Shadewood All I need is love

Phex had been limping home. It was time consuming and effort. @Laroche had been there the whole time, looking after her the best she could. She wanted to run the last few miles when the Keep's sentinals came into view but Laroche told her no. She agreed, begrudgingly. 
Well, she was here now. Home. She wanted to lay in some cold water then dry off in sunlight before curling up in her den and sleeping forever. 

The trip had been harsh on her, firstly with her leg then the cramps had come. She had to spend some days curled up against Laroche for hours until she felt she could move without something being ripped from her gut. Though she knew it was a good sign. A thought she'd kept with her throughout the whole ordeal.
Pregnant. She knew the signs. Knew how she'd start to look. She couldn't wait! 

The woman buckled over the border, sinking to the floor, unwilling to walk any further. She wanted to sleep now, forget about her bath and sun-basking. Sleeping safely was all she wanted. Maybe she could curl up in Kovertol's paws; no one would disturb him. Tears started rolling down her face, burning hot tears of sadness, pain, and joy all mixed into one. 
She was home. She was hurt. She was pregnant. She'd grown up.
She lifted her muzzle up and called shakily for @Cry and @Gwen. She also expected others to come at her distressed tone too because who wouldn't. 

im gonna murder the bastard, rip his dick off, make him eat the disgusting thing then rib it from his stomach while he writhes in pain.... 

But Phex needed him more so he had let the monster go. He had preened her till his scent had barely remained, whispered encouragements into her ear as he guided her home secretly seething inside, at himself, at her, and at the devil who had stolen his Sunshine's bright rays. 


He was relieved when they got home to Shadewood and when she collapsed he did not panic. Instead he lay down pressed against her and licked away her tears "You're home Sunshine, you're safe. Nothing will get you here not when I'm...not when everyone is here." he wouldn't put himself in charge of her safety, he had failed her enough as it was. Why hadnt he followed her sooner? Before the ashen demon stole away what only belonged to her and him. He lifted his head and hovered rigid over her as she called for the others. What would Cry think of him now? Now that he had failed to protect his woman, he was not worthy of being called a man.

The scrapping scraggly voice crossed his ears, obsidian auds flipping back with crisp response to the harsh sound. It sounded like the mewl of a wounded baby, a cold and shivering mourn to the warmth, the milk, the care that it once had so mercilessly needed. 
It was a cry for help. 

The Keeper rushes lightly through the brush of slowly reviving woods, the clear scent of spring bleeding lively in his nares. He tracked down the sight soon enough, and first stood assessing the situation, his stance calm, his mind clear. 

Looking to Laroche, Cry kept his composure draped molded to the vindictive onslaught he had already concocted for this affair. It was clear as day- someone had hurt Phex. While it wasn’t his care or concern what happened to her, the girl was under his roof, his name, his scent. This attack on her was an attack on him, slander, and he would not take light to this.

”Who did this.” Eerily, the cold voice reverberated a low hum around them, seeming almost as direct as a whisper, but as clear as a whistle. It mattered not who answered- but the Phantom demanded one.

She pressed herself into Laroche's touch. He'd kept her safe. She did not blame him in the slightest; she'd left his side and told him not to follow. It was her own fault. She swallowed her tears, finding comfort in his touch, his words. Safe. Her throat clenched at the thought that she couldn't be safe. That there were people who did not like her. 

Cry came. She turned her teary gaze to him, rose on shaking legs.
She'd realised something important on her way home. The man who'd attacked her smelt of Marruz. Marruz said he'd joined the Melonii Clan. She swallowed before speaking,  "I-It was one of the M-Melonii clan. Silver and huge..."  Her voice quivered, threatening to burst into tears again but she held back the torrent. She'd cry alone with Laroche. She wasn't to appear weak in front of Cry.

Laroche bristled slightly when Cry approached and while his posture remained respectful, his glances and expression spoke volumes. She was not to be touched by anyone but him. "Some shadowed, ashen bastard. I can remember the smell and track him down. I couldn't leave her like this, so he escaped" he spoke quickly as each word drove him further and further into a rage. Phex stood up and he rose as well, Taking note of what she said "Shes pregnant Cry. Though...I am sure they are mine" he added this quickly, it was a white lie but no matter their blood these pups would be his.

Phex’s attempts went carelessly past him. He knew she was soft, and the upfront she had put up was something he could not be impressed by. In fact, the glacials hardened at her attempt, and should she continue her pursuit of being hardy, he would treat her as such. She was hurt. She would heal. Her words however, would be taken into consideration.

Laroche’s response prompted the Phantom to look directly at him. The bristle had gone noticed, but uncared for. Babies needed protection. And should Phex truly be pregnant, there was no way he could simply enlist her as a pawn to simply exist. She needed care- as though she stayed under his watch, that meant her existence required protection until the baby fangs were weaned. 
His gaze narrowed.

”We need to deal with this. Immediately.” Be damned his truce with the Melonii- they should have known who Phex and Laroche stood with. They wore his cologne, for Sithis’ sake. His sigil lay upon them, a clear flag of their allegiance. Had Damien not informed his whelps? Cry had told all of his wards- they knew of the Melonii. And so far, none had come with issue.
But now there was one. 

“Ready yourself.” That was all he gave to Laroche momentarily before switching to regard Phex again. They would have more soldiers, soon enough. 
“And get her with the women.”

Turning away, he began his search for Morgan and @Reiner, @Percival, @Issun and @Higoro. “Meet me when you are done.” They had a meeting to attend.

Cry's response was met with a slow nod, a gleam coming into his eyes rip the bastards throat out the intruding thought shocked him "Im ready Sir" he gave the response, his voice low and harboring menace. He nudged Phex "Lets get you to Gwen, Love.  You need sleep and warmth" he murmured the encouraging words in a much softer tone, she always brought out the mushy inside his cold exterior. Then be lifted his gaze and it steeled once more, his mind a boiling mess of rage.

Phex nodded, touching her nose to Laroche. She knew he'd want to hurt them. Marruz. He'd been a bastard but she still thought of him as a ...friend? He wasn't the nicest and didn't like being close but he could be pleasant company. She was sure the one who attacked her didn't mean it, not when they had an alliance. 
Cry wouldn't align with those purposely wanting to cause harm, right?

Phex started to limp off, her pained leg raised, the paw clenched. She could make it the last steps to Gwen.  "Be careful. Please don't ...kill them." She murmured to Laroche as they moved off. She could be strong. She could wait for him to return.

WRAPPING UP BECAUSE YES-
unless y’all wanted to keep going

While the two got themselves together, the grim look settled over his face and wouldn’t shake free. This was the last thing they needed- breaking an alliance so soon, and in such a hazardous time. Women were pregnant, possibly on both of their sides. 

He needed council. 
So off he left to seek Reiner before deciding something that just might change the future of Shadewood, forever.