Riddle Heights loving fear

Gone Tomorrow

The Donata female had no prescience, she lived her life as it happened, one step at a time. She had never planned too much on the future because she had grown accustomed to the future changing without any warning. Even now, up here on this mountain, each paw step taking her even closer to mastering her fear, she recognized the impossibility of the situation. A month or two ago, she would have been laughing herself silly if the idea had been suggested to her that she should climb it. Likewise, she would have been even more humored by the idea that she would be falling in love. She wanted to put it down to hormones, especially now in this time of the year. But, she knew that was not the case. She and Indru had been connected from their first meeting, and while she was still going over the details, Cori knew that what she had with him was something special. And it was something that she was not going to let go of.

His touches were no longer subtle, and a low growl escaped from her muzzle. Not as a warning or as a threat, but out of contentment. There were shocks that sped down her spine at each of his touches, and she was happy by the pleasurable feeling they aroused within her. It might have looked odd to a stranger watching the situation - two wolves who were pressing themselves together as they walked as if trying to be one being. But Cori didn't care. His body gave her comfort and reassurance, and contact with him was the source of these sparks that turned her stomach inside out and made her grin like a pup. It was a new experience for her, but she did her best, trying to meet his gaze for as long as possible before looking away again; in part because she wanted to make sure she did not slip off the cliff and to her death and partly because his gaze was so intense, so soul searching.

But progress was halted as Indru spoke up, his voice first proud and confident and then nothing more than a whisper. And this time, he would not let her look away. The kiss on her muzzle did not go unnoticed, and she wagged her tail in joy, but Cori's ears perked at his words. Green eyes staring into his fiery orange ones, she replayed the words over in her head. And the meaning was not lost on her. He was offering her a lifetime of protection and safety and...love. Lips parting, she took his muzzle into her mouth - the same muzzle grab that he had done to her when proclaiming his dominance over her. Her's was not to show dominance though, but rather, to show her acceptance; in a sense, her claiming of him. Pulling away, she pressed her muzzle into the warmth of his neck and chest. "I want you to be mine, Indru. For always and forever," Cori answered, lifting her head up to meet his gaze as she did so. Pink tongue licked his coal black nose, and she grinned at him. "I didn't realize that the view from the mountain top would be so nice," she whispered, her lips and eyes both smiling. She was not looking at the surroundings, but rather into those fiery orange eyes that she was determined to look into until the day she died.

Though undoubtedly the wait between his words and her actions was small, to Indru it felt like hours as he watched her, waiting and hoping that her response would be a positive one, that she wanted him even half as much as he wanted her. She clasped his muzzle with her own, a clear sign of acceptance and claim, and relief flooded the Tainn male before it was swiftly overcome with joy with the pretty, grey female before him. Quickly her hot breath left his muzzle and he felt her press against his chest once more as she spoke, confirming her decision for her to accept him as her mate, the closeness another pleasure Indru knew he would never get tired of. Corinna pulled away and licked to nose and he grinned at her in return, nose wrinkling in a pretend grimace before he laughed lightly and pressed his nose into her neck fur and inhaled deeply. Most certainly the best view I've seen up here, he replied to her, meeting her eyes once more as happiness continued to radiate off him, his tail waving behind him wildly.

Occasions like these made Indru think of his family, those present and gone, and try to judge their opinions on his actions as what they thought of him was so important to the male. He was certain that his parents would approve, Corinna had already showed her loyalty to the pack in many situations as well as being the strongest, fittest and most suited female. Thank you, he whispered as he grinned shyly at her, abashed for once and filled with a overwhelming gratitude that she deemed him worthy of being her mate. It was a heartfelt thanks and he leaned forward to lick her cheek, thrilled at the thought that this was his right now, that she was his mate from now until what he hoped would be forever, and he was more determined than ever to keep her safe from harm. But look, he commented, breaking eye contact with her to look around them, look how far you've come. Amongst his playful, courting actions and her responses she had stayed distracted enough to climb further up that he had imagined she would do in her first attempt. Well done Cori, be proud, conquering anything was impressive, but a step towards beating a fear even more so, because I am.

Gone Tomorrow

A rather girlish giggle spilled out of her mouth, and had she been human, Cori's cheeks would have flushed red with bashfulness. Kismet was finally throwing her a bone. It had been chance that this beautiful and handsome specimen would find her on that snowy day at Luna Hill, after having chased her away from his territory in previous months. That they were now standing inches apart, looking into each others' eyes, declaring for the world to know that they were going to be a pair, a team. It was gratifying, and her entire body felt filled with this wonderful warm emotion and attachment towards Indru. His confirmation in her opinion of it being the best view up here only made her giggle more, and she placed a kiss on his cheek, before turning her own view to the surroundings. With all of their talk and teasing and flirtation, she had hardly noticed just how far they had come. But looking around now, she couldn't help but be amazed. It wasn't terribly high, there was still a fair amount that could have been scaled at a later date, but there was a significant difference in height from where they had started. The rocks were the dominant feature now, and the trees were sparse and scarce, while over the edge the tops of the trees could be seen in the forest below. "No, thank you," she breathed, fighting to keep the nerves from taking over. Stepping closer to him, she welcomed his lick to her cheek, comforted by his stable being. He would be a permanent fixture in her life, from now until the day she died. And for that, she was thankful. But Cori was proud too, that much was obvious, for while the smile playing about her lips was more due to the handsome Indru beside her, there was some pride there as well. Her fear of heights was not yet conquered, and in all honesty, probably never would be. But this was a good start.

Taking a few steps back, Cori moved back towards where they had come from. Coming to Indru's flank, she nipped playfully at his heels before taking his bushy tail in her mouth and giving it a playful tug. "Let's go home, Indru", she cooed, before turning around and setting off down the path, pausing in her step to make sure that he was there to accompany her. But she knew that he would be there. Just as he would always be there, from now until forever.

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