O C C | Jayse first, then AW. ;) This is a continuation of Obsession is a Young Man’s Game.
Carefully navigating his way out of the Thicket of Secrets, Borden had brought Jayse, Midnight Plateau’s newest pack member past Heartleaf Creek into the depths of the Wildwood. He had made sure to stay clear of any foreign scents he assumed to be associated with the Swift River Pack. As the duo reached the edges of the forest, the scout noted that they had come within a mile of the Mountain of Dire. He looked to her quietly, barely even straining his eyes to see her in the darkness. His jaws cracked open to catch his breath, wisps of moisture fleeting into the chilled early morning air before dispersing.
Overnight, they had quietly trekked through Relic Lore, keeping to themselves. Every now and then he had stop and survey their surroundings, as if to ensure their safety, their anonymity. After only a few seconds of standing still, he would continue with a slow and cautious pace before slightly picking up again, always careful to mind her condition and how well she was faring the journey. As the half-moon attempted to pierce through the gray winter clouds, he wagged his tail. ”You alright?” he asked, his panting becoming less and less apparent by the minute. ”Shall we wait ‘til morning to make the climb to the pack den?”
Instinctively, his voice was a mere whisper, as if he were uncomfortably aware that someone or something was listening. He blinked and turned to face her, glad that they had come this far. The dawn was due to break within a matter of hours; nocturnal creatures who had been hunting all night were slowly retreating to their lairs and those who waited for the sun were still tucked away, soundly sleeping. Their arrival to the edges of the pack territory couldn’t have been more perfect when it came to timing. If she wanted to rest, they could, and she could even sleep for a bit if she needed to; Borden was more than willing to keep watch.
Not wanting to press her for an answer, since she had probably been a bit winded also, he remained silent. His lungs took in the frigid air as his heartbeat slowed to its normal rhythm; eventually, he leaned his head down to lap up the snow with his tongue, allowing the cold crystals to melt in his throat.