Secluded Spring knock on the sky

Ever knocked on the sky and had it fall on your head?

He was going insane. He was not sure how many times the sun had fallen since he'd seen her, but he was getting desperate. He needed to see her, to make sure she was okay. See if she hadn't forgotten him, and if she was enjoying her new home. There was no word that they were south, he knew they could not be west, and so north he marched. He marched, and he marched for hell or high water would not stop him. Recounting her face over, and over he kept it there to remind him, to push him onward. He missed her eletric blue eyes, and wild mane. He missed her playful laugh, and impish grin. The way she had him stalling in thought, and guessing what was to come. He missed her, he was certain there was a part of his soul hurting it brought a huge ache, a huge hole only she could fill in his chest. They had to be somewhere, and he was not going back to Swift River until he did.

Where did he start looking? The woods. It was the furthest out of unclaimed territory, and his intuition seemed to tell him he was so very close he was only missing them by miles. This time, with great swiftness, and purpose he made his coarse along the mountain not to miss them. He was so emotionally exhausted he didn't feel the cruel pricks of the thistles, and thorns nor rough branches of the trees. He pushed on with a determination the boy in him had ever known to find Volkan.

His route a flexuous thing, he meandered letting his nostrils twitch at ever step, every breath deep for a trace of Volkan, Ruiko, or Kinis. Sometimes he would pause just to strain his ears for sound, a voice, a whisper of whom he missed. In the cold of winter, he became hot from his search if wolves could sweat he would have been soaked to the bone. He had to press away the what ifs, he didn't care what Rhysis had said any more. So he had told himself time, after time. It would only be Volkan who could change his mind. Maybe she had some new friends, maybe she had found someone better. Distance could make love go weak, or stronger. Hopefully he would soon learn which.

Slowly his march became a slow swagger, and the scent of water teased him to find it. He had come a distance, and decided a drink could not hurt. It wouldn't do him any good to meet her in a state of weariness. A snort merely to himself, and his weak body he bent from the rough foliage, and worked his way to the clear water. It was perfect among the woods, yet at the same time like someone had put it there, where it did not belong. He cocked his head, entranced by the ice, and snow. Even more puzzled by how it remained. He slowly made his way to the running part of it, and sipped in the brisk liquid. It tasted better than anything he had tasted. He stopped before he was content, not wanting to give himself a gut ache. Now, he just felt so...alone. It was too quiet here making him feel apart from the world. Slowly he tipped back his back head, and sang a sad song of wanting.

are you with me through it all?

in case you want some background ♫. :] and sorry this took so long <3
<blockquote>A wave of excitement washed over her, leaving her heart beating fast. After only a moment of realization, a wide smile spread across her ashen face, and she was off.

Swiftly her colorless paws carried her through the dark, silent forest. As a bright silver moon bore down through the trees from overhead, the wolf walked, then bounded, then galloped through the regal pines to a location, following what she knew was the unmistakeable pull of her heart. Once a foreigner to these woods, she had now become one with them, a spirit of the night moving amongst the trees. She knew his voice with every fiber of her memory, had heard his imaginary call before in the reaches of her daydreams. Yet there was nothing foggy about this— he was here, he had come to see her, and so she would go to meet him, passing through shafts of white moonlight, vanishing like smoke into the darkness.

Down below her spot on a wooded ridge, Triell stood by the still water, a rugged, sinewed shadow refleted in the mirror that was the Secluded Spring. In plain sight, he couldn't have been worse camouflaged against the bright white of the snow. In the seclusion of her outpost, Volkan watched him, white-hot eyes narrowing as she took his scent from the gentle breeze that ruffled her fur. Fortunately, or at least she hoped, he wouldn't see the involuntary dance of her paws as she suppressed a squeal in celebration of his presence. After a moment, she regained her composure. And so, the gray wolf made herself visible, stepping out of the trees. Her slender form parted the tall grass on the gentle slope down the ridge, at first slowly. But it was too much to contain, and she found herself leaping down the hill, stopping only wolf-lengths away, chest heaving as she finally met him face-to-face.

Beaming, she laughed, almost incredulous that they had found one another. And, in true Volkan fashion, she sprinted forward, determined to tackle him in whatever way she could.</blockquote>
relevant.

(This post was last modified: Mar 15, 2012, 07:53 AM by Volkan.)

<div style="align: center; margin: 0 auto; width: 79px; height: 15px;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/tygerlily/crc_pride_1.png"></div>

<i>xD that had me giggling. It just fits her. </i>

Why do they think I never change, they're the ones that stay the same.

He carried his song letting it raise in strength and it was a somber thing, but seemed to match the surrounding wood. The wolf sang until he needed to take in a longer breath. His song would fade to nothing, and he would be stuck the silence threatning him. His shoulders hanging in disarray. He didn't much care what he looked like, or if anyone answered him. There was only one soul who could cheer him up. A muttering breath of torment, he shifted his weight forcing his front paws to hold him, and his eyelids drooped. Numb he was to the outgoings of the world, uncertain how long he would sit, and pretend she was coming at all.

He about was to toss his hope out of the equation, curse himself for letting it get so high. There was something moving, and one of his dark ears shot up. His heart hammered hard against his rib cage, ready to jump out. Quickly his eyes shifted along the stripes of light, and dark wondering who dare disturb him. Even his eyes adjusted to the dark could not quite make out the dancing silhouette. He came to think it was merely the top of a tree bending in the breeze. He could not pull his eyes from the spot. Then there was a figure, one of silvery color. Unbelievably it really was her. The young man blinked in his disbelief. His eyes could be trying to be nice, but only playing a cruel trick on him.

Slowly at first she carried herself through the lengthy obstacles of what was left of the summer grass. Triell blinked, torn to meet the illusion or wait to see how real she was. He did not have too. She glided onward, and became real right before his eyes. A grin sprouted on his muzzle, and his tail beat most fiercely behind his haunches, stirring up the powered sugar of snow. At the same time a gentle whine tugged at his vocal chords as if ripped from his hard. He could not move, he couldn't remember how.

She smiled, and he was greeted with the sweet sound of her laugh. Then all he became aware of was her crushing into him, and he was not sitting any more. No, he was on his back, and in heaven for all he cared.

He chuckled a nervous, and happy rumble in his large chest. He could care less she had the best of him now, and nudged his muzzle against her silver neck. He savored recalling her scent, and her contact. She could chew him to bits, and he would not feel pain.

"I missed you," he half growled, half murmured. Carefully, though quickly his jaws playfully tried to grab a part of her. He instantly let go, and licked her cheek. "How is life?" He asked, not being able to manage a straight face. He was grinning like an idiot.

are you with me through it all?

Sorry for the wait <3
<blockquote>Triell didn't even try to evade her. Before she knew it, Volkan found herself pinning him to the cold ground, laughter or something else sucking the breath out of her. In that moment she felt the inexplicable urge to wrestle around with him, wanted him to fight against her weight— but he just lay there, and that was okay, too. As he laughed, she could feel his chest rise and fall beneath hers, and she took a shameless moment to bury her face in the dark, soft fur of his shoulder. "It's good, it's great— I missed you too!" she responded softly through her laughter, allowing him to nip her and lick her cheek, and returning the gesture as she rolled sideways off of him.

Laying to the right of him, her own back cradled by the cold snow, she gazed briefly up at the sky before turning her head sideways to take him in again. This felt like a dream; she had certainly had dreams exactly like this one. A deep sigh filled her lungs as her tail swept the snow from the ground. The silver wolf stretched lazily, feeling for once that everything was right with the world, as long as he was here. In this moment, she realized that somehow she had never had a friend like him before, had never met someone who made her feel so content, so happy and peaceful. The way he made her feel like a puppy was indescribable, yet Volkan had come to associate happiness with the dark male. Despite the distance, time (and, unbeknownst to her, the threat of Rhysis) against them, she felt as though nothing had changed...

Another sigh. The air was cold, yet she felt so warm with him near. For some reason she wanted to scoot over closer to him, but she suppressed that urge for now. "How're you? It's been forever since I last saw you..." Not to mention that when they'd seen each other last, they hadn't been able to say goodbye. Even though she knew she couldn't have changed the way she, Ruiko, and Kinis had set off that day with Aeylen, she remembered feeling like she'd been ripped away from the River wolves, namely Triell. She had dreaded that day for months. Infinitely glad that that time was over now, she relished in his presence, forbidding herself to imagine the moment when he would have to leave her again. As a gentle breeze rustled the two wolves' fur, she noticed how much he'd grown; he was the same size, but something in his face seemed older, wiser, more like a man and less like the boy she knew. As she lay there watching him, she wondered just what it was he could've been through, and silently hoped to herself that no harm had come to him or to his pack since they'd been separated...</blockquote>

(This post was last modified: Mar 26, 2012, 04:03 PM by Volkan.)

<div style="align: center; margin: 0 auto; width: 79px; height: 15px;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/tygerlily/crc_pride_1.png"></div>

Why do they think I never change, they're the ones that stay the same.

He could die happy, curled back in the snow, only aware of her touch, and the melody of beautiful laughter. Part of him wondered if he could possibly be dying, and this was what happened. It was to real, her frame pressed up against him. How could he put up a pretend fight when he'd missed her so much? He draped his head partly over hers she rested herself against his chest. He hummed, his laughter a close rumble in his rib cage. His ears were quick to lift at the tone of her voice, and his eyes opened meeting her electric blue he loved. If he had a favorite color it would be the color of her eyes. He continued to smile, and planted another lick to her leathery nose. There was no doubt if she had been going with anyone but Ruiko, and Kinis he would not have let her go. It was still comforting to her she was alright, safe and sound with his brothers. He did miss them too, and had never wanted their unhappiness. It made him feel less guilty for stealing her away --temporarily. He couldn't deny how much he'd like to keep her too himself.

His dark brows creased becoming bewildered, and saddened when she separated herself. She did not go far, and his tail swept somewhere beneath his spayled legs. It was nice to have her next to him, but he scooted closer, not quite cradling her against him.

She looked to the sky he did too, faintly tracing his eyes along the swirly patterns, and lines they could make if connected. He tried not to let his bright eyes linger to hers when she sighed in what sounded like something of being content. He kept his eyes trained on the dark indigo that looked like some mysterious lake he would not mind stepping into. He could not suppress his need to peer at her long, and titled his head to stare into blue pools of her eyes. He could easily want to say something taunting, or smart. Nothing came to mind, nothing to tease her with. Something else did, he would not let those words be spoken. Then he did not have to speak, she beat him to it.

He had to pull his eyes away from her, focusing upward. All he needed to do was creep her out now, and stare like some mindless idiot. It was his turn to take a long breath, pulling it in until he could not. Slowly he let it go with a quiet blink of his eyes."I'm..alright. he managed to answer, the lightest of grins touching on the edge of his lips. He could be a lot worse, but blubbery on about how much he had missed her didn't seem a smart move. They belonged to two different packs, but he couldn't' shake how they also belonged together. Those were just his rambling thoughts that tortured him day by day. Before there was to great a pause, he made his grin keep steady on his face, saying,"Swift River is doing well. We've had countless number of loners I'm ready to chase off on first sight," his breath came out in a huff with a mixed growl of his irritation. Letting it out to hear made him feel ten times better, and the feeling was gone. He could not feel miserable and annoyed in her presence. He actually dared to give her one more nuzzle, reveled in the closeness of her before pulling back. He was probably going overboard, and acting like some huge, hungry, black cat asking for it's food. He partial smirked, not sure how far he was from the definition. But what he craved was nothing more than her attention.

Shifting himself he stared skywards,"How are my brothers doing?" He casually asked, though he was eager to hear this answer too. If he did not know Volkan he would have only missed them, and probably would have went enough to go to the pack borders. Right now the idea of sparring or hunting with him was very appealing. That was not how it was. "So, since your all not River wolves, if you don't mind me asking, what are you now? Where has Ruiko tucked you all away?"

(This post was last modified: Jul 17, 2013, 05:44 PM by Triell.)

are you with me through it all?

<blockquote><i>Alright,</i> Volkan repeated inwardly with curiosity as the word fell from her dark friend's lips. She'd wanted him to be better than just <i>alright</i>, but she supposed it'd have to do. Silently she stared upward at the clear, starry sky, watching the faint points glisten as he went on about loners and borders. At this she nodded slightly. Of course the most obvious intruder of both Copper Rock Creek and her thoughts came to mind, but she quickly forced her thoughts in a different direction— careful, just in case, not to look in Triell's direction lest he notice the twinge of discomfort that wrought her face. This, tonight, wasn't a time to worry about anything. As long as she had the handsome Tainn anywhere near her, but preferably by her side, she would be safe. Here beneath the stars, in the peace of the chill night, she welcomed the serenity only he could bring her, relinquished it as though it was fleeting.

Somehow she was startled as a foreign yet very welcome nudge came her way, Triell's large head coming ever so close to hers. The girl in her fought to suppress a giggle, and she craned her neck upward to welcome his gesture with a cool demeanor that surprised even her. As his nose came in contact with her neck she felt a shiver race down her spine, only to be left speechless when he pulled away, and just started talking again like it had been nothing. At this she couldn't help but laugh at the clear, undeniable feeling he'd just inexplicably given her, and even more so at the fact that neither of them was going to say anything about it. Whatever it was, him and her, she didn't know— but if it was up to her, she wasn't going to let it go for anything, no matter how many miles of Relic Lore lay between them. Her dusty ear that was nearest him twitching slightly, she settled into her spot in the snow, feeling her body relax as he asked his questions.

"So far so good, I guess," she answered truthfully with a small sigh. Not everything was perfect. But that was to be expected, right? Briefly she risked a glance at him as she collected her thoughts. Starlight gleamed in his night-black fur, the silhouette of his face carving a shadow against the snowy backdrop of woods behind him. When she became aware of the humble smile that had crossed her face, she looked back to the inky sky again. "Ruiko seems great, he's really cut out for this leader thing," she began. "He and Aeylen work well together— I dunno where she came from, but... I think she was a good pick for him." A flash of the female leader's regal face came into her mind; Volkan would never forget how Aeylen, of all wolves, would be the first— and so far only— wolf to know her story.

"And Kinis, I think he likes it here, too. We came North so far, it felt like, away from you guys down at the River, but it really feels like home now," Volkan added simply. She wasn't sure how that news would find him, but she hoped he could be happy for them. After all, despite the seemingly countless scores of odd and dangerous loners crossing the borders, things had been going smoothly. No deaths, not a lot of drama... <i>yet</i>, she thought inwardly, aware that the time for her to challenge her way up to Second was drawing near.

After a brief second of silence, she remembered the last thing that Triell had asked. With a grin, she turned her head sideways to look at him, the cold snow toughing her rugged cheek. "Copper Rock Creek," she said, even enjoying the way the name sounded in her voice. "What do ya think?"</blockquote>

<div style="align: center; margin: 0 auto; width: 79px; height: 15px;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/tygerlily/crc_pride_1.png"></div>

Don't worry 'bout it.

He thought she might pick apart his answer, but she didn't. It was one of the things he liked about so much about her. She let him speak, not trying to pull any more than what he shared. It was good to give the subtle answers she could understand. He could always be better, but bringing up their homes, and if they should trade was a rode he didn't want to do...not again. They had made peace, and it's how it should stay. He was letting his eyes wander seeing the tiniest of stars he didn't notice her change of face. Sooner or later, he might break into the subject that would bring it back. For now he spoke, and he carefully watched her reactions, again happy she didn't prod further. His life was relatively boring, and there weren't any significant stories to tell. Though he did want Volkan to meet Ice. He'd love to see what they thought about each other. Briefly he made a mental note to tell his friend he'd found them.

Her laugh from his touch surprised him, unexpected if he'd simply tickled her or it was something else. His body froze, questioning eyes lingering to her pale blue. He merely let it be a simple question he would pondering about later.It was undeniable wonderful just to see her not flinch or tear herself away from his touch. He tried not to dwell to much on it. He'd miss her that much more when it was time to say goodbye.

The edge of his triangle points flipped outward to better hear her. What she said, and the small sigh had his dark brows presed, and his lips still. "That good hmm?"He gently asked, with a wry grin thinking there was something he was missing. He touched his nose to his encouraging her to continue. She wasn't ready to open up, or if it was merely the bad days he had had he understood there wasn't much to tell. He settled himself, trying once more not to stroke his muzzle against her neck. She looked absorbed in whatever was occuring behind her silver mask, and he rather not distracct her. He found it easier to be still she talked of Ruiko, and Aeylen. He was most glad to hear how well of pair they were, and Ruiko was doing well in his new pack. The leadership thign did not surprise him. Ruiko, and Indru had always meant to be hadn't they? He chuckled, "Anyone who loves him, and stick with him sounds good to me," he smiled recalling the lady. He doubted he would really get to know her. He'd be lucky to stay in contact with Volkan, hopefully Kinis, and he did want to try to casually visit Ruiko, and Aeylen. He did love being an Uncle, and would like to see their children. He just hoped everything went well.

Triell was assured Kinis should be happy. He had alawys found his place with Ruiko as Triell had Indy. Still, to hear the fondness for their home made it easier to live with his own choice. He became curious where specificly it was, what had drawn Ruiko to claim it. He'd kinda thought about what he would like if he had to choose a place. Swift River was always in his head, other than Bramble Falls. The falls were more of an escape, a hide away for alone time. The Tainn doubted he'd have to wander off to be his own Leader. "I'm glad you all found a place, that's what I was worried about," he confessed because he had no idea if there would be somewhere good enough for them. Apparently there was, and they deserved it.

Then she spoke what he had been most wondering. Copper Rock Creek. It did have a nice ring to it, though it was longer than most. It fit Ruiko, and the static colored girl. "I like it, it suits you guys," he licked at the snow particals around her cheek. He smirked, pulling back, "Is calling you a Rock wolf an insult though? I don't know if I could call you Copper," he playfully spoke knowing Rock wolf fit Ruiko. After a passing few seconds he wiggled himself closer to her. "I'm so glad I found you," he delicately whispered into her ear, and he comfortable rested his cheek against hers. He could have fell asleep there if it wasn't for the snow, actually no scratch that. The snow didn't matter. Something had clicked in his head, someone else who'd been looking for her. He jerked his head up, "Oh, I..probably shouldn't ask, but has your brother found you?" He had no idea what horror he might invoke.

are you with me through it all?

finally! <3
<blockquote><i>"I like it, it suits you guys,"</i> Triell said, and she took the lick to her cheek with a silly smile, repeating the name in her head. <i>Copper Rock Creek...</i> it did fit the pack, she supposed, in some way she couldn't explain. Well, it fit the territory, that was for sure, and they'd been lucky to find it. It was Ruiko's keen eye that had drawn them there, though they had seemingly travelled aimlessly northward. And somehow with its copper-colored rocks and the pristine ebb of the Creek, it seemed like a unique enough place to match its inhabitants. As though Ruiko was the brave wind guiding them forward, Aeylen was the noble forest, Kinis was the meek, copper-colored rocks, and Volkan herself was the winding, unpredictable creek. Or maybe Ruiko was the rock, for he really was the one who held them all together, though each wolf did his part. Triell had commented on how he was glad they'd found somewhere, and Volkan nodded with a small sigh, glad they had too, and laughed at his question.

"Haha, I'm a Creek wolf!" she corrected, laughter still ringing like a bell in the air. Yet her words came as somewhat of a painful truth that pinched her as soon as she said it. It really illustrated the distance between the two of them, didn't it? She, a Creek wolf. Him, a River wolf. The Creek had branched off from the River, somewhere far away... yet Triell was here now, and Volkan couldn't stop smiling. She let her eyes slip shut as soon as she felt him sidling up to her, his familiar scent overwhelming her, comforting her. How had she gone so long without seeing him? How could she do it again when he left? Unable to imagine, and not caring as long as she had him here, she let him touch his cheek to hers, listening to his soft-spoken words. Wanting to be closer, she lay her head on his dark-furred shoulder, nuzzling his neck silently, breathing him in. At that moment, she knew. "I knew you would," she responded gently, though her phrase held the sentiment of a very different set of words.

<i>"Oh, I..probably shouldn't ask, but has your brother found you?"</i>

The words hit her like a slap in the face. Sharply she pulled back from him, icy eyes burning with a shocked coldness as her heart sank and her stomach began to turn. Her form had become rigid, frozen in place in the snow, as her instinct told her to get up, run somewhere, get <i>away</i> from here— and logic told her to stay, to turn to him for comfort. So she was stuck, laying there, staring at him incredulously. And then her heart kicked in, warning her sympathetically that <i>this isn't fair to him</i> and <i>you can't run away...</i> and it was true. Finally her eyes closed, and Volkan let out a defeated sob, flopping back down into the snow. She couldn't bring herself to look at Triell again.

An utter storm of questions beat at the confines of her brain. How in the fuck did Triell know about <i>him</i>? What, did <i>everyone</i> know now? Had someone from the Creek gone and told Indru? Or— had the River wolves run into him, too? Had <i>he</i> tracked her there, had he just missed her— had she been in danger that whole time? Or worse— had <i>he</i> met Triell himself? Slowly, she shook her head, more to calm herself down than to give Triell the answer he wanted. She knew it now more than ever before, and yet somehow, she'd never imagined having to tell <i>him</i>. How could she tell him? He'd hate her for putting his pack in danger, for keeping something like this from him through everything...

"Triell—?!" she pleaded weakly at last, though for what, she would never be sure. An explanation? Help? Breathless, she turned her gaze on him at last, ghostly eyes searching his familiar face for an answer...</blockquote>

(This post was last modified: Apr 19, 2012, 11:39 PM by Volkan.)

<div style="align: center; margin: 0 auto; width: 79px; height: 15px;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/tygerlily/crc_pride_1.png"></div>

Why do they think I never change, they're the ones that stay the same.

He loved each grin and smile she gave him. It made up for all the ones he missed. Her laugh easily washed away all his fears,doubts, and conflictions. He smirked at her answer, "Mighty Creek wolves huh,"he teased easily, wanting to say something smart about rivers being bigger than creeks. He decided not to go there, and chuckled to himself. A creek wolf they would be. All at once he felt tired, and wide awake. Like he could easily play, and talk the rest of the night or fall asleep in her close company. He had no want to leave, and half of him cursed himself. How would he ever make it back to Swift River? His loyalties ran deep, and he would remind himself there would be no goodbye where a hello would not be said again.

His nose widened, pulling her scent in, and letting it linger. He was tremendously pleased when she pressed herself closer, a quiet rumble in his chest sounded by her gentle strokes. Wolves could not pur, but if it was possible he would have being so content. He all forget about anything beyond them. Did the rest of the world have to exist any way? "Of coarse," he murmured back, not sure if he should tell her how much more grumpy he was without her company. Right then his head was raised, and waiting to see if Rhysis had found her. There was something about meeting that wolf that had bothered him. He could not place what it was, it must be something instinctual, deep within him telling of the wrong. It was in her action to the question he would see what his words had done.

She moved like he had struck her, and her eyes were nothing warm nor playful. He could feel so close now how each muscle was strung in stiffened knots. His once light of happiness to his own fiery gaze would die, and worry would crinkle his dark mask. "Volkan?" He would ask with furrowed brows, their eyes locking, but sh seemed far away. What she would do next, would all but break his heart. He'd never heard nor seen a tear from her, and tried to coax her back to him. He'd offer a warm lick to her check, trying to snuggle closer. He didn't have to ask what was wrong, it just was.Why was the real question, why was she not thrilled to hear such news. His concern was comforting her, making her know she was safe.

"I'm here," he answered in a strong tone of his deep voice, when she finally looked at him again. "And I always will be..I love you, Volkan." He swept his dark nose against her silver cheeks. He slowly pulled his face from hers, his expression sad, but there was something fierce in his eyes. "You don't want to see him again....do you?" He tried to keep his tone level, but this news was hitting him in the face. He'd always thought it was odd Rhysis had not wanted to see her again, or give word he was looking for her. He could not imagine what had transpired through the siblings, but whatever it was must have been horrible. To see her vulnerable, afraid made his blood boil far more than Ruiko nor Marsh had. What had Rhysis done? "I won't let him hurt you....you know that...right?" His voice became weak, if only because how vulnerable he felt to her just then....open with his heart.

(This post was last modified: May 20, 2012, 03:17 AM by Triell.)

are you with me through it all?

<blockquote>She was lost in the vision of his dark face, unable to do anything but stare. The world around them seemed to drop away, leaving them suspended in dark nothingness, illuminated by the pale light of the stars and the moon. As soon as he spoke those words, Volkan three forced her eyes shut, thrusting her face into the depths between his neck and his shoulder, relinquishing the darkness and the comfort of his scent, breathing in what she swore could be his soul. Here, now, he had confirmed what her heart screamed to be the truth: Triell didn't care, Triell was <i>here</i> for her. Momentarily, a weak yet sure smile crossed her silver lips, icy eyes opening to the darkness of his fur.

<i>"I won't let him hurt you....you know that...right?"</i>

Closing her eyes again, she nodded slowly, words just out of her reach. A heavy sigh escaped her, deflating her, and laying here next to him, it felt to her as though the ghosts that haunted her flew out with her breath. Like wisps of smoke, they flew away into the night, hovering somewhere over the snowy trees. They'd find her to torment her another day, but for the moment, this moment, she was safe. They couldn't touch her, not while Triell was around. It seemed like an eternity to her before she was able to speak. When she did, she pulled back, slowly nuzzling his maw with hers, giving him a tiny lick on the cheek before finding the comfort of his neck again.

"...I know..." she breathed at last, and it was the absolute truth. Volkan had many protectors now— and as strong as she'd once thought she was, she knew she needed them. The River wolves were perhaps still her allies. Aeylen had sworn to watch over her, and like a stern father, it seemed that Ruiko would always be watching over her. Even the Creek wolves, Kano and Nina, and the others. Standing the tallest of them all, though, Triell was the only one who could make her feel this utterly <i>safe</i>, happy no matter what hell threatened to break loose. Now she found herself lost in him, smiling serenely, bringing her face level with his to whisper in his ear.

"...I love you too, Triell."

If there was a battle, if Triell was hurt, or <i>worse</i>, at the jaws of her brother, it would be Volkan who forced the rat's last breath out of him. The Creek wolf knew that it could happen, as the threat of <i>him</i> loomed just out of her sights, lurking in the shadows behind every tree and mountain. Wherever he was, whoever he had on his side now, he was no match for Copper Rock Creek or the Tainn family. And he sure as hell was no match for Volkan and Triell.

In this moment, she felt she could see a million miles into the future. Triell, standing near some foreign shore with his thick, dark coat tugged by the breeze. Herself, beside him, watching a sunrise contentedly, heads bowed together against the wind. Briefly she told herself that she'd have to return to the Creek soon, and that Triell would need to leave, but... not yet. They had time still, even if only an hour lost together in the darkness of the night. And to Volkan, that would seem like forever in heaven. The waves of a dream kissed her paws as she fell silent, oblivious to her wakefulness leaving her— as in this moment, her dream the reality of his presence had become one.</blockquote>
Wrap up soon? I don't want to, but it's getting backdated :P

<div style="align: center; margin: 0 auto; width: 79px; height: 15px;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/tygerlily/crc_pride_1.png"></div>