God, it was cold. Not so cold that Vaken felt the need to find shelter, but cold enough that his fur was raised and nose frozen. His paws had toughened up to it, but not his face. He could feel his eyes watering from the sharpness of the air. He was thankful it wasn't snowing. He hated when it snowed at night. It helped when Circe was with him, her body warmth keeping her cozier than usual- but it still wasn’t ideal. He hadn't seen her since the morning, but her face replayed in his mind every second. He was addicted. He had never been infatuated with a women before, not beyond a puppy crush. This was something else though, it drove him mad.

A hare hung from his mouth, limply swinging in the night air. It was a gift. He hadn't eaten any of it, and he didn't intend to. This? This was for her. He was excited to show her what a good hunter he was, to offer her a late night snack. A smile was stretched out across his features, his teeth dug deeply into the creature's scruff.

He smelt her before he saw her. It was a familiar smell, a mix of his own scent, her fur and the woods around them. He breathed it in slowly, heightening his senses. It was a fresh scent- she couldn't have gone far. Vaken slowed down and focused, checking his surroundings for her location. There was something about her that was so alluring, especially at times like this. It felt like a game of cat and mouse. She always felt just out of reach. He lowered his head, blonde fur tangling in the breeze and took another sniff, listening carefully. It was the sound of her steps that alerted him. His ear flicked, head turned, searching. He was going in the right direction. He picked up his pace instinctively.

He grabbed tighter onto his kill, tasting the blood against his tongue. It wasn't as warm as it had been earlier, but not bad. It was only when she came into view that the yearling slowed down and lessened his hold on the prey. He dropped it on the ground, trying to get her attention with the sound of his movement. "Dinner," he purred softly, his voice breaking the quietness of the night. "It's a little late, but-" he shrugged, unsure of what he was getting at. "I hope you're hungry."

Vaken was not a modest wolf. Her compliment fuelled his ego, his head growing three sizes larger. It was clear from the shift of his facial expression that he was smug, energized by her attention. "It wasn't easy," he admitted cooly. "I worked hard for it." Which was true, he was not a natural born hunter. He was quick though, strategic. He knew they needed to eat, and that was motivation enough. Her health was important to him now that they were together. Her kiss burned into his skin like a bullet, his heart rate quickening. He was caught in her web like a dying fly, waiting for the black widow. If he had been older, had more life experience, he may have seen through her flirtation. Maybe he would have sensed the lurking danger, the coldness in her stare. He was young though, and uncontrollably in love. He would do anything for her. He was under her spell, moving through the motions to please her. She did not need to poison him for that- not yet. For now, her company was enough to keep him sedated and blind.

When she moved away from him, he followed to close the distance. He wanted to be near her, as close as he could get. "For you," he agreed, pushing it towards her with the edge of his paw. "You need to eat." Of course, he needed to eat too, but that didn't matter. He didn't consider his own health when she was around. His thoughts were consumed with Circe, her green eyes, her silver fur, the softness of her voice calling him. He leaned towards her, pressing his frozen nose against her cheek and breathing in her fur. "I missed you."

Nothing pleased Vaken more than Circe gratitude. Watching her eat was almost as good as eating himself, but he kept himself still. He gave her room to enjoy the meal, worried to overstep his boundaries. Things were going well, he was terrified of ruining it. Despite the casualness of their affection, something heavy loomed in the air reminding him that he was walking on eggshells- that at any second their love could crack and come crashing down. He brushed it off as first-love jitters. It must always feel like this.

He couldn't help but lick his lips once watching her teeth cut into the dinner, but he hid it well. Keeping his face stoic, he simply observed. He didn't mind the view. Seeing her felt so fresh still, so exciting. It was like look at a different puzzle each time he blinked. The wind blew her fur back and it sparkled. She felt like a dream, like if he reached out his nose would just pass through her. Of course, he didn't know the true her- not really. This version of her was crafted with the intention of drawing him in, and it was working. He had never been so mystified by another living creature. "You're welcome Circe," he replied, his eyes staying trained on her form. "I'm sure it is a little cold, but it's something. The packs must be hunting the forest dry." A feeling of bitter resentment creeped into his tone, sharpening his words. He hated them. Not one of them more specifically than the others, all of them. "Must be nice for them."

Eat? Vaken didn't need to be told twice. Slowly, as if still considering it was the best option, he bent down and tore himself a bite. He kept his eyes up towards Circe, ripping the flesh before swallowing. It wasn't an entire meal, but it would sustain them. He'd try and hunt more in the upcoming days- maybe they'd get lucky.

Her words caught him off guard. It was like his own thoughts were being brought to life, a subtle shove in the right direction. "I've thought about it," he admitted dryly. "We don't have the numbers." Not yet. Circe, Ferreiran and himself weren't a pack. They were just a band of loners. Sure, Vaken had bumped into others along the way that had hinted at following him, but was that enough? His stomach jumped at the idea. He wanted to claim territory. "I've considered taking another pack over," he grumbled, lowering his head for another bite. "There's a wolf close to here, Garmir, I train with him." He swallowed harshly, wiping the blood of his chin on his shoulder. "I don't want just any pack though." Oh, of course not. He wanted his own pack.