He half expected her to nip his cheek in play, but was just as pleased by the sweet nuzzle there instead. Piety was far from predictable. It was part of her endless charm, in his opinion. Boredom was not an option. "I might have," he agreed with a grin before his eyes narrowed in mock annoyance. "But I fear I had a rather pesky rat gnawing on my ears. I just couldn't let that go on." He would have been content to let the issue drop since Piety's attention seeking was something he'd grown rather fond of anyway, but she persisted with more seriousness.

"I'm fine, darling one," he murmured, voice dipping low and quiet even if there was no one near to hear. As the pair walked side by side on their patrol, the brute breathed deeply and lowered his head. "It's been a long few days for the both of us." Amber eyes lifted to catch her warm brown gaze with mirrored concern. "What about you? How are you holding up?" It was no secret to either of them how deeply Morganna's leaving affected them. Wraith, too, mourned the absence of the pups for he had grown used to their presence and liveliness. It was far too quiet without them. "Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, worried as always for her physical and mental health. "Any pain?"

The more thought the brute put into their new roles, the easier it was for him to come to terms with Morganna's leaving and Craw's following. After the male's absence for so long, Wraith's respect for his brother's decisions had dwindled dangerously low. It was for the best, he told himself, that he was not forced to keep the spider's company in the coming weeks. Not to say it didn't still sting. All of it hurt. But together, they would carry on and be stronger for it.

And what male didn't enjoy hearing that his woman would rather stay with him than follow after her closest and most trusted friend?

"The hunger's natural," he murmured, more as if he was speaking to himself. After suffering through Morganna's cravings, he felt relatively comfortable being driven into the ground hunting to feed a single wolf like an entire pack. "Let me know if the nausea gets too bad." Not that he knew anything about herbs and remedies...but he wasn't too proud to ask it of a healer from a neighboring pack.

Which only reminded him how many packs were nearby. And how many relations he intended to repair. Wraith lacked the temper that was ripe within Whitestone's previous leaders and he was absolutely not carrying on another wolf's grudges when his mate and children were on the line. As soon as everything got settled, he'd make a trip out to meet with various leaders. Maybe he'd take @Roosemooth along if @Piety was not feeling up for the trek. The male struck him as level-headed, a trait he intended to encourage whole-heartedly.

As the pair rounded on the westernmost aspect of their borders, he could see the dotted movement of caribou in the distance. Calving season was nearing and a pack hunt was certainly overdue. It was next on the agenda. "We should visit the other packs. Let them know of the change. Or I can, if the distance is too far for you. I can take Roosemooth," he told her, echoing his thoughts. "And then a hunt. We'll scout them well. I can drive one and the others can finish it if you want to herd it." The suggestion was with her pregnancy in mind. Of course, Piety was no invalid. But Wraith was overprotective and intended to keep her as safe as possible.

Hearing Piety call him by such an endearment brought a grin to his face. Her hesitance in using it was fine by him and he chuckled warmly. "You don't have to force it, Piety. Take your time." Still, he was unable to hide his pleasure that she'd try it out for his sake. How did he get so lucky to have captured and been captured by her?

As she agreed on staying behind, it would be a lie if Wraith were to say he didn't feel relief for it. While he wanted Piety by his side at all times, taking her along on a long trek into potentially dangerous territory was the last thing he wanted. But the trip had to be made, so knowing that she was ready and willing to stay behind set his mind at ease. "Good. I think @Cheedo may be having a hard time." There was no obvious sign the female had given that she was uncomfortable, but the male was astute and all observations had seen the woman looking tense more oft than not.

"And we'll find the weak link, of course." Wraith may have a large amount of pride, but he wasn't stupid. His own parents had instilled into him the importance of not taking down the strongest of the herd, for they were meant to carry on their lineage and provide more strength for survival during the harshest of times. The pack was meant to weed out those unfit for survival and use it to enhance their own. Or so those old teachings had said. Thus far, he'd not found fault in the rule.

He smiled and nodded his assent at her mention of roles. He should have thought of that as well, he supposed. Another headache to add onto the pile. But later. Later. For now, he wanted to spend time with his mate without the distractions that came with leadership.

On a sharp yip, Wraith nipped at Piety's ear and bounded playfully out of reach. Bowing down in play, his eyes danced with challenge. Pregnant or not, she could probably still out run him!