Swift River conquest

She had run into her brother during the intervening days after she had met Ruiko in their storm-shelter, and while their meeting hadn't gone over as well as she would've liked, she now knew just how hard it would be to gain his forgiveness. For now, though, she would mull over their encounter and decide her next course of action regarding him carefully. She had taken Ruiko's request for her to join him under careful consideration, between worry about Quest too, and had finally come to a decision.

So after filling in her den and traipsing across the dried up riverbeds of Heartleaf Creek, she found herself at the border of Swift River. Here she paused for a few minutes, breathing in the deep scents of the three males living within Swift River. She had thought the pack had been larger, but didn't know what might have transpired to have their numbers dwindle so much. But instead of worrying about that -- Ruiko would tell her when he felt it necessary -- she lifted her muzzle into the air and called for the only man she could trust, Ruiko Tainn.

It was a lie to say that he did not worry where she had gotten to. They spent a night together – in complete innocence – and in the morning, after the storm, Ruiko had bidden the dark she-wolf a hesitant goodbye, almost certain he would see her again soon. Of course, the large golden wolf had little time to consider such things after Indru’s insistence that the pack relocate. He had been adamant about staying – a rising and fierce passion he had never shown his brother before, and despite such, Indru had left. Of course, the wolf was their leader, and so Ruiko watched his siblings file after his close sibling, one by one.. not once looking back. It hurt him deeply, but the pain was dulled when Kinis had stood firmly at his side, refusing to follow the rest of the family.

Of course, now, the feeling of guilt had seeped in to the bare bones of the leader as the source of water remained dwindled. Kinis didn’t complain, but he could tell the boy was suffering. He knew, because he could feel it too. Every day he would leave the lands to scour Relic Lore for even the smallest of puddles. Each day he would return home empty handed, with Kinis’ young, searching eyes on him. No, his feelings had far surpassed guilt.

Today was no different. He had left early in the morning, and was once more disappointed with the reality of their situation. Coming home, the briefest thought that he should take Kinis away for a day trip outside of the valley began to seem needed.. they could stay away for a few days while Avalloc kept the borders safe, then when they returned, they would send Avalloc to quench his thirst as well. Of course, all of these thoughts fled from his mind as he came upon a familiar figure upon the borders of his home. She had just lifted her muzzle to cry for him, stirring a swell of emotions in his chest. Seeing her there, the stoical wolf felt his shoulders sag lightly. Quietly, from behind, Ruiko cleared his throat. “They’re gone,” he announced to her, his tone raw with an emotion that he could only ever show the girl before him.

It had taken her those extra few days to decide upon a course of action. Of course she wanted to be with Ruiko and help his family, but she didn't know how well she could handle pack life again. She would need the strength of a pack to live through the winter, but at what price? She had always been a headstrong, deeply independent woman, especially since breaking from her former pack. Ruiko hadn't asked too many questions about that, but she would tell him, in due course. It was part of her personal program of seeking forgiveness. The first step of breaking from the problem had been completed; she had, of course, left Aquila far behind. She had also confronted the person she needed to apologize to the most, though it hadn't been a particularly successful meeting.

So all of these things weighed heavily upon the girl, but at least she was here, now, looking for her man. They had never really called it official, but the feelings that stirred in her body at the sight of him and the way he gravitated toward her confirmed her assumption. Maybe sometime in the near future they'd make it official. She had been expecting him to come from in front of her, but the sound of his throat clearing came from behind her. Startled, she spun around, hackles raised. As soon as she realized who it was, however, she calmed. Almost immediately the smile that had raised itself upon her lips at the sight of him melted into a frown, worry creasing her brow. That explained the lack of scents. <b>"When? Where?"</b> Those were the only words that could escape her. Instead of speaking, she closed the gap between them and nuzzled him softly, planting kisses along his neck and jaw, reveling in his soft fur, bathing in his scent. Then, after a moment, she pulled away, looking up into his eyes.

Ruiko’s golden gaze swept over the dark warrior, feeling a wave of relief that she was perfectly fine.. and had clearly sought him out. She must have known his desire to be near her, and as the empathy played upon her features, the River wolf began to move toward her. Her questions went unanswered for a moment as she swept in to his embrace, and as the she-wolf planted tender kisses upon him, the tawny wolf buried his muzzle to the back fur of her nape.

He was uncertain what it truly meant for her to come live with him. Winter would be upon them soon, and mid-winter would bring mating season. The idea of Avalloc or any other male that joined his pack attempting to court her stirred a dark note of jealousy in his soul, and he knew that he would fight for her to be his, if she willed it. Never before had a female had this affect on him.

“A few weeks ago,” he responded as he finally pulled back, his eyes seeking her beautiful molten gaze. “I’m not sure where. Indru took them somewhere outside of Relic Lore because of the water.” There was a small pause as his eyes drifted to the Swift River lands. “My brother Kinis stayed behind. I’m not sure that we shouldn’t have followed.”

Ranger's chest constricted with pain, though it was not her own. She felt so bad for Ruiko that she was feeling his pain within her. She still didn't want to think about her encounter with Quest, so she was dodging her own hurt to deal with her love's. Ranger kissed his cheek and nuzzling his chin gently, stepping closer once more. If it were possible, she would take the burden of this pain away from him, and carry it for him. Ruiko was too important to her to be in pain, and she would rather carry that sorrow than let it touch him at all. But sadly it wasn't possible for her to do so, so instead Ranger simply let him know that she shared his pain completely, despite not ever formally meeting his family.

<b>"You did what you had to do, I'm sure of it, Ruiko,"</b> she whispered, planting soft, warm kisses along his cheek and ear. <b>"Don't second guess yourself now. Kinis needs you. Your pack needs you."</b> If he wished, she would join his ranks immediately. She had already abandoned her old den with the intention of moving here with him. She didn't know the extent of their relationship, as it was so new to both of them, but time would make it clear. For now she simply wanted to be there for him, to hold him at night when he felt vulnerable, and to care for his younger brother as best she could. Ranger only hoped that the other male, the adult, would not try to part her from Ruiko.

To soothe him, the dark she-wolf nuzzled him affectionately before trailing kisses along his jawline, stirring again that protectiveness within the large beast. Her words caused his ears to slide back to his skull, and his eyes sought her soft features with a hidden curiosity. His pack was not much of a pack, but Kinis did need him.. if only because the boy had no one left if something happened to the regal Tainn. Ruiko needed Kinis as well, for without the youth Ruiko would not have been as determined and driven as he was every morning to wake up and find water for them. A fruitless effort, yet a labor of love at the same time.

His initial reaction to her words was to state that he needed her. Yet it was far too much too soon. There was a brief pause between the two, and bending his muzzle down to smooth his lips to the top of her head, a soft sigh escaped the tawny wolf. “Stay with us,” he asked, his tone no more than a murmur.

His response to her own kisses was <span class='word'>lilliputian</span>, a gentle brush of his lips against her forehead. Ranger relished the thought with her eyes closed, feeling the warmth of his affection spread across her entire body. His whispered request was more of a command, though his soft tones tore at her heart. Ranger had come here today to do this very thing, but hearing it from his lips made her ache. <b>"Of course,"</b> she replied, her voice a mere wisp of sound. She nuzzled his neck and settled her head on his shoulder.

Ruiko was a handsome wolf, tall, muscular, and strong. He was an alpha now, a mate any woman would be proud to have. Ranger wanted and, to some extent, needed him. It would take her a long while to get used to the idea of needing anyone but herself, but in time she would realize that it wasn't a bad thing. <b>"I abandoned my den in the Thicket of Secrets to come live with you. I want to help you. Put me to whatever use you might need, Ruiko."</b> She remained nestled against him, but her words were oddly formal for this occasion. But she wanted to make sure that he understood that she was here to help him with whatever he might need.

The she-wolf accepted his plea, and with a short response she once more nestled more closely to him. It was a dangerous game, for she awoke in him a response he did not know existed. Revelling in the feel of her agile figure against his, the male gave a small nip to her ear in response, inhaling her scent. Already his scent mingled upon her, claiming her as a wolf of Swift River. Ranger was pack now, and at her offer, Ruiko pulled back to give a small nod. At times like these, any wolf who was sensible could help.

Releasing a sigh, the male pushed himself back a pace, giving a light nod in the direction of her new home. “Let me show you around,” he murmured, his tone revealing that it was a request rather than an order. But he did not wait long for her response, and his hefty cream paws began to carry him toward the heart of the pack land, where the pack den was. Hopefully, Kinis or Borlla would be there so he could introduce them to the newest pack member.. there were quite a few new faces for the growing youth’s to become accustom to, and Ruiko worried they would feel out of sorts. “My younger siblings are at an age where they must begin to learn to hunt,” he told her, casting a glance to the dark lady by his side as they walked. “Anything you have to teach them would be appreciated.”

<i> This thread is set before Quest joins, I think. I want Ranger to flip out when she finds out, so don't let it happen yet!! :P </i>

Their embrace lasted only a few short minutes, but she understood that he wanted to show her around. She nodded and stood as well, only taking a few seconds to shake out her fur, before following him faithfully. They walked side-by-side, two strong, broad wolves, toward the heart of her new home. Last she heard, Ruiko's family had abandoned him. Apparently now another of his younger siblings had returned, which was good for Ruiko. He had missed them more than he would ever admit to her, but she was able to tell.

He mentioned that his younger siblings needed to learn to hunt, and she nodded. Any wolf worth its salt would be a decent hunter, and without a mother figure, it would be hard for Ruiko to teach them by himself as well as patrol the borders. <b>"I'll gladly teach them what I know,"</b> she said, proud that at least she knew how to hunt well, and she had a few tricks up her sleeves to teach the little ones. Ranger would do anything to strengthen their pack and bring her closer to Ruiko. <b>"Who are the other wolves of the pack?"</b> she asked softly. She was curious as to who the other male was, as she scented another leader among the four scents available to her.

He did not respond to her initial response to the youth of the pack – it was something he enjoyed about the she-wolf.. he never felt the need to respond to everything she said, for he knew she understood that he took her words for what they were. He moved at a more casual pace, the pang of hunger and thirst slowing down his bulky frame more than he would have liked, yet he certainly could not complain about the company. Every so often the male would shift his weight closer to her, brushing his tawny fur against the deep black of her side as he rubbed his scent upon her, accepting her to the pack.

Her question drew a small shrug of his shoulders. “Aside from the children? Avalloc. He is my adopted cousin from when we were younger.” Ruiko slowed his pace down even more as they came to a small opening in the trees. His eyes fell upon the large enclosure of rocks where a small opening remained between them. “This is the pack den,” he murmured softly, nodding in its direction. The entrance was almost hidden.. the main reason he believed Indru to have chosen it. Unfortunately, no one was around at the moment to greet Ranger. "They're all likely off and getting in to trouble."

(This post was last modified: Dec 21, 2010, 02:03 AM by Ruiko.)