It was still dark in the den, so why was she awake? Raela blinked her golden eyes in confusion and sleepless daze. Lifting her head, the Crest matriarch gazed toward the entrance. It all seemed somewhat normal, but the longer she looked the more it seemed- off. Something in her vision wasn't right, and it took the woman's tired brain a moment to actually pin it down. The snow was tinted. Excitement began to swell slowly inside her chest. Raela had seen enough nights to know what was going on, and it had her rising to her paws inside the warm shelter. All the others seemed to be at rest, and she cast her pack mates a warm glance before striding away. With some luck she managed to reach the opening without stepping on the others, and emerged at last beneath a brilliant sky. 

Breath left her lungs in delicate silver clouds and she stared. Though the timbers blocked some of the view, she was already reveling in the spectacle. A grin spread slowly across the woman's face, though no one was there to see it. The night breeze brushed against the female's fur, and her head swung abruptly toward the mesa – it was a crime to not witness these lights in their full glory. She had already been feeling much better about everything in the last few days, and the light above brought all of her happiness to the surface. It grew in her chest and she lunged; bounding through the snow and relishing how her muscles seemed to hum with the release. The agouti figure left the trees behind; loping out onto the open plain with heart racing. 


Her bright eyes flicked upward; drinking in the amazing view just as it burst full force over the sky. There were no trees to mar its beauty any longer. Her jaws were parted and tongue lolling with the effort of fighting the few inches of snow all the way out to the pack's gathering spot. She watched them flicker and glow above, and bit by bit her paws slowed their joyous dance. Raela practically floated out toward the edge at a trot; tail hovering at hip height out behind her. At last the Queen came to rest, leaving a good few strides between her and the mesa's cliff. A few heavier breaths slipped softly into the glorious night and she stood there splashed with white powder from her little run – just watching the heavens put on their show. The light was so very strong; stronger than she'd ever seen. It bathed everything in its beauty including her own tawny fur.

She felt truly happy all by herself – and that was certainly some miracle of its own.  

Since the day of Raela's return, things had began to change within Gent. The anxiety that plagued him, drove him and exhausted him was ebbing away, receding further and further each day that she was at his side. Her return had been a sunrise to what he'd thought to be a neverending night, golden rays to chase away the demons and shadows as they imparted their warmth to him. The seeking satellites that he carved about the mountain reversed their direction, now honing in closer and closer to home with each pass made. With such simple words, she had allowed him to let go of all the loss and the regret which had their vicious claws embedded so deeply within him. Maybe they're all gone, his mind would echo whenever that confidence faltered. Maybe I don't need anyone else. With that single claim, she had given him a future.

He was able to sleep soundly now, without the burning fear that if he slumbered too deeply he might lose another soul to the night. Even when it was her warmth that departed, faded conscious roused by the lack of pressure against his flank, it was not urgent panic that he awoke with. The return to reality was gradual, and his body took its time with a stretch and a yawn before before drowsy blue eyes blearily opened to take in the change in his surroundings. He did not fear her absence, for he at last was certain; she would always return.

Once focused, his gaze drank in the colors that filtered into the den, muted by the dark dirt floor they fell upon but catching all the same. A shadow faded from sight, perhaps Raela's, and his curiosity mounted, urging him to draw his legs up under him and stand. Slinking out into the world, he followed the crisp trail her paw steps had punched through the snow. The skies were astoundingly clear, allowing the aerial phenomenon above to reach the height of its glory. The colors fell down around him, glowing against the white backdrop and emphasizing the blue shades within his coat. It was a beautiful sight, but all of it paled in comparison to the earthly vision before him.

There were many explanations for the wealth of feeling that began to swell within his chest as he witnessed her standing there, bathed in ethereal color with the distance of the entire world stretching beyond her. He would not tarnish the truth with denial, however, as he strove to do with every other emotion that plagued him; he knew what this airy feeling was. Daringly he pressed forward, wounding the perfect landscape with each shadowy step. Even his breath was silent, abated by the spectacle before him and the tension that was beginning to build. He wanted the silence to last forever, and he wanted to speak aloud to her all that he saw when he looked upon her. He wanted to keep his distance in admiration, and he wanted to press himself against her side and never be without that warmth. He wanted every treasured piece of their relationship to stay the same, and he wanted to catalyse everything that they could be right then and there.

What did she want?

The moment they had shared, the precious words she had spoken, could have meant so many different things, and he was terrified of misreading her intentions. The trust he held within her had been solidified absolutely, and yet he felt as though their connection was as fragile as ever. What if he broke her trust by overstepping? What if he did so in pursuit of something he wasn't even sure he wanted? Perhaps he was caught up in the wave of it all; the renewal of their hope, the primal change within her scent, the relief of Spring's proximity.

Or maybe he really was in love.

Reaching her side, he allowed impulse to reign. His muzzle passed from her flank over her back and across her shoulders, to rest comfortably just above her neck. A moment was taken to enjoy just this, the certainties that her very presence promised him, and that was enough to keep the fog of indecision at bay for a few seconds longer before it began to creep in again. With reluctance he pulled back, black lips hovering at her temple for a moment as his throat burned with words he wished were easy to say. He wanted to tell her exactly what he felt, how incredible she was, how beautiful she looked, not just then but every time he saw her. Yet it all felt like too much, and so he swallowed the emotion and looked ahead to the mesa's drop off instead, pretending to be entertained by the view.

Something about it all felt so nice, so why was he so uncomfortable?

She hadn't given much thought to waking the King and showing him the beautiful lights, but as the Queen stood there bathing in the glow the thought did dawn on her. The main concern was that perhaps he wouldn't want to be woken in the middle of the night; even if the sight was beautiful. Raela wasn't foolish enough to think that everyone shared her love of natures spectacles so intensely. She hadn't been there long when the feeling came creeping in. If it was all so wonderful, why not share it with him? Everything had been different since that morning in the den; her feelings had changed right then and there; matured into something deeper and more meaningful, and she only hoped he felt the same way. 

Nothing in the great man's demeanor had given her cause to think otherwise. He seemed to reciprocate her every gesture in kind, and without hesitation. It had not been spoken aloud, but there was something more between the leaders now, and it only served to excite her. Raela had felt something like this once, with Astraeus, but it had never reached such a level. When she had bared her soul to Gent that day their relationship advanced in leaps; thoroughly eclipsing anything Aeus had ever given her. They had already been so close, for so long. To build on that foundation was to reach for the stars, and she couldn't have been happier. 

A longing began to seep into her chest as her brilliant eyes followed the colors above. It was a shame to not have him here, and just as the thought emerged, so did the wolf in question. Her gaze turned to find his blue-black form; now practically glowing from the purples above. Joy welled within at the sight, and a warm smile graced the Queen's lips. She remained still in the snow as he touched her back; her tail swaying gently at the warm sensation. She waited patiently for him to draw closer, finally closing her eyes and returning the embrace by tucking her head into his plush neck and chest. His comforting scent eased every fiber of her being in one breath. They both seemed to pause; just savoring the feeling of being together, before she felt him begin to pull away.  

Raela turned to look up, waiting almost eagerly for whatever it was he intended to say or do as he hesitated there, but nothing came of it. She stared into his crystal blue eyes until the moment they moved away, and she almost felt confused. He really looked like he wanted to say something... Either way, her honey gaze followed his, once more admiring the stripes in the night sky. Neither of them had said a word yet, so she thought maybe it was time to fix that. "I almost came to get you," she confessed, beginning to smile once more. "I've never seen it so bright before, it's amazing," she added, grinning at the heavens. Her fluffy tail picked up its motion again; swaying contentedly through the chill air. It was somehow even more beautiful now by his side, just as she thought it would be. 

He attempted to focus on what was before him. Truly, it was a breathtaking scene. While Gent wasn't known for being particularly appreciative of such trivial aesthetics, he was finding these moments of peace to be more and more precious as this year of leadership aged and matured him. With Raela at his side to further soothe him, he could begin to allow the beauty around him to sink deeper than his skin. Yet the woman's presence was paradoxically as unnerving as it was calming, and he could not keep his eyes off her for long.

Her voice was just the excuse he needed to pull his pale gaze from the heavens and focus them upon the twin suns she possessed. There was such fascination in them, such happiness, and it warmed his small heart completely. This was how he wanted to keep her, and he hoped dearly that it was a task he could rise up to and accomplish. She made so many possibilities open for him, and yet he knew that no matter how many gilded words they shared between them, the circumstances threatening to choke the life out of the Crest would not simply vanish. If they were to have a future, if he truly wanted to preserve her happiness, it could not be here.

"Raela..."  he began, forcing his hesitations to dissipate. "We can't stay here."

It was heavier than he intended, but once the words were out he knew that the gravity was both genuine and necessary. So much played within his glacial eyes that continued to carefully watch her features, from concern to deep care to hope that she might easily agree, would understand exactly what he meant.

"Nothing here is... us."

Did that even make sense? Please let it make sense, he silently pleaded.

When at last her words had pulled those magnificent glaciers back to her, she returned the gaze; happy to break with the sky and admire him instead. Her name left his mouth softly, but what followed was not what Raela had been hoping for. “We can't stay here.” Her smile faded; eyes breaking their hold and slipping downward. That was... quite a thing to consider. It caught the Queen off guard, and seemed to suck much of the happiness out of the air. It was serious and heavy; nothing like the atmosphere above. “Nothing here is ...us.” She looked up again swiftly; searching his glowing face for those cold, cold spheres. Us? 

It hadn't much been about them all this time, had it? At first they were watching the pack; offering to keep it from harm and guide it into what would potentially be Kova's responsibility. If the silver Prince had decided not to pursue leadership, then they had planned to carry on as usual; perhaps holding on until one of the others could be fit to lead. In all honesty it was only Draven she might have considered worthy, but now every one of them was gone. What were they holding on for anymore? Raela still had a deep respect for Minka, and for what she had tried to accomplish – but was that worth what they'd been going through as of late? She wasn't sure, but she also wasn't one to toss away her loyalty easily.

However, as her thoughts seemed to ramble on, something else slowly became clear. Us... Was he, was he saying... What other reason would there be to phrase it like that? Was she reading too much into it? Maybe. The confusion only mired her tongue further and she stared at him. Maybe it was better she start simple. "You want to move the pack?" She asked carefully, head tipping to the side a little with curiosity. Perhaps he would volunteer all the 'whys' and 'hows' himself with that one question. She had many. 

His decision swiftly altered the moment, weighing it down and eating away at exactly what he wished to preserve. His ears sank slowly down to rest against his skull but his heavy gaze remained unabashed. This was important, necessary, and he needed to be bold enough to just say it. To get it out of the way so that they could continue along this momentum she had set them upon. Why was this so difficult, anyways? He'd never had issues with bravery before. It was the indecision that was holding him back, he knew that, the hesitance to put everything into words. For once that was done, there would be no going back, no pretending otherwise. Each time before that they'd had their heart to hearts, he had let out more than he desired, but had still managed to keep plenty inside and hidden from her view. To accomplish this, he would need to bare it all. Such vulnerability was utterly despised by the man, perhaps even feared in itself.

For Raela, however, it was worth overcoming.

The man released a silent breath, attempting to release some of the tension with it, before his courage at last peaked and he began to speak his mind at length.

"Yes," he confirmed, and that alone was a measure of relief, emboldening him to press on. "This place, it's always going to be Minka's. And we both care deeply about that, and we won't forget what she meant to us, but... we tried. We tried to preserve this for her but when her own children walk away from it all, why should we sacrifice ourselves for something that will never be more than a ghost?"

He wasn't making sense again, even though he felt each word reverberating truth throughout his chest. He felt it, but would she?

"If we stay here Raela, we'll never have our own lives, our own future. Everything will be about her and children that aren't here and everyone else that isn't here and I.... I want more than that."

The black King seemed to deflate along with her, and perhaps it wasn't so easy a decision to him either. Her autumn-colored and slightly damaged ears slid closer to him as he sighed, her attention thoroughly captured. His words seemed to echo her own thoughts, and it was a sort of comfort to hear about their shared stance on the late Matriarch. Wide golden eyes locked on his in solidarity and agreement. They would always care for Minka. At the mention of the children her sunny pools wandered; ears falling a little with bitterness and hurt. She had tried so hard to find Kova, and instead Draven had deserted. The others well; she didn't like to think about them much anymore. A ghost. The word made the air feel even colder than it was on such a wintry night. It didn't feel good, but perhaps the charcoal mammoth was right. Minka wasn't coming back, and her wonderful children were long gone too; all vanished in one way or another. Her haunches descended gradually into the snow.

Raela drank in the last of his words and for a few seconds she just let them settle in her mind like anxious birds. Our future? That same wondering, exciting spark emerged again but she dismissed it for the heavier topics. Perhaps this had become a place of pain after all. Even with their best efforts the numbers had dwindled – but was it the location's fault? The birds shuffled around behind her wistful eyes. Who else was even around to remember Minka – Moraxia perhaps? But she had not known the tawny Alpha for very long at all. There probably wasn't the same level of deep respect within the brutish woman that Gent and Raela held. Who then would even care if they left this place? All those parties were long departed.

"Maybe you're right," she spoke suddenly, softly; still looking away. It was almost as though the words left her mouth all on their own, following a shallow breath. "There's so much loss here and hardly anyone who really remembers her." However, the feeling in her gut remained the same. "But I feel so sad just leaving like this..." Perhaps she didn't know what she wanted in response, but the utterance emerged anyway. "The place already does feel a bit hollow though..." Instead of dwelling on the solemn, a shift in direction quickly followed. "Where would we go?" He had to have some faint idea in mind, either of location or environment, and perhaps it would weigh a bit on her ultimate decision. Still, the question rolled off her tongue all too familiarly. She'd asked him this very thing not long ago, but now it was we, and that tasted so much better. 

There was hesitance within her voice as she answered him, but she was agreeing all the same. Seeing his point, but clearly reluctant to accept what they both were feeling. It was understandable. He wished so badly that it could have all gone to plan, that he could have kept everything together and in place as it should have been so that these regretful feelings would not exist to plague them both. Yet being forced to both confront and voice these thoughts was beginning to illuminate something for him; the ultimate silver lining.

If Minka had lived, he perhaps would have been sharing this night with her, instead. The man's eyes fell to the precipice of the mesa as he considered such an event. She would have been beautiful, too. There had been some kind of feeling there under his skin each time they had been alone together, and with Spring impending, they might have been looking forward together as well. Yet as vividly as he could remember what had been between them, he knew that even at its height it wouldn't have compared to what existed now with Raela. It was something he never would dare to speak aloud, but perhaps all the tragedy nipping at their heels was chasing them exactly to where they were supposed to be.

Raela was the one, she was everything, and he was unwilling to regret being here with her now. That meant accepting all that had led to this moment so that they could make the best of the saving grace they'd been given.

"Anywhere," he breathed with relief, suddenly all the more comfortable within his skin. That she was open to the idea meant the world to him. "Wherever you want, Raela. We can find someplace perfect, I know it exists. It'll be ours, and there won't be all these weights to hold us back. We could... be whatever we wanted to be."

And what was that, exactly? It was on the tip of his tongue, but still he hesitated, pale eyes seeking any hints her sunflower gaze might yield to him. It took a moment still to build his courage, to overcome his own reservations, but at last he was able to do it. To bare his black heart completely.

"Raela, I think I love you."

She wasn't expecting the sudden release the dark man displayed. It was as if her mere consideration of the idea had relieved a massive weight from his shoulders, and as his low voice rumbled on Raela stared with a look of both confusion and subtle awe. Wherever she wanted. The way he said it lightened her own soul, and there was already so much emotion in his tone. Her whole existence seemed to grow brighter as word after sweet word tumbled from his ebony lips. Her wide golden eyes began to swim with feeling, and they never left him. Ours...  He was talking like that again. By the end of his short speech a smile had begun to form ever so softly; almost imperceptibly on her slightly open maw. 

It was all so warm, so wanting for her to be with him no matter what. “You are all that I ask for...” She remembered that perfect sentence vividly. It had brought her to life again inside her own misery; a sentence that Raela had once thought she would never hear. But even as she smiled, lost in his icy eyes and the shimmering blue of his coat, she could see the change happening. Again he looked ready to speak, or to do. Her mouth drifted closed in anticipation and she waited. What was plaguing him so terribly? Some small part of her was drenched in hope; hope that whatever it was it was for her- just for her. It took far too long for anything at all to happen, but when it did – she didn't think time could ever move so slowly. 

“Raela, I think I love you.” 

Her own heart seemed to stop, and her senses blurred with whatever chemical was drowning her mind. She just stared, trying to feel the ground under her and the sky above; to feel something familiar and stable and to be completely certain that this was real. And then, after that long freeze, her heart came alive once more, and with conviction. She moved, feeling how completely weightless her body was. There was no effort in lifting her paws; no trial in closing the distance between them. She could have floated to Gent, and it would have felt the same. Her gaze fell right to his shoulder; serious and solid. Somehow she made it; stepping right up to the black mammoth and at last connecting with him once more.

She forced the cold night air away with her body; pressing deeply into his chest and burying her muzzle in the long fur on the side of his neck. If it could have enveloped her entirely, well that would have been just fine. Raela pressed her head against him; trying to get her whole self as close as she could to whatever was encased within this wonderful man. She wanted all of it. The woman's eyes pinched shut; ears pinning to her skull as she embraced him tightly. Her muzzle moved up and down in tiny strokes; nuzzling his soft iridescent fur. Her pulse hammered away in her veins, but it only made her press harder – and from this moment on she would never, ever let go.

She left him to freeze solidly in the realization of what had come from his own mouth. His ears sealed ever more tightly against his crown as his pale eyes widened in apprehension. There was nothing more than shock within her features for those initial endless moments and he felt as though his heart might escape his chest it hammered so hard against the confines. Regret threatened to overcome the progress he had made to bear down against him once more as he was given the time to fear that he had, indeed, taken it all too far.

Then she moved, all too slowly toward him. His nerves actually considered taking a step back, but the second she was against him everything reversed. Not a word was uttered, but the mist between them was cleared all the same. A final breath of relief was expelled into the air as he knew exactly what her embrace spoke. Without intention his tail picked up behind him, dusting against the ice encased ground in quick swipes. The gesture was so simple, yet with it she allowed the final purge of negativity from his mind and muscles.

With sudden fervor he returned her affection, nuzzling against her nape as he held her tightly against him. Her reciprocation was all that was needed to perfect the building emotion within him, and all at once it felt so incredibly right that the fear of misstepping dissipated entirely. This was real, undeniable, unshakable, and no further words were necessary to prove that. From this moment onward, she wasn't just his. He was utterly, irrevocably hers.