Secret Woodlands Fallen.

Silence on the border. The dark leader was letting go of himself, leaving things behind, letting his mind fragment away. Thoughts of Azariah were released onto the ice cold wind. For once he began to feel warm, Nina had been a pillar for him, and now it was time for him to do the same for the pack. For he had to be his strongest to prepared the pack for spring, when he knew Koda's challenge would come. If the dark male lost to him, would the pack be protected? would @Nina be protected? would he have more children only to leave again? Hollow didn't even know if he could withstand losing everything he had built in Koda's absence. It seemed that soon everything had to shift one way or another and the Nite male did not know what would happen, or what would become of him. Though he hoped desperately for the pack to be okay.

Snow had settled onto his shoulders and he sighed letting his anxiety leave for a moment, everything was fine, Hollow still ruled the pack with Nina, he had time to get everyone situated before spring. Plus they were not yet deathly starved, as long as winter eased it's grip soon as it should they would survived. a twinge of pride caught Hollow off guard, Bane and Ashton, along with Danica would all be yearlings soon. True wolves whom could either leave or stay, but they would be adults. Hollow grinned at the thought, if that was what being a father would be like, Hollow hoped one day he could feel it again. But his ultimate goal was achieved, Azariah was gone, where he did not know, but it not seem that she would ever return. Hollow was letting her go.

The winter was getting colder and colder, and Nina was beginning to worry for all the children. Surely their first winter in this world could have been much more pleasant than this one. It would seem as if this wouldn't be the case for them and Nina had been extra careful in making sure that all the pups got the right nutrients that they needed, it was what made her extremely happy sometimes that she could be both caretaker to her children and mother. She had been a caretaker for Mirren as well, his own Guardian since before he was born and he hadn't even known her then. None the less, it was taking its toll on Nina. She was getting older and she knew that in another year or so, she would have to give her position up to the next in line, hopefully by then. She was moving slowly towards the pack borders, her teeth clattering together wildly in the cold. She was quite sure she had never felt so cold in her life and it was certainly draining the energy from her.

As she neared the borders, the bitter wind blew a welcomed scent towards her, and slowly the scarred woman made her way towards Hollow, the newly healed scare across her forehead healed, but leaving a nasty mark in return. Moving to his side, which happened to guard her blind side, she shivered slightly and tried to enjoy his closeness, her body shivering and body quivering more which each wind that blew by. Trying to take a deep breath, she spoke to him, "I-...It's very co-cold out...why a-aren't you i-i-in the pack d-d-de-den." She cursed herself softly for stuttering out to him, but couldn't help herself with her teeth clattering together in the cold. Their bodies weren't touching, but she could sense his body warmth, but she had needed to clear her head and that was why she was out here. Now it was his turn to answer her question.

The cold was still bitter and the wind sliced through everything like a hot blade. It felt as though fire had sunged his ears numb and his paws were much the same. His thoughts had sorted themselves with the admission that Azariah was gone, it was very simple, Winter then spring. They needed to make it through the cold first and the only way to do that would be with two strong leaders. Not one whom couldn't keep his head, With that thought he felt he had finally straigtened everything out, and his other problems could be focused on. The pups would need feeding, the pack would need to eat as much as possible with the sparse food he had to work hard and neglect his beloved borders some to acheive this goal.

A scent drifted to him just as he heard Nina's voice, and her teeth chattering loudly in the cold. "Clearing my head." as he spoke his words came in a cloud of white smoke. It was then that he realized how cold Nina must be for the chill was beginning to tear back into his body causing small vibrations to start from his legs and travel up. "Come, back into the trees, we must find somewhere warmer to t-talk." he said, chattering his own last word as he rose. The movement caused a great wind to suddenly freeze him to the bone.

With that, Hollow began to pres against Nina in attempt to make her move. Once again a tingling sensation was brought about by feeling her next to him, but it was ignored, It was cold and he could share his body heat with her for their short journey to a small cluster of dead trees he had only just spotted. If anything it would provide warmth.

She shivered next to him in silence, not daring to speak again in her stuttering voice as he replied. She was much smaller than him and not made up of as much body fat and muscle as he was, so it was no surprise to the leader that trembling hadn't come to him yet. She did not complain though and sat next to him as he spoke, moving shakily with him as he tried to move her to the confines of the shadows once more. The scarred woman did not mind the darkness and slowly followed him, enjoying the warm that caressed her and brought warmth to her heart, something only her children had been able to give her in the long time that Nina had been heartbroken. When they sat, Nina pressed her head against the Guardian's shoulder, her body still shaking and trembling in the bitter cold. Everything was turning out much worse than she had originally planned and with the return of her former mate, she felt the coldness grip at her heart, the warmth she had obtained with Hollow's closeness long gone in the thoughts that occurred to her.

Her breathing was labored and slow, but with each exhale a little cloud of white would puff in front of her muzzle. The two companions sat next to one another providing what warmth they could until Nina spoke up, willing her voice to stay strong, "Hollow...am I being unfaithful..? Denying Koda?" Her question was actually about herself, needing to know that she was good enough and doing the right thing. Never had she asked such a question to any of her pack members but commonly asked such questions in her head. Am I doing the right thing? Am I good enough? Am I worthless? Nina was a mystery to all of them and she held all of their darkest secrets close to her heart. Only Koda had ever gotten so near and now her heart was surrounded by the thorns of the thicket. Now was the first time she had asked such a question out loud since her brother had attacked her those two years ago.

His mind caught fire when she asked. When Nina asked help of him, it seemed she had problems so major that they made his seem pale and insignificant. But Hollow felt as though the answer to this was double sided. On one side he had been her mate, and if she wished to keep that, it would mean she was being unfaithful. But in the same stretch, If he had wrecked her heart badly enough with his leaving then she wasn't being unfaithful. In truth it was almost impossible to answer. But Hollow knew that in his heart, after what had happened with Azariah leaving, he could never love her the same way again. As much as the dark male loved her, she had betrayed his heart.

"I think your heart knows the best answer to that Nina. Which means you already know whether or not he is still your mate. But you either have avoided the answer or don't want to know. All I know is that if Azariah were to come home right now I would be thrilled... But I know I could never see her the same way. If it helps any." Hollow was looking at her now, as if she had both her eyes, so un concerned by her lack of an eye. He had become almost oblivious of the fact that it was missing. His breath rolled out in clouds of white, but the trees had already helped to break up the wind enough to warm him and he tried to block what he could for Nina.

The woman took comfort in knowing that her friend was by her side and trying to block out anything that would have caused the older woman harm. Her cheek was pressed comfortably against his shoulder as she stared out at at the horrible land before her, covered in the white that she had not so happily embraced. Of all years that the woman had finally decided to have children, she couldn't believe that it had to be the year when they encountered the most horrid winter known by her. She was waiting patiently for her companion's response to her pleas, her heart heavy in her chest when he answered. His words brought a light smile upon her lips though. Parting them, she turned towards him, her single eye glittering in happiness that she had not found with Koda's return, ”Goodness, Hollow, you've been around me too much...you're starting to sound like me.” She butted his shoulder playfully before turning back to look into the thickets.

She knew what she had to do to finalize her decision with herself, but she didn't know how that would fare with her brother. She knew of his oath to their father, but their family also had a certain code. Never would she believe that Ash would do something to harm her ever again, they had come onto common grounds, especially with the knowledge that their father had lied to her brother. She wouldn't be able to keep her protection if another member of the Hervok family was sent for her though and bit her lip. She knew that the only wolf that knew about this stupid curse was Koda, never had she mentioned it to anyone else. She could try to play it off, but she knew that he would only cause suspicion with her choice and that was something that Nina wished not to cause within her pack. So taking another deep breath, she spoke, ”I suppose it is time to retire his name then...no? No longer will I be known as Nina Reinier.” She took a glance towards him, wondering how he was going to take this new information.

Silence surrounded them for a few short moments before Nina's voice met his ears, her eye was shining and her lips parted in a small smile. Hollow felt himself warm substantially at it, when she told him he sounded like her. It was true the dark male spent a lot of time around Nina, but he had never found her speech strange as so many others had. But then maybe that was why it wasn't a far stretch for him to sound like the she wolf he lead beside. A smile played upon his own facade as he replied, "Well Nina, there are worse wolves to sound like."He felt her connect with his shoulder and another shot of electricity went down his spine. Hollow shuddered a little and focused once more as her head turned away to stare into the thickets.

She seemed deep in thought for long moments and Hollow began to wonder what it was she was thinking of, for if she renounced Koda as a mate, Hollow truly did not know what any of it would mean... would that make him her mate? Would he want that? Why would he not want that? Would another male challenge him? There were so many questions, and every single one of them surfaced as the words left her lips. A glance in his direction sent an odd spike down his spine, almost as if he wanted to hear that. But Hollow kept himself stable, and instead of falling to pieces in confusion he simply asked her "So what will you do now Nina?" His face was calm and solid, but if she could see underneath, the dark male shuddered at the thought.

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

She found herself thankful that Hollow was beside her and shielding the wind for her, no doubt freezing his ass off beside her. Pressing her body closer to his for her comfort as much as his, she couldn't help the sly smile that settled upon her lips at his words. They had been spending plenty of time together and Nina found herself enjoying this time. She felt like she didn't have to worry anymore with him beside her, he had been her guiding light ever since Koda had left her, and that didn't seem to be changing now that he had returned. The Reinier deserved what was coming to him, even if it was against Nina's morals. She did not appreciate being left in the dust and being lied to about his whereabouts. Hanging her head close to Hollow's shoulder once more, her ears pricked up with his voice, voicing a question that the golden-hued woman had always loathed.

Looking up into his face, she shook her head and spoke in soft tones, ”I'd rather not think about that right now...one step at a time...remember?” She shifted uncomfortably then, her single eye staring into the snowy thickets. Seeing but not seeing at the same time, it gave her an almost offish look. Snapping out of her daze and clinging onto the hope that Hollow hadn't seen her slip out of mind for those few moments, she tilted her head and inhaled, the familiar scent of carcass teasing her nostrils. Coming to a quick stand, she nudged Hollow to his paws quickly, her ears flicking forward as she spoke, ”For now, we should eat though. Come, my dear.” She spoke in clear tones and stayed next to him, trying to ignore the pleasing thoughts she had at what she had just called him. She had not had anything that was hers since her pups had been born...and even then something of hers had been stolen from her. Perhaps now fate was giving her a fair trade. A handsome son for a burly knight.

Nina leaned into the dark male, and he into her, his head rested on hers. Hollow felt right now, with Nina by his side like this, as though they had gone from young wild male saved by a regal lady, to so much more. He felt in his heart that things were swaying in that direction anyways, and honestly betrayals all slipped from his mind as he enjoyed the feel of her pressed against him. Hollow inhaled Nina's scent and said nothing while she answered him but he made a noise of acknowledgement deep in his chest. The deep rumble faded away as the she wolf next to him seemed to drift away for a moment and the dark male was caught off guard. When the scent crossed her it hit him as well and he moved in tandem as he felt her stir.

Hollow strode with Nina at first in silence then just before they reached the carcass, he brushed his muzzle across hers. When he withdrew his head he spoke in her ear. "You first, miss Nina." His eyes held a teasing glow in them for her, trying to loosen her mood. Hopefully it would work, meanwhile Hollow let her eat her fill before gorging himself on the carcass as well. It wasn't the best meal but it was the best he'd had in a while, as he cleaned the blood from his paws and muzzle the dark male paused to say her once. "Something is still on your mind Nina, I can tell." He finished cleaning his paws and stared intently at her, waiting for the she wolf to respond, Nina should know him well enough to see that he payed attention to everything, Hollow was a protector of every threat, inner and outer to everyone who so needed it, as long as he could.