To Ataneq, it was an unusual relationship that he shared with Eponine. To the rest of the pack, it was a very strong friendship. Ataneq had never experienced such a friendship, one that instilled a dominance that he had never used on someone aside from brothers. That wasn’t the only thing, though. There was something deep within—he labeled it a monster, as its actions were unknown—and it constituted his actions regardless of place or person.

It was the power within him that controlled the monster, or did its best regardless of its strength. Ataneq felt like he was enraptured by her, completely possessive over her mind and body. The last two nights he had slept close to her, regarding her closely and watching her. She would remain in close distance to him just as he would follow her if he felt necessary. When she had woken that morning, Ataneq had already awoken and was watching her (like a creeper, perhaps) and he greeted her warmly, as a friend would. The two then set out on what likely would be an adventure, one that he looked forward to sharing with her.

They had spent the entirety of the morning heading East towards the Grove. It had thus far been his far location aside from the Glen and he wished for her to see this. It was a safe place, a beautiful place one that he hoped that she would take joy in being. From the time he had come here with Fiora he had begun to think that this would be a good place for his mother’s pack. Perhaps it might be when the time came but for now, he simply wanted to see her happiness.

As usual, he followed behind her—watching the movements around them and careful of where they traveled to avoid unfriendlies (though he doubted they would find any around here).

Ataneq was just as curious about their friendship as she was. He was not familiar with friendship and the only friend he had acquired since his arrival here had been Lucero, whom he didn’t see as often as he might like. Although he doubted that Lucy would have ever made him feel that alive given her lighter disposition. Upon reaching the Grove he felt the breeze whip against his jet black fur, threatening to push his ears back against his skull in all its strength. The Grove was a pretty place, one in which slightly reminded him of Fiora—of whom he was thankful to have met even though they seemed to both have some social issues. But now, with Po, this was going to be his gift to her. He wanted her to see the beauty that this land had to offer her. Ataneq wanted her to be happy here.

Her awe spoke for itself, as she explained that this place was magnificent and it was. To him it always felt like the very ground itself vibrated beneath them like he was feeling the earth grow. Though he had absolutely no intent of making chase or hunting, he spotted a herd of deer frolicking in the meadow just about ahead. It would seem that they had not seen the two wolves as of yet nor scented, so they were perfectly at peace grazing within the grove. “Explore,” he whispered to her ear as he waited for her to continue her walk. Ataneq wanted her to taste the land that they had encroached upon and perhaps find a place that the two of them could lay eventually.

Ataneq watched her with intent, not once moving away to go anywhere else that he might lose her from his sight. He was going to protect her from everything, regardless of whether she wanted it or not. From the moment that they had shared within the Glen just yesterday, he could not stand the thought of anyone even touching her. Po was his responsibility, and he would be a fool to let anybody take that away from him. To him he felt a change in him. It was one that certainly had not been felt before under the care of his mother but he was amazed by her existence. By the way that she had immediately lay trust in him, joining his pack, and furthermore she saw the Monster in him and did not run or flee. But what did she see?

From the moment she turned to gaze at him, he looked into her. He saw something grand, something different but then there was a familiar face. She wished for to make a move, to do something but what? “What’s on your mind?” he answered finally, wanting to arouse the mystery in here so that he might know what it was she was thinking. Her mind seemed like a mysterious being and what more was there to wonder about when he didn’t understand why she was still here.

Ataneq was something different; he knew that there were certain things in his being that likely had not been seen here. Siku knew how strong her sons were, but did she see the possibility of what her eldest son might become?

Even though he had finally caught on that she might have wanted to go frolic within the meadow and let loose, he felt like he should avoid that sort of play. At least he would try to avoid it here while they were out in the open. The last thing he wanted was for someone to assume that he was attacking her, truly. He could not harm her or put her in danger, he was there to protect her—but could he protect her if eventually he turned out to be a true Monster?

Chartreuse eyes gazed upon him, seeping into his amber eyes and gazing into him. There was a weakness in him for her eyes, showering him with thoughtful innocence. She enjoyed being here with him? Ataneq didn’t truly understand. He wasn’t much, nor was he anything special. Atuaserk Tartok was and without a doubt would always be plain boy (through his eyes) and he likely would never be the way he figured everyone wanted him to be. So, how could she enjoy being with him when he was simply walking with her? He had brought her to this place because it was something he felt he could do to make her happy.

Silence illuminated the air as her tail brushed past him, moving along into the meadow and to a lush sheet of grass. The beautiful yearling sprawled herself out upon the grass, pushing her forelegs out in front of her—momentarily startling Ataneq has he recalled yesterday’s shenanigans—and then laid upon her belly while the sweet morning dew coated her underside. “Why?” he answered back finally, hoping to grasp some sort of answer that might leave him feeling somewhat satisfied and without questions. Meanwhile he decided to sit in front of her rather than lie down, perhaps simply wanting to keep his side of the conversation without getting too relaxed.

Their style of play was certainly very different from others that he had ‘played’ with, seeing as though she had completely changed how he acted in a split second. Something in the way she swayed her hips, egging him towards her—feeding into his desire for fight. To look at something so light and only feel darkness inside of him, it was a worrying thing but he needed to know why. Po had found something he himself had never seen within him and even if he did wish to see it again and understand it, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to hold control.

To make matters worse as he recalled the moment where he had gained control over her, she simply flopped upon her side revealing a decent amount of stomach to him. Immediately he closed his eyes, picturing something other than the underside of her belly. Ataneq need not think like the monster, he just wanted to have a conversation with Po—to know why she enjoyed his company so much when he was obviously a threat. Something about him grabbed her attention? That I’m a Monster? he thought angrily at himself, sustaining an irritated growl that threatened to escape his throat.

Then she mentioned enjoying the feelings that she got when she was with him. What sort of feelings were they? Fear? Perhaps Ataneq had been correct in assuming that that had been fear within her eyes as he had pinned her down previously, littering her with adrenaline and thus feeling the need to pursue. “You’d think that my close trail on you would answer that question,” he smirked then finding that his answer was substantial. It was obvious to him that he enjoyed spending time with her, she made him feel. Unfortunately, he didn’t really understand these feelings in the least and by being in her company he knew he would find out.