It was a scent he perhaps knew better than any other that clung to Indru's nose now, that he tracked with a intensity he would little else. However, as familiar as it was, there was a new undercurrent to it that while at first had made him pause with confusion now thrilled him beyond anything else. It had not taken Indru long to remember it from the brief time it had been there before, nearly a year ago now. The change in the scent meant hope and left Indru with an excitement that was clearly expressed in his hurried, bouncing lope.

The sky was clear today which was a welcome change for Indru from the storms of late, especially after the storm that had been the main cause from taken him from his family. The sun was faint but was undeniably growing stronger as summer neared and he enjoyed the sun making wild dashes for the ground as he ran, using his lungs to draw the cherished scent of Corinna deep into his lungs. As his mate's scent became fresher and fresher Indru increased his pace, hoping to catch up to her if he travelled faster than the casual lope most wolves adopted for unhurried travel. Her scent was always enticing, but the recent changes only made his desire to be near her stronger, his familiar need before returning, to try and protect her and their now confirmed unborn cubs.

With a handsome grin curling his muzzle when at last he caught a glimpse of the lead shewolf through the trees Indru let out a excited yowl, chasing after her as fast as he could manage. His mate was beautiful and was soon giving them more cubs, and he was determined never to leave her side again.

The aperçu Indru had got at Corinna had been enough to start his tail waving erratically behind him as he bounded towards her without hesitation at her welcoming call. He watched his silvery mate beat her paws against the ground in a playful dance and Indru flicked his muzzle upwards as he yowled excitedly back at her, nimbly bouncing towards her, a playful growl rumbling through his chest. His body twisted backwards and forwards like a snake in his excitement as he neared her, a mixture of whines and growls still escaping him. It wasn't until he could brush his muzzle up against hers, letting his cheek travel all the way down her left side before he nipped playfully at her hind quarters and travelled back up tightly to stand by her right side, that he finally quietened.

Your scent, Cori, he hushed, the excitement so clear in his voice as he covered her face and neck in a plethora of licks and nips and happy whines beginning to escape him again. More cubs! We'll be parents again this year and the pack will be strong. His voice hardened in determination and confidence as he spoke of the pack's strength, this year there would not be a thing to take him from her side or his pack. Thank you, he breathed again, grooming her gently around the base of her ears before he turned, trying to catch those rare, green eyes with his fiery eyes, I love you, so much.

Nothing could make Indru more happy, more content, than the prospect of more cubs this year, as much as Cori loved being a mother he did a a father, it was a natural instinct in him to love and cherish them and it had killed him it had not worked out how he had imagined. But he had the chance now, to continue to make it up to their current cubs and to make sure he would be there for the new ones, and nothing but a fierce determination rolled through him. The pack, they'll be so pleased. Our cubs—we'll have to explain, and the thought of them trying to do so made him laugh, imagining their faces as he and Cori had the awkward conversation.

There was a playfulness, a expression of his pure joy, that only his family could bring from Indru as while he was a friendly and welcoming fellow he kept his guard up and he was always ready. It was these moment though, where he had nothing but trust for the company he was in, that he lived for and why he loved, cherished and wanted to protect his family so dearly.

Corinna quickly crooned back at him and Indru pushed his nose up against hers happily, his tail waving ecstatically behind him in an almost comical speed. After his words her own laugh started to blend with his and he turned to watch her as he listened to her giggles with a grin, enjoying her happiness and the loss of tension and stress which had plagued her recently. No where, he returned quickly, his voice just as hard as hers as laced with his determination as it was, not a inch further than right here. He sidestepped lightly to the side as if to express his point, a smile on his muzzle as he drew the radius of movement he was permitting himself around her with his eyes, it looked almost gravitational, like the planets orbit around the sun, and he decided it was fitting. Of course, that just means you have to put up with me, he grinned, prowling back towards her, every, single, second. He laughed quickly as he accented each word with a nip along her nape, but as playful as he was he had meant the earlier words—he wasn't going anywhere.

Her next words caused a brief frown to mar his face, horror images of what could have happened to Kisla cycling through his thoughts, before he shook them off, nodding her with a contemplative expression. Hidden Tree, it's so far, what a shame. It would have been nice to give my birth den some use again, he smiled fondly at the thought before turning to peer around them, the lands he had claimed and had memorized running through his thoughts. It needs to be in the heart of the territory again, of course, and near the slower portions of the river—we want water, but no accidents... He trailed off, certain now that it'd have to be a newly constructed den and none to soon, yet he felt pleased he had a new job to do. I'll get the cubs to help, it'll be good for them, providing a new home for their siblings. They'll feel more involved, and he grinned again in his excitement, tail starting to wave.

North east a little of the centre I think, where the river tapers and narrows and drops to a much slower stream. D'you where I mean? There's that huge tree there, thick, sturdy roots, I'll start one there if it pleases you? He knew of course she'd want to be involved but now that she was pregnant, confirmed, it was equally important she didn't expend to much energy into this when she had other wolves able to do so.

The comment about Fen surprised Indru and he titled his head to the side curiously, wondering why Corinna had mentioned Fenru specifically when talking about Hidden Tree. Perhaps the two of them had stumbled across it together, but either way the thought made him smile as even with the destructive damage of the file Indru had many good memories there, both being raised and raising the cubs born after him. I think I want to make it bigger this time, he began, thinking back to their old one and making comparisons with the more developed one that Hidden Tree had used. It was okay, but a little on the small side for 3 cubs and you, which isn't ideal seeing that they don't leave it for a month. He smiled quickly at her yet his adoration was clear, besides, who to say you are growing more inside you this year? With a quick grin he turned to press his leathery nose against her belly, there was no sign of cubs yet (besides her scent) but soon he knew she'd be round once more with a belly-full of their children.

He laughed at her reactions, both to Rihael constructing the den and especially to her horror at his babysitting, but he shook his head playfully, a grin on his face again. He'll be a yearling then, it'll be his job. Besides, it'd be with Kisla or Fen too—you never know, it might give him some responsibility. Indru chuckled and he was unable to stop his thoughts wondering if his mother and father had a similar discussion about their first litter when Lani was pregnant with her second, he and Rihael were incredibly alike, he saw so much of the boy in his actions as a cub. As she continued he agreed, it was especially important to get the rest of the pack involved, these cubs were the packs' future after all and it was the job of the pack to provide for and protect the young cubs.

Of course, I'd be surprised otherwise, he smiled, nipping softly at her cheek as they loped leisurely towards the spot Indru had thought most suited. But not too much, you'll have me worried. Besides, you have the tiring job of growing them, it's only fair I have some manual labour too, he grinned, laughing softly and nudging her gently with his shoulder as they ran. They weren't too far from the spot Indru had been thinking of so it did not take long for them to arrive, and to Indru's intense joy he had forgotten about the recently fallen tree, a victim of the storms. Look! Perfect. Leaving her side quickly in his excitement he bounded over, scouting out and sniffing inquisitively at the area around the spot the tree had fallen. The storm had caused it to crash down beside a still standing tall, strong tree and it left a perfect spot where a den could be dug, sheltered inbetween the fallen trunk, which would act like a protective wall, and the thick trunk of the other whose roots and overhead branches would shelter the den from the worst of the weather as well as help keep it hidden and out of site. What do you think? He asked, tail waving happily as he waited eagerly for her response.

Indru watched her with eyes as eager and expectant as Hael's while she assessed his chosen spot for the new denning site and his tail waved in his anticipation. At her confirmation he woofed excitedly, bouncing back towards her to cover her face in quick nips and licks. Indru turned around and stood beside her as he surveyed it next to her like she had, their fur intermingling at his closeness. See, you picked me for something—I am an excellent den selector, with a laugh he pulled away from her side again, loping back towards the spot and taking a quick, haphazard swipe at the undergrowth with his paw as he peered into the shallow hole in question.

Yes, yes, of course, he agreed at her suggestion that work would be needed (after all, that was half the fun wasn't it?) and nodded enthusiastically, turning to flash her a toothy grin. I want to widen it of course, make it deeper and then I'll work on disguising it as much as possible, though it's already pretty sheltered... His words trailed off as his thoughts went into overdrive, Indru had so many plans for the den and it's preparation he almost didn't know how to start. It'll be perfect, he decided and he turned to walk back to Cori and rested his muzzle along her back while he groomed the base of her neck lovingly. Just like our new cubs will be and just like you are. Thoroughly warmed by her presence Indru lifted his head from her back, dropping it as he travelled up her side to brush the top of it against her shoulders and up before he paused quickly to groom the soft fur around her ears.

With a contented sigh he finally gave her space and quit rolling on her, though even then he couldn't bear more than a millimetre between their skin as he stood beside her as he surveyed the spot that their newest cubs would be born in nearly a months time. Soon, he whispered softly as he turned to flash her his infamous, handsome grin, a mischievous look on his eyes as he let his tongue loll from his mouth, barely resisting the urge to plant a wet one right on her cheek, love you.