As their conversation went on it become clear that the raven female was prepared to forgive him, on the condition that he would not abandon their daughter again. Lorcan was more than willing to agree to the mother’s terms and apologised sincerely for the grief that he had subjected on them both.

With their issues resolved, Lorcan had taken the chance to admit his recently discovered feelings to Inna, and he had been surprised to hear that the raven felt that same – and had done for quite some time. His brows lifted in astonishment before they furrowed down again as he wondered why she had felt that she couldn’t tell him before. “Why not?” He asked quietly before he kissed her.

He became lost in the moment after their first passionate kiss and the male found himself leaning in to steal another, not wanting the sensation to end. However, as much as Lorcan enjoyed bathing her in his affection, he knew that it would be wrong for him to continue. She was a grieving daughter and whilst the recent revelation between the pair of them excited him, he knew that it would be insensitive and untimely of him to place the pressure of a romantic relationship onto her.

Lorcan was quick to apologise, realising his mistake, russet ears pressing back against his head in shame. To his relief Inna did not take offence to his enthusiasm, but did agree that it was too soon to explore things any further for the moment. Golden eyes met her deep orange gaze as she leaned in to the thick fur of his chest and then his dark lashes fluttered shut as she placed a soft kiss on him in return.

“I understand.” He murmured softly. “I wouldn’t want to place any more pressure on you..”

Respectful of her wishes, the male done his best to ignore the warmth in his cheeks and the frantic beating in his heart and instead focused on finding out what he could do to support her. “If you want me to help out with anything, just say so. I want support you through this.” He offered with a fragile smile. Whether it meant bringing her food, keeping her company or even looking after their daughter, the healer was prepared to do it. The reminded him; “How did the talk go with Sana when I left the other night?” He asked a little hesitantly as he searched for her gaze. 

Lorcan felt a mixture of anxiety and intrigue bubble up in the pit his stomach when Inna admitted that she had loved him for a while, but had refrained from telling him before now. Golden eyes searched for her deep orange gaze, desperate for the reason why. He felt his breath catch at the mention of @Piety and his eyes widened in surprise before they glanced away in contemplation.

“Maybe I did love her once, but not anymore…” He sighed, his shoulders sagging as his gaze flickered back up to meet the eyes of the woman standing before him. “Leaving the monadnock gave me the time I needed to move on from whatever it was that we had together.” He said confidently, before adding. “It allowed me to focus on what I have here, with you..” He said softly, ears falling back against his crown. “–something that far exceeds what I thought I could ever achieve in my lifetime.”

As Inna leaned into him again, he listened as she thanked him for being patient with her. A smile formed on his charcoal lips at her words and the male tilted his chin down in an attempt to nuzzle the thick fur of her scuff affectionately. “Take all the time you need, Inna, I’m not going anywhere from now on.” He whispered, before placing a gentle lick along upon her crown.

It pleased the healer that the woman accepted his offer of help should she ever want or need it. “I was thinking…” He suggested tentatively. “If you wanted to visit the ethos or something, I could accompany you…if you wanted me to?” Lorcan wasn’t sure if it was something that the woman wished to do so soon after her mother’s death, or even with him, but he wanted to offer his company in case it should make the grieving process any easier.

He then asked how her talk had gone with their daughter, desperate to know the pup had taken the news. To his surprise the mother admitted that she had not yet informed Oksana of what had happened to Kisla. Lorcan nodded in understanding. It was a hard thing to do, especially to someone so young and innocent. The healer remained silent for a few moment before he attempted to offer some advice. “I think you should just be honest with her and explain things the best you can. She might not understand it all right now, but I think it would be better to tell her now rather than her find out from someone else later on..” He said, looking across to Inna was a solemn expression.

Lorcan did his best to reassure the woman standing before him that any romantic feelings he once felt for anyone else were now gone. Leaving the lowland pack had provided him with the two things he had needed to put his love for Piety behind him – time and space. Now that they had both moved on with their separate lives the only thing the pair of them still shared were fond memories. On the other hand, what he now had with Inna was something that he could never persuade himself to walk away from.

Listening to Inna speak, the male couldn’t calm the feeling of adoration and pride that he felt swell in his chest in that moment. Adoration, for only now truly realising how hard it must have been to always put their daughter’s happiness first, not knowing if she was ever attain her own; and pride, knowing that such a caring, considerate and selfless woman owned his heart. Lorcan smiled at her words and leaned in to catch a tear as it tumbled down her cheek, before he buried his muzzle the thick fur around her neck.

“Me neither, but I’m glad that we do.” He whispered softly.

A chuckle left him as Inna held him to his promise. There was with a fiery glint in her orange gaze, despite the humour in her voice, which he knew to mean that there would surely be Hell to pay if he didn’t. Lorcan attempted to prove his loyalty by offering to accompany her to the burial site of her parents. His gesture seemed to please her and the male felt himself blush as she placed a kiss to his cheek. “I just think it would be good for you to visit them..” He said, his voice hushed as he leaned in to allow her to bury her face up against his chest.

When he asked of her conversation with Oksana, it came as no surprise to him that she was finding it difficult to break the news to the young pup. Still, that did not mean that she would be able to put it off forever. Their daughter would find out one way or another, so it was best if it came from her mother. “She will be okay, she’s got the support of the whole pack behind her..” He assured Inna, unable to advise any more on the matter having never gone through it himself. He was certain though that they would all get through it, one day at a time.

~ Fade ~