A large bull elk released his haunting bugle to the sky, his hooves shifting uneasily beneath him. Snow flew down in perfectly vertical trails form the heavens, mingling with his think beige coat. The winter was proving to be scarce already, the blankets of snow clung to the ground; freezing anything berries or shrubbery that might serve his herd through the cold months. The herbivores were suffering while the carnivores were thriving. Speaking of which, there was one here now. The bull's honey glazed eyes narrowed on the ghastly form at the tree line. Thankfully she was alone, he could not detect any other wolves in the area. He snorted and let another cry penetrate the still air, thumping his large hooves against the ground to say; Leave. 

Hecate glared back at the massive creature, his sheer rack was wider than her. She sneered and moved on, pads spreading to stay atop the fluffy snow. If the Ridge was wise, they would not bother him this winter. He would breed powerful offspring next fall, his lineage should be protected. But, she was out the door before the rest of the herd noticed her. Hecate had other things to attend to, a message of congratulations needed to be sent; and she took the position of postman. @Skoll couldn't be far and he wouldn't be difficult to spot in all of this white snow. She gave a few low chuffs into the air, calling his name. He would hear her if he wasn't already spying.

She didn't have to wait long before the inky shape took form between the skeletal trees. She kept her lips shut, waiting for him to fully arrive. She eyed him thoughtfully, watching the long strides and slippery shifts in his shoulders. The sneer on his lips were the after effects of a triumph. She bet that he could feel the confidence flowing through him, like an eternal stream. This glow, Skoll had, was what she wanted so desperately. His voice brought her eyes back up to level hight, a creamy smile pouring all over her muzzle. He stood over her, tall and proud. "Skoll Archer, King of Willow Ridge..." She announced, curtsying with grace.

"How does tha' sound?" Hecate purred deeply, creeping forward just a bit. The snow beneath her creaked as she inched to him. She had noticed the space that he placed between them; Hecate would not move closer, if he wanted to close the space between them, he would. She had missed him in the last few weeks, his absence was noted. He had been off doing things to promote himself; taking his uncle's then his father's place in the course of a month was something to be proud of. "So... what are ya plannin' Skoll?"

A pleased smile crept its way onto her muzzle, a comfortable heat welling in her chest like it always did with him. Over the past few weeks, she had grown comfortable with Skoll. She was learning what made him tick and function the way he did, finding security in their bond. She fluttered her eyes down for a moment and when she looked up, his expression was changing. She raised a brow at his calculating eyes and thoughtful ears. Apparently, he expected her to squish herself up against him once it was okay. Hecate opened her mouth to make amends. She was assuming it was respectful to let her supreme make a move rather than herself. But, he took initiative in a quick swoop; which was met by a sharp inhale of cold air from her cracked lips. The young woman closed her eyes as he ghosted on her muzzle, pushing her lower chest against his to meet foreheads. In reality, she didn't like this cute touchy-feely stuff, it made her stomach feel weird. She preferred something a bit more serious and mature; but it wasn't that bad. Skoll broke the silence with a note of severity, responding with a deep hum to ensure that she was all ears.

She opened her eyes when he pulled away. She glared at him like glaring down the barrel of a 30-30 rifle. By now, he should know she wouldn't spill his plans to anybody. There was an undertone level on trust the two shared; at least she trusted him. "Y'know you can trust m'Skoll." She whispered smokily, tapping his chin coaxingly her her nose.

The first words he uttered struck her on an odd note, a flash of confusion(and partial anger) flitted across her otherwise attractive features. But he quickly explained the dilemma. A brow raised, looking away in deep thought. As a matter of fact, she hadn't seen the Archer daughter in quite some time, but there was no real talk of it. It was odd to think there was no search party in order to find her or public announcement in her absence. A staggering doubt raised it's hand in inquiry of the pack's several unspoken mottos; "Family is family". He finished his line, a soft "you" escaping her lips before being cut off. He needed to get it all out, she agreed silently. He mentioned their current matriarchs and the lie he would be issuing out to them, that and her new responsibility. It was true, he needed someone to pose as a mother figure; who wasn't his aunt. The phantom that was Piety was gone and was to never return. Hecate gave him a response with a firm nod and huff of air. It shouldn't be that hard to check in on the kid every once and a while.

Lastly came the mushy rewards and promises. But, he had ought to have a vivid picture of what she wanted. Just as she was going to announce the required prize, he had already named half of it. A daughter. The silvery inamorata remained silent for quite some time, turning over the variables in her head before speaking. "Skoll..." She took more time to organize her words. "There is nothin' more that I want t'share with you than a child. But we must discuss where y'lie with yer sister and I. Y'know she will not bide with it..." She liked Morganna a great deal, but there were things that needed to be taken into account. Hecate was done observing from the sidelines, she wanted the crown for herself and Skoll to share. Not only would their partnership enrage the rest of the Willows family, but @Sven too. Yet all of it was not even close to the cost of forfeiting what Hecate and Skoll had. "What are w'gonna say to him Skoll? He'll be heartbroken!" Never once before had she thought this deeply into what others wanted; was it to be taken into consideration? She let out a hefty sigh and looked back up at him after searching the ground for answers. "Th' answer is yes, I want a daughter."

She turned her head away, trying to build the pieces up together. What Skoll was saying was true, he no longer needed to be protected from the truth. In a way, she was glad to hear this. Sven would no longer be treated like a child but this was a test to see if he could restrain from acting like one. Her mind was still agitated at the thought of going behind the boy's back, this is what they both verbally desired. She hummed in concurrence, meeting his gaze for the millionth time; each contact becoming increasingly fierce. Not to be reckoned with. Her chest rumbled with laughter, she liked that. "When y'are gone, I'm going to try an' move up. If I can't be first; then I sure az'hell will be second." Notes of determination where struck in her lungs, tail raising slightly. Hecate would be satisfied with being a second in command for now, but her need for authority was growing each and everyday and he should know that by now. After all, if he just thought training for battle was just a, "thing to learn", then he was sorely mistaken.

"Now, don't you go making decisions without thinkin' of me." Hecate lectured, raising her right brow slightly as to warn him if anything were to alter the deal they had struck. After all, she actually had a thing for this one. She allowed herself to be enveloped into his warmth, closing the discussion on her end. If he needed to speak, he ought to say something now.