A friend who taught me right from wrong,
And weak from strong,
That's a lot to learn...
What, what can I give you in return?

The gentle crashing of the falls could be heard in the distance. Why had she come here... here of all places? Normally she would twitch at being so close to the Sacred Grove, but not today. Today the Falls called to her, beckoned her closer through the light mist and slowly melting snow. In the eerie light of dusk, the forest was washed with hues of pink and orange, and a few small birds dared to sing of the true season though snow still carpeted the land and a chill still carried on the breeze - in a final defiance of the falling sun before settling into their hollows and nests.

It was enough to distract her from the warring emotions inside. It was done now, and there would be cubs, or there would not... but there had been no tell-tale change in her scent as yet, and a burning need still filled her like an itch that couldn’t be scratched. It wasn’t like last time, in so many more ways than one. Perhaps she should have left him lost... But she couldn’t allow herself to think like that. She had made her bed and now she would have to sleep in it, lumps and all - until another thought to challenge her or him, she would lead, and they would prevail.

As she bought herself to seat at the edge of the pool at the bottom of the falls, a small puff of mist left her mouth with a sigh. It had been such a long winter, so much had happened. Staring at her own reflection, she allowed her thoughts to drift over all that had happened, and all that could have been, as her daydream manifested in the form of a translucent dark male, with eyes like fire and distinctive white patch joining her own reflection in the pond. She allowed a small smile to cross her face as the apparition caused her heart to skip a beat. "Triell..." the name was but a whisper on her lips and with the name voiced the apparition fled. "What mess have I made for myself now?" she questioned just as quietly.

Settling into her surroundings she listened, and she waited, a statue on the edge of the falls, shrouded in mist and failing light.

my milkshake brings all the boys to the pass

and they're like, it's better than your ass

Lost in her own little daydream, she didn’t hear the other approach until he was almost on top of her, his cool words teasing her ears back against her skull momentarily before she pulled her eyes from the water and over her shoulder to his familiar face. Her breath caught in her chest for a moment, her heart in her throat and surprise - far from unpleasant - worked its way across her face fleetingly, as a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.

“Unless this is a dream...” she responded softly, leaning back to allow their fur to mingle as it had so many times before. For a moment she was convinced he would feel her heart racing through the tips of her thick pelt alone and she had to tear her eyes away - choosing instead to focus on their reflections - for a moment reveling in the fact that they simply fit so well.

Something had shifted in the air around them or so it seemed. All her previous thoughts had evaporated the moment his voice touched her ears and she felt lighter - younger - and so much more like her old self. Perhaps it was the season and the hormones, but finally she felt relaxed - as she only seemed to manage with him. Getting herself under control finally she turned to bury her nose in the thick fur at the Tainn’s neck. “I’ve missed you.” she whispered shyly, fully aware of the implications should either of them loose control, but for the second time in her life, not caring if it happened. For now she was simply content to be.

my milkshake brings all the boys to the pass

and they're like, it's better than your ass

"Maybe, but promise you'll tell me when it's over," A light chuckle sounded in response to his request, quick to quip back dramatically, and throw herself gently against his side she declared “No! I’ll never wake again!”

Her playful mood was unusual of late, and she wasn’t about to consider the whys of it. The movement caused her rear to shift and her tail flicked to the side thumping against the ground happily without thinking - unwittingly stirring up more of the scent that frustrated her so. She had expected it to be fading by now, but the fact it had not lessened did not cause her distress - not yet. For a moment she remembered her company and tensed before relaxing again, a smile clear on her face as an ear turned to catch his statement, a gently veiled question that put a mild damper on her mood, although it was quickly shrugged off.

“We all need a change of scenery on occasion.” her answer was gentle yet very non-committal as her toes dug into the ice coated dirt beneath. It had been Rhysis’s treatment of her that had driven her from her home in an attempt to curb her moods and limit any further conflict between them both until the last of her high-strung hormones wore off. What had bought her so close to the Grove, she could not say but she was glad it was Triell who found her. “Although it’s not so far from yours, I must say - you’ve looked better.” Her small smile remained, returning his tease with one of her own. It was true the dark man was a sight for sore eyes, but every time she saw him she couldn’t help but allow her concern to grow.

my milkshake brings all the boys to the pass

and they're like, it's better than your ass

She couldn’t contain a smile at the path his questioning took. Not silver enough for you? Too dark? Or am I not scrawny enough? The butt of his mocking tone was clear enough but far from finding herself offended, her teeth flashed in a momentary smile that did not reach her eyes. He did describe her mate so well, but there were small details left missing. Not bitter enough. Not hard enough. Too caring. her own thoughts continued on. What a mess she had gotten herself into. The bitter realisation settling in that she would have been better off leaving him lost and choosing another to stand at her side. But it was too late for regrets now. His final question sent a funny jolt through her stomach, knowing this was dangerous ground on which they trod, but deep down no longer caring. “Oh but your tongue is more than silver enough.” she teased back gently, bringing herself to her feet with a stretch and a subtle but deliberate wave of her tail.

Quickly she shoved her nose into the ribs of the dark wolf at her side and danced back several steps. A hint of a challenge in her eyes as she lowered her front to bow down, her tail waving over her back before retreating several more steps. It had been too long since she had simply run for the sake of it, or partaken in a simple game of tag. She hoped he would catch her drift and not find her too brash. “Perhaps if you can catch me, we could negotiate a prize?” she teased, a new light flashing through her eyes as she headed into the trees, only half-heartedly attempting to evade him. Deep down, she had to admit, a growing part of her wanted to be caught.

my milkshake brings all the boys to the pass

and they're like, it's better than your ass

It seemed she had left the black wolf speechless and a tinkle of laughter escaped from her lips as she ‘fled’. Pulling ahead far enough to fall out of sight before darting to the right, but it wasn’t enough to fool her dark pursuer. She could hear him behind her and slowed her steps until she felt his heavy weight collide with her own. Perhaps a touch more dramatic than was necessary she allowed herself to stumble to the floor as the victor came to claim his prize. Her eyes were warm and danced merrily in the moonlight as he towered over her, lowering his muzzle to her cheek with a playful growl.

Pulling herself back to her feet she brushed her head beneath his chin, stepping forward until his head rested on her shoulder, a shiver ran down her flanks in anticipation at just how the Tainn would respond to such a wanton invitation? Her tail continued to wave about casually behind her as his ears pinned back in a coquettish manner and she allowed her eyes to rove back over her shoulder, enticing, daring him to claim what she was offering. Her heart thundered in her chest, knowing on so many levels that this was wrong, but oh so right. None of their encounters was ever coincidental. It wasn’t the first time she had questioned what it was that she shared with the wolf beside her now, even so she suddenly desired more.