Blackfeather Woods I will show you some tenderness

So excited to write this thread. >D @Meldresi (and maybe @Damien @Cicero @Potema for some added awkwardness.) Slight PP of Mel I think? 

There was no denying that something was growing between the Alpha and Beta of Black Feather. Meldresi tried to visit him as much as possible when he was in the infirmary and it did Burke well. She was the only one to really visit him. Burke didn't realize how much of a social being he actually was before he was told to stay in one place. He might also be a control freak and wanted to know what was going on with the pack. Especially when Meldresi brought it up to make him the Beta of her pack.  He felt honored, after all her had worked hard for such a title but it also made him more frustrated. As a beta he should be helping her with leading not taking away time for her to lead. Still the large male was quite pleased that Meldresi came to visit him often.

At last he was allowed to move out of the infirmary. Instead of going to his own crappy and too small of a den he planted himself in Meldresi's den. This was also convenient for Meldresi if any internal wounds would open or to control Burke from not going back into his workaholic state of mind. Burke's docked tail wiggled when he could smell Meldresi. Even watching the pups come and go and do their own tasks was difficult for him to watch. He wanted to go along with them. The charcoal male did enjoy laying in the den entrance and surveillance the sparring between the two brothers, which was far from his mind right now because it seemed Meldresi came home for the night. And that meant that Burke had someone to snuggle against. The tank of a male definitely didn't mind spending more time with the priestess. Who knew he was totally into snuggling!?

HELLO MAR!!! :D

indentIt had gotten a bit weird in the den lately. Not bad, but certainly weird. It was because Burke had moved in with them, and now he was acting weird with mommy. He had never seen anyone act in such way with her, not even Bane. And it got him thinking. Is Burke another one of Mommy's sons now? He cuddled with her just as the pups did. He called her names, which the pups did. And he was living with them. It made total sense.


indent"Mommy says you are Beta now." Damien said after staring eerily for a moment at Burke from the entrance. "What does that mean?" he didn't know for real. He had never heard about Betas before. It sounded weird.... Beta... BEEEEEEEEEEEEETAAAAAAAAAAAA... Beta...

Kinda wanna wait for @Meldresi but I couldn't help myself! :D

Burke watched the younger in the entrance. He was certain that it was Meldresi that was approaching the den. Burke frowned briefly but was just as pleased to see the boy. "Hey Damien," he greeted and shifted where he was laying. Damien was a bundle of energy most of the times. He was pleased that Damien asked that question since he didn't mind explaining it to him. "Beta is a rank, like your mother is the alpha. You have the upper trier with alpha and beta, the middle trier and the lower trier. It shows how important someone is by having a certain rank. But you knew that right?," he explained. 

"Being a Beta is quite the honor. It means I am second in command, and right under your mother in leadership. If she is away for the brotherhood or finding herbs outside of the territory I will lead the pack," he spoke proudly. It meant that Meldresi trusted him, which he already knew, but being rewarded with such a role was quite the honor. A proud being like Burke liked the comforts of an upper rank.

If anyone were paying close attention to the pattern of leadership in Blackfeather from its genesis to the present, they would notice something: all of the Betas were Meldresi's lovers.

It wasn't on purpose, however. Bane was chosen to be the sire of Meldresi's children by Mephala, not by her (then again she was in heat and really horny at the time too). He was also an active member of the pack, loyal to her and fierce. Who else would she choose for a Beta? Burke was the same; strong and loyal, taking care of her children as well as providing for the pack. While she and Burke had not coupled yet (she probably would do it if he wasn't still sick), their interactions were far more intimate. She even went on to allow Burke to sleep in her own den!

She was returning to this little haven, with Potema not too far behind her. The two of them were returning from another training session in healing, with the Night Queen showing her princess the finer points in poisons. It would not be long before she employed a sadistic, but beneficial tactic in teaching Potema: live subjects. But that was a matter for another day.

Damien had his head poked into the den. From the voices she heard, he was speaking to Burke, questioning him about his promotion to Beta. It had been a long time since the last Beta, so her children never heard of such a term, sadly. "Or if I'm sick or injured, gods forbid." She said, entering the conversation.

Poisons interested Potema far more than any other herb. She was amazed by how potent one little leaf or flower or root can be on the physiology of a wolf. Her mother told her of how, in kingdoms larger than their own, food would be poisoned before being served to a king. It could be hidden masterfully by an assassin, making it look like a garnish, especially if the flowers or leaves were brightly colored. Depending on the herb, death could be instantaneous, or drawn out to make it look like sickness. It didn't even have to kill either!

But that training session was over for the day; though her mother hinted at an even better way of teaching the usage of herbs, one that made the voices in her head, and herself, titter with excitement. They were going home now, to the ever increasingly cramped den now shared with three males, one full grown.

Potema liked Burke and all, but she didn't like how he was hugging the spotlight from all of them. Time and time again she saw her mother and Burke cuddling, with her mother nuzzling him as if he was one of her kids. Weren't they the same age? It was gross. But strangest of all, Burke was a Beta now...whatever that was. Damien was in the same line of confusion as she was, since he asked the gray warrior what in Sithis' name it meant. She couldn't hear Burke's answer, but her mother did, making Potema more annoyed. "What's a Beta, momma?"

Burke lifted his head when Meldresi came home. His pale eyes studied her to then realize that little Potema was also with her. Only Cicero was missing. He would probably be spying on someone, maybe even on them! Burke hummed lowly in approval when Meldresi entered. He pushed himself into a sitting position having a more genuine smile on his lips. It was barely a secret now that the two wolves in charge were getting far more cozy than being just friends. Burke didn't hear Potema's question, possibly because he was focussed on Meldresi entering. "Hello," he greeted and nudged her with his nose by her ear before giving it a quick lick.

"Lets not have you get ill or anything like that. I won't know how to heal you when that happens." He then looked at Potema. "Then it will be you that is in charge of healing, and maybe your brother Cicero." Burke would not like to see that ever happening. He wanted Meldresi alive and well, and close to him. The large male then laid down again, playfully nipping at Damien. The den was not that big but it fit most of them. It was a good excuse to lay extra close to the black lady so the youngsters had more room. "What did you learn today, Potema?," he asked curiously to make a conversation with the princess. While he hoped that in the meanwhile Meldresi would lay down next to him. She had this comforting smell he really liked. 

indentThe night child was about to answer Burke when a warm voice interrupted him. Damien simply stared when he heard his mother's voice coming behind. Then, when she was close enough, he licked his mother's cheek with a little jump and sat beside to Burke, who further ahead startet to nip at him playfully. He returned the nips and pushed the man's head with both his paws, probably a bit too roughly for the male's state.

indentWhen Burke finished his flirting ritual with both Mommy and Potema (to get to mommy obviously) Damien went ahead and answered to his sister's question. He was an expert on the matter now anyways. "Burke is the Beta. It means he's the second leader because he's mommy's second favorite now..." after himself of course. He hadn't noticed his words would probably have more meaning to the adults than he meant, but he was a kid. And if he wasn't... Well, he would probably have said it to make them mad.

Meldresi's tail wagged slowly as she approached Burke. Whether her children understood what kind of relationship she and her new Beta were having did not concern her much; she would make sure to keep any truly intimate relations between the two of them out of their sight. And hearing. The Night Queen returned Damien's gentle lick on the cheek before she gently butted her head against Burke's. "I'll make sure to hold on as long as I can." She murmured as she sat down by Burke, laying her head across her shoulder. Training Potema was hard, for the girl was so inquisitive and intelligent that she moved on quicker than the priestess excepted. Soon enough, she would be able to train on live creatures. When that day came, she would have to send out a little hunting party to capture a loner, or a coyote, just for her. But until then, Meldresi buried her head slightly into Burke's neck fur and shut her eyes.

Potema could not imagine being in charge of healing, let alone her mother being sick. Meldresi was a strong, healthy woman, even for her age (and she was so old!). The day that she would be brought down by disease was unfathomable to her. "Cic' is a spy, notta healer." She pouted. He wasn't even here right now! Probably sneaking about somewhere. "Yeah he knows some stuff, but he ain't as good as me!" She puffed out her chest proudly, her tail curled up high in the air.

Then Burke brought up a topic she adored: what did she learn today? "I learned about nightshade...and, uh, blue flag iris...ummm...." She hummed as she tried to think of the names. They were really long, some of them, but she had to know their full names. "Yew berries, and poke weed..."

Burke kinda adored Meldresi's little ones and the way they were so full of themselves. It was cute to listen to. What was even better was that Meldresi greeted him laid down with him. He turned his muzzle to her and give a lick over her cheek. "Please do," he returned in a mere whisper. Life would be rather cruel if they would take away the wolf that might be Burke's first love ever. He was soon distracted by Potema that was telling how much better she was than Cicero. "Oh yes. You are definitely better. Just like Damien is better in fighting," he spoke to coach Damien more into the conversation. Burke thought he might like that compliment coming from his mentor. 

Burke smiled when the passionate girl started to summon about the things she learned. Burke knew one of them... Nightshade. Those were poisons. He briefly looked at Meldresi and then at Potema. One would discourage having a child play with poison. Burke trusted Meldresi and Potema herself. "That is so good!," he returned. "Bet that was interesting. It would be good to have a silent hunter," he then praised. And with that he meant one that would know poisons very well. Burke let out a low rumble coming from his throat because he was pleased how the Dark Queen was snuggled against him. Burke, with a little bit of shifting, started to lick over the top of her head to soothe her.

Damien was rolling his eyes when Potema started boasting about her boring healer stuff. He was sick of that, he didn't believe that to be of any importance for life. How could being a plant freak help when another pack is attacking? Or how would a healer be of help when a mission to assassinate someone was given to you? But when Burke said "Silent Hunter" Damien's ears pricked up instantly.

"What do you mean, silent hunter?" he asked ignoring the disgusting pleasure grunts that came out from Burke's throat and the flirty gleam in Meldresi's deep indigo eyes. They were acting like pups. Eww...

Damien knew nothing about plants for as much as Potema, mommy, or even Cicero tried to teach him, that was just not his area, but he knew that hunting implied killing, and if Potema could kill with herbs then he would as well. He was just that jealous.

Meldresi merely responded with a cat-like purr. She didn't know what Mephala had in store for her in the future; seeing one's life was a talent far beyond her own. But she would rather have that aspect of her life be a mystery, for it did not seem fair that she would know what would happen to her, and not everyone else.

Her eyes were half open, a content look on her face as she snuggled into Burke's thick fur. She could feel all the muscles rippling underneath the skin as he shifted to and fro, looking at her, then at her pups. It would be a shame to see those go to waste with him indisposed for the moment. She looked up at Burke when his gaze rested on her curiously. She gave him a knowing look, and said nothing. The Night Queen was tired at the moment and left it to her consort and daughter to explain to her eldest son.

Potema pouted at Damien as he rolled his eyes. It was a lot more interesting than whatever Damien did when he was fighting. Or walking around the borders all the time, looking for nothing. The princess cocked her head at the term "silent hunter". Wasn't that what an assassin was? But poisons were even more silent, she knew.

And like Damien, she was slightly annoyed by how lovely dovey Burke was to her mother. He was licking her cheek like Mother did when they were younger. "Momma isn't your baby." She said to him.

Burke returned that hum to Meldresi unaware that the pups were annoyed by it. If he knew Burke would be only more amused and worsen his actions to tease them. He caught Meldresi's gaze and then nodded softly. "Go rest," he spoke more softly. He then turned his focus to Damien. "While you might kill others by fighting and being stronger than them. Potema knows about poisons in berries and plants. She could hide it in the food of the wolf she wants to be killed, the wolf will die of poison, hence why the wolf in question died quietly without one knowing." Burke explained to Damien, which would probably make him jealous.

Burke then turned to Potema and gave a big lick over her cheek, and then laughed. "She kinda is. I really like you mother and I intend to stick around. So if you want me to tease you in front of your first lover when you are cuddling him then please keep your comments to yourself. Don't you think your hard working mother deserves someone to cuddle against too? To feel safe with?," he returned, one lighter dot on his brow raising in question.

Damien got to thinking about the plants and the infinity of posibilities he'd have for killin if he got to know the right plants. But there was something he didn't understand. Why would you enjoy killing someone if you didn't tear their throat out with your own teeth? It didn't make sense to him, and he just decided it wouldn't make it for him. Potema could keep her poisons, Damien was copmpletely comfortable with physical comfrontation.

"That sounds boring..." he said, then he yawned and finished smacking his lips intentionally.

Then, when Burke answered to potema's comment, the one about mommy not being his pup, Damien's head tilted to the side, confusion filling him. What did he mean by "Lover"? Mommy wasn't no one's lover, she only loved her kids and they were all that mattered, and not even Burke for as cool as he was would change that. Or would he?

"Does that mean mom and you are... Mates?" he'd heard something about mating... It sounded strange, but at the same time it was so natural... Damien wondered if the white wolf had been mom's mate before abandoning them. He knew Bane was their father...

Meldresi had tuned out the rest of the conversation as she drifted off into a light sleep. Only to her family did she let see her in such a weakened position, since she trusted that they would still respect her even if she showed her flaws. But her ears perked when she caught the words "mom", "you" and "mates" slipping from Damien's mouth.

The Night Queen awoke fully now, straightening herself up and looking towards her eldest son. "No, not officially." Burke was too injured to "seal the deal", and he would be for a while, regardless of whatever lusts were flowing through him at the moment. "I suppose Burke is, what you would call...a consort." A King Consort, though she kept that to herself. Who knew what kind of things that would send through his head.

Despite her quick mind when it came to herbs and the use of poisons, Potema was confused when Burke confirmed that Meldresi was his baby. It made no sense to her, and even less so when he described being her lover. Wasn't that bad to be a lover and a father at the same time? The white princess tilted her head curiously, a quizzical expression on her face as she looked to her mother for guidance...but she was sleeping. Just great.

But her questions were somewhat answered when Damien mentioned mating. Yes, she had heard of that, but yet again that concept escaped her. All she knew was that it created children in a woman, but how, she had no clue. Her mother had not yet explained the birds and the bees to her. "Sooo.....a consort is a mate...but is not a mate?" This was confusing.

Lets wrap this one up! :3

Burke thought a well that Meldresi was sleeping. Apparently she was not because before he could answer she replied himself. The youngsters sounded so confused, looked confused even. Burke glanced at Meldresi, not sure if he was happy with the consort title but it wasn't like could do any mating currently. So nothing had been official. He did like her close and that the dark female talked to him about more as a Beta could be seen a great step forward. "A consort helps with leading. Like a partner, but there isn't any breeding or sex involved," he explained to the two youngsters. Not yet, Burke thought.

He wasn't sure if he should talk about sex, maybe that would make things more awkward. Yet, Burke never did feel guilty so he didn't regret saying it. They should start to get informed about sex and breeding anyways. Although Burke wasn't sure if that was his job to do so. "That is a story for another day. It is late and you two need rest," Burke sounded almost fatherly. "As do I." The large male rested his head next to Meldresi, pondering if he was really in love. Tiredness overtook him, he would think about that another day when he was capable of actually doing some mating. 

It would have sounded strange for a normal family to talk about sex with such freedom, but as followers of the Daedric prince and goddess of sex, it came in naturally even for the pups. They always got their questions answered, there was no taboo about any matter, and the pups, specially Damien, sunk in all the info he ever got as a reflect. He would find that very useful one day.

But today, the info that came out of both Meldresi and Burke's lips couldn't be more boring. Damien was used to his own world and concerns, and knowing about his Mother's affairs, whether they involved sex or not, was not in the night child's most important things to learn. So he just ignored it, and continued to do it when Burke indirectly instructed both Damien and Potema to go to bed. Damien had no sleeping time, and when the darkness fell was only the beginning of the adventures, so the pup, in his own irreverence, got up and walked away from the den, leaving Potema with the lovebirds for the night.

Meldresi knew that Damien's mind were set on a few things in life, and the relationships of his mother were not very high on that list; perhaps they were at the bottom. And she knew that he did not like being told what to do, being raised as a prince will do that to you. So instead of going to bed, he walked away, and Meldresi let him. If he wanted to sleep, then he will sleep, and if he didn't, then he wouldn't. Meldresi looked towards Burke, silently telling him this with a roll of her eyes before placing her head down across Burke's shoulders and shutting her eyes.

From the tone of his voice, Burke didn't like the consort title. Perhaps it was the lack of sex involved with the title. She smirked to herself at that. They were getting close, yes, but she had yet to let him do anything remotely sexual to her, on the pretense that he was injured. But he was healing now, as seen by his restlessness to get - metaphorically - into her pants. He would just have to wait a bit longer; and she did too.

Potema was still confused by the whole notion of mates and consorts. She did not know partnership would be so complicated. It was a lesson she would have to learn another day, when her head wasn't so filled by poisons and toxins. At Burke's behest, she pushed past her mother and her "consort", and into the den. She needed to sleep and let her mind digest the knowledge given to her by her mother. Perhaps then she could make sense of it all. The world was strange.

I will archive it! <3

Burke watched Damien set off being a typical teenager. He watched Meldresi roll her eyes and then Potema left too. Burke curled around Meldresi, basically being most of her pillow to snuggle against. Burke secretly loved it as he rested his head on her paws. A moment alone, so rare. And he was not in the condition to do anything but lay with her. Though he was planning on asking her once he was better. This he wanted to keep until the day he died.