, the words coming out tense and a little breathless as he fought his body's reaction to her.

She finds herself similarly distracted, watching the ripple of his muscles as he walks and wondering what it might feel like to touch him. She does her best to banish the thought, irritated with herself and her hormones. But she feels her heart skip as he turns and the handsomeness of his features strikes her again, and suddenly she loses her grasp on rational thought entirely. His words hardly register, though her gaze traces his lips as they move.
Do you think I'm pretty? Her tone is almost challenging, gaze sharpening. She takes two careful steps forward, head cocking slightly to one side. Her tail, which had been at a steady swish, hangs perfectly still behind her as she waits for some kind of response. It's just not fair — not fair that he can be so attractive and not seem to feel a single thing toward her. Of course, she's oblivious to his tension, the breathless edge to his words; all she can see is that he isn't touching her.

He swallowed hard again as she stepped closer, her scent wrapping around him and making it hard for him to think. He didn't even realize how tightly he was clamping his jaw until he had to pry it open to answer her question. Um, he said first, his normal eloquence failing him currently as his mouth suddenly felt like cotton. You're very pretty, he admitted, fighting the urge to take in her form with his hungry gaze. He felt like one single push from her would break the waning control he had over his body. Myrren, he murmured, closing his eyes. He wasn't sure if the word was meant to push her away or draw her closer, nor could he decide which he wanted more.

She blinks at his response, caught off-guard by how cute he is; she has a hard time deciding whether it's his personality or simply her heat affecting him (or both?), but... she likes it. A lot. Her pulse quickens, breath coming a little faster now, and she's stepping closer before she can stop herself. She reaches tentatively to touch him, pressing her nose gently to his cheek if she's allowed so close. Do you want me? She murmurs, closing her eyes as she takes in his scent. She's already decided that she wants him — more than she's wanted anything in awhile, actually, and it makes her feel alive in a way she'd missed greatly.

His eyes flicked open at the touch to his cheek, and a shiver ran through his body in response. It had been while since anyone had touched him like that. He pressed his nose to her neck if allowed, inhaling her inviting scent, and it basically sealed his fate. Very much, he answered into her fur. There was no hope of stopping this now. Whatever reservations he had at the start of this meeting were gone--he couldn't remember a single one of them, especially with her so close and smelling so good. He pulled back a little to meet her scarlet gaze. And what about you? he asked. Is this what you want as well? He didn't want to assume anything just because she was standing in front of him being all sexy and alluring. He'd like to hear her say it.

Oh. She sucks in a sharp breath when he touches her, toes curling into the snow at the feeling. It's been so long since anyone has touched her like this; she can hardly remember the last time. A soft, breathy moan slips from her at the feeling of his nose buried in her neck. She arches into his touch as if starving for it, unable to stifle a brief whine of disappointment when he pulls away. Yes, She says without thinking when he prompts her for consent, reaching to nip him half-teasingly and half-impatiently. There is little doubt that she will regret this encounter when her heat has passed — but there is no doubt that, in this moment, she wants nothing more.

That was all he needed to hear, and paired with her urging nip, he almost couldn't contain himself. Kavik hadn't missed her reaction to his touch, and he had no desire to torture her. He pressed his nose into her neck once more, this time nipping her lightly after inhaling her scent. Not wishing to deny either of them any longer, he moved to stand beside her, nipping her thigh. He couldn't help it; he was naturally drawn to where the scent was strongest and he needed to touch her in that moment. He brushed his body against hers as he turned and moved up the length of her form, stopping when his head was near her shoulders. He reached over, gripping the fur on the back of her neck gently and letting it go--testing the waters still. He repeated the move once more, this time carefully pulling himself up and on top of her. He paused there, though--not to tease, but to make sure she was still okay with this before he continued. Still okay? he whispered against her neck, barely able to think clearly, but still needing check on her.

She can't help but tense slightly as he moves down her body, somehow expecting his gentle touches to turn harsh and demanding any moment. She whines faintly at the nip, relaxing a little when the expected harshness never comes. She's never known a man to be so gentle before; she could get used to this, she thinks. A shiver runs through her as he brushes back up the length of her figure, and she whines again as he grips her scruff, bracing herself for his weight as he lifts himself to mount her.
Mmm, Her agreement comes distracted and a little breathless. A moment later, though, anxiety arcs through her like lightning; she'd forgotten something. Something important. She tenses again at the thought, even as her tail sweeps to one side instinctively to allow him access. Kavik, I — I've never — She falters for a moment, swallowing. Her next words are almost a whisper: Please be gentle.

With their bodies touching like they were, he could feel her tense. Her admission lifted the fog of desire a little as he realized just what exactly she was saying. Later, he'd add it to the list of reasons he felt guilty about this, but right now, he only thought about not hurting her any more than he could help. Of course, he answered quietly, gently licking the back of her neck to soothe her nerves. He would wait until he felt the tension leave her before gently and slowly connecting them.

Once they were able to part, he came to her side immediately, offering her cheek soft, tentative licks that were his unspoken question: are you okay?

She's trembling slightly by the time they part, breathless and euphoric in a way she's never experienced before despite the lingering ache between her legs. Warmth slowly spreads through her as she comes down from the high, relaxing every muscle in her body. She doesn't even have time to wonder about Kavik's state before he's at her side, and she closes her eyes under his tentative affection. For a moment she's perfectly still, simply enjoying the aftermath of their coupling; the regret won't come until much later. She turns to bury her face in his fur, whining softly and pressing her flank to his. The sky seems to darken, then, and the first flakes of a fresh snowfall begin to drift toward the ground.

She gave her own wordless answer, leaning into him with a soft sound. Snow began to fall around them, and a sudden feeling of protectiveness washed over Kavik. He ushered her into his den where it would be warm, and he could wrap around her while they hopefully slept for a while. He too hadn't really been hit by all of the emotions that were sure to come from their copulation, the biggest of which would be immense guilt for taking advantage of Myrren when she had come to him for protection, not to mention the guilt from knowing he should have been doing this with Liri. But for now, the alpha was ignorant to the angst that was sure to come--blinded by hormones, and his only concern was for Myrren's well-being right now.