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.