Sun Mote Copse my heart is open

They had fallen into a routine since coupling during her heat, which Wildfire was loath to break now that it was over. Why should she? She enjoyed Eljay's company and the feeling seemed to be mutual. Plus, they were going to be parents together: a team. Their future offspring would link them for the rest of their lives, come what may.

She did wonder about those words he'd shouted in his sleep though. Did he really love her in a romantic way? And how did she feel about him? She knew she couldn't force what simply wasn't there. But she could be a slow burn. Since leaving Drageda, she'd thought this particular chapter of her life was closed and she'd come to terms with it. But here was her chance to find love again as well as expand her family. There was a lot to contemplate, for sure.

When she went looking for him after a ruminative patrol, Wildfire found Eljay at the rendezvous site. The word that came to mind when she saw what he was doing was "capering." Her tail waved as she silently watched a moment, then woofed to announce her presence. Whatever the nature of her relationship with him, she was certainly fond of him. And she knew Eljay would never, ever leave her side. That thought alone made her heart squeeze with a rush of fondness.

Once she was certain she had his attention, Wildfire said, "Hey, I wanted to ask you something." She'd been thinking about ranks a lot lately (it kind of came with the territory of being a leader). She could picture him balking at the idea of leadership. She wondered about it, though that's not what she had in mind right now. She did have something else in mind, though, and she hoped he would embrace it.