Sex: FemaleThe day had been warm and sunny, a real sense of spring in the air, with flowers blooming and birds chirping everywhere. Now the sun was setting, and the sky above the Thicket of Secrets was colored a beautiful, deep carmine, fading into violet by the eastern horizon; though it was hard to see from below the heavy canopies. Leaves, still a fresh, spring green had covered the branches, which had been naked for so long, casting shadows over most of the Woodlands. The rust pelted shewolf was slightly saddened by this fact, as she still longed for the sun after the long, cold winter, but she knew that the shade would be a blessing come summer, when the power of the sun would be at its highest and the heat would begin to bother furry creatures. For now though, she longed to bask in the warm rays, but it was hard to find a sunlit spot within Secret Woodlands. She had spend most of the day in the small den that had become her main herb store, organizing the plants and furnishing with soft grasses and leaves to make a comfortable nest of sorts. There was a small pang in her heart at this process, as she knew this nest would not be used for what young female wolves usually build these beds for in spring. Surely, the expecting mothers of the Woodlands had made their own nest, but since there was room enough for a patient in the little cave, she'd figured she might as well prepare; Just in case. The work was nearly complete, so she was giving it the last push in order to finish today. That meant though, that she was out of stuff to do; In the last couple of days she had taken advantage of her newly healed leg, trotting all over the territory, getting a check on the herb stores and gathering what she could within the borders. She hadn't been outside of the territory since her return, and the thought of crossing the borders filled her with dread; What if I get lost again?! At the same time she knew the thought was silly, she knew the land, and now that summer was near, there were no freak snowstorms that could whisk her away. Eventually, she would have to leave, she couldn't do her duty without; And I also don't want to be cooped up in here forever! Even with the horrible experience she'd just been through, that thirst for adventure still lived in her heart. All this time recovering and doing simple tasks had also given her a lot of time to think, ever since her conversation with Nina she'd been contemplating, trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened while she was away. She still wasn't sure of it all, and she was beginning to think she would never be; At least until... Word count: 486 Thoughts ”Speech” |
It was a sunny day, one that was pleasantly warm. Not to mention, the guardian had had a quiet day at the borders so overall, it wasn't turning out to be too bad of a day. The gaurdian's mind though kept straying to the quickly healing Aideen. He had taken it upon himself to be her caregiver, though she had aided him in tending to her with whatever herbs she knew was best. He wanted nothing more than Aideen to recover fully, and it seemed that she had. Alot had happened, stuff that he hadn't been able to tell her much in detail when he had brought her home. Maybe someone had filled her in. During his brief check ups, he had noticed Nina's scent. He could only wonder what they had spoken about. Miccah found himself wanting to visit Aideen, since now that she was healing properly, he wasn't much by her side like he had once was. The dark man had even taken it upon himself to sleep in front of the entrance of her den so that not only he could lessen the worry in himself, but maybe the worry and fear in her own soul. He didnt want her to fear when she was in pack lands. His sole mission and life goal was to strive to keep the lands safe and the wolves who dwelled in it. Not being able to take the itchiness in his paws to visit her any longer, the man strayed from the borders. He rarely left them, for he felt it was wrong to do so and he enjoyed the constant solitude, but for now, he craved for a certain companion. Trailing her scent, it was no surprise he found her near the den she had converted to a storage den for her herbs and a sort of infirmary. Miccah looked at her, so deep in thought, wondering why he had not confessed to the strange feelings within him to the red coated healer. He wasn't neccesarily scared of her rejection, but what would happen if she did not give him the rejection and they moved to something more. Loving Aideen could prove to be more fatal than ever loving Ashanti had. Clearing the thoughts away, his intense blue gaze roamed her figure, glad to see with his own eyes once again, that she was doing well. He never wanted to see her so broken again. A soft growl was his only greeting as he ducked and slipped into the entrance of her safe haven and stood, looming before her, not wanting to startle her with a verbal greeting. speech”Speech” |
The sound of his heavy, yet quiet, footfalls in the leaves were so familiar to her, she didn't even stop in her work when she noticed it. A smile though found its way onto her face, despite everything she'd been through, she never found it difficult to smile when he was around her. As frustrated as she had been by her impairment, she had enjoyed having him near, tending to her with all the gentleness in his large form; now that she had become more mobile, their interactions had also become fewer, though she still made an effort to see him often; If only it could be all the time... She chuckled lightly at the silly thought, imagining herself following him around like some burr stuck in his gorgeous, ebony fur; Okay, so maybe not ALL the time. When he made his greeting she lifted her head, replying with a soft, happy sound, tail waving pleasantly behind her. He came into the den, and his massive silhouette almost blocked the late evening light from entering, casting shadow over her and the nest she'd been making. She didn't mind though, as the sudden closeness made warmth rise in her cheeks and a slightly flustered look crossed over her face. She gazed up into his indigo eyes, gathering courage and then stepping a little closer, breath catching. "It's good to see you." She said in a low voice, surprised at how well she controlled it despite the sudden rapid beating of her heart. Warmth gathered from a long day out in the sun radiated off his dark fur and the petite woman basked in it, letting out a small, happy sound. Oh she so longed to be out in the open, just for a short while, and yet the thought made her stomach clench; I gotta get over this! She looked back up at the burly man and instantly felt better, his presence, more than anything else in the Woodlands, promising safety. Copper eyes trailing along his arched shoulders and strong back, she gazed out into the Thicket, wondering if perhaps he would escort her on a trip off the land, but instantly feeling embarrassed at the thought; I should be able to handle myself! Still, without turning her eyes back from the forest outside, she heard herself saying: "I was just thinking of you..." Word count: 393 Thoughts ”Speech” |
Her posture radiated warmth as her tail wagged and she hummed happily as she greeted him. As she moved closer, it was almost like the den grew suddenly smaller, pushing them even closer together. At her verbal greeting, he couldn't help the small smile that curved the tip of his muzzle upwards. "The feeling is mutual," he responded softly in his deep baritone. Her copper eyes roamed over his figure and he wondered how it felt to live with your emotions displayed so openly. She spoke, and he listened, but really he was just watching her. Something always seemed to give her away. Either a twitch of her muzzle, or a crinkle of her brow or even the light in her eyes - whether it was warmth or a brewing storm of some kind. She was like an open field and that amazed him. Not that many wolves chose to be as open as Aideen. Not looking where she was staring, Miccah opened his maw and spoke. "And I you." His tone was smooth and clear, betraying nothing of his sudden erratic heartbeat and elation at her words. But the dark man didnt want to talk plesantries. He had come for one reason, but now that reason had changed. Confidently, he stepped even closer, almost caging the healer against his massive form. "What is troubling you?," he immediately questioned. Urgency nor demand were present in his tone, but worry. Worry that he only felt comfortable showing to the healer in front of him. She spent most of her time in the storage den and he wanted to know why. Of course she was a healer, but something was wrong. She wasn't doing it with her normal, easy joy but...with something else. An emotion he couldn't quite place. So she would tell him, because he wasn't favorable of the worried, protective emotions gnawing at his core. It was troubling. ”Speech” |
If there was one thing, and one thing only she could ever get to do in life, it would be making him smile. That smile, that was so rare to the guarded man, but showed all the light that lived within the dark form. She could do nothing but smile back, copper eyes drifting back to meet his deep blue's as he spoke, the usual deep rumble resonating in her bones. The words warmed her, though the sentiment in them might seem simple, she knew how much it meant coming from him. When he stepped closer to her, she felt a small jolt go through her in surprise, muscles tensing for a millisecond, before she relaxed back, relishing the closeness. Her nose filled with his scent, an almost intoxicating aroma, making her feel a little dizzy. The small lady blinked when his voice sounded again, the sudden vulnerability in his voice tugging at her heart strings. It was not an overhanging air, but rather a small tinge of worry that tainted his tone, but Aideen knew that for it to show through his carefully build up self control, it had to be strong. She felt an extreme urge to soothe him, to chase the anxiety from his mind and ease him n any way possible. This was a new feeling to her, usually she was the one to seek comfort in him, but it also made her feel closer to him somehow, more his equal than before. Still, she hesitated in answering him, the thoughts difficult to form into exact words; I might just end up worrying him even more... But she never even considered lying to him, she wouldn't be able to conceal her doubts, and she didn't want to. She was a very honest nature, and when it came to him, she wanted even more to be truthful. So she met his azure gaze and licked her lips lightly, trying a few times before words finally fell from her maw; "I've been thinking... About @Iopah and @Koda," She hesitated, eyes drifting back to the darkening forest outside; "I just feel... I don't know, unsure..?" She knew in her head what it was that made her uncertain, but it was difficult to explain it. She didn't want it to sound like she disrespected Nina or wanted to go against her, but at the same time she was confused, she felt like, well... "It doesn't seem fair." The bewildered girl finally relented, ears falling back in an almost embarrassed manner, but she couldn't deny these thoughts. Aideen was more concerned with right or wrong than she was with law, it was something that had often aggravated her older brother, when he tried to teach her. But she was a sensitive nature, prone to following her heart before abiding by rules set by others. Upon joining Secret Woodlands, she had pledged to follow the law set by Nina, and to a large extent she understood and respected it; Packs need laws to function... Yami had told her so, and she understood it. But he had also taught her of fairness, and this was something she felt more connected to than simple law, everyone should be treated equal, and after having been home for some weeks and reacquainting herself with the Woodlands and those who were left within its borders, she didn't feel like they had. With a small sigh and furrowed brows, the fox-colored she wolf looked back up at her dark knight, an apprehensive expression on her face; "I think... I'd like to talk to them, to hear their side of the story." She went silent, looking anxiously up at the ebony guardian, whom she had come to think of as home, more than she did the Thicket. Whom she had come to love. Word count: 634 Thoughts ”Speech” |
Her words made him confused, but he didn't show it. Miccah listened to her words. He could read her face so easily, and saw that she was genuinly troubled and confused. But why? She watched him, waiting for his words. He opened his maw, his deep baritone clear and smooth. "There is no story, Aideen," he stated. He stepped away from her, frustrated now. Was she actually on the side of the wolves who had betrayed them? But his countenance, like usual, betrayed nothing of his inner emotions. He was surprised that he was actually beginning to shut her out, bring back up his walls. It was needed though, for this conversation. The dark beast gazed down into her copper orbs, reading emotions he wasn't sure he was ready to reciprocate. Miccah turned his gaze away from her, not wanting his heart to weaken. Staring out at the entrance of the den, the guardian opened his maw. "Koda came to Nina, asking to breed with Iopah. Nina told him it was against pack law. They did anyway, and so they were rightfully labeled traitors." All that mattered was that they had betrayed the Woodlands and destroyed Nina in the proccess. His jaw clenched, showing a brief moment of the deep anger and frustration he felt before his features smoothed. His blue orbs were ice as he turned his gaze back to the woman he cared deeply for. "You werent here for the aftermath. Secret Woodlands had fallen. You were not here to see Nina crumble before your eyes because of the betrayal of her best friend and ex mate. May I remind you, the alpha who only thought of his needs and not the best for the pack. Koda left us in ruins and I had to pick up the pieces." And barely at that, he thought. It was good that Mirren had come back home. He would always do what was best for the pack. I long ago pledged my loyalty to Secret Woodlands and I will make sure this pack never crumbles again. If you wish to speak to them you will need to go to Nina or @Mirren for permission." The gaurdian didnt advise going behind his leaders back for her little trip. His hackles almost rised at the thought of her going off alone to seek Koda and Iopah, but he forced himself to calm. He wouldn't show how much her indecision was hurting him. It seemed, love would always wrong him. ”Speech” |
His bluntness was expected, and yet it made a small jolt go through the fiery woman's body. When he stepped back though, she felt truly ruined, ache in her heart as his expressive orbs turned cold, turning away from her warm gaze. He began explaining, the same story that she had heard from Nina, but the way he said it seemed to leave nothing up to interpretation; Rightfully labeled TRAITORS?! She was about to argue back, but the sight of his face tightening made her pause, he so rarely showed emotion, he had to be deeply troubled by this for his anger to show through. Holding her tongue, the petite dame watched with worry, wondering if maybe she'd gone too far; Could I have been wrong? Maybe... Suddenly his icy gaze found hers, and she felt her muscles tense, the freezing anger in his eyes seizing her heart. He wasn't exactly yelling when he continued, but his words were loud and harsh, and they shocked her deeply. He was right, she hadn't been there, she hadn't seen; But still... And that's when she got angry. His last insinuation made her snap back: "I never had any intention of leaving without word!" How could he even think that; After everything..! Fire was starting to burn in her chest, and the words started tumbling from her lips, a bright anger - that she, unlike him, didn't try to hide - glowing in her copper eyes; "How is it better for the pack that neither of the leaders breed? How is it selfish to be in love?!" She couldn't help but wonder, if the storm hadn't stolen her away this spring, if what she felt for the dark man had had time to bloom; What if it had been us..? Though now, as the temper she usually kept down so well flared up, she wasn't so sure. "You speak of Mirren with such loyalty and pride, Mirren, who left us when Koda kept him from taking leadership, to wander up north, god knows where! How is it treachery for Iopah, a longstanding, loyal member, and second, to breed with a leader, but Mirren can come traipsing back once the hardships of winter have passed, with a pregnant mate?!" The fox like shewolf was huffing at this point. She'd never planned to start yelling, she'd never wanted to be angry at Miccah, but by now she was too worked up to stop. Shaking her head, teeth blinking in her maw, she stood in her full height, never faltering even though it was barely more than half of the ebony guardians. Her ears and tail stood straight, voice rougher than usual as she continued: "You're right, I wasn't here, but don't pretend that everything was perfect before I left! We've been weak before, but we've endured together! However when Koda chose to follow his heart, and potentially strengthen the pack in the process, he and his love was cast out!" Her heart felt heavy in her chest. She thought talking to Miccah about this would help straighten out her thoughts, but instead it only seemed to make her more confused, and more determined to seek out the banished couple. With a frustrated sight, the sender lass took half a step forwards, looking up at the man she loved with an almost begging urgency; "And Nina..." Here she wavered for the first time, she cared strongly for the golden queen, who had been her friend and mentor ever since she joined, but she couldn't change the feelings she was harboring towards the one eyed woman's decision. Tears brimming in her eyes, she continued her tirade, for the first time feeling an urge to avert her gaze; "Nina was the one to send them away, she could have chosen to let them stay, all of this isn't on them! Maybe she didn't want them to breed, perhaps she didn't want pups in the Woodlands this year... But then she went and accepted, not only Kite, but another as well. If they can breed, then why couldn't Iopah and Koda? It's... Hypocritical!" Then finally she turned away, squeezing her eyes shut to fight back the tears. This was not was she wanted, she didn't want to quarrel with Miccah. She knew their minds were different, that he had a more lawful nature as well as guarded, but she'd never imagined they would prove to be incompatible; Not until now. Word count: 741 Thoughts ”Speech” |
She reciprocated with anger at his words. Aideen spoke of loyalty and hyprocrisy like she knew the whole story. But she didnt. The story didn't even matter. What mattered was that they had deliberately betrayed their alpha. That, in any circumstance, was not acceptable. It frustrated him that she couldn't see the clear picture because it was being blurred by her emotions. It was something that he equally hated and adored in her. Miccah needed Aideen's pure heart to counter the darkness within him. She drew him away from his familiar solitude, but he held no problem because he would rather much be absorbed in her light and ever present warmth. The tears in her eyes tore at his soul, but the gaurdian refused to weaken. Opening his maw, Miccah rumbled his response in his undisturbed baritone. "You speak of such loyalty, but where was theirs when they deliberately ignored Nina's wishes? Mirren is Nina's son. He held the right to breed since he was away from pack lands at the time, which his mother had given him the blessing to do so. Nina did not have to accept Koda back into the pack but she did. And this is how he chooses to repay her kindness?" Miccah shook his head. "Koda did nothing for this pack while Nina is the Woodlands." The colossal beast rolled his shoulders. He didn't want to fight anymore. He took a mental breath, needing to regain control. He worked too hard to let his emotions slip now. But he couldn't control the softening in his eyes as his once tense form relaxed. It was clear in her eyes that Aideen loved him, and maybe he felt it too. He didn't want to ruin it with opposing opinions. So he would compromise, even if it killed him. He bent down, nuzzling her head, a soft crooning growl rumbling from deep within him. "I'm sorry," he stated in a gentle tone. "I do not want to fight." The last thing he wanted was to lose Aideen. Hopefully she would accept his apology, for the hurt in her eyes made him want to rip his own heart out. "If permission is granted by Nina or Mirren, then I will go with you myself. I will not let you go to them alone." The very thought of her unprotected made him want to recoil. And this way, he could report back to Nina and Mirren what had transpired if they so desired to know. speech”Speech” |
His neutral tone fueled her anger. She'd always admired his self control, though she mostly managed to harness her own hot temper, she could never detach herself so completely from her emotions; he was being objective, she couldn't be, ever. It was hard enough for her to keep level headed when acting as a healer, she needed to be free the rest of the time. But she truly respected his restraint, and she loved to dig at it and explore the emotions that lay behind. But today she wanted reaction, she wanted him to yell back - not because she wanted to argue with him, but because she felt helpless and wanted an excuse to keep shouting. To her mother, anger had been a shield, and though the petite healer had never before needed such protection, she found it easy to assume it. And then again. This was Miccah, and flashing red hot fury at him felt more wrong than all of the slights, real and imagined, that had befallen Iopah and Koda. As the ebony man spoke, her anger slowly defused, leaving her tired and hollow, and suddenly she felt sad. She listened to him and thought again; Maybe he's right. Maybe... She still didn't feel ready to concede though. Suddenly she wondered why he talked the way he did, what had brought him to think this way; He talks so highly of Nina... Aideen respected the matriarch greatly, but she remembered last winter, when the large guardian had lead beside the queen, and their relationship had been strained at best; How did his mind change so much? She even felt a stab of jealousy at the golden woman, though it was a distant, fleeting emotion. His touch made her flinch, nerves raw from the raging sentiments, but a deep shudder ran through her at his soothing words. Blinking a few times, the small dame looked back up, pushing her head into the caress. She saw the apology in his eyes, as much as she heard it in his voice, and those beautiful deep cobalt's reached into her, the way they always did, and warmed her heart. "Me neither." She sighed in response to his words, feeling exhausted from the burst of emotion. Then his final addition made her heart soar, indeed it could have fluttered out of her chest if it hadn't been so banged up from all of this. She smiled, gently, almost apprehensively, wanting to lean into him, but sticking to the light contact with his muzzle, ears flattening in a grateful expression. "Thank you." She said, and she was so honestly and deeply grateful that it must have shined out every fiber of her body; "That means so much to me Miccah." And then she couldn't restrain herself, but quickly let her tongue slip over the line of his jaw, a small glint in her bright, brown eyes. Word count: 483 Thoughts ”Speech” |