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Archive 20 / of-graybacks-and-silverfangs

NSFW | Sexual content, death, gore, betrayal, aggressive scenes, violence, and political themes/subjects.

Trigger Warnings: Sexual content, death, gore, betrayal, aggressive scenes, violence, and political themes/subjects.

Deep hoofprints in soft mud, little bits of fur stuck in a bramble bush, and a trail of blood drops on the left side of the trail. Romulus crouched down at the bush and breathed in slowly before recoiling visibly with a snarl. They were back on the path, and it seemed their prey was only a little way ahead of them. Turning to look at the rest of his hunting party, he shook his head slowly before walking over to them and placing his paw on the shoulder of another tall, black wolf. Squeezing gently before patting his shoulder, Romulus looked to the rest before continuing, “I need to do this on my own Remus. Take the others and get patched up, I will stop the beast.” Remus, a proud wolf that had grown up hunting beside Romulus, recoiled from the touch as if burnt by a branding iron. Gesturing at the two other members of their party who had suffered gouging wounds to their stomach from the horns of the beast, Remus shook his head before speaking, “We were working together and couldn’t do it. These two nearly died, and now you expect us to go off alone on this fool’s errand to die alone? Come back with us and get more hunters!” Pointing up the path that the minotaur had taken, Romulus growled and snapped back at the others, baring his teeth and raising his hackles, “I will keep tracking it and if you must be so concerned, I won’t make contact until you arrive with more hunters. But we cannot lose it now, and these two desperately need help. I’m a better tracker than you, now take them back and then come back with hunters if you don’t trust me. But go!” Snapping his jaws together and charging into Remus’s face to prove his point, there was a degree of softness in his eyes that only his friend could see. Romulus wanted his friend beside him in this hunt, but he felt enough shame as it was that the beast had gotten as far as it had. Stepping back when he saw Remus nodding and turning to help the other wolves up from their resting positions, Romulus tightened the strap

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s on his chest that held his leather armor and sheathe for his great sword in place. Looking up the trail and crouching down again, he pressed his palm into the dirt before bringing it back up and looking at the impression. It had rained during the night which had given the minotaur the opportunity to slip away, but that was also what was making the dirt so pliable. These tracks were extremely fresh, meaning the beast had likely heard snippets of this argument. Shuffling forward, he dipped his finger in a deeper puddle of blood and confirmed his suspicions as he still felt a degree of warmth in the liquid.

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Turning back and watching the others moving away, he stood and raised a fist while releasing a long howl of solidarity. Hearing their returned howls and seeing Remus raise a fist, Romulus smiled before dropping to all fours and sprinting up the path. He kept his snout near the dirt as he went, scenting the trail until it got to the point that the very strong musk of the minotaur was nearly overpowering. Pushing himself up in his next stride forward, Romulus came to his hind feet and stepped a few feet forward with a low growl that caused his chest to rumble. Romulus was tall for his kind, his head clearing seven feet easily when he stood on his hindlegs, and yet this creature made him look like a child. Standing in excess of ten feet with horns nearly four feet across and decorated with the blood stains of its enemies, the minotaur released its own huffing growl while holding its axe in its hands. Black fur with a tan stomach, the beast had a brass ring in its nose with a spike decorating it. Its hands and chest had a dark gray war paint design applied to it, a clear show that this creature had not accidently wandered into Grayback territory. The blood dripping from a fierce bite on its left thigh proved that the beast could fall, as Romulus had inflicted that crippling bite in their last engagement before rising river waters had washed them apart and sent all parties scrambling for safety. Now that they stood before each other, Romulus forgot his promise to Remus and drew his great sword from his back. The minotaur was a stone’s throw from their border and Romulus could smell the waterfall and nearly hear its pounding rhythm. Releasing a long howl, he gripped his sword and charged. @Fiory

"Lia... I don't know why you insist on coming all the way out here... It's such a way, and... what if you're seen?" "You worry too much Sabelle... No one is going to see, and I love the early morning air after a good rainstorm." The forest was wet, dripping from the evening's downpour the night prior but the sun was slowly rising beyond the horizon to grace the land with light and warmth. It's light would first discolor the sky before falling gently on the expanse of land before it. The two figures, in hushed conversation moved like shadows amongst the bush and trees. Light paws barely making tracks in the soft ground as they continued onward. The first who had spoken, a shy short female, tawny in coat with gentle auburn eyes kept glancing around as if at any moment some terrible calamity would befall them. Her muzzle was thin, her tail curled between her legs that kept close to the more confident fae in front of her. While Sabelle stood a head or so shorter, the other stood not quite tall but she wouldn't be considered short either. A good height for commanding respect while also being feminine. The brown ears swished to the different sounds of the forest, and Sabelle let out a small whine from her wolven maw. "Oh Sabelle. If you want to turn back, you're welcome to." The leader said quietly, her jaws snapping with a grin over her shoulder at her. The tawny female just shook her head furiously at her friend. Her best friend and confidant. One whom she chose to serve but gladly would do anything for. They'd basically grown up together, were as close as sisters could be. How Lia was so much more confident was beyond her though. Had to be genetic, as Sabelle certainly preferred not going out so early in the morning just for a bath. And certainly not so close to the border. Slowly the woods thinned, and the leader of the pair of them stepped out into the day. Her black nose inhaled deeply, the soft sweet scents of the trees and pines, the earthy musk of the dirt, a

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nd the clean tranquility of the waterfall they'd stepped before. In the dim morning's light, her coat shone white and silver, with tall ears of black. A smile creased her muzzle, and she turned back to Sabelle with her paws on her hips, a happy gleam in her piercing blue eyes. "See? No one's here. We're alone. Now stop fretting... Just keep watch for me." Without a second glance, Lia began undoing the ice blue cloth vest she wore and slipping down the grayed trousers she'd put on for today's hike. Both were handed to Sabelle who clutched them to her as she glanced around, sniffing the air for any sign that danger might be near. Sabelle also had a small quiver on her back, with a recurve bow attached to it, intricately designed with carvings of different runes and shapes decorating it. "Just let me know if someone's coming and toss me the bow. I'll take care of it... I'm not that bad a shot, remember Sabelle?" Lia chuckled, stepping into the water of small lake and wagging her tail gently. The water was crystalline and pure here. It sparkled in the early morning sunshine, and the sound of the falls were so peaceful. If anything, Lia just wanted to enjoy some peace and quiet, enjoy the tranquility, the gentle stillness of the morning. Without another word, the she-wolf dipped herself below the water's surface, admiring the underwater world that glimmered around her. Sabelle above ground just sat on her haunches to wait. For a time, while Lia was admiring the tranquility of another world, Sabelle merely picked at the ground at her paws. She'd take a claw and make little circles and shapes idly, waiting for her friend to come back up for air. A howl on the wind caught her attention and the young tawny she-wolf nearly topped over on her backside. She hadn't recognized that voice. Who was that? Where were they? Other than not far. Certainly too close for comfort. Picking up a pebble, Sabelle lobbed it into the water to try and get Lia's attention below the surface.

"L-Lia!" She barked at the water, tossing a stone where the white fae had dipped down. "Lia! Get out! S-Someone's here!" With no response, Sabelle threw another stone, this time a little larger. When still nothing, Sabelle dropped her clothes, bow and quiver. The tawny fae had to find something that would clearly be heard to the adventurous friend of hers. Finding a stone about the size of her fist, she tossed it with a loud splash into the water and shouted a bit louder hoping that her counterpart would hear her. "Juliana! Someone's coming! Get out!" The black ears heard that splash and rolling her eyes, Juliana stood up out of the water, breaking through the surface and turning to her friend with the water coming up just below her breast line. Her head shook just a little to get the water from her ears, her fur glistening in the daylight. Her eyes held a small annoyance; what exactly was so important that it had to interrupt her quiet moment? The answer as most do came to her without fail. Her ears flicked backward, listening to the thundering of heavy hooves coming their way, and the echoed remains of an unfamiliar howl. Slowly, her head turned to where the sounds were coming from, just in time for the owners of them to barrel into view.

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@Himbo Tie

Holding the hilt of his sword with both hands as he got closer to the minotaur, Romulus narrowed his eyes and dropped to a knee to skid to a stop. Bringing his sword up horizontally, he blocked a lightning-fast swing of the beast’s axe that would have likely cleaved him down to his sternum. Standing up as he pushed up with his blade to knock the blow away, Romulus stepped forward and wheeled his sword around in front of him before bringing it to a high guard position. Watching the tip of his blade whip around before slicing through the upper layers of the minotaur's abdomen flesh, Romulus stepped back and prepared another swing when suddenly the ground below him began to emit vast quantities of steam. Lunging to the side and falling to the ground, he whipped his head around to see the ground erupt in a jet of fire that scorched the air. Rolling over with a growl and coming up in a low crouch, he held the end of his sword towards the minotaur. He could smell the waterfall behind him and could swear he had heard a voice, but he knew better than to take his eyes off the creature in front of him. Watching the minotaur bring his axe up to his right shoulder before extending a left hand, Romulus jumped back again as the ground erupted with two spikes of fiery rock that came together to pinch where he had just been. The rocks fell away as soon as they emerged, but Romulus figured quickly that they would have held him in place long enough to be cleaved in two if he had not reacted. Snarling fiercely as he looked up at the minotaur’s face, he lunged forward with his sword in what was telegraphed as a thrust. Seeing the minotaur step to the side to avoid the tip of his sword, Romulus could not help but grin as he showed the truth behind the feint. Slicing the sword down at an angle, he caught the minotaur in the side of its right thigh, splitting the flesh open easily and with little resistance. Stepping forward to get closer, he angled the hilt of his sword up quickly

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and slammed the pommel into the minotaur’s snout. Watching the lumbering beast stumble backwards before falling to a knee, Romulus lunged to the left and rolled over his shoulders to come up beside and slight behind the minotaur. As he moved, he heard the whistle of steel as the axe split the air he had just been occupying. Swinging his sword to the right, Romulus growled as the minotaur recovered from its swing quickly and got its axe in position to block his blow. Stepping forward with the blow, he kicked his right foot forward towards the minotaur, digging his claws into the fresh wound and ripping it some more. His move was not flawless however, as it opened him up to the minotaur’s horns which he used to strike back quickly. Feeling one of the horns drive into his stomach just below his ribcage, Romulus stumbled backwards and dropped his sword while bringing his paws to his wound. Dark blood immediately began to pour from it, but he would not relent and removed his hands from his abdomen.

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Growling fiercely before diving forward to avoid another gouging blow, Romulus scrambled to pick up his sword and make his way to his feet as the minotaur pushed itself to its feet using its axe as a support. Baring his teeth in defiance as the minotaur huffed and smirked, Romulus shook his head and spat at the beast before speaking in a pained voice, “It’s going to take a lot more than that, you overgrown ribeye.” A playful grin slipped onto his muzzle before falling away as he felt more of his blood trailing down his stomach. The gouge had not directly killed him, but he knew by the length of horn with fresh blood on it that it would likely be a mortal wound. Shaking his head, he focused on the task at hand and charged forward. He could not let this beast out of his land, or else he would have failed his people and brought terror to a neighbor that did not deserve it. Bringing his sword to his side, Romulus ducked under a sweeping blow before exploding upwards with an arcing slash across the minotaur’s chest. Slicing deep into the beast, he leapt forward and landed on the creature’s torso, his hind feet finding purchase by digging his claws into the minotaur’s groin and lower abdomen. Gripping the bovine’s snout with his left paw, Romulus pulled upwards while bringing his right hand up with the sword in it to try to slit the beast’s throat. The blow landed but did not go as deep as he had wished, giving the minotaur and opportunity to shake vigorously to the side and send Romulus flying off of it. Lowering its head, it charged forward and slammed its head into Romulus’s chest, cracking several of his ribs and sending him sprawling backwards where he fell into the light of the sun before tumbling into the shallow water. The minotaur tossed the sword and axe into the underbrush before letting out a long, low bellow towards the wolf laying in the water. Its chest ran with blood from the slices to it and the newest cut to its throat, but it was in no way down

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for the count. Scratching its hooved feet against the rocky ground, it charged towards Romulus and lowered its head to impale him into the riverbed. As it approached, Romulus pushed himself up off the ground and brought his feet under him with a soft groan. His vision pulsed with pain, but he let out a low growl as the bovine approached him. Dropping to all fours in order to dodge quickly to the right, Romulus ducked under the tip of the minotaur’s horn before springing up and twisting through the air. Gripping his left paw into the minotaur’s flank to help pull himself around, he landed on the bovine’s back and dug his claws in again to maintain purchase this time. Raking his hind feet down the minotaur’s back and flaying open the flesh there, Romulus reached his right paw around and dug his claws into the minotaur’s snout in order to pull its head down slightly. Biting into the back of the beast’s neck, Romulus ripped his head side to side to dig his teeth in deeper and make a more savage wound. Hearing the bovine bellow, Romulus adjusted his jaws and bit in again, this time edging on the side of the minotaur’s neck and onto its shoulder some.

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This bite did not last as long however as the bovine bucked around to knock him about, its meaty hands coming up over its shoulders to grab Romulus by his head and pull forward. Being thrown down again into the river, Romulus rolled over with his teeth bared, his snout covered in blood and his stomach pumping blood into the river. Wavering slightly as he watched the minotaur simply stand there, its eyes on him as if to see his next move, Romulus barked deeply and charged yet again. Biting at the minotaur’s hand as it tried to block his advance, Romulus pushed through the beast’s defenses before jumping at its chest and knocking it backwards. Biting its chest in several places before shifting his head up, Romulus bit over the minotaur’s snout and ripped to the side to open up its throat for one last attack. Bringing his paws up quickly to grab the horns and keep its head back, Romulus drove his teeth deep into the minotaur’s throat. Chewing deeply and ripping his head side to side, Romulus jerked back and tore out the minotaur’s throat, stopping its pained bellow and turning it into nothing but a gargling call for help. Spitting its throat out into the river, Romulus dug in again, biting viciously and with purpose. Several bites and tears later, he had removed enough meat from the now corpse to be able to twist his hands to the sides and rip its head from its shoulders. Sitting back on the corpse’s chest while holding the lifeless head in his paws, Romulus looked up into the sky and released a long, low howl. Coughing as he finished, Romulus pushed up to his feet and turned towards the voices he had heard before. Walking slowly towards what appeared to be two female wolves, his eyes struggled to stay open until they finally gave up. Falling forward to his knees, Romulus coughed again and spat out a mixture of his own blood and the minotaur’s. His ribs were cracked, and his stomach was covered in blood-soaked fur, but he was victorious. He could die in peace,

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especially as he saw that he had clearly protected others from the rampages of this beast. Smiling slightly, his head lolled back as he fell forward into the water. @Fiory

The tranquility of the morning was clearly interrupted by the clanging of a sword, growling and gnashing of teeth and bellowing of a bovine beast. Sabelle scrambled herself backward away from the bank of the small lake, while Juliana stood as tall as she could, her black ears pivoting to try and find the source of such an engagement. The stillness was gone, only breaking branches and stomping of hooves on the opposite bank. That’s where the commotion came from. “Lady Juliana! W-We need to go!” Sabelle’s timid bard rang out again, but the white she-wolf did not stir. Her curiosity had been lit aflame. What exactly was going on? Who was fighting? And should she gather her bow in order to protect not only herself but Sabelle? The beast came into sight and Lia sank into the water a moment, a low growl on her muzzle. Minotaurs weren’t something that her faction dealt with often, tough beasts to fight and to kill. Would take a whole pack in order to take one down. Her eyes widened in alarm when not a pack of wolves on the opposite bank came into sight, but just one. A lone male, brandishing his sword violently and charging after the beast. “Sabelle. My bow. Throw me my bow!” Juliana barked. No way this male could take on a full grown minotaur by himself, and by the sounds and looks of the ground cracking and steaming around them, this beast had magic to use too. Just another horn to add to his arsonal. Sabelle was frozen to the spot, her jaw slacked looking at the scene unfolding before them. There was fear in those auburn eyes and Juliana knew that her friend was no good to her here. “Fine! I’ll get it myself. Get out of here Sabelle!” There was a slight irritation in the femme’s voice, as she scrambled her way out of the water to try and fetch her bow and quiver, lying haphazardly in the dirt just off the bank.

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Lia watched as her auburn coated friend stumbled her way backwards, leaving the clothes for Juliana, the bow and quiver just out of reach. The white she-wolf splashed in the water, her fur soaked as she made for the bank, glancing over her shoulder every so often to keep track of the fight that had disrupted her peace. Her paws slipped a little on the algae in the water, the slick stones worn smooth by the waterfall and the river. As graceful as she was getting into the water, in her rush to grab her bow and quiver she was more concerned with getting out of the water versus how graceful she might look doing it. Lia didn’t even worry about her shirt or pants, it was too important to grab her bow in case the beast turned it’s anger on her and Sabelle. Her paws snatched at the ornate bow, pulling an arrow out and stringing it before turning. She would have to be careful not to injure the male still fighting with the beast. Her ice blue eyes darted, watching him parry and attack, the beast moving and stumbling. Damn it… I can’t get a clean shot like this… She grumbled to herself, her aim changing as the two combatants moved. Before she could loose an arrow though, the wolf triumphed against the bovine barbarian. It surprised Lia to be sure, as it was clear he wasn’t unscathed in the battle. The water ran crimson with blood, streaming down towards the river mouth. Juliana lowered her bow, letting the string loosen around her grip of the arrow. She was half out of the water, the top half of her wet and dripping as she gazed across the small lake at the winning wolf. Who in Gaia’s name was he? Where did he come from, and why on earth was he chasing a minotaur over here?? The questions would have to wait, as she watched the male collapse into the lake.

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“Oh Gaia help me. Sabelle!” Lia barked in alarm, which made her friend jump at the sudden address. “Get back to the village.. Let them know that someone’s hurt.. Hurry it up! On your Paws!” The bow and arrow tossed onto the shore, while Juliana took off towards the opposite bank towards the bloodshed. “L-Lia! What are you doing!?” Sabelle called after her, getting to her feet pads and rubbing her paws together nervously. Juliana just called back as she neared the halfway portion of the small lake. “I can’t let him die. Get Going. Just… Leave my clothes, I’ll get them in a minute.” Juliana was nearly to the opposite bank, the water red with blood as she made her way quickly towards the injured warrior. Sabelle knew better than to question her, though she did take a hesitant look behind her as she dashed off towards home. Juliana could take care of herself, and her weapon was still available if she needed it. Slowly, the white she-wolf stepped closer to inspect the wounds he’d received. Her paw when to his muzzle. Still breathing, but just She thought, the back of it laying gently on his forehead. Her tall black ears against the stark white and silver fur twisted just to confirm. Yes; that bovine was dead. He wouldn’t be a bother to her or the injured male. Carefully, Juliana pulled the male up in the water, dragging him out to where it would be deeper so she could get him away from the blood and carnage. One arm held fast across his chest keeping his head above water, while the other lay on the wound just below his ribcage, his back pressed against her front. It was lucky Juliana was an excellent swimmer and could keep him afloat.

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“Take it easy friend… I’ve got you… “ She whispered quietly, trying to reassure him and make sure he didn’t move. Moving would cause more pain, more injury, and the water was what Lia needed in order to help him. Softly, a light tickling sensation could be felt at the bleeding wound in his side. It radiated warmth even in the cool blood soaked waters, and a light aqua glow emanated from Lia’s paw. As gentle as she could, she used the small amount of healing magic she knew to try and mend his wounds, letting the waves of warmth permeate his body, sooth the cracks in his ribs and start piecing him back together. “You’ll be alright… You’re absolutely mental for taking on a Minotaur by yourself… But at least you won’t die from it.” Her blue eyes watched him carefully, wanting to be sure he was breathing well enough before she’d attempt to release him. The peered on the opposite bank and a soft flush of pink rose on her face. Being in nothing but her fur suit, taking a bath and holding a strange male warrior was not exactly how she had seen her morning going. Juliana just hoped that she could release him soon so she could get herself decent.

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@Himbo Tie

Voices on the wind, could it be his ancestors looking upon him as he approaches their hunting grounds, or was it more minotaur finding him to finish him off. Grimacing as he felt his body moved slowly, Romulus panted softly and felt the grip he had on the horn beginning to loosen. Gripping harshly to make sure he did not lose his trophy; Romulus felt a soft cough escape his chest before he went quiet as his head fell back. He was ready to die, he had been successful in his last hunt, but he had to bring his trophy with him or else his claim to the afterlife would be questioned. Holding the horn tightly, he grimaced against the pain that it had inflicted to pull it up towards him, but in this moment, he was prepared to accept the pain of death in order to celebrate his victory. Breathing in deeply, he winced at the pain in his chest before letting out a deep breath and muttering softly, “I’m coming home. Gaia, I am ready.” Laying back and expecting the cold embrace of death, the gray-furred male could feel nothing but a tingling sensation on the wounds he had suffered. Feeling at first as if he was being tested and made fun of for his wounds, Romulus felt his lips curl up in a slight snarl. Breathing in to prepare to argue with his ancestors, it was then that he smelled a completely unfamiliar scent and realized he was not floating into his next life. He was floating in the river with the minotaur corpse, but he was not alone. He felt two strong arms around him, and he could feel the tingle extending from these arms to his wounds. Wounds that were steadily beginning to hurt less and less by the moment. Breathing out slowly, Romulus squeezed his eyes shut as he flexed his abs, trying to bring his legs closer to him. He could not feel his sword and despite the fact this unknown being was doing something to make his wounds feel better, Romulus could not stay idle in such a vulnerable position. And yet, try as he might to bring his legs closer so that he could pu

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sh away from the mystery, his legs would not move much closer before an intense ripping pain emanated across his stomach. His adrenaline had allowed him to fight before, but now as it had receded, he felt the extent of the injury to his abdomen and the muscles there. He had lost the firmness of his core, and therefore his legs were not listening to him. Growling deeply in slight annoyance, Romulus relented and laid still, accepting the help from this figure that he did not know. If he paid more attention, he would be able to smell the female pheromones as well as feeling the breasts that his head was currently laid back against. Instead, his eyes drifted closed, and he stopped fighting against the help he was receiving. Hearing the reassurance that the figure had him as she told him to take it easy, Romulus nodded and laid back against her with less restraint. His paw loosened its grip on the minotaur horn, but he was certain he was going to live with this mystery helper, so he let it fall to the riverbed. Groaning softly as his hand flicked upwards from losing the weight, Romulus winced and chuckled softly before fighting to open his eyes. He failed several times though, his eyes simply rolling beneath his eye lids as his body struggled to comply.

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He was receiving aid, but his body knew it needed to keep its energy to try to heal him. Groaning softly as he felt his body stitching itself back together, he let out a pained cough as he felt the dent in his ribcage pulling out in order to heal properly. Whimpering softly and snarling as he balled his paws into tight fists, he squeezed his eyes further before they eventually snapped open and looked up into the sky. Breathing out in rapid short breaths as the pain reached a new crescendo, he closed his eyes and held his breath to try to ignore the pain. Hearing the female wolf’s words of encouragement that he would survive; Romulus could not help the grin that played at his muzzle. He knew he was a fool for doing this, taking on the minotaur on his own. And yet, even as a fool, he was victorious. He was aware by the pain or lack thereof as the magic spread through him that he would have died, but that did not disrupt his victory. A victorious fool, but a fool, nonetheless. Too foolish to wait for his comrades to return, but also too proud to let their quarry slip away from them. The minotaur was their responsibility, and had it crossed the river, Romulus could not have continued the hunt without first getting permission from the Silverfangs. Thinking of these border conflicts, he felt his brow furrowing as he breathed in again to try to scent the woman helping him. Not recognizing the scent and feeling her arms still around him, Romulus began to shift slightly in her arms to right himself and move to his feet. He was not averse to receiving help from another pack, but he had been told not to go to them for anything. They were a bordering pack, and they were capable, but there were too many stresses over the years. Grimacing slightly as he sat up away from the healing embrace, Romulus let out a deep grunt before pulling away enough to stand on his own. Looking down at his stomach, he saw the last residual glow of the she-wolf's aqua colored magic. He was not

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fully healed as there was an ache in his gut that had to be from the puncture wound, but he was healed enough that his breathing had returned to normal, and he was no longer losing blood at an alarming rate. Turning to face the she-wolf, his eyes looked over her for a moment before snapping away as he realized her state of dress, or lack thereof. Clearing his throat before bringing his left paw up to rub at the back of his neck awkwardly, Romulus shifted his eyes to be locked on hers. Nodding slowly as he glanced over towards the minotaur corpse, Romulus spoke in a low voice, “Thank you for healing me. I expected to die, and now I am living. I owe you my thanks and a life debt.” Lowering his hands to pat at his gray kilt that had been soaked on the front by his own blood, Romulus cleared his throat and kept his gaze at the ground, a clear sign that he was giving her an opportunity to fix her wardrobe situation before he would say anymore. @Fiory

It was taking all her concentration to make sure that she kept him afloat, kept pressure on the wound, as well as kept her own head above water. He wasn’t light, and she was actually shorter than he was. Her paws held him tight in the water when he stirred, not needing him exactly to turn around and see just exactly who was helping him. “Foolish… Just… absolutely foolish and reckless.” Little muttered words she’s say mostly to herself as Juliana was doing her best to keep that warmth, keep that massaging energy flowing evenly. It was imperative that she kept her concentration. Lia was no mage, no experienced healer and she knew she had a lot to learn. But losing concentration on how she was helping him would cause him further pain and agony instead of the opposite. Her ears made sure to listen not just to his breathing and the soft whines he’d make, but also to anyone who might surprise them. Juliana, despite herself, notated the strength he had to have had. Taking on a minotaur on his own was certainly impressive and proved how brave and foolhardy he was, but her paws got a good feel of him while she worked. This of course just made her blush a little harder, considering all she wanted to do was put on her clothes so she wasn’t so revealing.

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Before she knew it, Lia had dragged him through the water to the other bank, finding her feet on the smooth rocks. This was of course when he began to pull away from her. At least she was closer to her clothes this way. Steady friend… I think that’s the best I can do anyway but… for Gaia’s sake you go and work too hard you’ll just undo everything I did. She thought, letting her paws softly release him to stand up. For a moment, she stood up herself, the water coming up to just cover at her breasts while he turned around to face his savior. She rubbed at her wrists, as it was fairly draining to heal that amount of damage. Juliana was about to ask him what exactly he was doing, when she caught the quick movement of his muzzle looking at her just to turn away. Lia’s face could have burned scarlet, and she sunk a little further in the water, her paws immediately and reflexively moving to cover herself under the crystal clear waters. It wasn’t like she disliked her body, she relished in it, treated it as a temple and all; Juliana just wasn’t one to go flaunting it like some kind of bitch in heat. “Well… uh.. You’re welcome.” She said in a soft voice, backing herself up in the water towards the relative safety of her faction’s side of the lake’s bank. Glancing at him for a moment, just to be sure he wasn’t going to suddenly decide to be a voyeur, Juliana stepped out of the lake. Her white fur dripped loudly in the shallows of the lake water, and like the canine she was she quickly shook to get the majority of the water off of her. It sprayed in a circular pattern, back into the water and onto the shores of the lake, a few droplets even flying far enough to hit the back of his shoulders and ears. With fur more damp than soaked, she picked up her trousers and her shirt, stepping behind a large bush that hid everything except the neck up of her. Juliana was about five foot seven, so the bush came up just to her collarbone, thick enough to use as a bit of a screen.

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“What I’d like to know though…” she said quietly, tapping her ear a little to make sure all the water had been removed from it. “Why exactly were you hunting a minotaur by yourself? Do you have a death wish?” Her words took on a more incredulous tone, her tail lifting and curled behind her and slightly wagging visibly on the side of the bush. “Honestly, you were lucky that I decided that this morning was the perfect one for a bath… otherwise you surely would be brought to death this morning…” Lia’s head dipped down behind the push as she bent down to put her trousers on, coming back up once they had been secured. In doing this her tail protruded a little further before retracting back again. Her mind raced as the scene she had just witnessed this morning, wincing again and holding her wrists when she stood back up. Magic wasn’t something that was easily taught; you either had the ability to wield it or you didn’t. Juliana had been given the ability to use it, but was ill practiced. Often she would skip her lessons, finding them boring or frustrating considering that she wanted to be better at it but it just wasn’t as easy as it looked. Her healing should have been much better by her age, but considering she had only started learning in earnest recently she was happy she was able to heal what she could. Certainly no experienced medic, but enough.

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Her nimble fingers and pads began fastening the front of her vest after pulling the cloth thing on, letting it hug her curves gently before she came out from behind the brush to face him. One small clearing of her throat was her indication that it was safe and respectable to look in her direction again. Her face was still a little flushed pink, but she quietly picked up her quiver and bow, fastening them over her neck and shoulders before crossing her arms in front of her a little. Her body was lithe in frame, athletic obviously from the feat of bringing him back from the brink and keeping him above the water’s surface at the same time, but she wasn’t overly muscular or bulky. She had an archer’s frame, nimble and dexterous. Her sharp blue eyes looked him up and down for the first time now that she wasn’t distracted by a minotaur and its unyielding might. He was tall, broad shouldered, muscular in the right places and lithe in others. Still crazy for trying to take on that beast alone… despite his skills… “My name is Lia by the way… Do I have the honor of knowing the one who now owes me a life debt’s name?” Her words had turned playful, gentle and a little sassy, while she waited with arms folded on the edge of the lake to see if he would actually give her an answer. She decided to give him her nickname, not knowing exactly who this strange wolf was and not recognizing his scent in her nose. If he was from an enemy faction like the Graybacks, it wouldn’t be wise to tell him that she was Juliana Silverfang, daughter of the Silverfang pack chief. So caution was employed.

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@Himbo Tie

Romulus kept his eyes down at the river as the she-wolf dropped further into the water to try to avoid his gaze, purposeful or accidental. He was used to seeing wolves in various states of dress, but those were packmates that he was familiar with and felt nothing but platonic love for. Therefore, when their female features were on display as they dealt with their laundry, Romulus was able to look at them and feel no distraction or awkward emotion due to their bodies being exposed. Standing here though, with this stranger standing before him with only her hands and the clear water to cover her body, Romulus could not avoid the deep red blush that crept onto his gray muzzle. Thankful for the minotaur blood that had yet to leave his fur for hiding some of his blush, Romulus lowered into the water as well so that he could squeeze his kilt and start massaging out some of his and the bovine’s blood. Listening to the sound of the water as the she-wolf moved through it to get out, Romulus kept his gaze directed towards the water. He did not want to see the naked form of the wolf that had saved him, wanting to give her that level of decency and respect as she had just been holding him to her naked form to heal him. Feeling his cheeks warming up yet again at the thought of being held by a naked she-wolf in such a vulnerable moment, Romulus crouched down lower in the water and started to wipe his paws in it. Feeling a light spritz of water as the she-wolf shook herself off, Romulus’s ears flicked down before standing again, sending the excess water back into the water. Bringing his face down, he began rubbing his muzzle with the water, draining some of the blood from his fur. He knew he had earned the right after such an intense fight, but Romulus did not want to look like a savage beast and thus began clearing his body of excess blood in his fur. Washing his hind feet as best he could while listening to the gentle sound of the females pads on the ground, Romulus glanced

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up slightly so see if she was protected from his eyes. Looking to his side of the bank, he saw the glint of his sword sitting on the rocky sand. Wading across the water to grab the sword by the hilt, he heard the she-wolf's question and smiled slightly. Picking up his sword and holding it with the blade resting against his right shoulder, Romulus chuckled softly before wincing, his paws carrying him back across the river so that he could kneel in the shallows. Bringing his sword down, he started to wipe the blade clean of the minotaur’s blood before laying it on the sand and reaching into his belt pouch on his kilt. Bringing out a small bottle of oil and a damp rag, he laid them on the sand as well before looking up at the bush and seeing the she-wolf's head over it. Letting his eyes drift down slightly to where he could see the swish of her tail, Romulus grinned slightly as he saw that despite her tone and questions, there was some curiosity and excitement that she could not die. Feeling his own tail beginning a lazy back and forth rhythm, Romulus unstrapped his sheathe and laid it on the sand before tilting it up on a rock to let any collected water drain out and preserve the integrity of the wood and leather construction.

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Looking down at his blade, Romulus cleared his throat before replying, his hands working to make sure no rocks or sand were in the cloth he had pulled out, “My hunting party and I were on the trail of this minotaur and his band for the past week. We had killed his other brothers after they had ransacked one of our villages, but he was an elusive beast. Some of my party members were injured when we made our most recent engagement, just before the rainfall last night, so I sent them back for aid.” Pouring some oil from the bottle onto the rag, Romulus picked up his blade and began wiping down the blade casually as he continued, “I got on the minotaur’s trail, and I had only intended on tracking it until aid returned. But when I saw it was getting closer to the border, I knew I had to act before I simply ran it into Silverfang territory and gave them a beast to now handle. So, I acted. I’m just thankful you were here so that my hunting days do not end.” Looking up from his blade to look in her direction, Romulus nodded slowly, clearly confident in his words and his actions. He knew the risk of his actions, but he still had to take them. Romulus was concerned by the minotaur’s ability to use magic, but he knew that he had been blessed by Gaia in his own rights when it came to such a topic. Standing a full head over the tallest members in his pack and being substantially stronger and broader, Romulus had found at a young age that Gaia’s gift of magic had not skipped him but instead manifested itself physically. He was empowered by magic and therefore his body and abilities had been improved beyond natural means. Lowering his eyes back to his hands, Romulus wiped the oily rag along the blade of his sword as well as the cross guard and pommel. Once done, he replaced the rag and bottle in his belt pouch before crawling forward to kneel in much shallower water. Taking his blade and sliding it into the dried sheathe, he fastened the straps over his shoulders and around

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his chest. Having returned his blade to its place, Romulus glanced back and nodded when he saw the bovine’s head was still sitting in shallow water on the other edge of the river. His ears flicked in her direction as he heard a gentle clearing of a throat, his eyes soon following slowly to verify that she was in fact dressed. Exhaling softly as he saw that he could now seem more comfortable, Romulus stood up from the water and shook gently to knock off any excess water. He would be crossing the river again, so he saw no way to shake dry just yet. Looking at his rescuer, his breath caught slightly before his eyes flicked away yet again. He found her frame to be very pleasing on the eyes, what with her subtle musculature and the fact that she knew what she was capable of. Clearing his throat and looking up again, Romulus nodded his recognition of her being there before responding with a chuckle, “It is a pleasure to meet you Lia, I am more than happy to give my name. I am Romulus Grayback.” He knew whose side of the river he stood on, but Romulus had always been taught to be proud of his heritage, even in an enemy’s face. He had yet to be proven that he could not back up this confidence, and as he stood before this she-wolf, he felt it would only be disrespectful after what she had done for him to ensure his survival. Tipping his head in a respectful bow as he finished, Romulus smiled before stepping up and out of the water. Standing at his full height, he could clearly see past her into the trees, and he allowed himself a glance to see if there were any wolves he had yet to see arriving on the scene. Seeing nothing behind her, Romulus turned his attention back to her, “Thank you Lia. I am thankful that today was your day at the waterfall.” @Fiory

Juliana watched in silence, listening intently to the explanations that he gave as to why on earth he thought it an acceptable idea to go after a minotaur alone. It made sense, the idea that the pack was overwhelmed by the beast and sending them back for aid was the smart call. Even she knew that much. Idly, she let her paws fuss and brush at her shirted vest, flicking the dirt off of it where Sabelle had dropped her clothing earlier. One thing that did bother her though, something that nagged at the back of her mind listening to his explanation, was the reasoning as to why he was chasing the minotaur. The question pondered in her head for a moment, swimming around to try and force itself to form words. While she waited, her gaze traveled in his direction. There wasn’t much else in the clearing to look at after all, and he happened to be the most interesting living thing around. The minotaur corpse certainly wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon and wouldn’t be something to find interesting to view. Lia noted how he was able to get back across the lake without assistance to get what appeared to be a fine looking blade. Long and shining if not for the blood and dirt that coated its blade. Gently, Juliana rubbed lightly at her bow. He seemed to care for the blade tenderly, like a dear friend or a trusted companion. The care he took in cleaning it didn’t go unnoticed on her.

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Neither did him on his own either. Juliana’s gaze traveled over him, taking in the features that slowly became clearer when he cleaned the blood from his muzzle and fur. His coat came out as a soft gray color though much darker than her own silvery white, and upon closer inspection she recognized the size of him. He seemed much more so than he was earlier when she’d dragged his near lifeless body into the lake to heal him. How had I not realized how much taller he was from me? She couldn’t deny that he was a pleasing sight, and Lia found herself lightly flushed as she continued to watch him. Her thoughts ran through her steadily, while her tail lightly curled and swayed behind her. Once he had finished cleaning and preparing his sword, the weapon was sheathed and the male stood up to his full height. Juliana swallowed a little, needing to lift her muzzle in order to keep her gaze to him. She was no subordinate here on her own turf or on any other. It wasn’t in Lia to show submission to any other wolf, whether they were from her pack or from another’s. The confidence she had came with the territory of the status she held within the Silverfangs pack. She was expected to be a leader, groomed as such. The only problem with it, was she was expected to be the best and all Juliana wanted to do was explore, find a way to make peace for both her faction and her neighbors. The ridiculous territoritorial war that plagued them both was not something that Juliana wanted to continue. Perhaps, I can recruit him to the pack. He would make a very strong ally, and maybe we could actually make headway with the Graybacks The thought was hopeful, thinking that perhaps if faced with a warrior who took down a minotaur then the leaders might finally listen to reason. Negotiate fairly and come to some kind of consensus between them. She couldn’t help the light sway her tail made thinking of this, a light smile coming to her muzzle when he politely bowed his head and gave her his name.

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The name itself was what caused her ears to flick backward slightly and the smile to slowly fade. Of course he’s a Grayback… Why wouldn’t he be… It was a bitter thought, as it both negated the idea she had had in her head, but also made it that more apparent that the Graybacks had quite a formidable warrior on their side as well. Juliana worried for her kin with this new information.

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“Romulus Grayback?” Lia said softly, not showing the slight disappointment she felt inwardly or the apprehension she now felt having him on her side of the lake. “The pleasure is mine, I’m quite certain.” Her ears perked at the words he spoke, and she turned a little to walk back to her village. Though, the question that had been nagging at her now seemed ready to reveal itself knowing his name now. It seemed perhaps that was the information it needed in order to fully form. “I’ve never met a Grayback before… It’s funny… I always thought they were a little taller” She said softly, a light smile spreading across her muzzle as she looked up at him. Obviously he was quite tall, the tallest male she’d ever seen in fact, but keeping him talking was far more interesting than the idea of letting him figure out who exactly she was. It was odd to her, that he was so willing and ready to give his name so freely. Did he not worry that giving up his identity like that would be dangerous? That it might be seen as a weakness or seen as possibly something that the rival pack could use against him. Wait… He said he owes me a life debt… and he doesn’t seem… hostile… perhaps…. It was a fleeting thought, her lifetime of lessons from her family and fellow packmates to be cautious and distrustful of the Graybacks.

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“If you are a Grayback though… Why not just let the Minotaur rampage into Silverfang territory? Aren’t they your enemy? A rival to the Graybacks?” Juliana could finally form the question, finally expel it into sound and words. It had been swimming in her head and upon learning his name had finally made itself clear. Depending on how he would answer these next questions of hers, she would be able to formulate further. Lia showed no signs of being intimidated by him, despite the clear size advantage he had on her. Confident in her abilities to get away if some kind of hostility was shown towards her. Something inside told her that likely not though, considering he had mentioned that he owed her his life. It wasn’t something that she was banking on, keeping those nimble fingers and pads lightly holding the ornate bow over her shoulders, but it was something that she kept in mind. The wind kicked up between them a little, a gentle breeze of the morning that ruffled through both Juliana and Romulus’s fur. The she-wolf stood in defiance of the breeze, letting it hit her gently with barely a notice, even as it wafted not just her scent but his more clearly into her waiting black nostrils. She gave it an inhale, memorizing the scent and committing it to memory in the off chance she would ever need to know of it again after today.

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@Himbo Tie

Romulus could see the way the female had to lift her gaze to maintain eye contact and he nodded slightly, his eyes roaming over the features of her muzzle and ears. He was used to everyone having to look up to see into his eyes, but there were more than a few sheepish wolves that would simply abandon the effort and default to a submissive gesture of lowering their gazes. Respecting the power presented in the concerted effort she made to lift her gaze, Romulus was able to appreciate also the way the white fur on her snout transferred nicely into the silver fur that adorned a good majority of her features. Looking from her small black nose to her black ears, Romulus felt his tongue lower in his mouth but fought the urge to let his jaw drop slightly in order to encourage panting. He knew this female was attractive, but he did not need to look like a panting mess or fool. Looking over her features, his eyes latched onto the silver fur over her sharp, blue eyes. He thought for a moment over the small number of wolves that he had seen sporting such a pure silver that had not muddied into a light gray and found himself at a startlingly low number. His amber eyes moved to not only admire the features of her athletic and yet feminine arms, but also to take note of her continued silver coat and the richness of the hue. His ears moved forward attentively as his tail’s lazy side to side motion came to a halt and stood back from his body, stilling and thickening as his fur began to puff slightly. It was a subconscious measure to make himself look bigger as he approached a threat or challenger, but Romulus caught himself and lowered his tail, putting it back in a lazy wag. Chuckling softly at the comment of their meeting being for her pleasure, Romulus looked down at the ground before allowing his eyes to travel up her body at an easy pace before he let their eyes meet again. The female before him was very elegant, her body worked to master the concepts of feminine power an

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d beauty at the same time. Her body looked tender in all the right places that Romulus preferred, while also maintaining the ability to protect and provide for herself. He did not hide his appreciation as a small smile played at his muzzle before he looked back into her eyes as she spoke. Chuckling softly and beginning to raise his right hand to rub the back of his neck, Romulus was aware of the fact that that was the shoulder his sword hilt was on and instead lifted his left paw. Grinning awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck gently, he nodded and spoke in a playful tone, his tail beginning to swish back and forth at a healthy rate, kicking up the back of his kilt slightly, “Eh, what can I say? I’m the runt of my litter.” Grinning and looking over her face to the amusement in her eyes, his thoughts of her heritage left as he wanted only to keep her talking in order to hear her speak.

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Hearing her question about why he would continue to hunt the minotaur, Romulus felt the smile leave his muzzle slowly while his ears also began to tighten and angle back slightly. His eyes narrowed and his hackles raised slightly as he thought of the minotaur and what it had done in the land. Feeling the wind beginning to pick up as he weighed how he might answer that question, Romulus flicked his left ear around to listen for any sounds that could be carried on the wind as a warning or greeting. Mention of the minotaur had obviously stressed him out, but as he turned his ear back towards the female in front of him, Romulus breathed in deeply to commit her scent to memory. Opening his mouth slightly so that he could breathe in deeper through her nose, Romulus glanced towards the minotaur corpse before responding, “Put simply, the Minotaur was my prey, and I would not lose it to anyone.” Turning slightly to look at the dark mark of blood in the water where he had dropped the Minotaur head, Romulus let out a low, rolling growl in its direction, a clear display of his anger and disdain for the creature. Looking back to Lia with his eyes returned to their normal size and attentive ears, he spoke in a low voice, “That monster and its kin had killed eight of my packmates before I was assigned to hunt it down and kill it. I had killed off its compatriots, but that beast was elusive and wanted to use the rain and border to escape. I could not let it survive after what it did, so I would have hunted that thing until the ends of the earth, Gaia willing.” Breathing out slightly in a way to try to calm himself down after he had obviously grown stressed, Romulus shook his head vigorously, allowing his jowls to shake and his ears to flop back and forth. Stopping moments later as his hackles began to soften and lay back down, he nodded before speaking in a finalizing tone, “I have no love for the Silverfangs that would tell my people how to live, but I am not going to let th

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em be taken by surprise by a monstrous beast. We may be different in our views, but we are both wolves and must stand together against external threats, such as that...thing.” @Fiory

She couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her muzzle, a quiet thing muffled by her paw that had come to greet it. The runt you say? Your family must be made of giants then… who knew… She thought, her tail pleasantly swaying behind her at the thought. Juliana had a soft expression when she laughed; lighthearted and nearly bubbly, even with the smallest mention of the action. It certainly made the capable she-wolf look softer in her expressions. “Well… if you are the runt I fear I will hurt my neck trying to meet the gaze of the rest of your litter.” Lightly teased, letting those blue eyes turn from him a moment. “I’m the eldest of two myself…” Lia began, bringing her paws up to the longer strands of fur at her neck. She didn’t rub in the awkward manner that he had, but instead just played and wrung out additional bits of water. A few droplets fell, but for the most part her fur was just lightly damp, which was nice as then it wouldn’t soak her dry clothes.

06:50

While she had earnestly wanted to know the answer to the question she had posed to him, her ears flattened a little watching his demeanor change. He seemed to be a bit more irritated at the inquiry, and upon seeing his hackles raise, her own did the same. Her tail stood tall behind her, ceasing that wagging motion; a dominant stance taken that she wouldn’t deny. If he was going to be hostile just for mentioning her pack’s name and the possibility of him losing out on the destruction of the Silverfangs territory then Juliana would be ready for the likely fight that might come from it. However, it never came and she relaxed again. Turned out, the beast had caused mayhem on Grayback soil it seemed. Murdering eight of Romulus’s packmates in it’s destructive war path. That’s awful…I can certainly understand the level of grief that would come from such a thing. Juliana thought in silence, letting the male continue to answer her inquiry. The idea that he would not allow the thing to survive after the atrocities it had committed was also something of note too.

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“So you chased it, out of vengeance?” Lia continued, asking for clarification mostly just to be sure she thought of this incident correctly. She had never gone on a hunt out of revenge or vengeance in mind. It was a dark thought, and she wondered if this was the reputation that the Graybacks had and why; they would hunt out of revenge, kill for a kill. Her ears fell a little though hearing him continue on even though the words didn’t surprise the she-wolf. The idea that he had no love for the Silverfangs wasn’t surprising; her pack equally couldn’t care for the Graybacks. It was more that regardless of that lack of care for the pack itself, for his enemy, he still thought it unacceptable to allow such a beast to rampage into the Silverfang territory without trying to stop it or warn the pack of the impending danger. So he has some, honor I suppose…At least he cares for his species if not a different pack than his own Juliana thought to herself. His words forced her answer though, feeling the need to defend her pack and home a little against them. “They do not tell you how to live your life… Just provide an alternative. It’s not like they’re forcing the Graybacks to do anything that difficult, you know…” Her words were a little sharper than she had intended, a soft growl on the edges of each word. It was always like this it seemed when any kind of talks happened between the Silverfangs and the Graybacks; The Graybacks thought that the Silverfangs were forcing their beliefs onto them and the Silverfangs always thought that they were dismissed and ignored in their attempt to better both clans for future generations. Peace talks for this reason were few and far between. Still the idea that he didn’t want her pack to be taken by surprise by that beast weighed heavily on Juliana. Something kept pulling at her, and perhaps the thought of that life debt kept nagging at her a little. *That will do I think…If I can’t recruit him… perhaps I can at least make him see reason

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.* A playful, almost wickedly so grin spread across her muzzle. She took a few steps from him, just a small distance towards the forest, turning her back briefly without fear or hesitation. It was meant as a tease, her tail still high and curled defiantly. Juliana turned back around to face him, leaning casually against the trunk of a large sycamore tree, grinning and raising a brow at him and recrossing her arms in front of her. Her legs even crossed gently at the ankles, one over the other. Her stance had a casually cool confidence to it, and Juliana was curious to his reaction at her next set of words.

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“So tell me, if you have no love for the Silverfangs as you say… Will your opinion change knowing that you were saved by one? That you owe a life debt to one as you say?” There was a light chuckle on her voice, having decided that this life debt he owed to her could provide the leverage she wanted in order to begin peace talks anew. Anything to help not only her pack, but his too. “You can of course call me Lia, most everyone does… but my full name for your reference Romulus Grayback, is Juliana Silverfang.” @Himbo Tie

Romulus couldn’t help but grin when he heard Lia’s laugh behind her paw, his ears quirking forward to absorb as much of the sound as he could. It was a beautiful sound, and with the little bits of her features that he could see behind her paw when she laughed, she wore a matching expression that he needed to see more of. Dropping his jaw to lick his snout with a chuckle, Romulus grinned a little more as she spoke about his family, his eyes growing narrow with joy before he responded, “You should see my younger brother. If you think I’m tall, he is gargantuan by all accounts.” Chuckling softly at the thought of his younger brother, the true runt of the litter, trying to jump to get his head up to Romulus’s shoulders, he allowed a warmth to spread over his features. No longer was he attentive and prepared for a fight. No longer was he looking for blood. Standing here with this female as she talked about her family and played with her hair, Romulus felt a pulling in his gut which commanded him to make sure she continued to smile and laugh as much as he could manage. This intent to make her happy and the playfulness was quick to find the wind and blow away, as with his hackles rising and his attitude shifting, so too did hers. Her hackles matched his and despite the size difference, Lia did not back down but instead she stood strong on the edge of her territory. Had he not been sucked into a negative memory with the minotaur, Romulus would have seen how quick she was to become protective and fierce. He would have seen this self-preservation and determination and would have been extremely attracted to it. Instead, seeing her response to his actions, Romulus felt himself fill with doubt of whether he should assert himself and show that he wasn’t about to back down or if he should just let the situation simmer out as conflict between them was not his goal. Releasing his tension in his hackles as he spoke, Romulus was happy to see her do similarly so that they could c

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ontinue to talk without aggression. Raising an eyebrow as she asked why he chased it, Romulus stepped back and waded through the water quickly, not caring how he splashed the water or moved his healed wounds. His physical magic made him more resilient in more than just raw strength. Gaia had blessed his body with an accelerated healing factor, and after the help he had received from Lia, his wounds were nearly completely healed. Trudging through the water, he grabbed the minotaur head by its horn and pulled his trophy up out of the water. Walking back over to Lia and throwing the head on the ground, Romulus spat at it. “I killed that beast to bring honor to those that it and its kind had so dishonorably killed. You could call it vengeance, but it is a vengeance born from wanting to make things right for my dead packmates and their loved ones that are left grieving with no idea how to move forward. No, I did not hunt this minotaur or his band with the need for a meal, but neither did he hunt my people for a meal. I responded to his act of violence with one of my own, a supreme lesson of willpower that I hope my pack can benefit from.”

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Seeing her ears fall back for a moment before she responded sharply, her body language communicating distress and being threatened, Romulus dropped his head for a moment with his eyes closed and sighed. Looking back up and letting his ears relax slightly as he tried to diffuse the tension, Romulus spoke in a low, measured tone, “Difficulty of a change or not, the Silverfangs are trying to change our way of life. I do not know what lives in these woods behind you, but in the woods behind me, a minotaur is not the worst abomination that can be found. We have survived by taking the fight to them when we are able, we cannot afford to take on a more...peaceful life.” Looking down at the minotaur head, Romulus put his hindfoot out and nudged the head before pulling it back and letting it roll into the shallows of the river. He did not want it to be a focus of conversation as he looked over the she-wolf before him. Even as tensions had risen, Romulus could not ignore the feminine beauty of her body and the clear attraction he felt when looking over her features and into her eyes. Seeing her features begin to lighten up as a playful grin worked across her muzzle, Romulus crossed his arms over his chest and smirked slightly to see what she had to say now. Feeling his tail begin to move back and forth as he watched her step back before turning around, Romulus could not stop his eyes from moving slowly to wander over her body. The way her tail curled and stood high as she walked worked to pull his eyes in before they focused on the natural curves of her hips. Feeling his jaw drop slightly as his tongue betrayed his excitement, he almost didn’t notice he had started to pant softly until he raised his eyes to her torso and looked over the gentle swell up towards her shoulders. They were strong shoulders with even stronger arms, a clear indication that in all her beauty, Lia was a formidable wolf and well-used to using her bow on her back. Licking his lips quickly as she tu

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rned around and leaned against the tree trunk, Romulus’s ears snapped forwards attentively as he made sure he missed nothing in this moment. He felt drawn to step closer to her, but as his leg shifted, he remembered where he was and only smirked as he knew going to her would be leaving the neutral zone of the river. Watching her cross her arms and allowing his eyes to shamelessly track to her chest which was pushed upwards slightly by the movement, Romulus ran his eyes over her body down to her crossed ankle before raising his gaze back to hers. His pupils were enlarged with attraction and arousal, and if she looked, Lia would see that his tail was making powerful sweeps back and forth while a tent was beginning to form in the front of his kilt. Listening intently to her words, Romulus chuckled softly and shook his head, “I do not recognize your scent, so the idea that you are a Silverfang had crossed my mind.” Smirking as he finished, Romulus let his eyes move over her again, his craving growing as he looked back to her face. Breathing deeply as he hung onto her words, his chest froze when she stated her whole name. Something about it was incredibly familiar, but he could not place it. Breathing in slowly as he nodded, Romulus stepped forward in defiance of the border laws that he had been taught from birth. Aware he was crossing into her territory and risking a fight if there were Silverfangs nearby, Romulus reached down and gripped one of her paws gently. Lifting it so that he could press his lips against the back of her paw, Romulus kept his eyes on hers before speaking in a low voice, his arousal present in the hint of gravel in his tone that he pushed through to try and speak clearly, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Juliana. I keep my life debt as without you I would be dead.” @Fiory

It was clear that there was attraction on both sides of the aisle, Juliana was just better at hiding it. She had taken notice of the way his amber eyes had looked her up and down, had studied her physique and fine feminine features. How his tail had increased in its wagging behind him and those sharp blue eyes of hers had even noticed the slight movement of his wet kilt around his waist. It wasn’t lost on her the quick glances he made or the slight panting he had barely shown. Lia was very attentive to what was around her. She had to be, as both an archer and as a future leader. The Silverfangs would be under poor guidance if their leader couldn’t tell the difference between one emotion and another or spot the subtle changes in mood as it swung between senses. It was so ingrained in Lia that she observed like this as second nature, taking in any and all information available at all times. Often it would give her a bit of a stern expression, calculating and cunning. But with him, her muzzle just spread into a gentle smile, her back shifting a bit to be more comfortable and to not press too hard against her bow. His words swam in her head when he had said them previously before she had turned away and allowed him to watch her backside. ”Difficulty of a change or not, the Silverfangs are trying to change our way of life. I do not know what lives in these woods behind you, but in the woods behind me, a minotaur is not the worst abomination that can be found. We have survived by taking the fight to them when we are able, we cannot afford to take on a more...peaceful life.” He had said, and for a while she pondered it. If not used to the way the Silverfangs did things, it surely would be a difficult change, that she couldn’t argue. What she could was the lack of try from the Graybacks at all. It seemed that no matter the discussion, or the assistance that the Silverfangs offered, they were not interested.

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“The pleasure is all mine, Romulus.” The words slid out of her muzzle like freshly spun silk, quiet and gentle with a soft grace to it. She had taken notice that he’d crossed into her territory, that he was not abiding by the border like he should, but at the same time she knew she had kind of coerced him into it. By walking further away from the lake’s edge and the riverbank, she silently had invited him further into Silverfang wood. Thankfully for him, even if there were other Silverfang scouts or such nearby, they wouldn’t dare descend upon him without Juliana’s express order. She outranked them, simple as that. “It looks like, you might be well enough to not require additional assistance though…” She continued, tilting her head a little towards the wound that had healed so nicely on his abdomen. Lia didn’t need to examine it so thoroughly, but she couldn’t help the movement of her paw once released from his polite grasp, to softly press at where the wound had been. It certainly did look to be healed up, though she was sure that she wasn’t the sole cause of that. Her gentle pads were careful, delicately tracing where the wound had been so horribly made. Before she realized it, Lia had not only reached out to touch at him without permission, but she now was idly allowing her fingertips to explore the musculature he sported. Gliding across fur and feeling the divots of his muscles underneath. It was only a moment, a fleeting second or two before she realized the error and withdrew her paw. Her face flushed a little at it, and for the first time since their meeting her blue eyes couldn’t meet his gaze. A light thumping noise of something soft against wood was her tail lightly thwacking against the trunk behind her.

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“I do understand, you know… that change is difficult…” Lia started slowly, keeping herself calmer this time, trying not to take offense to the idea that her and her people lived a somewhat euphoric life. That there were not troubles or dangers on her side of the river. This couldn’t be further from the truth. While they didn’t have minotaurs to chase away, they would get other nasty beasts that would venture in to try and ruin their peaceful way of life. “It just seems that your people… never want to try. That’s all we’ve ever asked for was the attempt Romulus, as we think it could benefit not just us as your neighbors but yourselves too. Both our packs are large, with many mouths to feed… if we both were to hunt to our hearts content and spill the blood of many to do it… Eventually there would be no prey to feast on, and we all would go hungry.” It had taken a moment for Juliana to compose herself enough after inadvertently massaging him to state her pack’s position on the matter. This was important to her, a necessary need to get through to someone, anyone on the other side of the river. If just one, if I can convince just one of them to try… to see the other side and attempt it.. Maybe we can work together. “Also, contrary to popular belief we have our own problems on this side of the boundary too. Not minotaurs necessarily, but we get beasts that are unwelcome threats too…” A light huff, a small indication of a chuckle escaped her lips at him, her paw lightly raising and her index finger pressing lightly against his black nose. Her pad was soft, and the gesture was playful, enjoying the sound of that graveled voice and the teasing that she could do to him. That most females had the spells to cast over males. Juliana never employed these tactics normally, but something about this Grayback male made her guard slip a little, made her want to converse with him, made her want to play. It was a butterfly-like feeling that washed over her, something that made her f

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ur stand on end but not in an aggressive or tense way. It was like it was filled with electrical energy, and all Juliana thought to do was to keep him talking to enjoy the sensation further.

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“We just don’t typically save them out of the lake.” This was purely a jest, insinuating that Romulus was some kind of horrible monstrous beast that would be an unwelcome threat to her and to her people. It was very clear with the smile and softness of her face that she meant this as a playful bit of banter, nothing to get upset over but purely to joke at the idea that both of their packs had had of one another for so long. Her black ears remained forward, attentive and listening, transfixed on the words he might say or the sounds he might employ. Unknown to her as she certainly could not smell it herself, that breeze that played with their fur back and forth had picked up another sweet scent on it this time, playing with it and wrapping it around his muzzle teasingly. Try her best to hide the attraction she felt for him, this light concocted scent of pheromones would surely give her away if her actions and words had not done so already. The words and the concept of it hadn’t found their way into her conscious mind yet, but inwardly she noted that even though he was a warrior of her rival pack… he was quite enjoyable to speak with. @Himbo Tie

Looking over her features as she leaned against the tree, her mind enraptured by what had been said earlier, Romulus allowed his eyes and nose do what was needed. This was a she-wolf like none other he had seen before. He knew many attractive females within his pack and neighboring packs associated with the Graybacks, but none of them possessed what Lia did. Her eyes sparkled with a supreme intelligence, one that likely outclassed his own, but he was not threatened by that. If anything, being in the presence of a being that outclassed him in anything was refreshing and exciting. It gave him a new opportunity, one that enticed him to find more to test her with. Looking from her eyes to the features of her muzzle, Romulus leaned in slightly and moved his head from side to side to look at her from both angles. A smirk played with his muzzle as he moved without shame to express his attraction. His eyes studied her face before looking down over her body and then back up to her face. A soft rumbling sound of appreciation escaped his chest before he closed his amber eyes and breathed in deeply, his mouth opening slightly so that he could taste her scent as well as smelling it. Locking it into memory as his eyes closed, Romulus released a shuddering breath before stepping back slightly, aware that he had been blunt with his interest but not caring either. Listening to the gentle sound of her voice as she said his name, Romulus grinned and bit his lower lip gently before looking into her eyes. There was a touch of a challenge to his gaze as he let out slightly shaky breaths. He could not help but admit that in hearing her say that he wanted to show her what a pleasure it could be to meet him. Instead, he took his eyes away from her for a moment. Looking at the trees around them, his left ear flicked around as he heard the tail end of a quiet howl on the wind. Recognizing it as Remus’s voice, it was too distant for him to understand the words, but his ear quickly flicked

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back to Lia as she spoke again. Looking down at his wound, or rather the scar that itself was beginning to dissipate into normal fur coloration, Romulus smiled slightly before speaking in a reverent tone, “Gaia has blessed me in many ways. If I do not die from a wound, she will heal me. I do not have much experience in seeing her gift in action as I do not lose, but it is still surprising to me.” His words did not take on a cocky inflection, showing that he believed truly the reason he was successful in his fights was because Gaia blessed him and allowed it. Looking down at her hand as it reached out to touch the wound, Romulus smiled as he expected her hand to pull away. When her hand stayed on him and slowly began to move around, a ragged sigh left Romulus’s muzzle. His eyes closed softly as his abs flexed gently under her touch, his breath coming shakily before a soft whimper left his throat at the same time that the tent in his kilt flexed upwards before falling back down. Opening his eyes and looking to her with a breathless expression, his soft panting could be heard as he felt his abs flex and release under her touch. When she pulled away, a low groan escaped his throat before he closed his mouth and swallowed thickly. His tail wagged back and forth quickly as he looked up to see her gaze had trailed off into the distance. Pressing forward, he ignored the border completely and placed his right paw on the tree over her head as he leaned in towards her.

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Looking down over her and breathing hungrily, Romulus had a hard time beginning to focus on her words when she spoke again. Pushing back from the tree, he kept his paw where it was but angled back enough that he could look into her eyes again in an attempt to focus his attention on her words. Sighing softly as he listened to her, he nodded slowly before looking to the ground. What she said made good sense, and it had been something he had been hearing the others in the pack beginning to mention. Feasting was nice, but only if the prey could replenish their numbers. Romulus had never weighed in, always one to enjoy the thrill of the hunt, but he never outright disagreed with the others. Remus was the most vocal against this change that Juliana proposed. Looking up from the ground to meet her eyes, he exhaled slowly through his nose before pushing off the tree and speaking, “I am not in a position to make policy changes with my pack, but I understand what you are saying. If we lose our food, we will starve, there is no other way that can be said.” His lips grew into a tight line as his brows furrowed, the gray fur clumping together on his forehead. He knew there was a change that needed to be made, but he had heard two very different ideas proposed, each with their own pros and cons. Glancing up as she spoke, his serious train of thought was broken by a single index finger tapping him on the snout. Breathing out quickly and pulling his head back with a shake, Romulus grinned as his forehead relaxed and his ears fell from their attentive stance to a more relaxed stance. Leaning forward and licking her finger quickly, Romulus’s eyes lit up with a playful spark as he smiled at her. Raising his eyebrows at the mention of saving the beasts from the lake, Romulus let out a playful growl as he stepped towards her. Looking to the soft features of her face as she smiled and laughed softly, Romulus felt himself weakening at the knees and moved forward. Walking a slow circle

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around her as he released playful growls between deep chuckles, Romulus ended up in front of her again and placed his paw on the tree again. Leaning down to move his muzzle close to the side of her neck, he froze when a sweet scent overwhelmed his sense and pulled a shuddering moan from his throat. Pulling his head back and looking at her with his pupils enlarged, he breathed in deeply again to gather more of this sweet scent. Panting softly and closing his eyes, he felt his tail wagging slower and more heavily. Taking in her pheromones but not knowing what they were, his body released his own, mixing the air with her pheromones with a bold, earthy scent of a musk that came purely from a sense of need. Looking to her eyes as he breathed heavily, Romulus swallowed thickly and pushed back quickly, his paws coming to the sides of his muzzle. Turning a tight circle as he tried to think of what to do, he paused when he was looking at her, his eyes and tented kilt betraying his momentary uncertainty. @Fiory

That faint sound in the distance hadn’t been lost on her, though her black ears just turned away from the sound she couldn’t understand anyway. Too far to decipher. And clearly not as interesting. Well practiced in holding her tongue and only speaking when the impact would be felt, Lia leaned there stoically. Her eyes glimmered up at him, betraying the interest she had been brewing and attempting to keep hidden. Little traitorous signs of mutiny that Juliana couldn’t help because of what she was. She didn’t comment when he mentioned how he had been blessed by Gaia, that she would heal him and that he’d never really known this healing because he never lost. Well, she blessed you in more ways than one I expect… Juliana inwardly commented, not daring to let a sentence like that slip out, lest she really want to rile up this rival male. Part of her though, wanted to see how far he dared go. The idea excited her far more than any hunt had. Her fingertips had enjoyed the flexed muscles he’d shown off at her touch, and perhaps that was the biggest reason that they had lingered there for as long as they did before she pulled them away. Now though, an overwhelming desire to reach back out again was something she wrestled with, as she certainly enjoyed feeling the strength he held; as well as the little noises he made were also pleasing to the she-wolf too. “That unfortunately, makes two of us.” Juliana decided to continue the conversation. Thinking more about his physique, the stances he took, the confidence he exuded and the excitement that he was unashamedly flexing was making her head a little fuzzier than she was comfortable with. No, going back to business, going back to what the packs needed was a safer bet. Don’t get rattled Lia… She encouraged herself, her tail still thumping softly against the tree at her back. “I am not in a position currently to make policy changes for my pack. My ultimate goal though… is just to have both packs agree to come together and ta

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lk. At least talking we might be able to come to a solution that for the sake of all of us, could positively impact both packs.” Slowly, Juliana uncrossed her ankles and stood up against the tree now, not leaning any further and wanting to be as tall as she could be. It wouldn’t matter of course, he was much taller than she was by a good foot and a half. The light lick on her finger had sent a light chill through her arm and down her spine. Wouldn’t mind more of that I think… Blinking and shaking her muzzle a little at herself more than anything else, Juliana tried to regroup again. A small sound, an echo of a sound really caught her attention momentarily, thankfully and similar to his reaction she let an ear pivot behind her to try and analyze the noise. It sounded like a twig breaking, something snapping in the woods. A normal sound, nothing to really catch her alarm at least not yet. Juliana was far more interested in the playful male that had decided to try and emulate the beasts she had mentioned. The gentle giggle that escaped her muzzle at him was sweet, light on the air as she turned her muzzle to watch him stalk around her in a circle around the tree. Playful, handsome, strong and blessed… Where have you been hiding Romulus Grayback? You certainly don’t portray the stereotypical brute of a Grayback… Joining him in this play, though unable to keep the smile from her face, she bared her teeth at him, as if trying to protect herself from some vicious bloodthirsty beast that had invaded her territory. Juliana even took her bow from her shoulders though no arrow and held the string at the nock point as if she was preparing for the battle of her life.

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It wouldn’t be a long game, ending with him looming over her again. His muzzle was far closer this time and it made her chest rise and fall a little heavier. Her breath came a bit sharper. Still in that playful little partial snarl, when she took in breath the taste of him flooded her senses. Juliana had ignored the earthy scent he’d had successfully for the most part up until this moment when he was just a bit too close and her mouth had welcomed the robust aroma to waft in. Down boy… Easy girl… In the same moment those thoughts raced through her head, instead of saying them aloud, Juliana let out a barely audible sigh. It was nearly a whine, and it surprised even her. It seemed to surprise him too as he quickly moved away, which gave her a moment to regroup and catch the breath he’d stolen. The tension in the air was thick like the blood that stained the lake and river run. For a moment or two there was just silence between the pair, the male having moved a step or two back while the female turned her gaze away and held the back of her neck nervously. She never got nervous. Never got rattled. Just… Calm down. It’s fine… Must be something in the air is all… Juliana thought, her paw sliding along her neck gently rubbing it before putting her bow back over her shoulder to rest. Those blue eyes glanced in his direction and she immediately wished she hadn’t. While Lia had noticed the movement before now it was far more prominent to her, the lifted bit of fabric at his waistline that refused to lie flat against him. The she-wolf thanked Gaia for her wisdom in not giving that kind of giveaway of emotion to females. Too much of a liability, too prominent and too tempting. “I um… well…” Juliana wished she hadn’t spoken at all. Her muzzle hung a bit and she had to clear her throat and shake herself a little to attempt to return to that more dominant she-wolf that she was. Her muzzle opened again, just to continue conversing with him, to ask him about the Grayback

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pack in general, as she really didn’t have much intel on it when that light echo returned. It was a little louder this time, and instinct compelled Juliana to lift her nostrils into the air and scent behind her. Not too far off now, how they had snuck up on them so quickly, was the familiar aroma of Sabelle, along with a pair of other pack mates. Male by the smell of them.

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“Right… I told her to go get help… because I wasn’t sure if I could actually heal you…” The statement was said aloud, and her muzzle lowered a little to the solid truth that stood in front of her. Not only was Romulus no longer in need of medical care and healing, but he was squarely in violation of the border line of the river. A soft whine escaped her muzzle, hating the idea and not having any other choice in the matter. “You should go…Or… Hide I guess…I’d rather not have to heal you again or my fellow packmates…” The words said were mentioned with importance in them. Juliana didn’t want a fight on her soil, certainly not between her own packmates and this enemy male that lit her senses aflame. She was half tempted to hide with him, but she knew that would just worry Sabelle and then a larger search party would come for her. The pawsteps were thicker than Sabelle and Juliana’s had been earlier that morning, and the light thudding of leather against itself was getting louder as each second passed. As much as Juliana wanted Romulus to stay, if only to enjoy his company further, it was no longer private or safe to do so. @Himbo Tie

The way Juliana pulled out her bow to play with him as he stalked around the tree was too much for Romulus, a warmth spreading not only his stomach with arousal but also higher in his chest. The playful energy in her smile and her laughter were perfection to Romulus’s ears. When she snarled her lip up in mock anger at him, Romulus returned with a deep growl and a snarl that was equally playful. Circling around and disengaging from the play as he tried to contain himself, it was harder for Romulus than he would like to admit. He heard what she had said about their packs, and while the idea of conversing what was best for his pack was important to him, pursuing this interest before him was so much higher. Stepping forward after he looked her over with his pulse racing, Romulus pressed his right paw just above her head while his left found her waist and gripped it firmly. Pulling her forward as he pressed forward, he released a low moan when his erect member pressed into her lower abdomen. Lowering his muzzle so that he could lick the side of her head softly, Romulus released a breathy moan as he pressed against her. The battle to maintain distance and control over himself was a losing war, but with a soft groan as he heard the familiar howl on the wind closer this time, Romulus nuzzled his snout against Juliana and stepped back. Making his paws into fists as he looked her over, Romulus regretted it for with every time he looked over the strong feminine beauty before him, he felt a desire to touch her and appreciate her and all that she had to offer. Growling deeply as he closed the distance again, it was clear that Romulus was not upset with her, just with his back-and-forth indecision. Looking from her eyes to her muzzle which betrayed her, Romulus grinned and leaned down to tap his snout against hers gently. Looking into her eyes, he cleared his throat softly before speaking in a low voice, “I want what is best for my pack, Juliana. If that means peace talks w

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ith the Silverfangs, then I will be the one to bring it to the others and ask that they consider it. Too much bloodshed has occurred between the same species. Bloodshed is for others; we must be above it or else we are no better than the beasts I hunt.” The howl from Remus could be heard without turning his ears, causing Romulus to groan and lower his ears while closing his eyes. Looking to Juliana with a small smile, he cleared his throat before speaking in a soft voice that was gritty from aggravation, “I should probably answer that, let him know I’m not dead.” As if to echo the appearance of his comrades, Romulus heard a twig snap behind them on the Silverfang side of the river. Rotating his ears to hear it better, he caught onto the steady sounds of incoming feet. Looking down at Juliana, Romulus felt a touch of betrayal before she spoke. Looking down at his stomach, he nodded as it made sense that she had sent for help when she did not know whether or not the mystery male would die.

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Hearing the soft whine from her muzzle eased the sudden feelings trying to sprout in Romulus’s chest. Moving closer to press his snout gently against the side of hers, Romulus brought his paws up to gently embrace her cheeks. He ignored his cock and the need to fuck the she-wolf before him, and instead he pressed his lips against hers quickly before pulling back to speak, “This is not the last time that you and I will speak, Juliana. Don’t make me, but I will hunt you down just to see you again. I have your scent, and you have mine. Don’t be a stranger.” Releasing her cheeks gently, Romulus stepped back and took a deep breath. Turning his head up into the air, he released a long and loud howl, one that started by alerting Remus that he was alive and well. Changing the sound mid-howl, Romulus shifted the message to one of a victorious end. Hearing excited howls joining his as Remus and the wolves with him, celebrated his victory, Romulus looked to Juliana and smiled before turning and picking up the minotaur head. Going to the edge of the water, Romulus turned his head back to look at Juliana. Offering her a soft howl, one that was more like a low whine, he communicated his desire to see her before jumping into the river and moving across the depths in an awkward run. Trying to get as much water on himself as he could to make it look like he had not been air-drying while standing with a female, Romulus stopped on the other bank and turned to look where he had just come from. His attention was immediately pulled to the appearance of three figures from closer to the waterfall. Narrowing his eyes and holding up the minotaur head with a snarl, Romulus heard the sounds of foot falls behind him. Glancing backwards, he saw Remus and three other large wolves emerging from the woods. The other three were a mix of black and dark gray and they all stood at least as tall as a tall wolf, however beside Romulus they were effectively dwarfed. Looking across the water, Romulus

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released the victorious howl again while holding the head up in the air. @Fiory

Juliana had a hard time keeping her sharp blue eyes off of him. He smiled lightly when he got close, feeling her chest thud loudly before he’d move away again. When he mentioned how he’d talk to the Graybacks, she had merely nodded in acknowledgement to him, her stomach swirling with butterflies when he got as close as he did. Her body had tingled at his touch on her hip and when he had moved away it felt cold like winter. Juliana didn’t know she wanted that until it had been pulled away from her. You’re getting in too deep Lia… He’s a Grayback remember? There were times her inner voice really needed a muzzle. Lia didn’t stop the gentle breathy exhale she made when he left again from her. The back and forth actions of the male were driving her crazy too. Her tail curled and raised behind her, hearing the howl on the wind clearer and clearer from his side of the river. She knew that the small party on her side wouldn’t be far from them too. “Yes… You probably should..” Was whispered and for a brief moment she thought he might not come back again. There was a heavy pain that settled on her chest, only for the weight to be released again when he decided to return to her. This time, her paws embraced him a little, one on his upper arm, the other on his chest. She had whined, telling him to go, knowing her packmates wouldn’t take as kindly as she had to a stranger on their shore. Before she got the chance to tell him again to leave, Juliana felt him pressed against her lips. It wasn’t the only thing she felt but it was the one thing she focused her attention on. Her paws softly held him, and while the embrace was quick only a moment or two, Lia felt it could have lasted an age. There was no stopping that sweet sound when he did that, certainly unexpected and surprising the young female.

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The sound escaped in the kiss, but was made in her throat. Melodic and quiet on the ears a soft moan of enjoyment. It hinted at her own songs and sounds she could make. As soon as it had been made it was gone again, and she crossed her arms when he went back to the water. The loud howl he made was certainly triumphant, strong willed and challenging considering where he stood. Juliana would answer his small, more quiet one with a light bark, whisper quiet; Lia would like nothing more than to see him again too. She nodded and giggled at the idea that he would hunt her down to see her. Not if I hunt you down first had been her response though only to herself. Her tail couldn’t stop wagging behind her, watching him finally take his leave with the head of the beast as his trophy. It was good timing too, as his group met with him, Sabelle came out into the clearing followed by two males who were usually assigned to sentry duty of the pack. She must have thought that perhaps they were strong enough to carry the warrior if herself and Lia were not strong enough. “Lady Juliana! Where is he? What happened?” She started quickly and Lia was sure to turn them around to keep Romulus and his own group out of view. “Oh.. I was able to heal him… He’s fine now… Left with his prize.” Juliana explained, stretching a bit as the sentry males turned to escort the two females back to the safety of their pack. One grumbled under his breath about how it wasn’t safe for her to be out so close to the border like this. The other agreed but also complained how they were missing breakfast over a false alarm.

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Juliana was the last to leave the clearing, standing on the edge of it and looking back across the lake. She could make out Romulus easily among his shorter packmates. She stood in awe of him for a moment, until he turned back her direction. There was a pause, and he howled in victory again, raising the head of the minotaur before making his way out and away with his fellow wolves. How will I tell him, when we can meet again? Juliana wondered, before a small idea came to her. Allowing Sabelle and the sentries time to move away from her, Juliana lifted her muzzle and a higher pitched song rose out of it. The howl was soft as well as strong, and held an odd message, on that she hoped Romulus might be able to decipher.

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”Bovine Warrior and your victory campaign, A Healer who saved you wishes to see you again. Call to me, Sing to me Of Lands far away Meet me tonight to wander and play By the light of the moon when the sun dips away, Just Sing to me, Call to me Of Seas and the bay Keep safe this secret of Silver and Gray.” “That’s a pretty rhyme. What’s it mean?” The auburn fae had asked when Juliana had finished and let her howl ring out gently on the breeze. Her black ears flicked a little and she shook her head. “It’s nothing, just a rhyme I heard somewhere… Helped me concentrate when I was healing that male earlier.” Juliana lied, hoping that perhaps the message would get through and it wasn’t too complicated for Romulus to figure out. Surely anyone else who heard it would be like Sabelle; a pretty song of some fabled warrior. @Himbo Tie

Looking across the river longingly as Remus clapped him on the shoulder, Romulus looked to the other wolf and pointed towards the black mass in the water that was the corpse of the minotaur. Two of the other wolves moved out of the underbrush and across the sand before wading into the water to grab the corpse by its arms and pull it out. Seeing the headless beast as he picked up its axe, Remus chuckled softly before punching Romulus in the arm, “You really did a number on it, you bastard. I told you to wait until we returned, you could have died.” Smirking at the validity of his friend’s words, Romulus tilted his head to the side before punching him back in the arm, “Yeah, but I didn’t. So, let’s go home and feast. He’s still fresh, and he’ll feed the grieving just fine.” Watching the wolves dragging the corpse enter the underbrush, Romulus put his hand on Remus’s shoulder and walked into the underbrush with him. His steps paused however as a familiar voice rang out over the wind, carrying a beautiful tune with it that brought a smile to Romulus’s muzzle. Glancing back, he made and unspoken promise to be here before pushing the curious Remus forward and walking with him. They traveled across miles of trails, their pace much more comfortable this time as they retraced the steps of their hunt. The hunt had carried them quite some distance as the Graybacks kept their villages away from the border, preferring to use that area as hunting and training areas in case there was in incursion across the river by the Silverfangs. The best way to protect your people was to keep them out of the way of your enemy, and despite what he had seen today, Romulus still felt drawn to subscribing to the idea that the majority of Silverfangs were their enemies. They may not want to draw their blood personally, but they wanted to change their way of life and that was unsettling enough. However, he remembered his promise he had uttered in his moments of lust, and he would make an attempt

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to speak with his leaders. Reaching the village that had been ransacked by the minotaur band, Romulus moved forward in his group in order to walk up to the eldest female. Her husband had died at the hands of the minotaur and as the matriarch of this small village, he wanted to honor her. Presenting the head of the minotaur with a low growl, he handed it to the matriarch and knelt down in respect of the struggle she had been through and would be going through as she dealt with her losses. Seeing her take the head with a growl and then a series of snarling barks that her village joined in on, Romulus was surprised to see her give it back to him with a small smile. Patting his cheek gently, the old wolf spoke in a soft, yet clear voice, “Brave Warrior, you have defended our honor yet again. The treat is yours.” Smiling and bowing his head in respect, Romulus turned the head around so that he was looking at the back of it. Everyone looked on in silence, not wanting to disrupt this moment of tradition. Licking his lips, Romulus opened his mouth and bit into the back of the bovine skull. It was extremely thick, but one of his people’s traditions was to eat the brain of the strongest enemies you kill in order to absorb their essence granted by Gaia and therefore absorb their powers. There was no practiced proof that in doing this he would gain the minotaur’s pyromancy, but this was the closure the village required.

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Growling as his jaws did not immediately break through, he turned his head slightly and bit in again. Growling as he did, he released a muffled roar as his canines punched through the skull. Getting on all fours and biting down harsher, he felt the skull resist for a moment before it broke into several pieces under the force of his jaws. Spitting out the large shards of bone, Romulus went in and began devouring the brain, licking the cavity clean of any of the remainders. Remus and the other wolves started a triumphant howl as he held the skull in his hands, his mind trailing to the conversation he had had today. What would Juliana think, seeing his devouring the brains of a beast he had killed in vengeance. Dropping the skull, he gripped on of the horns and pulled on it while twisting. Breaking it at the base and ripping it off while the wolves took the corpse and began processing it, Romulus looked down at it before going to one of the older women in the village that were standing together. Presenting the horn, he held it out flat in his palm before speaking, “I would like one of you to turn the horns of the beast into two necklaces and then give them to me.” Seeing one of the women nod before taking the horn from him and walking over to the head where the other one was still attached, Romulus left her to her craft before walking over to where the corpse was. Helping to tear the limbs off the torso, Romulus helped to separate the meat from organs and bones. He gathered the organs and mixed them in a small bowl with spices before placing them on a flat pan that was heated by a fire. Searing the heart, spleen, liver, and kidneys, Romulus draped the tripe throughout and started to turn the organs over as they finished cooking. These would be reserved for him and his hunting party, delicacies filled with nutrients and flavor. Watching the meat being cut up and cooked while the marrow was being processed out of the bones, Romulus smiled as he watched every bit of

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the minotaur being put to use. Maybe this is what Juliana needed to see, his people taking a kill and using it all, leaving none of it to waste. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he remembered the other minotaur corpses that were decaying on the trail where they died, their organs being taken but the rest left for the elements and scavengers. That was the waste that the Silverfangs were against, though Romulus reasoned with a smile that the scavengers were probably thankful as that meant a family of foxes had an easy meal of great abundance. The feast lasted for hours and as the sun began to drop in the sky, Romulus remembered the tune that Juliana had howled to him earlier. Having eaten his fill, he bid Remus good night, telling his friend that he needed time to meditate and pray alone to Gaia. Receiving an understanding nod from his friend, Romulus went to the old woman and smiled as she presented the two necklaces. The last six inches of the minotaur’s horns had been retrieved and cleaned of the blood on them. They had been dipped in an oil that made them shine proudly before being capped off by silver discs that helped secure the horns to thick leather bands.

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Thanking her with a nod, Romulus put both necklaces over his head and started to walk out of the village. Moving through the woods at a steady pace so as not to alert anyone if they saw him running, Romulus let his eyes look around him and take in the beauty of the forest around him. Despite his kin’s interest in hunting, there was still a large amount of life in the forest. The larger animals would just hide or be incredibly skittish when they saw the wolves on the prowl. Soon, the sun had dipped below the horizon and the moon had begun its ascent. Standing in the underbrush while looking down at the lake, Romulus breathed in deeply, relying on the wind’s shifting course from the crashing of the waterfall to help him. Detecting the sweet scent on the air that he now recognized as being Juliana, he released a long howl, the sound carrying slightly over the sound of the water before it would be washed away. Easily loud enough to reach across the river crossing but muddled enough to not travel and raise curiosity. “Healer that saved my victory campaign, A Bovine Warrior wishes to see you again. Calling to thee, Singing to thee. Of Lands far away, I am here to wander and play. The light of the sun has dipped and the moon is here to stay. I sing to thee, Call to thee, Of Seas and the bay. I keep our secret of Silver and Gray.” @Fiory

Juliana followed along obediently after Sabelle and the sentries. The auburn female spoke in quick tones how she had to try and find anyone who was awake in order to help. How it was reckless of Lia to be up so early and what if that warrior whoever-he-was hadn’t been friendly or if he had perished fighting the minotaur and the remaining of Sabelle’s chastising fell on deaf ears. Lia was in her own head. Her face was still a little warm and flushed and her gaze was purely at eye level but her eyes were dreamily looking off into the distance barely noticing Sabelle or the sentries that walked with her. It had been an incredible morning, and she was doing everything she could to commit every moment to memory. Each soft movement of rustling. Each time his pads moved. The scent of him, earthy and robustly strong. Her muzzle opened a little and her tongue softly licked at her own lips a moment, trying to find the taste of him again as if it would still be there. “Uh… Lia? Are you alright there?” Sabelle’s voice snapped Juliana back and she blinked rapidly at her friend as if just realizing that she was still there. “Hm? Oh yeah.. I’m alright.” “You sure? You’re awfully quiet…Did… Did he do anything to you Juliana?” There was concern and a soft growl on Sabelle’s inquiry. Lia just shook her head, her white fur bouncing a little and her black ears flopping sweetly back and forth. “Oh no.. nothing like that.. I was just glad to help.” She tried to reassure her auburn packmate, though the amber eyes of Sabelle narrowed and an eyebrow raised at her suspiciously. Juliana cleared her throat and let a small snarl come out of her muzzle. “Look, I'm fine. Not a scratch on me. Stop worrying. It’s not like you’re my father.”

21:30

The four continued on, trekking further off until they came to the village edge. The Silverfangs liked being near to the river, as it was one of their main sources of water as well as how they got their own food. While they didn’t hunt game like the Graybacks, they still would add meat to their diet in the form of fish or foul. Most of what they had were gatherers, wolves designated to gather mushrooms, truffles, berries, and fruits from the forest. Little homes, sturdy, showed small individual gardens where what was a luxury or wanted was grown by individual families. The bulk of their food came in the form of grain. Juliana let a paw reach out to the golden stalks of it, inwardly seeing that it would soon be time to harvest it all so it could be made into a powder and used for other dishes to feed the village. This was the quiet life that Juliana wanted, not just for her pack of Silverfangs but for the Graybacks as well. I wonder if he would even know what to do with this She thought with a little smile creasing her muzzle as she took a stalk head, snapped it and examined the little golden seeds. The image of Romulus with a mouthful of wheat in his muzzle made her giggle a little. It didn’t take long for Juliana to have to resume her duties, second in command of the Silverfangs under her father. But first, breakfast was in order. There had to be a way to get the butterflies to go away and she hoped a little food would do the trick. Most of the food that was made would be baked in large domed fire made ovens, but today some of the wheat that had been crushed the previous season was being used to make flat breaded discs with a mixture of berries to accompany it. The female’s tail wagged happily eating two of the fluffy discs, popping small blueberries in her muzzle happily. I’m sure if he tried it, Romulus would like it… She thought idly. The Silverfangs didn’t like waste either, so all of the meals were used. Either eaten the wolves or the berries that rema

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ined would be used for bait to catch fish in the river. The baked or prepared things would be crushed down and returned to the soil in order to grow more food for later. It was all a cycle of life that Gaia provided. This was how the Silverfangs lived, and Juliana wondered if the male would even understand this concept or not. Or would he just see it as a waste of time and energy. While true, most of their protein came in the evenings to preserve the reservoir of fish in the rivers and streams by not over fishing them, everything else was filling and nourishing enough as is; they didn’t need red meat at every meal and even when the Silverfangs enjoyed feasts the leftovers were returned to the earth to feed themselves and others again another day.

21:31

The day seemed to drag on for Lia. She was pulled into a few small things, checking inventory and supplies. Managing the nets of the fishers and making sure to note of any rope or supplies they might need to repair or replace damaged tools. Nearing evening, as she watched the sun set on the outskirts of the village, Juliana inhaled the coming evening and let it escape hotly through her muzzle.

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“Something on your mind, my little Starlight?” The gruff voice made Juliana jump on the stone she was sitting on. “Oh.. Good evening Father.” She said with a light friendly growl on her voice. Her tail wagged slowly behind her, the white of her fur dyed by the red hues of the sunset. The older male, gray on his muzzle due to his age was a stark contrast to the lithe daughter he had addressed. His coat was a soft red and brown, a cream lining his snout and underbelly with dark hazel eyes. Juliana must have gotten her coat from her mother. “Pretty evening, Gaia smiles on us.” He growled softly, wrapping an arm around Juliana and holding her close. The she-wolf embraced him in return, though she kept checking the sun’s descent as if she were going to be late otherwise. “Are you going to bed Father?” Juliana’s voice was quiet, her blue eyes looking away from the male as he released her. His head tilted a bit but he nodded. “Soon enough. I likely will wait until the sun has fallen completely. You should come rest too… I heard about your encounter with a minotaur this morning.” Juliana’s heart sank a little. Sabelle seriously couldn’t keep her muzzle shut. Why would she tell Father that? What… else did she tell him? “I don’t know how many times I’ve told you Juliana… it’s dangerous to go near the border like that. And as the future of our pack you ne-” “I know.. I know… I need to keep myself safe so that I can honor Mother’s memory and lead the pack when you are gone… You’ve told me a thousand times Papa.” The pet name was said at the end to try and keep him from lecturing her too long. It usually would work, though Lia wasn’t quite sure he would buy it this time around. “I know you are skilled with your bow… and I know you are a capable she-wolf… Is it so bad for me to worry about you?” He sighed heavily and shook his head at her, his arms crossed and his thick paws tapping on the ground. Juliana just shook her head at him. Of course he could worry, even though sh

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e wished he wouldn’t. There was just the fleeting silence between the pair before he turned to leave her. “Come Juliana, it’s time to meditate for another beautiful day tomorrow before sleep.” “I’ll be in soon..” “Juliana..” “I… I want to watch Gaia decorate the sky…” Juliana brought her knees up to her chest and her head softly laid on it looking at him. She took on the position of a puppy, her tail wagging sweetly behind her which only made her look just that much sweeter. One ear flopped over while the other stood tall; Her father couldn’t resist that face, and she knew it. “Cunning little Starlight… Don’t be out here too late then…” He relented, a small smile creasing his grayed face. Juliana just nodded to him and watched as he made his way to one of the larger structures. Once he was good and out of sight, Lia slid off the boulder she had sat herself on, and quietly made for the village exit. It was good that the evening was lit by a bright moon tonight, because while the shadows would normally hide a regular she-wolf stalking at night with Juliana’s bright white coat she actually would use the moonlight as her camouflage.

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The moon lit up the clearing when she got there, waiting in the treeline. Had she missed him? Did he understand the message? Maybe it wasn’t clear… * She thought, her ears pivoting around for any sign of life other than the nocturnal creatures that would greet them this evening in their soft sounds. Just as she thought that perhaps she was too late, her ears pinned to a soft rendition of the rhyme she had done earlier sung back to her. The butterflies that had lay dormant suddenly picked up again in her stomach, fluttering about furiously at the sound. Juliana returned the sentiment softly, keeping her voice down but letting it travel back to the evening stranger she wanted to see again. Had waited all day in order to do so. *I have no idea what we’ll talk about, but I honestly want to know more about him. I’m glad he understood my message. Lia stepped out into the light, her fur glistening in the moonlight and glowing white on the Silverfang bank, waiting to see if Romulus would emerge from the shadows of the Grayback shore. A secret rendezvous under the moonlight.

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@Himbo Tie

After finishing his song to her, Romulus stood for a moment as he waited to see if she would return it in the original form that he had changed slightly. Hearing nothing but the waterfall, he figured that he must have been here too soon as the moon had only started to edge over the horizon. Looking around and finding a familiar spruce tree that had grown sideways out of a boulder, Romulus knelt down beside it and carefully pulled the dirt away from the root system of the tree. Uncovering a dark brown box, he pulled on the container to pull it out from under the tree. Opening the box, he pushed aside a collection of spruce stalks that he kept in there to keep its contents clean and protected from bugs. Finding a dark blue and black patterned kilt, he folded it up and set it on the boulder before moving some of his other clothes and finding a bar of soap he had made that was scented with lavender. He had a few of these stashes around the Grayback territory, not able to call a single village or house his home. The title of Brave Warrior was not just what the matriarch had called him for what he did for the village; it was his official title. He had no blood claim to the leadership of the pack, that was his friend Remus. Nor did Romulus have any aspirations of taking such a charge. No, his future held a direct path, being the primary protector of his people and his allies, moving through the lands in search of an enemy that had been terrorizing an area. As such, he did not stay in any one place for too long and could not afford the pleasures of a home, aside from the room he had in the pack leader’s house. However, despite the honor he felt in being afforded such a room, Romulus had quickly outgrown the bed used by the previous Brave Warrior and found it more comfortable to simply wander until he was needed. Closing the chest and sliding it back under the spruce tree, Romulus stood and collected the kilt and bar of soap again. Looking into the sky in hopes that wi

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th the rising sky there would be a clue that Juliana had come, Romulus started to wonder if he had messed up or misunderstood her meaning. Letting out a short growl of frustration at not knowing for certain, Romulus stepped into the underbrush again and raised his head, calling out the melody again in a desperate plea to make Lia appear before him. Moments after his call ended in his throat and he squeezed his eyes shut, they shot open when he heard a soft call being repeated along the wind over the waterfall. Lowering his head to push aside some of the longer brush before his free hand moved to split the rest of the brush, Romulus stepped out of the brush, the shadows afforded by the foliage hiding much of him with his natural pattern until he stepped directly into the moon light.

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Seeing Juliana emerge from the tree line with her glowing white and silver fur, Romulus was taken aback by how her beauty had shifted. Still breath-taking as before, she now shone brightly with what could only be light blessed by Gaia to illuminate his path forward. Feeling this compelling spirit that it was Gaia that had led him here, Romulus could not take his eyes off the supernatural beauty that was Juliana. Stepping forward and feeling his knees wobbling as he made his way down the sandy decline, Romulus looked his over as his mind raced with several different ways to greet her. Stopping by a large rock next to the bathing pools, Romulus set his fresh kilt on it next to the bar of soap he had crafted. Reaching for his chest, he slowly began unlocking the straps that held his sheathe tight to his torso, before grabbing the sheathe and setting it down leaning against the rock. Reaching up to his shoulders, he unstrapped the leather armor there as well as the plates on his biceps, forearms, and calves. Stacking the armor carefully and setting it on the rock beside his new clothes, Romulus lowered his hands to his belt and undid it slowly, pulling it through the loops on his kilt as he looked across the water to Juliana. Setting the belt on the rock before letting his kilt fall to the ground, Romulus stood for a moment in his glory with his genitals sheathed inside himself. Picking up the bar of soap now that he was nude, he grinned before sprinting forward. Hearing the sand kicking up behind him, he smiled at Juliana as he leapt up into the air before his body arced and he dove deep into the water. A few lazy but powerful kicks of his legs brought him to the other side of the lake where he emerged from the water and stayed with his waist just beneath the surface of the water. Looking to her with a smile on his muzzle, Romulus bowed his head slightly before speaking, “Hello Juliana, Lady Moonlight.” @Fiory

Juliana’s ears pivoted and searched, her light blue eyes looking at the edge of the opposite bank. The shadows seemed to part and to her relief that she hadn’t been too late and missed him, Romulus appeared. The soft white appendage at her backside swayed back and forth in delight. He was like a tall shadowed gladiator, and the sight of him gave her pause to watch his movements. It was with the soft pale light of the moon that she noticed he seemed to have some items in his paws but she couldn’t quite make them out in the dark. What is he doing? She wondered, her paws moving her silently closer to the water’s edge. It took only a few moments before she realized he was disrobing. Had he not seen that she was there? No, I know he saw me here… he was staring for quite a while. Her ears flicked backward momentarily and a solid flush rose on her cheeks, though she could not tear her ice colored hues away from him. How he carefully removed his clothes and armor, slid the belt off from around his waist and stacking it with what she could only assume was the change of attire he would don later. It wasn’t until he dove into the shimmering moonlit waters that she ended up finally turning her head. She’d had a bath that morning, she didn’t necessarily need another though Juliana was debating on a moonlight swim. That might be dangerous though… The thought was annoying, even if it was right. So instead while he swam over towards her, she bent down to roll her trouser pants up over her knees and wade out into the water to greet him. She couldn’t get too far otherwise her clothes would be soaked through, but she at least wanted to greet him properly and not from just the shoreline.

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“Hello Romulus, Warrior of the Lake.” She responded with a soft chuckle in her voice and a smile across her lithe muzzle. Her tail continued to wag gently behind her. “Have I interrupted your moonlight bath?” She asked playfully, taking a foot and lightly kicking at the water to splash him across the chest and face. It wasn’t a lot of water of course, just enough to wet the parts of him exposed out of the water itself. The droplets of water got up to her knees and the ends of her pants which made her consider going for a swim anyway, though she still had reservations on it. She had come unarmed as well as alone; it would have been suspicious if her bow was missing from its decorative holder in Lia’s room at home. “I’m glad that you understood my message though. I was afraid it might have been too cryptic to decipher.” Juliana admitted, though the reasoning behind why she did it was pretty clearly understood. It wasn’t like she could just tell him to meet her later or call out to him by name. What if someone else heard? Came to investigate? Depending on if they were Grayback or Silverfang or both it certainly would not have ended well for them. And Juliana felt this unyielding pull to allow Romulus close to her. It was a feeling she couldn’t explain, had never felt before, and was curious to explore it. Curious, but cautious.

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Lightly, Juliana splashed at the water, still fighting with the idea of joining or not. A moonlit swim did sound exciting in itself, but the idea of the two of them in the water together made her flush scarlet. Her black ears pivoted behind her as an owl called out into the night, before it returned to attention to the Grayback male partially submerged in the water. Decisions, decisions… The conflict was clear on her face, even though she tried to keep it as hidden as possible. Part of her wanted to keep her decency; he’d already seen plenty of her this morning after all and there was no reason for her to bathe again as she had done so earlier in the day. The other part of her however, desperately wanted to leap into the water, if only to splash around and enjoy the tranquility of it. It was an added bonus that she would have a partner in the sparkling water with her.

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@Himbo Tie

Standing in the shallow water, Romulus’s tail stayed submerged beneath the surface, but that did not stop the appendage from starting a side-to-side motion as he got closer to the she-wolf. The way she stepped closer, her paws navigating the loose sand perfectly as her graceful legs drew her into the beginnings of the water, drove Romulus crazy with anticipation. He had hoped she would join him, if only to feel the freedom of the water take their bodies while they explored this freedom of choice that they were being offered. Grinning as she got closer to him, Romulus lowered slightly in the water before standing up again, his body filled with energy as she approached him. His body felt like a coiled spring, holding potential energy in vast amounts as he looked to her and anticipated whatever she might do next. And no matter what possibilities his mind’s eye dreamt up in this moment, she proved him wrong and presented only better. He desperately wanted to see her naked form in its glory with the moonlight radiating from her fur, but the way her vest and pants clung to her and held her form perfectly brought Romulus’s tongue out in a light pant. Feeling his muzzle shift into a grin as she greeted him, Romulus stood up taller and flexed his abdomen before lifting his arms to flex them as well. Turning his head to the side and opening his mouth to show his impressive jaw and the strong teeth within, Romulus glanced at her and admired the way her tail wagged freely and openly. Hearing her question, he dropped the pose and licked his lips as he thought of an answer, only to be surprised by the droplets of water splashing onto his chest and his muzzle. Looking at her with mock shock as a playful growl left his throat, Romulus crouched down in the water slightly as his eyes trailed down to the wet spots on the end of her pants now. “No, you have not interrupted my bath, if anything, you have added to it.” Speaking with a mischievous tone, Romulus narrowed his eyes and

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looked over her form as she edged further into the water and spoke. “The message was beautiful Lia, to not understand it would have been a further insult to your beauty and your mind, neither of which I desire to insult.” Romulus had been glad when he heard the cryptid message, having been able to tell Remus to ignore it as a country girl’s song while holding the warmth and implications of the song dear at heart. Juliana had desired to see him, craving to be near him again as he craved to be near her. She may not have had as carnal a reaction when they first met, but Romulus remembered that it was she who truly started the game of teasing and flirting. Feeling a few more water droplets kick up onto his chest, Romulus smirked and raised an eyebrow as he looked to the indecision on Juliana’s face. It was an adorable expression, her nose slightly wrinkled under furrowed brows as her blue eyes pondered. Watching from the water as he let the current drift him back and forth gently, Romulus chuckled and decided to make the choice for her.

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Stepping forward in the water, Romulus rushed forward and allowed his tail to spring free of the water in a rapid side-to-side fashion. Closing the distance with surprising speed for a creature who seemed focused on his size, this evidenced that all of his physical traits had been benefited, including his speed and endurance. Wrapping his arms quickly around Juliana’s thighs and squeezing as he lifted so that his forearms acted as a rest for her perfect backside, Romulus grinned and lifted her from the ground effortlessly. Laughing softly as he turned her back towards the water, Romulus spoke in a cheerful tone, “I was clearly inviting you in. You were moving too slow.” Walking into the water quickly so that it rushed back up his legs and then over hers, Romulus held her up so that their faces were nearly even, his only an inch or two below hers. Holding her to him as he waded into water that reached his belly button, Romulus moved his muzzle forward to nuzzle against her jaw before allowing his tongue to leave his mouth. Licking the underside of her muzzle twice before pulling his head back, Romulus spoke in a deep, breathy tone, “Lia, I’ve been thinking about you all day. I have a gift for you in my belt, but it must wait.” @Fiory

She had just decided that perhaps it would be alright, she could just remove her clothes and wade in. He was respectful before, right? He wouldn’t try to be a hound now would he? Just as Juliana had made her decision, it seemed Romulus was tired of waiting for her. She stiffened and pushed against her captor immediately, her ears pressed forward listening to him. Moving too slow? Oh no wait She didn’t have a moment to make her thoughts known before the water rushed over her backside and soaked up her front. Unlike this morning where it was cool and refreshing, the water while still refreshing was much more chilled in the evening and Lia gave a light whine at it when she felt her clothes soak it up. “Had you given me a moment, I could have joined you properly!” Ultimately her voice came out as a laughing bark, hard to stay cross at him even though now her clothes were properly wet and she wasn’t looking forward to wearing wet clothes back over the trails home. Her arms fell gently over his shoulders, an instinctive and comfortable place to hold there. Juliana still had a few giggles escape, inwardly comparing him to a young adolescent pup in her head when she felt his muzzle move forward into her neck fur and under her jaw. The action of his tongue licking the underside of her sent a shiver down her spine. It made her fur stand on end, though he would notice that her hackles weren’t raised at it. It was more a sensation she wasn’t used to, and it caused her to let out a soft whine at the action. It wasn’t displeasing, but more enjoying the feeling than anything else. Though now that she realized it, Lia was awfully close now to him. The she-wolf could feel her cheeks heat up and flush under that brilliant white and silver coat. Not only were there alarm bells going off to get some distance, there were others that seemed to encourage the closeness more. The breathy tone he had seemed to convince her that it was safe, acceptable to react so gently she let her muz

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zle rub against his, sliding over his cheek a little and finally nuzzling into his neck fur over his shoulder. Her ears of ebony fell gently against her head, comfortable enough that they seemed to relax instead of remaining at their normal attention. It had been a long day, despite the morning’s exciting events and just resting her head against him felt warm and comforting. Her tail swayed low in the water, the underside of it brushing against his abdomen as it moved back and forth. “You have a gift for me? Romulus, I wish I had known… I didn’t bring a gift for you.” Juliana said gently, her muzzle remaining where it was on his shoulder, her nostrils tickled by his wet thick fur while she let his scent permeate her senses. Was this a Grayback tradition? Bringing a gift on the second meeting? I’ll have to keep that in mind…He still smelled of blood and dirt and very much male musk which made her nose wrinkle but only just. Chuckling a little having caught the ever so slight scent of lavender, Juliana lifted her head and muzzle off of his shoulder. “Here, hand me your soap. I’ll get where you can’t reach, you vicious Beast.” She teased him, her tail continuing to sway as she leaned back a little in his arms, one of her paws coming forward with her palm up asking for the soap he had brought with him. Her blue eyes would wait patiently for him to give her the bar, the one paw waiting while the other on his shoulder began to fidget a little. Her fingers ran through his fur a bit, careful of any tangles or mats she might come across in her idle movements. "Though... lavender hm? I wouldn't have guessed that such a warrior enjoys smelling so lovely after his bath." She teased, giggling a little while she looked him straight on, shining blue eyes meeting crisp amber with only the off white light of the moon to illuminate them both. @Himbo Tie

Hearing Lia whine as the water rushed over her and chilled her, Romulus pulled her tighter to him, hoping that she could feel the warmth of his body pressing into her. He could feel the coolness of the water, but he also naturally ran warm, so it was not uncomfortable to him. He often took his baths at night, when there were less chances of him being needed by his people. Grinning as she chastised him about not giving her time to join him properly, Romulus simply shrugged and let his ears fall to the side in a goofy manner, “What can I say? I wanted you in here and you weren’t in.” Laughing softly so as not to interrupt his hearing her own laughs, Romulus looked up at her face and couldn’t help but smile. His ears came back up to normal, but he did allow them to relax as he felt his entire body relaxing. His tail lazed behind him in a steady wag through the water, though it sped up a little when her arms found their way around his shoulders to rest gently. Listening to her giggles as he nuzzled against her only drove him to be more persistent as he pushed through her fur, his cheeks marking her and adding his natural scent to her own. Hearing her whine when he licked the bottom of her jaw, his ears quirked as his head tilted to the side, a playful grin on his face as he went in to lick her jaw again. Feeling Juliana relax in his arms as he spoke, Romulus found himself releasing a low hum that would vibrate through his chest and into hers at a soothing pitch, trying to draw her into an even more comfortable state. Leaning into her muzzle as she returned the gentle rubbing, Romulus sighed softly, his mouth opening slightly as he enjoyed the closeness of their bodies and heads. Leaning his head slightly to open up his neck as her muzzle buried into his fur, Romulus smiled before leaning his own head forward to rest it against her neck. Embracing her and rocking back and forth slightly, he kept up the low hum even as he felt her tail brushing against his abdomen, hi

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s eyes closing and his features relaxing as he held her in his arms. Keeping his eyes closed as he heard her speak, Romulus squeezed her gently to him, more of a reassuring embrace than an attempt to interrupt her breathing. Nuzzling into her neck and inhaling her sweet and clean scent that carried with it the gentle fire of a hearth and bread, Romulus spoke in a deep, smooth voice, “You already brought me a gift, and I am happy to hold it within my arms.” Sighing softly as he pressed his head against her, he pulled his head back and let his amber eyes come open slowly while looking into her sharp blues. Hearing her offer to wash him and then her nickname, Romulus winked and growled deeply. The sound was close to that he would release when establishing his boundaries, a rolling and ragged mixture that had forced creatures to back down before, though he ended it with an airy tone as he pressed his snout against her muzzle before licking gently. Feeling her fingers playing through his fur slowly and seeing her hand come up for the bar, Romulus turned to carry her back to her shore slowly. Setting her down in the shallow waters, he felt his tail wagging quickly, but he ignored how his member had grown slightly and was becoming more present to see what was happening. Handing her the bar of soap, Romulus kept his paw on hers a moment before releasing. “I might be a savage beast, but even I want to smell nice when Gaia comes to take me on my next adventure.” Grinning as he knelt down in the shallow waters, his paws moved forward and gripped her pants gently. Working at the tie that held them in place, he would look up at her and speak with a low voice, “I prefer to wash in the deep water, so you’ll need to let your clothes dry while you help me.” His paws would move slowly as they edged her pants down, his eyes staying locked with hers so that he could stop if she desired and made an indication that he needed to. @Fiory

Juliana kept still as he moved towards the shallow end of the lake shore. Once she found ground under her paws, she backed up slowly in the water. For a moment she stood there, forcing her gaze away from him to check her surroundings. While she was enjoying his company, delighting in the idea that he enjoyed hers as well she also was careful to make sure neither of them had any unwanted visitors. Her black ears pivoted about listening to the different calls of the evening while he carried on in his playfulness and teasing. It wasn’t until she felt paws at her pants that she turned those eyes downward and her tail stood up a bit in alarm. “Savage and naughty I see.” A quick side step took her just out of his paws reach, but only just. “I can remove my clothes myself, thank you.” There was a teasing note in that growl of hers, her paws moving herself back further up the bank. Lia did agree, having her clothes dry a bit while they were engrossed in the companionship of each other would be best. Her tail swayed back and forth, letting her hips and back end follow in a slow fluid movement. Once on dry land again, she began fiddling with her partially soaked top, taking the vest off and hanging it on a nearby tree with its branches held out for her use. Hmm… Yes I think that would be fun… She thought, keeping her back to him and letting her paws slip her thumbs between her hips and trousers. Painfully slowly, purposeful in her movements because she meant to tease him, the pants slid down, her back bending forward as she went. The fabric slid over her fur, dripping wet from the lake and just as it would have exposed her back end to him, Lia stopped. Her muzzle lifted and glanced at him over her shoulder, a look of wicked enjoyment knowing how much of a tease this would be for him.

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Without a word, not even the glimmer of one, Juliana side stepped behind the same bush she’d used earlier in the day to dress herself when she met him. Now she used it to deny him and tease him further. It wouldn’t last long, her torture of Romulus, though her pants did come out and were hung neatly by the vest in order for them to drip and dry. But where was Juliana? She didn’t immediately come out from hiding behind that bush, and other than the small hooting of an owl there was no indication of where she’d gone. Like a mirage that was never there, the only indication she was being her clothes hung up to dry. Instead she reappeared like a ghost closer to the falls where jagged ledges jut out to meet the water that tumbled down. The white of her fur shone in the moonlight when she stepped out on that ledge, a little further on to not see too many details. With the bar of soap held in her paw, and once Lia knew that his attention had turned to where she now stood, she leapt into the water in an elegant dive. A ghostly white figure against the backdrop of the falls. The splashing of the natural waters churning the lake covered the sound of her splash. Even though she was smaller in size, she was truly an excellent swimmer. It took Juliana no time to surface closer to him with a smile on her muzzle. Her tail wagged playfully as she tread water in the deeper end of the lake, her blue eyes glistening like the stars above. If he wanted to play, she would play then. “Well come on then, you viciously dirty beast.” She called once she’d come up for air and shook a little of the water off and out of her ears. The deeper end was a little harder for her to touch ground with, but she could tread it well enough for a time at least. When he would eventually get closer to her, she began lathering the bar of soap in the water so it could get his coat good and clean. She had been serious about helping him. “Tell me, about the way you live. I’ve only ever heard stories… How Grayba

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cks are savage, they kill just for the thrill of it, and leave the carcass to rot… They take without giving anything back… I’d like to believe that this is incorrect.” Her words were gentle, and while she did want to continue to play and tease with him, certainly wouldn’t say now, Juliana also wanted to learn more about him. How his pack lived, how his society functioned.

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@Himbo Tie

Romulus smirked slightly as Juliana stepped away from his paws, his eyes lighting up with a glint of playfulness as he wanted to push his luck. However, he had seen her take a moment to check their surroundings, so he allowed his brain to lead for the moment and stood up high in the water. Turning his head as he pivoted his ears in order to get full coverage, Romulus focused his attention to the Grayback bank, knowing there was a chance that Remus might come to try and find him. There had been times in the past that the smaller black wolf had stayed with him in the wilds, preferring life out in the land he was destined to control rather than in some comfortable long house. Hearing no sign or indication of his friend or other wolves, Romulus turned his attention back to Lia. Giving her a playful snarl and a nip at the air, Romulus lowered back into the water as he watched her step back from him. Watching her tail lead her hips in a swaying motion that pulled his attention in like a magnet, Romulus leaned forward in the water and felt his jaw open slightly in order to begin panting softly. When she removed her top, Romulus let out a playful bark of encouragement while his tail stood high and began wagging back and forth intently. It was when she hooked her thumbs in her pants that he leaned forward and crawled through the shallow waters on all fours. Settling back on his haunches with his ears perked and his tail wagging, Romulus panted steadily as he watched her slipping her pants down. As she began to bend over, Romulus started to nod and repeat the words, “Yes, for me, please,” his eyes glued to her rear. It was only when she stopped moving and looked over her shoulder at him that he began to protest, growling loudly and barking in annoyance as she cut off the teasing game. Watching the bush intently for Juliana to show herself after disrobing, Romulus began to feel his ears fall back in distress as she did not reappear. Thinking about whether he had gone too f

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ar with trying to remove her clothes, his ears caught the faint sound of rocks shifting under a weight. Flicking his head in that direction with a soft growl in anticipation of fighting off an intruder to his moment alone with Lia, he found that his eyes were now staring at her lithe form. Wondering first how she got there so quietly, that question slipped away as he watched her fur glint under the light of the moon, shining and drawing his eyes in, but not well enough to see all the details of her nude form. For that, he would need to get closer, but Romulus found himself frozen in anticipation as he watched to see what she might do. Watching her step forward gracefully before leaping into the water, Romulus whipped his head around to track the entire flight of her body. Watching her form slip into the water with an elegant splash, Romulus watched around him for her bright white fur to betray her as she surfaced. Grinning back at her as she came up for air and started to tread water, Romulus walked deeper into the water, his amber eyes locked onto her bright blues with no wavering to his attention. His eyes were locked like a predator on their prey, with no indication of losing focus. Grinning at her comment, Romulus lowered himself into the water before sinking below the surface and swimming towards her.

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Emerging out of the water in front of her slowly, his ears emerging slowly before his eyes and snout followed, Romulus was able to place his paws on the bottom of the lake and stand with his shoulders just beneath the surface. Watching her work a lather onto the soap, Romulus sighed softly when he felt her paws reach forward and start lathering the soap on his chest. Beside her, Romulus felt like he could be a vicious beast as his actions of the day had only involved him getting deeper into the minotaur’s blood with no actions taken to clean himself off. Closing his eyes slowly and feeling his jaw open to allow a gentle pant, his tail wagged slowly under the water as he felt at ease in her presence. Opening his eyes as she asked about his pack, Romulus smiled kindly as he found it truly endearing that she was interested in learning about them, not simply writing them off as beasts. Leaning forward and pressing his muzzle into the side of hers, Romulus smiled before speaking in a slow, calm tone, “We do not kill for the thrill of it, that is the first misconception. We have large hunts like that of today, where I did kill that minotaur out of vengeance, but when it comes to feeding, we only hunt what we need. We watch the herds of prey in our lands and see if there is a weak one that can’t survive the struggles of nature or if there is a sick or old one that has no fight left in them. Once we find one, that is our target. We do not kill the children; they are actually off limits. If a Grayback is found to be hunting the children of the prey animals consistently, he or she will find themselves exiled and marked for a Blood Hunt.” Tilting his head to the side as he moaned and enjoyed her paws working at his fur, Romulus smiled before continuing, “A Blood Hunt is a sacred trial, one where a wolf has been convicted of a heinous crime. Instead of putting them to death, we leave their life in the hands of Gaia. A single slice to their thigh is made, not enough to cripp

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le, but enough to leave a trail. If Gaia wishes them to survive, she will wash away their scent and trail alike. However, if She desires their death after their trespasses against Her, we will find the target and they will suffer for their actions.”

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Looking up at the moon for a moment before looking down into her eyes, he smiled and kissed the side of her snout. Resting his hands on her hips for a moment, he lifted his arms and let them float on either side of her as he spoke, “We do not leave carcasses to rot, we set them out for those that live in our lands and are scavengers. They are not strong enough to take down an animal substantial enough to feed them, and if they did, it would be wasteful. Therefore, we have an agreement. We hunt enough to feed ourselves with some leftover, then we take the carcasses to certain zones where the scavengers can have their picking. If it isn’t enough, we are alerted to their needs and we hunt again, repeating the cycle of feeding the scavengers and ourselves. As Gaia would want, we look out for each other. Carnivores help Carnivores to eat, while leaving the Herbivores with enough population that they can continue to live.” Letting his rich amber orbs meet with her sharp blues again, Romulus smiled before chuckling as he continued to explain his pack, growing self-conscious as he spoke so much, “We live in such a way that gives back to Gaia, for She has helped us reach where we are. Without Her, we would not be able to defend ourselves. We live in small villages, averaging twenty wolves to a village. They share three to five houses amongst them. Crafted from fallen trees and rocks that we do not need to prize out of the ground, our villages would be missed if you were not looking for them closely. We try to keep only to the gifts Gaia gives us, and if we have to cut down a tree or shape the earth in any extreme way, we pray for forgiveness from Her. Every meal, we sacrifice a portion to Her, praying for the gifts that we need bestowed upon us and thanking Her for those She deemed fit to give us. Only our Pack leader's home was crafted from freshly hewn logs, though legend says Gaia visited the original construction site many years ago and pulled the trees needed from Her

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hair.” @Fiory

Juliana remained quiet as she listened to his explanation of how the Graybacks operated, how they lived and how intricate their rituals were. Her paws worked slowly against him, letting the lather of the soap sink down each fiber and get to the skin at the root. As he spoke, she compared it to her own Silverfangs, how they lived their lives and she couldn’t help but connect how similar yet different both packs happened to be. Both honored Gaia, but in their own unique ways. There was a sense of community, though she had to admit the idea of a blood hunt seemed more savage than her pack's punishment, but they both served justice in their own ways. “Thank you… for the insight.” Was all she said when he had finished, telling of how their homes were crafted, and the legend of Gaia’s hair. Even Lia knew of this legend, though not told in the same way. Her body shifted in the water so she could glide around behind him, letting her free paw hold onto his shoulder as she moved to give her legs a bit of a break from treading water. Actually.. The idea came to her as she got behind him, the paw with the bar of soap lightly coming forward to balance it between his ears on the top of his head. Juliana then took both paws and placed them on his shoulders, sliding her palms down his arms and pulling them under the water. At the same time, her body came a little closer, her left knee sliding against his left side while the right did the same on his right side. She was directing his paws and arms to hold her there, giving her legs a break from treading water and keeping her close enough so she could get the back of him. Once secure, being held behind his back, Juliana removed the bar of soap from atop his head and re-lathered it in front of her in the water that slid between her breasts and his back. “You know… There’s a lot of similarities that I see with both of our packs that I hadn’t realized before…” Juliana continued, her paws returning to his fur, gently massaging the

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back of his neck and between his shoulders to get the grime and dirt to release. He hadn’t asked, but Juliana felt it was only fair that she relay how the Silverfangs lived since he had indulged her on how the Graybacks did.

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“You probably think that we do not eat meat because we do not hunt. While true, we don’t hunt big game, we do fish and will eat foul on occasion. We work together as a pack to craft tools and nets to make it more successful when fishing, and we never fish the same river every season. This gives them time to repopulate, to have their eggs and replenish the waters. When we feast, it’s mostly of things that are made instead of hunted.” Her paws softly leaned towards the left of him when she stated this, thinking of how to explain this better to him. “We plant and grow for Gaia. She brings us sunlight and rain to nurture the gardens we cultivate and watch over. And if we have done well and respected the land that she has given us, she rewards us with a bountiful harvest. Plenty to feed and replenish the land as thanks for her generosity.” Juliana took a deep breath, letting this information steep a moment before she would continue on, letting her paws continue to travel across his back. “Gaia provides for all, so we do not provide regularly for the scavengers on our lands. However, in the winter when food can be scarce for all, they are welcomed in our village as cousins to share what they have stored and what we have available. Carnivores looking after Carnivores…Our meals do not go to waste either. All that we make is eaten, and if anything is remaining it is returned to the earth or used as bait for future fishing. We live by the cycle of life that Gaia has dictated to us. The berry grows so we may use it to catch the fish for our plate. The meat provides nourishment for the wolf that caught it and those that they protect and provide for. The bones of the fish are crushed and returned to the earth to provide sustenance to the bush that will grow berries again.” There was a warmth when she said this, a softness thinking about the way everything was connected on both land and beneath the waters. Her body shifted slightly as she moved her paws to the other side of him

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now.

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“We craft our homes from wood provided by Gaia as well. They are sturdy homes, and only after a new tree has begun to grow and is planted can one be felled in order to build them. We use the river stones and clay to make our ovens so we can feed the pack. This is a community event when there is food for all; individual homes do not have these as that would be seen as an abundance. We take what we need and give back so we do not disrupt the cycle of life. All that is harvested is for all to share…” Lia paused for a moment and her ears fell a little in concern. It wasn’t for what she had just said, but for what she would say next. He had mentioned the Grayback’s Blood Hunts. The Silverfangs had something similar, but it made her heart sad thinking about it. “You may have a blood hunt…what we have is a Restriction. Because we all work together to care for the wheat and the fish and the foul for the village, if a wolf is caught stealing food or destroying the crop or water where the pack gets these gifts and are convicted of those crimes, they are placed on a Restriction. Tied to a tree on the outskirts of the village with only a flask of water that is not refilled once empty. They are not permitted to hunt, and no one is to bring food to them. The length of time they must wait on an empty stomach can vary depending on the severity of their crime…but I have yet to see it less than at least one moon cycle. Gaia willing, they will survive the trial and never steal or damage her gifts to us again.” For a moment, she almost thought that a blood hunt was more merciful. Wolves that could not adhere to the packs communal way of life and chose to steal or damage instead, were starved for it. They had to be left without socialization or food or additional water just far enough away that they were not part of the pack, but close enough that they would have been subjected to every teasing smell and sight of the food they could not enjoy. This lasted until either their punishment

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time had ended or Gaia let death embrace them.

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“It is not something I am proud of with regards to our village way of life, but I am glad that it is not something that happens often, as there is usually no need for stealing like that.” Lia mentioned after she had let the silence fall on them a little longer than she had meant to. Her paws took the bar and let her fingers trail down his spine a bit in the water. The entire time she had been speaking, her tail had happily swayed back and forth behind her, enjoying at least the closeness with this warrior male from a rival pack. Her paws continued their massage, cleansing as they went until the dirt and filth had released from his fur. Placing the bar of soap on his shoulder this time to balance, her paws cupped the water to rinse the lathered soap out completely, noting the strength of him as she had been caressing him delicately previously. There was a slight hesitation once the soap had been removed, leaving clean and lavender smelling fur in front of her. Slowly, she took the bar again but did not continue to use it; Juliana just didn’t want to drop it in the lake and lose it on him. Her arms slid over his shoulders so her muzzle could glide and rub against the back of his neck. Her left arm bent so her paw held at his chest, similar to how she had held him before that morning when dragging him to save his life. Now though it was gentler, softer against his fur. The right arm held out with the bar of soap in case he’d like to take it back from her. Her nostrils flared, breathing deep the new scent he sported and shivering at it. It was still earthy, robust but now the soft smell of lavender blossoms coated his masculine smell and it made the she-wolf smile. She rubbed her white and silver muzzle against the darker coat of him, before laying it on his shoulder with her left arm. Her body had come close to him, pressed against his back sweetly. A deep inhale was taken before let out in a dejected sigh. “I honestly think… that both our packs could benefit from

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each other… but I just don’t know how to bridge that divide we have…” @Himbo Tie

Looking down at the way her paws moved the soap over his chest and abdomen to work up a healthy lather, Romulus smiled softly and let his eyes drift shut as he enjoyed the last few moments of Juliana’s attention. He was more than capable of washing his chest but feeling the she-wolf's paws moving through his fur was something he could not say he had felt before. The Graybacks, in all of their perceived savagery, were a monogamous pack, and he had not gotten close enough to a female to establish a sense of normalcy with intimacy with them. Sighing softly as he felt her fingers working through his fur and cleaning it, he glanced down and saw the faint hints of red and brown mixing into the lather that she works from him. As his chest was rinsed off, his eyes grew slightly wider at how soft and bright his fur shone, the gray a stronger color differential from the light fur it was mixed with. He had cleaned himself in the past, but the way she worked seemed to bring a special attention to it. Nodding as she thanked him, Romulus stood firm when he felt Lia shifting and using his shoulder as a support. He did not doubt her ability to swim or care for herself, but he was wanting to offer what assistance he could. Feeling her move around him, Romulus stood calmly as he was waiting on her to start washing him again. However, his ears flattened out to the sides as he felt the bar of soap placed on his head. Looking straight ahead with his brows furrowed in confusion, Romulus chuckled softly at the thought of it. He was frozen for a moment, not sure what to do until he felt her paws on his shoulders and gliding down his arms. Letting his arms move as she directed them, he felt her knees on his sides and quickly understood what it was that Lia wanted. Gripping behind her knees and on the backs of her thighs, Romulus held her against him and minded his tail, making sure it did not move as much in it wagging as he did not want to brush his tail against her crotch on accident.

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Feeling her paws returning to his body with the bar of soap in hand, Romulus released a low rumble from his chest as she washed him. His back was a little coarser than his chest as he had a harder time washing it and would generally just use things that he could scratch against to clean it. The rumble was one of satisfaction, his back arching forward slightly to give more access as he enjoyed the feeling of her paws working over his back. Humming softly as she remarked some of their similarities, Romulus held Juliana up with ease and let his ears turn to listen to her easier while every now and then doing a check for sounds around them. As Juliana spoke about her pack, Romulus stood quietly and listened to her, enjoying not only the sound of her voice over the waterfall but also the energy she had in explaining her way of life. When her tone faltered and she justified her pack’s use of their punishment, Romulus cleared his throat and spoke in a soft tone, “Juliana, you don’t have to be proud of your punishments to know that they are necessary. I do not like when we have Blood Hunts, but it is my duty to carry them out when needed. They are not needed often, as the display is discouraging to those that might try their own crimes, but when they occur, they are for a good reason.”

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Rolling his shoulders slightly to shit her weight and then take it again, he looked into the waterfall and spoke again, “I’ve never tasted these oven products you speak about. My diet consists of the meat and bones of the creatures that I hunt, but I am interested to know how these things taste. I feel I should explain more where our food comes from, so that you do not think we are hunting creatures to extinction.” Pausing to look over his shoulder at her with a grin, he sighed at the feeling of her paw in his fur before continuing, “Our land has strict rules over the prey animals and how they can be hunted. There are large zones of land that are safe havens for the prey animals. These areas allow them to grow and populate, living fulfilling lives with their own societies and homes. Carnivores are not allowed in these areas except one day a week, Saturday. That is the day we are allowed to hunt in the safe zone, but even then, our kills are monitored and made sure that they are reasonable for the needs of the wolves and their villages. If you are caught taking more than you need or hunting in the safe zone on any other day, you will face punishments of varying severity. Our wardens patrol those lands to keep down any poaching of prey animals, a crime that is unnecessary as the prey animals that live outside of the zone are free game to hunt.” Moaning softly and feeling his chest rise up as her paws moved down his spine with the soap, Romulus closed his eyes with a smile. He enjoyed the warmth that Lia’s body gave him as he held her against him, but the longer they were like this, the more he realized how impossible it seemed. A female from the Silverfangs was washing him, cleaning dirt and blood from his coat after he had had the fight of his life today. Chuckling softly as he thought of it, he let his laughter fall quietly as her paws continued to massage his back. His muscles had been on display for her the entire time, from his large chest muscles and washboard

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abs to his wide shoulders and strong back with several lines traveling up it from his muscles pressing through his skin. Enjoying the way her paws pressed into his muscles and allowed them to relax, Romulus released a low moan and felt his tail begin to wag back and forth a little faster than before. Feeling her arms move around him as her muzzle moved to bury into the fur of his neck, Romulus released a satisfied hum before allowing his head to shift and give her more room. Sighing contentedly as he saw her hold the soap out, he released his right hand while pulling up with his left on her legs. Keeping her in position, he took the soap with his right hand and held it for a moment before stepping forward as he lobbed it towards his shore. Seeing it land in the shallow water before bouncing out onto the sand, Romulus nodded before placing his right hand where it had been before, holding her in place on his back as he walked slowly towards the shallow water. Arriving there, he knelt down to let her step out of his grip and stay in the water before moving to retrieve his bar of soap. Turning back to face her after he had gotten the soap, he stepped up to her and wrapped his left arm around her waist while his right hand moved up to tilt her muzzle up gently. Leaning down and pressing their lips together in a gentle way, Romulus held there for a moment before lifting his head. He licked the of her muzzle before whispering softly, “Our packs are strong, but I fear they are too strong-willed to mix and become one. However, bridging the gap to keep them separate but helping, you have made the first step here. Talking between the packs, that is the first step.” Leaning down and kissing her again before resting his muzzle against the side of hers, he closed his eyes and simply hugged her to him the soap in his hand forgotten during this gentle embrace. @Fiory

Juliana moved her ears but nothing else when he started to move. She was surprised to see so much come out of his coat. Had he never properly cleaned his fur before? Lia noted how fine his coat was now that it was cleared of the filth that had been trapped under the surface. Against her brilliant white and silver coat, he shone like rich stone. The gentle humming he made was comforting, like a soft massage in its own right. It took her a moment, contented and relaxed in the waters against his back to realize what side of the lake he was heading towards.The she-wolf had sighed gently, thinking over what he had said when she noticed they were traveling towards the Grayback shoreline. Instinctively she pulled her head up and her ears flew forward to listen around her. What was he doing? Why was he taking her towards the Grayback shore? Her blue eyes glanced around and she spied the soap he’d tossed. There was a slight panic at the idea as this was not her territory and if he hadn’t come alone, if he had decided to take her there was very little she could do about it. But this never came to fruition. Kneeling down, he let her slide off his back which she did carefully. Once on her own paws in the shallows of the lake, Juliana took a moment to examine her own coat. While still brilliantly white under the moonlight’s glow, it had collected some of the darker gray male’s coat and debris from his cleaning. A light growl escaped her muzzle, as nimble paws brushed at her chest and abdomen in the waters to rid herself of the light amount of filth. She hadn’t noticed that he had stepped out to retrieve the bar of soap though her ears flicked in his direction listening to the soft splashes of water as he made his way back. Gently she felt his arm wrap around her waist, his paw soft on her muzzle to get her attention.

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His lips found hers gently, and she let herself relax in his embrace. Her heart beat loudly in her chest at the intimate gesture. He was so different, not the same kind of savage that she had grown up believing the Graybacks to be. His world seemed so ruthless to her until tonight. The Graybacks were a community, they had rules and laws just like the Silverfangs did. When he pulled back and spoke again, Juliana’s eyes lit up brightly. That’s all she wanted, a first step, something to get both packs to talk and work on cooperating with each other instead of against them. The second kiss she ensured lasted longer. Her arms raised to hold his face gently a soft elated whine in her end of the intimate exchange. When she allowed him release of her, Juliana happily nuzzled gently against the side of his muzzle in return. Her arms held around his neck in the hug, and her tail wagged gently behind her in the shallow waters. “I just hope…” She whispered after a time of silence just enjoying the warmth of the embrace. “There are not too many steps that we all will need to climb. I am so tired of the fighting and the bloodshed among my kin. There have been lives lost on both sides over petty issues and I just want peace…” Slowly, reluctantly, Juliana slid herself out of his grasp, moving further into the deeper water so she could float nearby. The she-wolf was very sure that he would prefer to finish his bath without the distraction of the fae too close to hinder him. So instead, she floated nearby in the waters, her eyes to the sky. It was a lovely clear night tonight. The stars twinkled gently against the inky black sky and the moon in its partial fullness glowed down on them. All seemed so right with the world, so perfect and pure. “If you would like…” She started, keeping her gaze away to give him a little privacy while he had the opportunity to continue. “I can bring you some of the food that we make, for you to try… See for yourself that there is something just as ta

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sty as the game you hunt.” Softly, she turned her back to him, keeping herself so that her shoulders were covered within the water so she could be as respectful as possible while also being close. There was a sense that their evening discussion would be coming to a close soon, and while she knew this was an inevitability, she also felt her heart sadden a little at the thought. Juliana had found that Romulus’s embrace was quite nice.

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The Silverfangs were also a monogamous pack; it was why her father had never found another mate after her mother had passed. There were several within the village and the surrounding area that had fawned over Juliana for her looks and her charm, but it was mostly her position in the pack that they coveted. Romulus knew none of this, what good would it do him? And while he still pursued out of normal male lust, he stayed and spoke with her as an equal. He had seemed interested in what she had to say about her home and her pack life. Further still, he did not think that her wish to have the Silverfangs and Graybacks come together in peace was a fool’s dream. It endeared the male to her, like no other had dared to come close. It certainly didn’t help that while she had been washing his chest and his back her fingertips had memorized the pattern of his fur and the subtle flexes of his muscles beneath that dirtied coat. Her muzzle lowered slowly so she could look at her own paws in the water, petting the pads as if wanting to remember that touch, that firm sensation she had felt when massaging the male’s chest, shoulders and back. Idly, she began rinsing her arms with the cool water, as if trying not to appear like she was swooning too hard for the capable warrior at her back. Every so often Juliana would turn her cheek, checking over her shoulder only a few times to see how he was getting on or if he was done with her company all together. A soft sigh escaped her muzzle, her ears pivoting around to listen to the nighttime sonet of nocturnal critters that awoke at this late hour. A horned owl called out into the night, warning the mice and voles of it’s approach. A gentle breeze blew the trees around the lake, letting the branches sway and creak at varying degrees of pitch. The waterfall’s gentle thunder churned the waters of the lake and as it came closer and closer in glistening ripples to collide with Juliana’s body, the waves softly chimed as they continued their j

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ourney down stream. The night was tranquil and calm, perfection from Gaia. The ghostly blue light from the moon gave everything a mystical glow, bouncing off of the exposed portions of Juliana’s white fur. A realization had dawned on the she-wolf and with her back to him, her ears drooped a little at it.

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He was still a Grayback. She was still a Silverfang. Like he had said before, both of their packs were strong willed and likely would never merge to become one pack. There was too much hate and mistrust between the two packs for them to do that. So how would this work for them? Romulus was the first Grayback that Lia had met that she could see herself caring for. He was strong, a little goofy and made her laugh, but he had a compassion and an honesty that was unmatched within her own pack. Despite being of a rival pack, he treated her like an equal and with respect. Everything inside of her wanted to continue with this, but her head was fighting with the realization that what she wanted, what her heart was trying to tell her if she would just listen to it, was that this was a path she may never be able to walk down. The hope of his words were held tight to him that they had taken the first step of bringing the two rivals to a truce, a true peaceful end to the bickering and hate. Juliana just prayed to Gaia that her head, was wrong. @Himbo Tie

Walking back into the water, Romulus saw Juliana fussing over her coat. Watching for a moment as he approached, he felt a shade of guilt fall over him as he realized why she had this dirtiness that she was having to remove from herself. He looked down and was very pleased with how his coat looked and felt. But he knew that for him to be that clean, the mess had to go somewhere in the water, and it seemed that it had been attracted to her. Glancing down at the soap in his hand, he thought to offer her the same kindness of a bath but didn’t know what scent or soap she usually used. After watching her messing at the filth in her coat that she had gained from him, he waited until she seemed to have cleaned it all out before wrapping his arm around her. Feeling her hands come up to grip his muzzle in the second kiss, Romulus raised his right hand and gently threaded it into the fur on the back of her head. Holding her there as he pressed into the kiss with a deep moan, he paused for only a second as he heard her whine. Letting his tongue run over her lips lightly as he pushed his lips into hers, his moan turned into a lighter whine as well before he released breathlessly. Nuzzling against her muzzle while his hand gently rubbed at the back of her neck, Romulus smiled and felt his tail beginning to wag happily when he felt her hands drop to his neck and back. Sighing softly and pulling her tighter against him, he ignored the twitch he felt in his nether regions and focused on her sweet aroma and the way her body seemed to fit naturally against his. He had to stoop slightly to hold her while she was still on her feet, but it was in no way uncomfortable as it only relied on him bending his knees and ankles slightly. Feeling her pull away from him, Romulus gripped her paw for a moment in order to hold eye contact for a moment, his warm amber hues meeting her own reflective blues. He needed to finish bathing, but while he had her momentary attention, he spoke in a low but

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firm voice, “Juliana, there has been far too much bloodshed between our packs. I promise I tell you the truth when I say that we are as tired of the death and suffering as you are.” Releasing his grip on her paw so that she could step into the water, he was frozen in place when he watched the way the water rippled away from her, reflecting her white and silver fur as well as the moonlight. She seemed to be a celestial being that had stepped down to bathe with him and his tail agreed as it stood still before wagging excitedly. Stepping back into the shallower water, Romulus bent over and busied himself with lathering his soap onto his legs. Rubbing deeply to remove and blood or grime, he worked his way up both legs before reaching his groin. Glancing up at her to see where she was facing, he smirked at her words while her back was turned to him. “I would like to taste some of what your ovens have to offer. The occasional berry has not given me a good impression of eating at it seems your kin do.” Chuckling softly, he brought the soap to himself and closed his eyes, washing without looking at the beautiful she-wolf in front of him as he did not want his cock getting any ideas.

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Washing his front and rear, he was focused on lathering his tail when he heard a crack of a tree branch behind him in the tree line. Growling and whirling around so fast that the soap suds flew from his tail, he felt a level of embarrassment overcome him as he saw a chipmunk freeze in fear before biting at the branch that it had been messing with and causing the sound again. Chuckling and turning back around, he shook his head and rinsed the soap from his body and tail. His fur did not shine as bright as Juliana’s, but it did have a healthy sheen to it, showing that his diet, while different from others, was healthy and providing him the nutrients he needed. Moving out of the water slowly, Romulus walked over to the stone that he had placed his things on. Setting the bar of soap down to dry, he moved his old kilt and smiled when he saw the two Minotaur horn necklaces. The leather had been treated so that it was waterproof, a customary precaution taken so that jewelry could go wherever the wearer wished to take it. Picking them up, he walked back towards the water and stepped into it confidently, not trying to keep his re-entry a secret from the she-wolf in front of him. Walking slowly up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back gently into his embrace. His muzzle found her neck and nuzzled against it before licking up towards her ear gently. Releasing a soft growl that was not threatening and more of just a show of his joy in the moment, Romulus kissed below her ear before releasing her with his right arm. Lifting his hand up and out of the water, he showed the necklaces to her. The tips of the Minotaur horns were oiled and preserved, and the silver cap connected to the flat of the horn had intricate leaf patterns pressed into it. Holding them and kissing the side of Lia’s neck, Romulus hummed softly before speaking, “Without you, I could not have brought justice to the village. Without you, I could not have brought closure to the wid

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ows and widowers this monster created. I couldn’t have looked the orphans and known I had done right by them, if you hadn’t been here to save my life Juliana. I heal well as a gift from Gaia, but without you, that gift would have failed to save me before I died beside this beast.” Bringing his hands up and then leaning back slightly, he tied one of the leather straps around her neck, letting the horn hang down just above the curvature of her breasts. With the tie complete, he stepped around slowly to look from the horn up to her face. Offering the other necklace and lowering his own head slightly in an unspoken request for her to tie it around his neck, he spoke in a solemn tone, “This kill was as much yours as it was mine. I could not have done it without you, Juliana. Therefore, I want to share the recognition with you.” @Fiory

Juliana had been lost in her own head when Romulus finished cleansing his body and made his way back over towards her. Her eyes focused on the depths that she could see in the rippling crystalline waters. Those tall black ears against her white coat were the only things that seemed to move from her, indicating that she wasn’t just a statue in the lake. They pivoted around at the different sounds of the night, the splashing of water and even the snap of the branch behind her from a chattering chipmunk. A small smile warmly crossed her face; He was quick to anger, so protective even against a foe like a chipmunk it seemed. It was a quality that she found endearing, even though Lia knew she was perfectly capable of defending herself. Even against formidable chipmunks. Her ears flattened to listen better when he approached her from behind, the gentle splashing sounds of the water indicating it. They slowly moved to a more relaxed position hearing the gentle growling he made and the tender loving gesture just below her ear. Her paws lifted to allow his arms to wrap her waist; there was no fight that she gave nor struggle to get away. In fact she let herself be taken quite easily, feeling comforted in his arms while she wrestled with their situation in her head. It wasn’t until he lifted his paw up to show a pair of necklaces in them that her concentration seemed to break. She glanced at them and tilted her head ever so slightly. What was this for? Was this the gift he had mentioned earlier? Her ear flicked a little to listen to the male’s explanation regarding the purpose of the necklaces, keeping herself still as he then moved to place one around her neck. “I don’t know how much help I really was… but I couldn’t let you die… Gaia gave me this gift and it would dishonor her if I were to not use it.” Juliana explained, lifting her paw out of the water and staring at it. Her pads held a soft aquamarine glow to them before they returned to the gentle black that they h

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ad been before. Her index and thumb lightly stroked the pendant on the leather band. It had been expertly crafted and shone darkly around her white fur. A light flush came to her cheeks looking at it; it was the first gift she’d received from anyone outside of her direct family. The first thing she’d gotten specifically from a male that she didn’t immediately want to throw into the lake.

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Slowly her attention turned back to Romulus as he shifted himself to be in front of her. Her icy eyes watched him lower his head to make it easier for her to reach his neck, holding out a second necklace for her to take. I’d be happy to. She thought quietly, taking the second matching necklace in her nimble paws. Softly she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in close so she could see the ties at the back of him. The leather was soft and pliable, and as she tied it she would glance down at his chest to see where the pendant would fall to ensure it would lay at a respectable and pleasing area. Once she had it sufficiently tied, confident that it would not come undone from the knot she made, Juliana lowered her arms and took a step back to admire the pendant. It hung right below his collarbone on his chest; not too long and not too short. A gentle smile came to her lips, her fingers lightly tracing over the beautiful leather and caressing the pendant made of minotaur horn on Romulus. It was an exquisitely designed and done piece. Not only did it look handsome against his darker gray and masculine frame, it looked lovely against her stark white and feminine one. Her pads traced the little leaf patterns that had been stamped into the silver and the ridges of the horn on the pendant itself. Her tail lightly wagged behind her, the water rippling at the action.

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“You know Romulus…” Juliana began, leaning away from him so she could tilt her head up and look at him properly. “We give gifts similar to this in my pack as well… But, when they’re given from a male to a female, and in such an intimate setting… It usually means that they wish to be tied together with Gaia’s blessing.” There was a soft giggle on her lips, knowing full well that he would have had no clue about this from her pack, and using the information to tease him. Just to continue to play with him the lithe snowy female reached her ebony nose out and rubbed it sweetly against his. Not a kiss, nor a nuzzle, but a cute display nonetheless. The gift had certainly lightened her mood, brightened her evening that he thought so highly of her to have something like this made specifically for her. And a match for himself as well. It truly did feel an honor to wear it. “Perhaps that is what the Silverfangs and the Graybacks need in order to unite.” Lia said loftily, her words playful as she certainly did not want what she would say next to come to fruition. “We just require a heard of Minotaur to stampede our villages and homes and force both packs to work together under a common foe.” While Juliana didn’t want an actual stampede of Minotaur to destroy anything near her home and her pack, equally so for his, it wasn’t a horribly unsound concept. But what common threat would the Silverfang and Grayback packs have that might unite them? Might bring them closer together in order to just speak with each other? That was quite the question. A light chuckle escaped from Juliana’s muzzle at the idea, drawing a blank on the kind of issue that could possibly unite the packs. Instead she decided to focus her attention on the male in front of her, on the wolf that had given her a beautifully crafted necklace, on the Grayback Romulus who was slowly capturing all of her. As gently as she could, her paws slid up against his chest, her cheek lightly pressed against him in a soft tender

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embrace. A light humming noise, a gentle exhale like sound left her muzzle, enjoying listening to the sound of his heart thud against his ribcage. The thought passed over her mind quietly, and Juliana chuckled gently under her breath thinking about it. Where there is death, there is also Life. The death of that minotaur brought a Silverfang and a Grayback together to find common ground within a lake of water. Gaia works in mysterious ways for all of us. @Himbo Tie

Romulus produced a low growl in his throat, a sound of annoyance and intended to silence her as Juliana began speaking about how she had had no effect on the outcome. Reaching his paw out to gently grip her wrist when she showed the aquamarine glow on her pads, Romulus moved his muzzle to kiss the top of her shoulder before he whispered in a soft voice, “Juliana, I was only given the strength by the Mother to finish the fight and kill the Minotaur because She knew you were here to help me. If you had not been here, blessed by Her with the gifts She has given to you, then I would not have had the ability to be victorious and would have died before killing it. You, being here with your gifts, let Gaia know that Her will was being practiced. A warrior and a healer, two sides of the same pebble, gifted by Gaia. Without you here...I would have died for nothing.” Looking over her shoulder at the way the pendant hung on her chest, Romulus ignored the swell of her breasts and how much he wanted to touch them. Instead, he looked to blush on her cheeks and smiled warmly. Kissing her neck just below the curve of her jaw, he moved his lips up to her cheek before walking around her to have the necklace placed on his own neck. Feeling her arms come around his neck as she moved the necklace to make sure the pendant was hanging well; Romulus closed his eyes slowly as he did not want to stare directly at her bosom in this close position. He would have liked to keep his eyes and admire her feminine form, but he respected and valued her enough that he could not treat her like a bitch that he wanted to simply fuck and then leave. His tail wagged happily in the water, a light frothing sound coming from the movement as in this position he could not help but smell everything. He could smell the lavender of his soap as it mixed with his own earthy scent, but the scent that he latched onto was sweeter. A clear scent of freshness with smoky accents from her time near the ovens of her peo

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ple, there was an overall sweeter smell that he could not identify as her pheromones but being in this close proximity he was nearly intoxicated by them. Feeling his cock beginning to swell in its sheathe as he continued to breathe in her scent, Romulus screwed his eyebrows together in a tight furrow as he lifted his muzzle to place it just below her ear. Licking at her sensitive flesh as he pressed against her head gently, Romulus felt his eyes slide open slowly when Juliana stepped back from him, her paws dragging slowly down and off of his shoulders so that she could see the pendant. Feeling his chest muscles flexing slightly to make them appear better in her view, Romulus looked down and smiled as he saw how the pendant hung to display their kill. Watching her paw raise up before her fingers traced down the length of leather on his collarbones, Romulus could not stop the low moan that escaped his chest. Looking down to her paw as she caressed the pendant, Romulus reached his own paw out to rub slowly from her collarbone and down the leather to her pendant. Holding his hand over it and keeping it against her chest, Romulus smiled warmly before lowering his arm again. Romulus smiled as he admired the way that the dark horn accented against her chest, standing out like her like her black ears and nose did from her white fur. His eyes were locked on the pendant and the way her fur flowed away from it when he heard Juliana’s words beginning. Flicking his eyes and ears up quickly to devote all of his senses to what she was saying, Romulus could feel his stone-gray cheeks beginning to have a burning red undertone as a fierce blush worked its way across his cheeks.

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Looking into her eyes with his own widened in surprise, Romulus opened his mouth to speak but closed it immediately after. Doing this a couple times as he tried to formulate a sensible response to the information he had just received, Romulus eventually let his ears fall out to the sides in a confused way as a soft whine rang from his throat. Looking down at her as she giggled softly before pressing their ebony noses to rub together gently, Romulus moved his paws to her hips and pulled her forward quickly. He paid no mind to the fact that his cock had grown excited and that his sheathe would he firmer than normal pressing into her abdomen, Romulus pressed his lips against hers passionately, one of his paws holding her cheek gently until he broke the kiss and spoke breathlessly, “Then I ask Gaia for her blessing.” Romulus’s pupils had enlarged well beyond their norm as he looked down at her, but as he realized what he had just said, he let his eyes glance down at her shoulder slightly. His tongue licked his lips as he looked back at her, his ears rolling slightly to listen as she spoke about what the packs needed to unite. Chuckling softly at her suggestion, Romulus shrugged before pressing his muzzle against the side of hers in a caressing manner. Holding for a moment, he whispered softly, “Whatever it takes, I need you in my life Juliana. Whether I have to fight a hoard of Minotaur, a flight of Dragons, or a march of Ogres. I will fight them single-handedly if it means that I can come back and have you at my side, my healer.” Feeling her paws slide up him before her head followed and laid against his sculpted chest, Romulus smiled and lowered his head to rest his lips on the top of her head. His arms moved around her to hold her against him, his paws running slowly and gently up and down her back in a comforting embrace. Humming softly so that a gentle vibration would roll through his chest and hopefully add to the comfort she felt in his embrace. Kissing the

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top of her head before lifting his own to do a quick 360 security scan, Romulus sighed and lowered his head back down when he heard nothing. Resting the side of his head against the top of hers, he let his eyes drift closed as he held her to him, enjoying the embrace and the mingling of their scents that the waterfall mists let permeate the air around them. @Fiory

She had meant it as a tease. The she wolf had thought to fluster him, just a joke for him. She even thoroughly enjoyed how frazzled he seemed, speechless and unsure of how to proceed. It was amusing to the female, who had giggled at his response. She surely thought that he likely already had a partner that he was tied to, someone that he cared for far more than Lia. Even though she had yet to scent another female’s scent on him. However, what Juliana hadn’t expected that he would do, after watching the male outwardly panic a little at her words to him, was kiss her again and ask for Gaia’s blessing. The white and silver on her cheeks burned violently. Not just with the passionate kiss that engulfed her every primal sense, and the words he said that she was sure he couldn’t completely mean. No it was when she realized being pulled against him the rigidity that pressed against her abdomen. Juliana’s experience with the male body was next to nothing, as she kept herself quite a distance from the ones who were just after her for her body or for her position. So feeling such a reaction from Romulus nearly startled the female. Her insides squirmed like that swarm of butterflies had been wrestled from the trees they had calmly sat on and were now making Lia feel quite tingly. “I’m sure at the right time, she may grant your request…” Juliana’s voice was a little shaky saying this, wanting to answer his request, though not wanting to hurt or rile him up at the same time. Would she certainly consider a union with Romulus? Possibly. She wanted to know more about him, wanted to know his way of life, what he held dear to him and she wanted to learn of all of him. As it stood there was certainly the attraction there, but Juliana needed more than a pretty face. She needed a partner, a friend, a confidant. Lia required someone who could stay with her, provide the stability she needed for the pack she was to lead. Could Romulus do this? Time will tell…

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Though the little pet name, the small recognition did make Juliana smile. ”My Healer” Hm? I suppose I don’t mind being that for you She thought quietly, rubbing her cheek against his chest softly. Her black nostrils flared, and she breathed deeply of the soft dark gray fur of him. Fingers lightly caressed where they lay palm down against him, fanning out and then sliding back together in a soft slow pattern. It was a caressing gentle feeling, light against his well toned chest. An idle thing as she just let the peach wash over her like the falls. His words, declaring how he would fight the world if necessary to get back to her, made Juliana’s heart flutter in her chest. Like a bird that had been caged, excited and wishing for release. This was a new sensation of feelings for the female. She’d never experienced such a set of raw emotions, desperate instincts pulling and compelling her forward towards Romulus. It was like something ancient down her bloodline long since dormant demanded that she pursue this. Begged to remain close to him and his intoxicating scent. Pleaded to never leave his side. I can’t stay in the lake with him forever though… We will be missed I’m sure back in our villages… * As painful as that thought was, she tried her best to ignore it. Pushing it from her head like she was trying to wait just a few more minutes before the alarm would sound and her time would be certainly up for this evening’s rendezvous. Smiling, Juliana lifted her muzzle against his chest, not wanting to remove herself from his touch quite yet, but requiring his attention momentarily. Her nose huffed lightly on his thick neck fur, and she softly licked at the underside of his muzzle sweetly. Those ice blue eyes watched him scan the area protectively, checking their surroundings to ensure they were still utterly and unequivocally alone. *Good, at least one of us is. I’d forgotten for a while… This thought made Lia a little sad though. The idea that they would have to ke

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ep checking their backsides to be sure that no one would know of their secret meeting tonight or of further ones thereafter. I hate hiding like this… It’s degrading…. I hope we don’t have to hide for too long

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“Romulus…” The name came out as a gentle sigh, contented and relaxed. His arms made her feel safe. His chest gave her warmth and comfort. His gestures gave affection she was starved for. It killed her a little to have to do this to him, to have to speak the next words in a quiet and gentle whisper. “We should probably get out of the lake… Lest we turn into fish ourselves.” Which bank would they go towards? Juliana didn’t know. Her clothes were on the Silverfang side. His were on the Grayback’s. She didn’t want to leave the embrace they were sharing, but the night was dragging onward, and if he was not needed elsewhere she surely would be. The night was surely showing the unyielding passage of time. The moon which had started behind the waterfall, was now opposite of it threatening its descent soon towards the opposite horizon. Her tail slowed down in the water, letting the ripples that it was making while it was swaying back and forth settle and lie still in the lake. Her face still flushed a dark scarlet under that bright white and silver fur. “Also… I thought we agreed not to bring weapons.” Her body pressed against him in a tease just a little harder to make the point clear for him. Her toned torso rolled a little against the hidden member that was becoming more and more excited within its sheath. Her teeth came out just for a moment to nip playfully at the underside of his jaw while her body teased him. “Just like an untrustworthy savage Grayback to bring a weapon to a peace talk.” These were said clearly in jest repeating words that would have likely been said by the elders of her pack, or by passers by of the Silverfang clan. A stereotype that would have been the norm for the pack to think having known nothing else. Juliana said it ironically, as that particular weapon of his that he kept sheathed for the moment at least, was certainly not one that she wanted to see less of. Contrarily, even though she would not voice this for fear of appearing too vulgar or

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inappropriate, she inwardly desired to see more of him that was hidden away.

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@Himbo Tie

Nodding confidently, Romulus smiled as Juliana spoke, his eyes looking down to her as he replied in a soft voice, “Gaia has already answered my prayers and granted Her first blessing by allowing you to be here to save me. This is not so much a request I have made as it is a sign of destiny.” Lowering his muzzle, he kissed her on the top of her muzzle gently. The Graybacks stood firmly in the belief that there weren’t many accidents; situations that you couldn’t simply explain with logic were seen as messages from their creator. For Juliana to have been in a position to save his life when he surely would have died moments after his fight meant that Gaia had placed her there for a reason. The reaction his body has been having to her and the way he felt instantly drawn to her, life debt aside, meant that she was not only placed in the river to save him. No, she had been placed there so that she could enter his life and bring a positive change. Romulus smiled as he felt a firm sense of alignment with this mindset, his lips finding her forehead before he let his eyes close and his lungs to bring in a lungful of her scent to comfort his nerves. Feeling her cheek rub against his chest before her fingers started to work with her paw in a soothing rub, Romulus hummed softly and enjoyed the sensation before bringing his left paw up to her upper back to give her a similar rubbing pattern. Spreading across her back to show that despite her strong yet feminine build, his paw could reach from side to side on her easily. He would then bring his fingers in and rub gently up and then back down her back where his paw spread out again over her, claiming her as his own yet again, even if there was no one to see his display. Feeling Juliana against his frame, Romulus felt a warm smile on his face and a warmth spreading through his chest. Holding her seemed like the right thing to do, as if letting her go and allowing a physical rift between them might cause the earth to shake and sh

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atter as Gaia refused to believe that they would defy Her wishes. However, Romulus had spent enough time using the sky as navigation to recognize the movement of the constellations in the sky. Knowing their time was coming to an end, he kept vigilant in his watch as he thought slowly through the idea of what song they might part with tonight. When her head shifted, Romulus did not look down until he felt her breath shift the fur of his throat followed by her tongue on the underside of his muzzle. Smiling and sighing contentedly, he looked down into her sharp blue eyes with his own warm ambers. He saw the joy in her eyes seem to dull as a sad thought played at her subconscious, bringing a soft growl to his throat as he dropped his snout down and tapped his chin against her muzzle lightly. Smiling as he then shifted to press his nose to hers, he let his tongue extend to lick her lips softly before relenting as he looked down into her eyes.

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Hearing his name on her lips, Romulus smiled before sighing softly as he heard what she had to continue with. He knew their night would be coming to a close, a night where he felt whole and complete. A hole he had been suffering with ignorantly had been filled for tonight, and he had to appreciate even that small gift as he nodded. He glanced over her shoulder at his shore which was closer, he shook his head and craned his neck to look over his own shoulder to look at her shore. His tail stopped its wagging and his ears fell back softly as he felt his mood shifting from pleased to sad, his ears stood on end as his mind quickly filled with an image of taking Juliana to her village and claiming her hand and therefore keeping her to himself. This image provided a small smile until his mind was flashed with a brilliant light when he felt her press against his sheathed cock. Moaning softly, he looked down at her with his eyes wide, a clear expression on his face of asking why she would tease him like this after the statement of getting out was made. Feeling his hips react to her body rolling against him, Romulus moaned deeply before looking down at her, a smirk playing at his lips as he spoke, “You need to be careful what you ask for Lia. Don’t awaken something you’re not ready for.” His words had a playful and yet challenging tone to them before he gasped softly as he felt his member growing in excitement from the contact. Feeling his pulse shifting into his cock as he felt cool water beginning to surround it as it slowly pushed out of the sheathe, Romulus gasped softly when he felt her teeth nip at the underside of his jaw. Lowering his hand from her lower back to over her backside, Romulus squeezed gently and pulled her forward against his hardening member before replying with a playful growl, repeating similar stereotypes, “Just like a devious Silverfang, making promises of one kind only to break them soon after.” Growling as he lowered his lips and pressed again

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st her for one heated kiss, Romulus moved her while their lips were connected. Walking her backwards towards his land, he dropped his lips to the side of her muzzle and then down to her neck. Nipping at her neck fur gently, Romulus grinned as he stepped back from her. His member had pushed nearly half-way out of its sheathe and was a dark red hue as more blood pumped into it to try and bring it to more of a stance of attention. Growling as he lowered his paw and flicked his cock twice, he closed his eyes as the swelling stopped and his member fell slightly. Looking into her eyes with expanded pupils, he spoke in a husky voice, “I’ve been thinking about how we can communicate that we are able to meet. If you are willing to visit the river once a day, I will stick a knife into a tree you can see with a blue cloth if you are good to return at sundown as I will be here to see you. I have some spare cloth nearby if you can wait for me to retrieve it, and we can decide how to see each other again. I cannot go without seeing you Lia, I cannot forget you.” @Fiory

Juliana just smiled and giggled at him, knowing her teasing may either make him angry or which was the case in this instance playfully antagonize him. There was something about the way that he played with her, the way that he took her little pokes and teases with a smile and a willingness to play back with her. It was a welcome dynamic, an enjoyably fun way to interact with him. And to his credit, she wasn’t entirely innocent beneath the waters either. He may have been excited having her pressed against his muscular frame; that didn’t mean that Lia wasn’t more than willing to be there herself. Thankfully for her though, it was much more difficult to detect her excitement and arousal at the male than it was for her to feel his. “I fear no Grayback challenge Romulus.” She growled playfully back to him, a supple whine escaping that white muzzle when he squeezed her backside and pulled her forward tightly. “I’m sure I can take anything you throw at me.” His challenge met with her own, though she never intended him to make good on it. Not yet anyway. Tonight wouldn’t be enough time and she still needed more information first. The pair would have their reckoning, their battle of wills with one another soon enough. Like practiced dancers, she glided backwards in his arms, guided by Romulus towards the Grayback shore. Her ears shifted a little, just to listen as they got closer to shore so she could anticipate her next foot fall. Place the next step, one after the other. Her lips preoccupied with her partner until he had released her for air. Juliana couldn’t help the needy whine that escaped her muzzle, her body shivering at the gentle nips and kisses he made at her neck. It made her body react carnally and it only made it worse when he moved away from her. Those eyes of hers glanced back at him feeling her heart pounding at the little action he made and the obvious excitement he now had to try and put away. This round would go to them both, a tie in their war of teasi

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ng one another.

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The words he had mentioned earlier played at her mind a moment, waiting for him to right himself and feeling just a small pang of guilt at having caused an embarrassing and obvious discomfort for him. Romulus thought she was a blessing to him from Gaia? It was an odd concept for Lia to wrap her head around. The Silverfangs believed that there were no accidents either; everything was planned and as it should be according to Gaia’s divine wishes. That morning, Juliana had wanted to escape her village knowing there would be work to be done, more duties and leading actions she would have to fulfill. It had been the same thing over and over, every morning until night. She had craved excitement, desired something fresh, yearned for more than what her life was at that moment. So when Sabelle had come into her room and asked if she wanted to soak in a bath before starting the day, Juliana had seized the opportunity that Gaia had presented. Little did Sabelle know that her acceptance so quickly of an early morning bath would in fact lead the pair out to the border of their lands. The rest of the morning was history made. It hadn’t dawned on Juliana until that moment that perhaps that had been the purpose for her craving to leave the village specifically this morning. It wasn’t unheard of for her to run off and explore, but this morning specifically, this is where she was lead like something old and wise had pulled her from sleep to guide her paws. Perhaps he is right in this respect… and who am I to argue with a destiny that Gaia presents to me… Her ears twitched in his direction as he began to speak again. That husky tone was captivating to listen to and she made sure to give him her full undivided attention. The idea of how they would see one another again had crossed her mind too and she smiled at his suggestion.

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“I think that’s a great idea. We’ll be sure to put our colors out in the morning when we can meet after sundown so the other knows.” This was an idea that made sense. Not many came by the border like this, but howling songs to each other every night in order to talk to one another or meet up would certainly alert any pack members from either faction eventually. A silent signal, something they could see but may not mean anything to another was a brilliant idea. Juliana nodded, giving her consent to allow him off to fetch the spare cloth he had stashed away somewhere. She thought of a spare rag or perhaps a piece of linen that she might have herself back in her home that could be used too if needed. A lady’s favor to use as a flag. While he went to retrieve the cloth, Juliana walked carefully out of the lake. Her frame leaned against the boulder that he had had his clothes on. His scent was strong just due to the soiled kilt that had been left there. The female’s nose twitched lightly at it. Her ankles crossed in front of her and her arms lightly held themselves. That fierce gaze she usually had softened and she pointed it towards the opposite shore to where she would have to return home. This was torture, the idea of not seeing him again, not holding him, not hearing him. Her tail swayed gently under her, that white coat of fur dripping the water off of it with little soft plop and plip noises back into the lake from where it came. Her gaze remained away from him when he would eventually return, listening for his paw steps and the distinct weight that she wanted to imprint to memory. A soft breeze played at her drenched coat, shifting only a few strands here and there. The chill of the night didn’t bother her; Juliana was too warm as it was, so it was a welcome temperature shift from staying in the lake and keeping herself relatively covered with the sparkling waters. Only when she heard the distinct movement behind her that she would turn her head to watch him ret

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urn. Whereas this morning she had been bashful at the idea of him seeing all of her, now she felt far more comfortable with the idea and relished in the thought that this was exactly how he was meant to see her all along; Juliana just smiled at him thinking of it, waiting for the explanation of the cloth he returned with.

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@Himbo Tie

Listening to the challenges given by the white and silver furred she-wolf in his arms, Romulus could not help but feel a warmth grow in his chest and stomach alike. Every wolf in his pack expected him to look and act a certain way, upholding their expectations of what the supreme warrior would be. Females would position themselves to be in his path, their bodies more and more uncovered as he grew older, and his sexual maturity became more obvious. Several females had made attempts to sleep with him, climbing onto his lap at meals and grinding their drenched nether regions against his. They would be entertained for a moment of politeness before either being asked to move or forcefully moved if they did not listen to his words. There were rumors that began that suggested he was gay with Remus, but the truth was that no female had stood out to him. There were no she-wolves that had been able to present themselves as his equal. Every one of them wanted to submit to him, allowing him to do as he wished while they simply gave themselves over to him. While the idea was intriguing and exciting to his friends, Romulus yearned for something more. His mate would be his equal and she would see herself as such. He wanted her submission, but not because she felt inferior to him. Instead, he wanted an equal and independent female, one that displayed strength and resolve. He wanted her to trust him enough to submit, while still holding strong to what made her different in the first place. Pressing his lips to Juliana’s, he adored the small whimpers that she gave at his lightest of touches and teases, a beautiful sign that despite her strength she was beginning to feel the effects of his presence. He had found his equal, or so he hoped Gaia had directed him correctly. Smirking as he shook his head and nipped at her neck, Romulus brought his lips to Juliana’s black ears and whispered softly, “This is no Grayback challenge. This comes from myself as an individual, to you as an ind

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ividual. Be ready for what you are asking for, or do not tease it out of me.” Lowering his gaze to meet her eyes for a moment of seriousness to make sure he had delivered the promise properly, he pressed his lips back to hers before continuing to guide them. As they reached the shore and he separated from her, he felt a spark of joy in his heart that she had been willing to listen to his idea for signaling each other. A soft whine played at his throat as he felt an emptiness in front of him where she had been pressed against her. Feeling a hole developing in her absence, Romulus stepped forward and kissed her again, his paws finding her cheeks to cradle her face. There was a hunger to his kiss, as if he was trying to hold it for as long as he could at the fear of losing her if he let go. Doing so, he whined again as he felt the cool air on his lips where she had just been. Feeling his ears fall to the side as he fought the urge to kiss her again, Romulus lifted his left paw and held it under her jaw in a gentle embrace. His thumb stroked the side of her muzzle as his eyes looked into hers longingly, a tearing sensation crossing his chest as he lowered his paw and stepped away. His ears stayed to the side as his tail stayed down and swayed only with the pattern of his strides. Walking up the beach and stepping up onto a low ledge, he crawled effortlessly over a few exposed roots before his naked form disappeared into the underbrush.

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Walking to his spruce tree, he pulled the chest out and sorted through the fabrics that he had on hand to patch his kilts that he would wear. Finding four large pieces of fabric that had distinct differences, he pulled them out before sifting through his collection of bars of soap that he kept stashed in this box. Bringing each up and taking a small inhale, he imagined them with the natural scent he had detected on Juliana. Shaking his head and putting them back one at a time, he stopped when he pulled out one that had a light pink hue to it with slivers of red in it. Smelling softly, he could not help but release a soft growl of appreciation. Wrapping the soap in the cloth, he shut the chest and slid it back under the tree before running through the underbrush and stopping as he got to the edge of the ledge he had climbed over before. Looking down to make sure his member had decided to return to normal, Romulus smiled as his ears stood back at attention and his tail took on its natural light-hearted wag. Hearing the soft drops of water falling from her coat and contacting the river rocks beneath her, Romulus smiled slightly as he realized that she had felt safe enough to leave the water and stay on the land of his side. A warmth spread through him again as he admired the bravery that that showed. He was not there to defend her or dispel any inaccurate claims made by a possible wandering Grayback, and yet she stood with her back to his land in a subtle defiance. Climbing down from the ledge, he walked forward at a normal pace with no attempts made to hide or alter his gait. He wanted her to have the confidence to be comfortable with him nearby, so he would do nothing to disrupt that. Seeing her back to him, his eyes danced over the curves of her body and the gentle sway of her tail. It was only when her head turned to look at him that he brought his eyes away from their admiring tour. Smirking as he stepped up behind her and nestled his muzzle against hers softl

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y, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her slowly towards him. He wanted her to be able to trust leaning against him as much as she would a solid boulder. He wanted to be her rock. Kissing her cheek softly, he rubbed his head gently against hers with a soft hum as he pressed his body against hers. Holding her for a moment to simply hum happily, his eyes closed for a second or two of bliss. Opening them, he looked down her body and smiled warmly as he saw his gift to her nestled just above her bosom. Raising his left paw to rest it on the pendant gently, he whispered softly, not really caring that Juliana heard his every word, “Thank you Gaia.” Lowering his paw while raising his right, he held a bundle of cloth in his grasp. Pulling the sheets of fabric back one at a time, it would be clear he had a second copy for each color. “Blue means I am here to see you tonight. Orange means I will not be back to the border for a week. Red means I will be gone for a month. Black means danger, either from my pack or monsters; do not show yourself until the black disappears.” As each fabric was shifted, the soft smell of rose petals was becoming more potent. Finally, a bar of creamy pink with red slivers in it could be seen. Smiling as he kissed the side of Juliana’s neck, Romulus spoke softly, “Another gift for you. I will be gone for a week; my duties call me to the Northern border with the Ursine clans there. This is a soap I made, rose and vanilla scented with rose petals in it. Please use this to remember me by until I can hold you again.” @Fiory

The evening was crisp and cool when she heard his paw steps return. They were distinctly heavy, and carried with them the strength she’d sampled in the lake holding his muscles and massaging the filth from his coat. Her black ears could hear the thuds of each step and when she had turned back to look at him, she smiled, catching that faint direction of his eyes before he’d brought them up to look at her properly. When he’d come back to her, Juliana leaned into his muzzle. Her body weight shifted in his arms so she could be embraced properly, her back flush against his chest. Romulus seemed to have dried a little only getting a little wet with Juliana’s fur still dripping into the lake. The she-wolf was sure that he wouldn’t mind. A light chuckle escaped her muzzle, listening to him as he reached down to hold the pendent she wore. His words made her smile a bit more, leaning her head into his at his small gesture of gratitude. Her tail wagged lightly behind her, brushing against the insides of his thighs a moment before she stopped and slowed its pace. “I am flattered… but I am not Gaia, Warrior of the Lake, though I’m sure I get mistaken for her often…” Lia whispered gently, in a teasing sort of way. The Silverfangs would say their thanks to Gaia in a similar fashion that the Graybacks did it seemed, though in this particular instance Juliana was just poking fun at her affectionate enemy. Her eyes watched his paw move back to her waist while it’s counterpart raised to show her the cloth he had gathered.

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Silent, Juliana memorized the instructions he gave, showing her the different colors and what they would mean for each other. This seemed simple enough, and the colors bright enough that they could be seen from a distance. It would be a perfect idea, something they could easily spot in order to ensure that the other was available or not. A light warmth fluttered in her chest; He was clever in a way, and she was glad of it. An equal instead of a rival. Thank you Gaia indeed. She inwardly said, hoping her thoughts could reach just as far as Romulus’s had. The tickling sensation of roses wafted into her nostrils when he’d finished his explanation. While she had wanted to keep her tail fairly still, Juliana couldn’t help the light rapid brushing it did now against his thighs and knees behind her. Her paws extended and she carefully held the cream and sweet smelling soap in them. A contented sniff was given and she audibly hummed, a sound of relaxed joy. She loved the smell of roses, how sweet they were and how delicate. They were a symbol of beauty and of strength to her. Something so lovely that all wanted the delicate flowers, but only a few would brave the sharp and dangerous thorns. Juliana was about to kiss his cheek when she registered what he said. He would be gone for a week? Up in the North? Her brow furrowed a little and a sad whisper of a sound vibrated her throat. That sounded dangerous, as well as torturous the idea that he would be gone for quite a while. Turning in his grasp, Juliana let her arms wrap around the middle of him. At his full height and at hers, her forehead came to just the center portion of his chest, not even his collarbone, though her ears lightly tickled at it as tall as they were. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her paws held his back softly. It had been easier when they were in the water, as she had used her own buoyancy in order to raise herself closer to eye level with him. Now, it was quite clear the size difference betw

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een the pair, though Juliana didn’t seem to care for this trivial detail at all. Her tail had fallen, no longer wagging behind her and it even seemed to be slightly tucked between her legs. Juliana had buried her face into his chest, feeling self conscious but all together wanting this embrace not to end. If he had to stay there, in her arms, he couldn’t leave for such a dangerous mission. Lia inhaled deeply, huffing as she exhaled into his fur. Those had been selfish thoughts; who was she to deny where he was tasked to go? All she could do was wish him well and a safe return, and Juliana knew it.

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“Please… be careful Romulus.” Lia said, a little muffled into his chest. “I will pray for Gaia to bring you back safe to me.” Her paws pressed into his muscles sweetly, holding him tight. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe his strength could hold out against the Ursine clam in the North. It was more she knew she couldn’t be there to help him if he were to get hurt. That clan in the North were brutal, vicious things, hard to negotiate and speak with on good days and impossible on bad. Not to mention that the terrain was frigid cold for it seemed the entire year. They were unpredictable, and Juliana wanted to be sure that her wolven warrior would make it back safely. The embrace lasted as long as he would allow it to for her. If he had his own way, she was sure it would never be broken. However with a heavy heart and an ache in her limbs, Juliana slowly pulled herself back from him. The cool slap of the air away from his warmth stung at her face, though she would not allow it to affect her. It would not be permitted to make her show weakness when she needed to guard herself for the task at hand. A week without Romulus would be fine; She had gone her whole life not knowing of his existence until this morning. Certainly she could be fine with a week away from the male. Juliana would wait, as long as she needed to in order to hear anything more from him, and when they had finally said their final farewells to one another, she turned towards her shore in order to return home. Clutching her little bundle of soap and fabric scraps as if they were a precious treasure, Juliana made the short swim across the lake. She would walk out onto her shore with her head down, soaking wet again and dripping on the bank. Deciding it would be safer here than at home, Juliana crouched down by that teasing bush she had used before and hid the soap as well as the scraps of fabric within its thick green leafed branches. This should keep it hidden enough so she could utilize the fabrics and

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the soap when she pleased. I will need to use an arrow or something in order to make sure it’s visible on my side of the river. She thought, shaking herself off and sending water flying in all directions in a light moonlit mist. Those icy eyes glanced in his direction as she dressed herself, her trousers and vest from before dry now since being allowed to hang up from before.

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It was one last look. One final reminder to take in his face, his silhouette, the stature of him. Pained, she pulled herself away and slipped into the darkness and shadows of the Silverfang woods, disappearing within moments within the moonlight’s patchy rays and the dark. After a moment or two, with no figure to see where it was coming from, a soft melodic howl rose into the air from within those trees. It was gentle, an embrace of a voice for his ears carried on the air with a distinct sorrowful note held at its end. It was clear what Juliana’s message was to him, not a song nor a poem or limerick. This was just a prayer, a hopeful guiding wish. ”Come home safe to me, My Warrior of the Lake.” @Himbo Tie

There was no shame or embarrassment in Romulus’s features when he realized that his observing had not gone unnoticed, a smirk playing at his lips as he was not about to hide his attraction to the she-wolf before him. He was not going to fuck her tonight, and he wanted to avoid letting his erection poke into her. But that did not change the attraction or interest he felt in her. Holding her to him and looking down at the pendant, he let his eyes linger and wander over her bosom. He wanted to memorize as many of her features as he could, so that she could be with him even when she wasn’t physically. Grinning as she made the comment about not being Gaia, Romulus leaned down and nipped at her neck gently. His eyes had a playful glint to them before he pressed his cheek against hers and sighed softly. He loved the feeling of this embrace, and with how his frame engulfed Juliana, he felt a warmth in his stomach as he knew that he could hold her and keep her safe forever. Shifting his head, he kissed her along her neck before whispering into her ear, “You may not be Gaia, but you rival her beauty and grace. Lady of the Lake, you will forever be in my heart.” He would lick the outside of her ear gently before shifting his attention back to the fabric in his hands. Feeling her tail wagging between his legs as she looked at the soap, Romulus lowered his head and released a soft moan as her tail began to excite his heart and bring a blush over his cheeks. Looking to the rounded rectangular bar in Juliana’s paws, Romulus brought his paw up to rub his thumb over the side of it gently. He leaned his head against hers and sighed softly before speaking, “I love making soap, it brings me a lot of joy and peace to work over something so delicate. I put oats and some crushed bark in it to give it an exfoliating surface, but they are not enough to make it uncomfortable or to change the scent. Just enough to help clean your fur and your flesh, while the vanilla adds shining health a

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nd beauty to your coat. Not that you need any help with that.” Rubbing his muzzle against her neck, he sighed softly and allowed it to end in a moan as he felt her soft fur run over his muzzle. Romulus took care of his hygiene, but his fur had never been as delicate and soft as Juliana’s was against his body. He had spoken through her realization of what he had said about being gone, so as he lifted his head to gaze at her, he saw her brows furrow and the worried sound come from her throat. As she turned in his grasp, he wanted to cup her cheek and kiss her deeply, promising his return, but as she tucked her head into his chest, Romulus felt himself at a loss for words. He had not expected this display of fear and affection mixed together, her stance and her tail a clear indication that she was afraid for him and the possibility of never seeing each other again. It was a fear that Romulus understood, if only through observation. He had watched his pack mates embrace their loved ones before a march to war, only to then see them cry terribly when their mate’s body was brought back on their shield. Romulus knew the fear that others felt, but he had never experienced it himself. He had never lost a fight and had never felt afraid of his enemy. He respected his enemy and knew better than to underestimate them, but Romulus had never felt the crippling and seizing hold of fear on himself. Looking down at Juliana where she clung to him, Romulus felt the first quiver of coldness in his chest, a moment of doubt as he feared never being able to hold her like this again. .

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The quiver left as soon as it came, Romulus’s confidence beating back the doubt as he smiled and held her against him. He had always lived by the idea that he would return with his shield or on it, and since he did not use a shield, he had no choice but to come home alive. Bringing his empty paw up to rub her cheek gently, he looked down and swept his fingers back through the fur that gathered behind her ears. Holding his position with her as only his paw moved to stroke her face gently, Romulus hummed softly and lowered his head further to kiss the top of her head. Time froze for several long moments, his eyes closed as he enjoyed her against him. Eventually he opened his eyes and whispered back softly, “I will come back to you Lia, you can believe that. On my shield or carrying it, I will return to you.” He allowed his mind to drift for a moment as he held her, thankful for her warmth as he remembered the last time that he had gone on such a campaign. Three years before he and his men had pushed deep into Ursine territory, making good on a threat to deliver the prince’s head to the king’s doorstep after he had threatened war with the Graybacks. He knew this mission could be just as dangerous, as there had been border conflicts for months now, but if he was being called to the front, it was for a very particular reason. His station afforded him the benefit of not needing to be in every slogging match between his pack and their enemies. He was a specialist, a force multiplier, and his leader knew how to employ him well. Holding her against him for as long as he could, Romulus felt his throat tightening as tear threatened to spill from his eyes. He was not afraid of dying, had embraced it many times before as he charged into battle. He had been living off the concept that every breath he took was a gift from Gaia after She had saved him as a pup from being the runt. His life had been spent living on borrowed and gifted time. Holding Juliana in his arms, he felt a

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change in his heart. He could not die, or else he would never hold her again in his arms. He would never smell her sweet scent that lingered in his mind even when he had left. He would never be able to hear her say his name again. Looking down at her, he stepped back slightly to break the embrace but only so that he could bring his paws up to embrace her face softly. Leaning down and pressing his lips to hers, he kissed her deeply, stepping into the kiss as he held it with her. Releasing only as his lungs screamed at him, Romulus spoke in a breathless tone, “Lia, I will return victorious. When I do, I will hold you in my arms until my arms no longer work.” .

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Kissing her again, faster this time, he stepped back and nodded, knowing by the sound of some of the wildlife that the night was waning around them. Smiling as he watched her stand tall, he respected the strength that she displayed. It was not common amongst his people, but there were the occasional mates that exhibited these traits. Holding to their mate lovingly but standing firm and supporting them and their attempts at bravery by not undermining them with displays of fear. Watching her turn to walk away, Romulus fought the urge to run to her, his feet ignoring his heart and instead standing firm. He would respect her show of strength with one of his own, standing proud and watching her swim back across before shaking violently to get rid of any residual water on his coat. Pulling on his blue and black patterned kilt, he felt the extra fur that he had sewn into the interior to give it better cold resistance. He would need to grab his matching top, but in this moment of watching Juliana store his gifts and their signal flags, Romulus simply worked his hands to put his belt back on. Working to put his armor back on before his sword finally, Romulus picked up his soiled kilt and the signals before walking to his ledge that he had climbed up before. Going to his chest, he pulled out a dagger and stored all but the orange signal. Walking back through the underbrush, he stabbed the knife into the orange fabric and stabbed it into the largest tree there. Offering a quick bark to get her attention, he smiled and lingered a moment before disappearing into the woods. Moving through the brush to get to the trail, he smiled when he heard her soft howl over the wind. Raising his head, he howled a short response. “Remember me, Lady of the Lake.”

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14:58

The wind blew cold across the camp, threatening to put out the few fires that they were allowed to have. It was a calculated risk, knowing that fires would let the bears know where they were, but with the blizzard rolling over them, Romulus had made his choice. He, Remus, and ten other wolves had gone forward of the line and were currently in a camp thirty miles behind enemy lines. They had their mission: disrupt enemy supplies and reinforcements. So far, they had done very well, only one of the wolves taking a cut to his left arm. They were now sitting on enough resources stolen from the supply trains to feed them happily for the remainder of their mission. This was their first evening, and they had pushed back along the routes of the bears, disorganizing two supply trains already. One was through psychological warfare by howling all around it and spooking their beasts of burden, the horses and oxen running off in every direction with their cargo while the few bears had tried to find the collection of wolves howling all around them. They had echoed and altered their howls to sound like thirty or more, but only a dozen wolves in reality. The second train had been harder fought; the carts being pulled by bears rather than their beasts. Howling served to spook them, but the bears quickly found their bearings and their courage. Faced with a foe that would stand their ground, Romulus called for a pincer attack while he and Remus charged directly. The fight had been successful, killing six of the bears for the injury stated before and several crates of food, wine, and furs. Sitting beside one of the fires at the camp, Romulus held a flank of venison between his paws and chewed on it. It had been dried and lost most of its flavor, but it beat the hell out of the hard bread that the bears had kept in one of their crates. Remus called it hard tack, a bread that could be kept for ages without spoiling, but Romulus was not interested. When he put it in his mouth, he had b

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een thinking of Juliana, his mind racing back to when she mentioned letting him try some of her clan’s cooked breads. The memory was fouled by this sorry excuse for nutrition, the cracker splitting into what felt like ash on his tongue. He had eaten a mouthful of snow and downs a long swallow of wine to try to wash the dry taste from his mouth, but nothing had seemed to work. If that was what she ate, Juliana was much crazier than he had expected. And yet, as he sat there at the campfire and smiled as the warmth on his chest reminded him of holding her, he could not help but think that she ate nothing of the sort. Sighing softly as he adjusted the thick coat that he had over his torso, Romulus imagined a collection of berries and this mystery bread that Lia had spoken about. Closing his eyes and smiling, he took a bite of the venison and ignored the salted taste as he instead imagined the sweetness that he could only imagine those berries would provide. .

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A crack behind him opened his eyes though, his ears whipping around in the direction of the sound. He was on the edge of the camp, so any sound in that direction had to be hostile. Looking across the campsite, he noticed how thick the blizzard had started getting as the snowfall made it to where he could barely see the glow of the furthest fire. That did not stop him from seeing the collection of looming shadows that were appearing on his left flank. Dropping the venison and rolling forwards, he turned in his roll and stood up facing the shadows. Drawing his sword with his right arm, he reached into the fire and grabbed a burning stick with his left paw. Ignoring the heat of the fire, he flung the torch towards the shadows and let out a low growl as it smacked into the chest of a large brown bear. The creature stood as tall as nine feet easily, and the dying glow of the torch showed five more bears of similar size coming up behind it. Looking around the campfire, he saw some of the wolves moving to draw their weapons as they looked around for what spooked him. Taking his sword hilt in both hands, he released a loud growl before shouting, “To arms! They are upon us!” At this, the bears knew they had been spotted and charged forward, axes, swords, and shields at the ready. A quick count in the blizzard provided a figure of nearly forty bears converging on them. Outnumbered over three to one, Romulus gritted his teeth as he knew this would be the fight that defined their success in these lands. The bear he had thrown the torch at charged directly at him, leading Romulus to smirk as he stepped to the left and slashed down with his sword, burying it deep in the bear’s flank before he continued moving to the left. Baring his teeth at the now wounded bear, he released a series of challenging barks to try to draw the attention of several of the bears. It worked, but maybe a little too well as Romulus narrowed his eyes and saw ten shadows looming around him in the now

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heavier snowfall. That evened the odds a little better for the other wolves, so Romulus nodded and put the memory of holding Juliana out of his mind. Now was not the time for tender gestures. This was the time of the sword and blood. Stepping forward, he whirled his great sword in a series of seemingly lazy circles around his body and over his head, his tail lowered to stay out of the path of the arcing steel. It was a display to show the bears just how wide his influence was but was also the best way to defend his flanks and be ready to go on the offensive. Watching the ten bears move to surround him in a large circle, Romulus nodded before stepping towards the original bear. Bringing the sword down in a fast redirection from the lazy circle, he caught the bear unprepared and crashed through its last second block easily. Battering its sword out of its hand, his sword’s momentum continued downwards and slashed across the bear’s chest. The bear’s throat opened from the blow, blood quickly coating its chest as it fell to the ground and turned the white snow around it into a red pool of steaming liquids. .

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Getting his blade back into motion quickly, Romulus heard movement behind him and spun around quickly, his pads and claws on his hindfeet propelling him. Blocking a thrust with a sword, Romulus stopped the spin for a moment to focus on this target. Bringing his blade around swiftly to continue smacking the sword to the side, Romulus stepped into the bear and rammed his shoulder into the creature’s chest. Breaking the ranks of the bears around him, Romulus brough his sword in and upwards cut to open up the bear’s stomach. Stepping to the side, he released his sword with one hand and grabbed the bear’s face with his clawed paw. Tearing up on the bear’s face, he opened its neck and drove his head forwards, closing his jaws on the bear’s throat and ripping it out quickly. Spitting the piece of flesh on the ground, Romulus continued his offensive while he had the advantage. The circles of his blade began again, to keep any bears off his rear, but he turned his focus to the bear on his left. Smacking his sword into the bear’s raised shield, Romulus jumped back to avoid the responsive swing of the bear’s axe. Bringing his blade in the other direction, he caught the shaft of the axe and his blade bit into the wood well enough to rip it free from the bear’s grasp. Opening up the bear’s defense, he stopped the swing of his blade early and drove the point into the bear’s chest and through its heart. Kicking the bear in the stomach to knock it down, Romulus withdrew his sword and rolled forward. His tail was nearly struck by a swinging sword, but he recovered and smirked as he saw the semi-circle of shields in front of him as the final seven bears took a more defensive approach. Romulus glanced over them and saw two wolves on the ground next to five other bears. The battle was hard, but he knew he had to focus on his fight before he could help his men. Taking a more relaxed stance with his sword pointing towards the shield wall that walked towards him, Romulus nodded before

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charging in, his sword raised as he looked for an opening. One of the bears stumbled backwards on the right flank and Romulus saw his opportunity. Stopping short in his charge, he roared loudly before swinging his sword in a downwards manner. Catching the shield of the bear, he knocked it down and drove his sword forward, piercing its chest the same as the other one. However, in his charge, the left side had flanked around, and he now felt a blade slash into his left arm. .

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Growling and releasing the handle of his great sword as the bear fell over with it embedded in its chest, Romulus reached to his waist and drew a sword with his right paw. Rolling backwards, he grabbed one of the dead bears’ shields and held it with his left paw. Blocking a strike from an axe that was aimed for his head, Romulus struck back but growled when his sword hit a shield too. The shield line had broken though, and the bears were not pushing in unison. Looking through them quickly, Romulus dashed to the right to create distance between himself and the closest, bravest one and locked eyes with one that stood in the rear. Rasing his shield as he approached, Romulus slammed his shield into the bear’s his sword held over the top of the wooden barrier. Driving his sword forward, he slit the bear’s throat before kicking it in the knee to make it fall and bleed out on the ground. Looking at the bears that continued to surround him, he bared his teeth and lowered his ears backwards as he growled a challenge to them. Having seen half of their starting number killed, Romulus knew there was a chance he could cause enough fear that they would back off. But, with this being their land, they chose the alternative and stayed to fight. Romulus nodded and brought the shield up. Stepping forward, he blocked a blow from a sword, but could not react in time as one of the bears threw an axe that embedded in his right shoulder. Stepping back with a growl, Romulus dropped the shield and grabbed the handle of the axe. Pulling it out with a snarling bark, he held the axe in his left paw and his sword in his right. Looking down at the steady stream of blood that came from the wound and feeling a tingle in his right paw, Romulus shook his head and chuckled as he thought of his promise to Juliana. Breathing out steadily as he growled to try to ramp up his anger and adrenaline, he whispered softly, “I will come home Lia.” Charging forwards, he dropped to a slide as he got to the fir

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st bear. Slipping below the shield of the bear, he sliced his sword up into the groin of the bear. Standing up quickly as the bear fell to its knees, Romulus turned and drove the axe into the bear’s head. Hearing the snow crunch behind him, he jumped back over the now falling bear, dodging the slash of a sword behind him. Transitioning his sword to his left hand, Romulus brought his right up and took hold of the minotaur horn on his chest. Growling deeply as the four bears moved closer to him, Romulus lowered his right arm and spread his fingers. Blocking an axe with his word, he shoved his right paw forward to grab the shield of the lead bear. Pulling his guard open, Romulus went to bite at him but saw the bear biting back at his face. Snapping at the bear’s snout, Romulus bit its nose and upper lip. Ripping to the side, he brought his sword to the bear’s neck as it recoiled in pain. Opening its throat and coating himself in a hot jet of blood, Romulus pushed the body to the side. .

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Sliding his sword back into his scabbard, Romulus had made his way back to his great sword and took hold of it with both hands. Ignoring the numbness entering his right hand, Romulus pulled the sword free from the corpse and stepped towards the final three bears. However, there only stood one as Remus and another wolf had jumped on the backs of two of them and drove them to the ground to kill them. Smirking as he stepped forward and swung his sword, Romulus caught the surprised bear and cleaved its head from its shoulders. Lowering his sword as he watched the body fall to the ground, Romulus let out a short victorious howl before bringing his left hand to the gash in his shoulder. Moving past Remus, he went to his campfire and grabbed one of the burning sticks. Pressing the flaming portion into the gash, he released a long and low growl, his eyes closing as he prayed to Gaia for his healing to begin. It would not take long, but as Romulus looked around him, he could not help but shake his head. Five of his wolves had died, leaving only the seven of them to continue the mission or withdraw for reinforcements. Sitting down and holding his great sword across his lap, Romulus sighed softly before looking up as Remus walked over. Shaking his head when his friend gestured at his shoulder, Romulus remarked with a smirk, “I can feel it healing already, just hurts like a bitch. We need to move out soon as we are all hydrated and patched up. These wolves deserve to go home.” He would point at the wolf corpses as he said that, his heart already aching for their mate’s loss. Feeling that ache growing warmer and closer to home as he looked down at the horn, he started to put out his fire while whispering softly to himself, “Show me this mercy Gaia, and I will bring your children back together. Let me get these men home, and I will unite our clans.” @Fiory

The white female slunk further and further into the woods, her ears perking just enough to hear him call back to her. Each step she took that increased the distance between the pair felt heavy and pained. This was a new sensation for Juliana. Never had she been so enraptured by a male before, never had she cared of what they thought of her. Nor had she ever cared enough about them to wish them a safe return. Her body shivered, as if the heat had been stolen from her and she shook a little in the dark on her way home. The lightest breeze made her fur stand on end, even though it was hardly that cold out tonight. Juliana’s paws came to hold her biceps and her nose twitched at the faint scent of rose and vanilla that they still held. A light smile came to her muzzle, lowering her nose so she could take in the faint trails of the soap in the air. He enjoyed making soap, which seemed like such an out of the ordinary thing for not only a male to like doing, but for such a strong and large one. Romulus was the epitome of masculinity, and yet he created such delicate bars with fragile ingredients. You are a curiosity Romulus. What other things would she learn about him? What other hobbies or tricks or enjoyments would he share with her? She hoped that she would get the chance to find out, and he would return home safely to tell her. Getting back to the village had been simple enough, though it felt like it took an age to return. As she neared the edge of her pack’s home Juliana realized just how late she had stayed out. The sky was already starting to pale, threatening the dawn’s coming and the she-wolf had to be careful not to be seen in the brightening early morning hours making her way back to her long house and into her bed. Her ears on high alert, she pawed almost on all fours into the home, keeping her body low and closing the door gently behind her. A light sound, something that sounded like a growl but certainly wasn’t, wafted through the house from the back bed

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room. The door was closed to her father’s room, but the light snoring could still be heard out in the main room. Juliana snuck quietly to her own small room, wincing at the creak of her door that up until this morning had never been so loud. It was like everything was amplified by ten and was hell bent on making as much noise and clatter as possible. Thankfully her father was a heavy sleeper and no one else in the home would dare wake him before sunrise.

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Juliana’s room consisted of a thick floor pad where various furs and blankets that had been woven were strewn about it. There were even feather stuffed sacks to use as pillows in various tans and brown colors. There wasn’t much else in the room, except a few hanging decorative dream catchers that she had made and hung up. Feathers adorned them with little carved wooden figures and beads among the strands. They hung above her bed where her opening of a window was. It just propped open when a breeze was needed and closed when warmth was required in the winter time. Her clothing lay in an assortment of baskets on the wall so she could pick and choose what she wanted to wear. Most of her clothing consisted of various pants and trousers, some capris and shorter skirts with various tops of different styles. Her favorites were ones that let her have the freedom to use her bow properly, without worrying about ripping the fabric. The she-wolf slowly stripped her clothing back off for the third time, letting her trousers and her vest fall to the floor in a heap. The adrenaline and the exhaustion of being up all day and all night was finally starting to hit Juliana, making her bed appear irresistible. She hardly made it to the bed, falling gently to her knees and nearly crawling as she nosed her way under the blankets and furs, nestling in a ball underneath it all. The only indication that she was even there was the mound in the center of the futon and the pair of paws that stuck out under the blankets into the cooler air. For a while, Lia lay there hoping for sleep to take her though her mind was elsewhere on the wind. It held thoughts of the northern lands, of the bears and the blizzards and the terrible fight that Romulus was sure to engage in. The idea of so much bloodshed made Juliana whine a little, shifting to try and get herself comfortable again. It was this slight movement she made that caused the hard piece of minotaur horn around her neck to slide down her neck a

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nd land lightly against her palm. Lia’s blue eyes looked at the small gift, her fingers slowly closing around it and holding the pendant close. She held it tenderly against her and a light smile returned to her otherwise concerned face. It was like he was there trying to console her, comfort her. He promised he’d return. He’ll be alright. I’ll see him again. The thought drifted over her head multiple times until Juliana finally fell asleep.

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Day 1: Juliana really didn’t get more than maybe an hour or two of sleep that night before Sabelle was bounding into her room to wake her. The she-wolf groaned under her blankets, turning over to try and ignore the excitable friend who came to greet her every day. The auburn fae tilted her head and had pushed a little more before Juliana’s white furred head poked out from under her comfortable blanket cave. It wasn’t like Juliana not to be up with the sun, and the sun had risen an hour or so ago. Once up and dressed, this time in an off the shoulder one strapped linen shirt and a tawny pair of pants, Juliana met the morning’s sun with a wide mouthed yawn. There were chores and duties to be done, and she would be expected to complete them before the day's end. Her tongue lolled a little out of her muzzle lazily before she shook her head and attempted to wake herself up further. First stop was the grainery to check their supplies in preparation for the harvest later in the season. Their crops had been well tended to and they would be bountiful again this year Gaia permitting. The path down the village lane led Juliana out to the open fields on the far side of the village. The tall golden stalks of grain swept across the fields in waves like living water on land. The light breeze of the morning shifting and swaying the stalks this way and that. Lia loved the walk, the fresh scents of the wheat as it grew tall and healthy. The view of the golden fields made the she-wolf smile a little. She wondered if Romulus would enjoy the sight of this too, if he would find it just as beautiful as she did. Or if perhaps he would think it was wasted space that could have been used for training soldiers and learning to hunt. The mill was the first stop of her day, greeting the older brown male and his wife to go over the wheat samples they had pulled from the stalks. The whole time, all Juliana kept thinking about was the warmth of the mill, how it emanated comfort and coziness. It

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had a small fire in the center and a long stone table for the wolves to grind the seeds into the fine powder needed to make their food. For sample purposes, Juliana checked one of the fresh sacks of flour, dipping a paw in and feeling the texture of it. Fine and soft like velvet, the she-wolf nodded her head and smiled. It looked like everything was coming out great, the pack would easily have enough to make plenty of food and then some for the upcoming harsher weather when food would become more scarce. It was imperative that they made enough flour for the breads and other baked or cooked things they used. It was one of the main portions of the Silverfangs diets.

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Her paws moved towards the other stored goods, other grains and essentials the pack used in their cooking or baking. They were looking good towards most everything, even the natural herbs that they used for different medicinal uses and aids. Idly as she wandered and checked through the storehouse, she came upon a large basket of delicate purple blossoms, tiny in size having grown on tall stalks. Juliana bent down and picked up a small handful to inspect their quality, to ensure that nothing was damaged or that a rot hadn’t started to set in on them. The scent of the lavender wafted into her nostrils and her tail thudded happily on the ground behind her. Those ice blue eyes closed and Juliana let her nose gently nuzzle into her hand, inhaling the scent deeply and remembering the soap she had used on Romulus the previous night. She could almost feel his fur against her, see the muscles under her paws again and hear his gentle husky voice in her ears. It wasn’t until she felt a paw on her shoulder, the mill worker wondering if she was alright, that Juliana snapped back to reality. She idly brushed the lavender back into the bin, nodding and acknowledging they would require some rosewood and honey suckle as they seemed to be low, before making her way out into the fresh air to clear her head of the intoxicating image of the Grayback male. The remainder of the day was more of the same. Checking supplies, making sure stocks of baskets and sacks were well made and taken care of. Ordering different sections of the pack to gather supplies they were low on or to prepare different foods for the seasons upcoming. The warmth she felt from her pack working together, moving as a unit among their homes in order to better them all was something Juliana loved. Maybe he’ll be able to see what I see someday… that bloodshed isn’t always necessary… The thought wasn’t confident, but it at least was hopeful. Every so often, Lia would bring her paw up to softly caress the minotaur pendan

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t she wore, as if doing so might send the gentle touch across the land and sky to Romulus, letting him know that she was thinking of him. Hoping for his victory. Praying for his safe return.

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Day 2: The following day started roughly the same as the first, though this time Juliana had been able to get much more sleep. This morning she would be checking the fishery. There had been a problem in previous seasons at this particular portion of the river where the river rocks had been too slick and smooth and the fry from being safe and growing. It was a problem as the shallows were just too shallow for them to grow properly, leading to poor populations. There was really only one way to go about fixing the problem; taking rocks from deeper waters further downstream and replacing the smoother rocks upstream with them. The work was tiring, but fulfilling. Juliana helped each step of the way, supervising the placement at one point while helping to lift and move stones the next. The cool waters of the river would remind her of the lake, and the sparkle it had had in the moonlight. More than once Juliana had to be reminded to pass the stones up the river as she was blocking the flow of the line. More than once, while she watched as the stones were replaced and the new ones were settled in, the white wolf lost herself in thought, her paws idly coming up to play and handle the pendant around her neck that she had yet to remove. Deciding that she would refuse to remove it. It was mid afternoon when the work had finally completed, giving new pockets for the fish in the river to lay their eggs safely and produce more for the population to regrow. Juliana looked out over the work, her pack mates moving the equipment and tools they’d used to dig up new rougher stones for grip to be able to house the fry when they arrived. It was how the Silverfang pack kept the balance, helping new growth in order to sustain the population so they could eat and the fish could thrive. Everything connected, everything in balance.

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The meal served that evening would consist of cooked fish over the fire, spread with herbs to entice and provide strength as well as to enhance the flavor. Looked to be a catch of trout this evening, which made Juliana smile. She did enjoy trout when it was caught. Alongside it, the pack had made thick discs of bread, cooked on pans with a pine nut oil that had been difficult to extract but helped with cooking. It was soft and warm, and with the addition of some honey that had been harvested the previous season, it was sweet as well. Juliana stared at her meal, the fish and the bread, and she wondered what Romulus would think. Would he even try it? Would he enjoy it? Her head turned and her nose pointed north bound, wondering what he was eating, if he was, and if he had enough of it. The thought of some kind of dried or flavorless ration being something he would have to endure made Juliana whine a little. I’ll bring him some of this when he returns. I’m sure he’ll enjoy this far more than whatever he’s having to eat now… Her tail lightly swayed, only to sigh heavily. It had only been two days, and so far she kept getting herself distracted around the village wondering how Romulus was doing on his dangerous mission. Each time her head had gone to where Romulus was or what he was doing, or who he was fighting, Juliana felt a heavy weight on her chest, counting down the days for him to return home. The food was delicious as always, filling and satisfying in all the right ways, but Lia felt little joy in finishing it. That night as the stars came out, she took a walk back to the border, halting just shy of the edge of the wood to gaze out and look at the orange scrap of fabric swaying in the evening breeze. It was almost like she had hoped the days would go by faster, and by taking this walk she thought it would help turn the earth in her favor. Another day, another Orange sign. Juliana made it back to her home just as the moon began its ascent over the village. It w

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asn’t full tonight, so the light of it wasn’t as bright as it had been a few days back at the lake. The distant howls of a couple enjoying a moonlit stroll through the edge of the territory made Juliana’s heart sink a little. They sounded so happy, their howls playing gently with one another in a melodic harmony. There was longing and desire in their notes, and the white she-wolf let her ears droop a little listening to it. He will come back… He.. He has to come back.. She thought, entering her home and sliding into her bed. The comfort of it was cold despite the blankets and furs that were there to keep it warm. The only time she started to feel content enough to let sleep visit, was when Juliana would hold the little pendant in her paws.

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Tonight her dreams let her leap through the golden fields, glancing around for the tall figure she was missing during the day and dreaming of at night. She could hear his playful chuckle, the husky voice he had and the thick pads that thudded as he moved. The pair chased and played, like puppies in spring, and Juliana in the dream laughed happily at the peace of everything around her. When finally she thought to let him catch her, to let him take her as a prize for winning their silly game, she turned to find she was alone. Arms outstretched as if to ask him to reveal himself, but nobody came. No one was there. His voice carried and echoed on the wind, but it was faded and dull, a trick of her subconscious. That weight came back, and Juliana sank in the tall golden stalks, slumping down and sitting alone to wait. Even in her dreams it seemed, the fae couldn’t get the male off her mind. The week couldn’t be over soon enough.

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@Himbo Tie

The return to the front had been a quiet ordeal, the wolves taking turns carrying the bodies of their fallen brethren while two members worked as scouts and patrolled the path the unit would take as well as checking their rear. They had heard the roars of bear troops behind them, but none had come into scent range, so they had kept moving forward quickly. It had been a unanimous decision to take the bodies back to the lines and get them sent home before continuing their mission. Every wolf here had volunteered to travel with Romulus and Remus for a week behind the lines, but a mass casualty situation like this could not be ignored. Arriving withing three hundred yards of the Northern border, Romulus could see encampments of the bear troops setting up defenses and preparing for what would inevitably be an offensive. This conflict was not one born from Grayback aggression, but it still hit their lands first. The Ursine clans shared a border with the Graybacks and Silverfangs alike, but peaceful measures had been used between the bears and the wolves of the east. Now, with their desire for expansion satisfied through a peaceful exchange of goods, the Ursine turned their attention to Grayback land in the hope of gaining land after all. A border skirmish had been waging for nearly two months, but as the bears were mounting and preparing to mount even more offensives, Romulus and Remus had been summoned to add to the defense and turn it into an offensive of their own. Weaving their way past the bear encampments, Romulus led his unit to the command post on the eastern portion of the front. Stepping in and seeing an older wolf with a maul in his hands focusing on a map, Romulus nodded respectfully before speaking, “Colonel, I need these wolves returned to their homes, and then I need replacements.” Seeing the older wolf slowly turning away from the table that the map was on, Romulus could hear the beginnings of an annoyed growl. However, when the wolf turned and was eye

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level with his sternum, Romulus fought the urge to smirk as he saw the recognition on the colonel’s face. “Ah, Brave Warrior. I did not expect you to return so soon and with so many casualties. Are things really so poor that even you cannot survive these lands?” The colonel looked between Romulus and Remus, his eyes carrying an unhealthy amount of doubt and growing worry as he saw two of their pack’s strongest warriors standing before him in momentary defeat. Being better with words than his taller friend, Remus stepped forward and placed his jet-black paw on the colonel’s shoulder. Squeezing it before patting heartily, Remus shook his head before speaking, “Fear not, Colonel. The bears used their totems to summon a blindly blizzard on us, but they have shown their hands. They cannot defeat us, even with their mystics. They are setting up very close though, so if we could get those reinforcements, we could lead a charge.” Grinning as he knew speaking of an offensive would remind the older wolf of past victories, Remus continued, “Let us lead your men forward and knock the Ursine back from our borders. Two hundred bears are setting up camp not five hundred feet from here. We must push them back.” .

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Seeing the colonel nod before calling over an aid and speaking to him, Romulus looked over his shoulders where his five surviving wolves were carefully laying down the bodies of the deceased. Pointing at them, Romulus reached his other paw out and grabbed the colonel bey the shoulder. “They must be sent home, before they begin to rot. You understand this, yes?” Seeing the colonel’s face take on a slightly annoyed expression at being told how to do his job, Romulus narrowed his eyes and growled out his next words, “Send their bodies home, or I will take them myself.” Remus placed a hand on Romulus’s chest, pushing him back and raising his head to whisper up at his friend, “Peace Rom, we are in this together.” Looking over his shoulder, he spoke in a louder voice, “I’m sure the honorable colonel will make sure that our brothers are sent home today. We just need to wait until after our attack so that if there are more, they can be sent together.” Looking between his friend and the colonel, Romulus growled in annoyance before stepping out of the makeshift hut and back into the frigid air of the north. The snow was not as thick here as it was behind the lines, but the air still carried an unnatural chill to it. The Ursine did not worship Gaia, their beliefs being in Artio, their Mother Bear that offered her children protection. Searching the bodies of the bears they had killed revealed a collection of totems to Artio that had been painted blue, calling on the blizzard that had masked the bears’ approach. Gaia helped her followers through abstract ways, but this level of direct aid from Artio was concerning. Looking into the northern sky, Romulus moved his paws to his chest, his fingers lacing over the minotaur horn as he closed his eyes. His words came in a soft mutter, “Gaia, my mother, hear my words. Help us to defeat these pagans, for they do not follow Your desires. Please let my words reach you.” Smiling softly, he brought the horn to his snout and rubbed agai

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nst it gently before continuing, “Let these words reach her. Juliana, it is cold, but my memory of you keeps me warmer than the thickest of furs. Know that I am thinking of you, and that it is only my hunger to see you again that has kept me alive. I nearly died yesterday, but you kept me alive. I swear my life debt to you that I will return, and we will be together.” Slipping the horn back under his winter clothes, thick furs that he kept over his armor to protect it from the elements, Romulus turned around to see Remus and the colonel walking out of the command post. Remus moved towards him while the colonel released a commanding howl that called forth several wolves that Romulus recognized. Good fighters, reliable in the wilds, and able to follow orders. Looking to Remus with a smile, he quirked an eyebrow while the shorter wolf spoke, “He agreed to give us some reinforcements so long as we help his men launch an offensive. My father does not like this buildup of enemy strength on our border, and he has commanded that the entire front be pushed forward today.” Nodding as he listened to his friend, Romulus looked to the five wolves that walked over to them and prepared their weapons. Smiling, he spoke in a low tone, “This is your last chance to go back to your units.” Receiving nothing but smirks from the others, Romulus nodded before continuing, “We’ll be the vanguard and we’ll hit them hard. But, unlike these wolves, we will not stop. Our road leads north still, so dress warmly.” .

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The five wolves the colonel had called for soon showed up, receiving nods of recognition from the seven that had already been to the north. Walking up to each of them and grabbing hold of their winter clothes, Romulus narrowed his eyes and shook his head. Clicking his tongue as he got to the last one, Romulus looked to Remus and the other five before speaking, “These wolves look like absolute shit, I doubt their mothers would remember their names. I want them.” Grinning and pulling the wolf before him into a rough hug, Romulus let go quickly as he felt how strange it was to be holding anyone but the silver and white she-wolf that dominated his mind. His unit moved to the west some before starting the push, easily crushing the bears as they were not prepared for the entire border to push up at them. Several survivors were taken prisoner to be questioned, but Romulus instructed his unit to continue northward. Staying off the roads but keeping them within ear shot, they spent much of the second day traveling, their mission having changed. Romulus and Remus both were worried by the totems to Artio and had changed their directive to finding the priests of Artio that were at work in this section of the front. If they could be eliminated, the bears would lose their weather advantage and this stalemate could be brought to an end as the wolf army could move without the risk of doing massive battle in a blizzard. The sun rose on the third day, and with it came yet another blizzard. The survivors of the first ambush were on edge, Romulus included, as they packed up their camp. There were no fires or comfort, with rations being forgone for the sake of speed and maneuverability. If they needed food, they could steal it from a bear convoy, but their mission relied heavily on speed and stealth. Preparing their clothes by fastening the buttons and strings tighter than before, each of the wolves sacrificed some of their observation skills by pulling up thick hoods and covering

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their heads. Only one wolf at a time would be going hoodless into the blizzard, but as it got worse, even that would be stopped. Romulus stayed in the front of the group with Remus at the rear, able to keep everyone moving at a steady pace and grouped together as they trudged through the snow and winds of the blizzard. The snow was over Romulus’s knees, so he kicked hard with every stride in order to make troughs that he knew his comrades could walk in. But this was slow going and exhausting, so as they reached the noon hour, Romulus called them to a stop in a cluster of trees that seemed to block most of the wind and snow. This was an obvious position however, so he had them all take off their hoods as they moved into the cluster with their weapons drawn. A squad of six bears were sitting around a fire, and they stood no chance as Romulus’s unit descended upon them and killed them where they sat. A quick search of their bodies found no totems, but while most of the men sat around the fire to warm up, Romulus searched through the tent that they had set up. Seeing a small table sat in the rear with a golden bowl on it, Romulus moved closer and saw one of the wooden totems to Artio with its brown body covered in blue markings. The bowl was filled with a suspiciously thick red liquid and as he leaned down to sniff it, he jerked his head back with a growl and snarl. The bowl was filled with wolf blood, and in the basin, he could see a full set of four lupine canines torn out of the gum. Knocking the bowl over so that the blood coated the inner wall of the tent, Romulus picked up the totem and carried it out of the tent. Dropping it into the fire with a smirk, he watched the paint boil before the body of the bear figurine caught fire. .

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At first nothing happened, but as the totem burned and the body became charred, a sudden intense gale rushed through the clearing. It carried with it the warning growls of a sow protecting her cubs as well as a power significant enough to knock down three of the trees. As the growl and wind subsided, the sky above them cleared slowly as the blizzard in the area dispersed. Stepping out of the cluster of trees, Romulus and Remus looked around at the still landscape before nodding, knowing what they needed to do without saying anything. Remus went to gather the wolves and make sure everyone was okay while Romulus looked across the landscape, his eyes looking to see where the storm seemed heaviest. His eyes settled to the east, where a dark gray, almost black storm cell was in the sky and spitting out the blizzard. That was where the ritual would be occurring, where the Artio priests were making their sacrifices and doing their magic. As the wolves gathered up around him, Romulus pointed to the east before speaking, “That is our target, but we cannot go there immediately, we must eliminate these totems as we go, or we’ll never make it. They have the strength of Artio, and we are in her land. Going there directly would be suicide, and we likely would not complete our mission. So, we split into twos, six groups total. Remus and I will run in the middle, but we will advance east and communicate through howls. Find these totems and destroy them. If you need help, call for it. Keep an ear out and pass on calls, we will rally on my command when it is time.” The wolves spread out, pairing up before starting on the path east. They were just outside of visual range, as they pierced the walls of the blizzard, but this wide pattern would increase their chances of finding the totems. The rest of the third day and the fourth day were spent relaying messages along the line and destroying any totems that they came across. Each totem destroyed had an obvious visual effect on the

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storm cell. The cloud’s color lessened in intensity before eventually being ripped apart and dissipating over the countryside. The dawn of the fifth day, Romulus called for the rally and waited on the peak of a mountain, laying prone and looking at a large ritual site. The ground was scorched in a circle easily three hundred feet across. At the center were four large bears, easily eleven feet tall and with blue paint decorating their bodies. Around them were twenty other bears, weapons at easy reach as they were obviously guarding the four priests of Artio as the priests worked desperately to start their ritual again. The wolves eventually all gathered on the mountain, looking over the crest at the open ground that led from their position to the ritual circle. By the time they all gathered from the farthest sides of the comb, the guarding bears had lessened to ten in number as the others had travelled north with what appeared to be artifacts. Remus and Romulus had been watching the proceedings, arguing about what they needed to do. Remus suggested returning to the front and reporting the location, to then get reinforcements and return to destroy the site and the worshippers. Romulus claimed that it was a two-day run back to the front, and that it would take three to four days to get a large force here. In that time, their volunteer period would be up, and the ritual site could have moved. .

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It was a strong argument, but not one completely made by his military thinking. Remus’s plan would have him in the North for six days longer than originally planned for. On any other occasion, that would have been acceptable, and he would have let the timing be off. However, now he was vehement about returning in the span of his week. Remus could not know, but as Romulus lay in the snow, he imagined Juliana lying beside him, her intelligent blue eyes seeing across the landscape and the beauty that he could not. She would see the way the trees and the snow worked together to insulate the undergrowth, while all Romulus could see was the death that lay before him. Hearing the wolves discussing amongst themselves what they wished to do, Romulus closed his eyes and said goodbye to Juliana before growling and turning to face the others. Pointing at two that were about to speak, Romulus drew his great sword and held it across his knees, “We do not have time to dawdle or go report this. They have already started to move; our recon will not be accurate. Let us act now brothers. Take Gaia’s wrath to these pagans and show them the error of their ways.” Seeing some of the wolves nodding in agreement, Romulus ignored the questioning glare from Remus. Standing and looking down the slope, he saw no cover as this climate did not support tree growth on the mountain itself. It would be an obvious charge, but if they could keep quiet, they had a chance of getting closer without alerting their quarry. Watching each of the wolves unsheathing their weapons, Romulus whispered quietly, “Rush them with no sound. Gaia will hear us, even if we do not call out. Focus first on the guards, I’ll push the priests. Do not leave me hanging.” Breathing in and then exhaling slowly, Romulus nodded and sprinted over the top of the mountain. Sprinting down the mountain with his great sword drawn, he ignored his urge to roar in challenge as he got close to his targets. Lowering his shoulders as he g

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ot within fifty feet of the bears, Romulus made the last few bounds before slamming his shoulder into one of the guards. Knocking the bear to the ground, he glanced back and saw Remus close on his tail to finish off the surprised bear. Leaping towards the priests, Romulus felt an oppressive cold enter his body as he crossed onto the ritual circle proper. Magic, of course. Growling through the initial chill, he noted that all four of the bears had no weapons. Magic, in great deals, wonderful. Charging the closest one, he stayed light on his feet as he tried to bait out their magic. It did not take long, as they each pushed their hands at him and shot shards of ice towards him. Growling and jumping up into the air to dodge the first attacks, Romulus swung his sword in a blinding arc and caught the closest priest in the chest. The blade cleaved through the ribcage before splitting the bear’s chest open, showing its minced heart and lungs as it fell over dead. Looking to the final three with a grin, Romulus’s eyes grew wide as a blast of ice caught him in the chest and sent him flying thirty feet. A shard of ice was driven through him just below his heart, but as he landed, the roll that his body took dislodged more of it so that the chunk inside his chest was all that there was. Growling and moving to his knees, he grabbed his sword and looked at the bears. Their eyes glowed and they each had a hand pointing into the air and one pointed at him. The totems they held to the sky glowed as well and then another blast shot from their hands. Rolling quickly to the side, Romulus cried out when the blast hit his left leg above the knee. The ice shard embedded itself into his thigh but did not go deep enough to damage his bones. .

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Baring his teeth in a snarl as their eyes and hands stopped glowing, Romulus nodded as he realized they could only do that attack if they concentrated and asked their god for it. Pushing up and hobbling forward as his leg would not bend, he got within ten feet of them when their hands and eyes glowed. Watching them this time, he reached his left hand down and ripped the shard from his leg. It hurt much more, but as soon as the icy projectile was removed, he felt his freedom of movement returning to him. Growling at the priests, he stood ready and smirked as they pointed at him. As soon as the beam flew from their fingers, he jumped to the side and landed in a clumsy roll. However, the beam had missed, and this was his opportunity. Scrambling up from the ground he sprinted forward and swept his sword in a large arc, aiming high for their totem hands. Removing all three hands in one fell swoop, he stumbled to the side before looking up to see the bears screaming and clutching at their amputated limbs. Stepping forward, he made quick work of them, running two of them through with his sword before cleaving the third in half just below the ribcage with a powerful swing. The blizzard clouds above completely disappeared as the priests’ blood flowed out of them, but Romulus moved to quickly get off the circle of land. Stumbling towards Remus and falling to the ground, Romulus looked up into the sky and smiled as his head fell back into the snow. He could already feel his wounds healing, and in his mind, he could feel Juliana’s hands holding onto his chest to warm him up and heal the hole that had been blasted into him. Looking around from his place on the ground Romulus caught Remus’s eyes. The black wolf shook his head and laughed before kneeling down next to his friend. Placing a hand on his shoulder gently, Remus smiled before speaking, “Take a nap Rom, we’re safe and no one is hurt. I’ll wake you in fifteen minutes to see how healed you are. Good job, you reckless

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bastard.” Romulus grinned and simply closed his eyes, his left hand still holding the hilt of his sword while his right came to rest gently over his abdomen. Others would have seen the action as him trying to test the damage done to his stomach, but as he relaxed, Romulus thought of nothing but how good it would feel to have the warmth of Lia on his chest in contrast to the cold snow at his back. Smiling as he imagined her scent and the way she would hold onto him and talk of her home, Romulus drifted into a short nap. @Fiory

The dawn’s light would come and wake the ivory she-wolf again, alone in her bed clutching the little pendant and dreaming that the one who had gifted it to her was safe and unharmed. Each day that passed seemed to blur together for Juliana, her pack needing her expertise in tracking for different signs of vegetation needed, in fishing and crafting supplies for nets or spears. She would assist her father with diplomatic negotiations for other supplies that nearby neighboring packs had all the while only halfway paying attention. The negotiations for river use further down with the Otters were important but she could only pay attention to the trades for so long. The wolves produced enough product in order to trade some of it away and gain other goods from neighboring species. The otters tended to run the rivers and kept them clean and well maintained for the most part. It was important for the wolves to have access to this portion of the river so they could gather the fish they needed to feed themselves and remain sustainable. Under normal circumstances, Juliana would have gone alone and discussed the area in which the Silverfangs could fish alongside the river, but her father had gone with her, taking over the discussion instead. There wasn’t much for Lia to really do, except stand at attention and wait for the endless talking to finish. Part of her admired her father for being so willing to work with the Silverfangs’ neighbors in order to better everyone around. But another part of her really wished she had the savagery of a Grayback to just take what they wanted; The Silverfangs outnumbered the Waterdogs, it wouldn’t even be a contest if they decided to refuse the wolves’ request. But the thought was quickly removed as it only made the image of the tall gray male come to her mind’s eye. Every day, something reminded Juliana of Romulus, in the smallest of ways. It was distracting and at times infuriating. The she-wolf recognized that she pined for him, but she a

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lso had a duty to her pack, tasks she had to complete in order to make sure the mouths that she would be responsible for were fed and watered and well cared for. That was her role, as the future leader of the Silverfangs. Future leader… The concept and title that came with it often would depress Lia, thinking of the responsibility and expectation that would come with it. Even more so, with her future being so set in stone but also so uncertain at the same time. Her heart was beginning to feel torn in two. It belonged to both her pack, the members she loved and cared for, the ones she grew up with and trained with and kept fed and clothed and safe. Yet at the same time it was also becoming attached to the rough and tumble male she had met a few days prior. Her gaze moved away from the conversation between her father and the otter chief, staring at the northern peaks and their snowy tops. A passing breeze blew from that direct and almost desperately her nostrils inhaled deeply, hoping for any kind of sign that perhaps he would be alright, that he would be on his way home soon. Of course as with other shifts in the wind, no such scent was carried on it.

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“You seem distracted, my little Starlight.” The gruff voice of her father in her ear seemed to snap her out of the trance that she had found herself in. Juliana flinched, her eyes moving away from the far off mountains to look at her father. “Oh.. Just worried about the coming winter Father.” She responded, though it was only a half truth. “You’ve been quieter than normal lately… Are you sure that’s all that’s been on your mind Lia?” The old gray muzzle drew closer to his normally stoic and strong willed daughter. It wasn’t like her to just space out during a diplomatic endeavor. “Y-yes. I’m alright. Just… thinking.” Juliana didn’t sound convincing, even though she was trying to. The pair of them had begun the trek back to their own territory, having agreed with the Otters on where the wolves could and could not fish for the upcoming few weeks. It was an effort to make sure both carnivores could fish without decimating the population in a single area of the river. The sun today was high and warm against their backs. It had been five days since Romulus had put the orange scrap of fabric up, and as each day drew to a close, Juliana found herself slipping further and further away from her pack life and wanting more and more to wait by the lake. Often in the middle of conversations she would stare off into the distance, sending her thoughts and prayers, her desires off into the mountains in silent sweet gazes.

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“What are you thinking about so intently these days my daughter?” He continued, his long tail swaying gently behind him as they walked. “Oh… Just the upcoming solstice.. There’s lots to plan for Father, and I want to be sure everyone can enjoy themselves under Gaia’s eye.” This was a lie, and even though she had said it well enough to convince others, her father was not like others. “Juliana… You should know better than to keep things from me.” His voice had become a low growl, a heavy paw placed on his daughter’s shoulder. The auburn red male was a stark contrast to Juliana’s bright white and silver fur. Yet her father had a gentle kindness to his voice when it came to Juliana. She looked so much like her mother had, and it was hard for the older male to look at her any other way. “What is really on your mind? I’ve never seen you so distracted before… like something is pulling your heart away from here…” “It’s nothing… I promise I will tell you as soon as I know if it becomes a concern or not.” Lia tried to reassure him, deciding that she could use some time away and bounding off towards the village at a relaxed loping gait ahead of her father. As she turned, the light of the sun caught the silver of her pendant, the necklace bouncing on her fur gently. He would have stopped her after noticing the little trinket, not having remembered her having something like that before that moment, but she was quickly off and out of sight. The older male had just shaken his head, hanging it a little as he watched her white tail wave and dash through the underbrush like a flag before she disappeared all together. The thought of what he was going to do with his outgoing and free spirited daughter crossed his mind as he continued on towards the village proper. Each day felt like torture. Each day seemed to stretch longer than the last. But Juliana was excited as there was only another day she had to wait. One more day. One more night. The idea that the torturous waiting would e

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nd soon excited the female, and in her excitement she visited the communal kitchen in high spirits. Today would be a day she had been waiting for, looking forward to. The foraging party had returned the previous day with a fresh stock of berries, as well as some supplies with spices for the kitchen to use. Juliana had had the idea to make a bread that her mother had taught her about before her unfortunate passing. Her tail wagged as she nearly skipped her way down the trail towards the kitchen.

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“Good morning Palla” She called, entering the large hut that housed the pack’s larger ovens and stove top fires. Palla was an older female, black in color with a silvery gray muzzle. She was also one of the best cooks when it came to preparing the different ingredients for the pack and crafting the tastiest meals. The she-wolf had lived through many summers and she was beginning to show her age, though the work of creating the food the pack needed was a chore she never seemed to tire of. “Lady Juliana. Good morning… The ingredients you requested are just there. I’ll get the oven prepared for you.” She said in an elderly croaked voice. Juliana just nodded to her and made her way towards a large stone slab, used as a makeshift kind of counter to prepare and pass out the food when completed to the hungry Silverfang pack. Lia’s paws worked while she herself remained quiet. Using some of the flour she had from the storehouse, as well as some of the lavender, she began combining ingredients one at a time. Everything meticulously measured and planned, specifically added in a necessary order to ensure that the bread she was making would come out correctly. Her head drifted in though as she worked, rolling the dough that was forming in her paws on the stone so it would create a thick loaf. The scent of the lavender had brought her thoughts back to Romulus, and she hummed a little sweetly at the thought.

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“So… who’s the lucky male?” Palla’s voice made Juliana jump in fright. Her tail stood on end and she gazed down into the shining yellow eyes of the older female. Lia’s ears fell flat against her head and she growled lightly to her. “What do you mean Palla? You’re mistaken…” “Oh I know it when I see it dear. Been around long enough to spot it.” the ebony fae responded with a bit of a cackling sounding chuckle. “So… Who is he?” “There is no one Palla…” “I’m sure I can guess, there are plenty of males within the pack that have vied for your courtship you know.” “Yes… I know. There is no male in the pack who has caught my attention. You are mistaken.” Juliana reiterated, rolling the dough now so that it would make a thick round shape. It was nearly ready for the ovens, only needing a few finishing touches before it could be baked off. “So from an ally pack then? That will likely unite the packs and make your Father very proud.” “I told you Palla, there is no one. Not from this or from an Ally pack.” Lia said quietly, taking a sharp claw and slicing the loaf three times to score the top before adding a soft glaze of honey and lavender for added sweetness. “Not from an Ally pack? Perhaps soon to be Ally then, a new splinter group?” The elderly female continued to question, walking to the oven designated for Juliana’s use today and sliding the hot stone to the side for her to place her loaf within it. Lia wiped her forehead after putting the round bun into the hard clay and stone oven. “You are seeing and looking into things that do not concern you Palla.” Juliana said simply, a light growl on her voice to indicate she was getting fed up with trying to convince the old she-wolf of her position. The last thing Lia wanted to do was to give away too much and have her know about Romulus’s origins. This seemed to make the older fae back down a bit, stepping away to allow Juliana peace while she sat by the oven and watched her loaf carefully. After what seemed like a centur

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y, though in reality was likely just an hour or so, the loaf was done. It had a soft golden color and smelled sweet with the addition of the honey that had been added to it. While it cooled, Juliana got to work on the next portion of her treat. She took a handful of blackberries and crushed their juices into a bowl. Next were some of the remaining seasonal raspberries that had been gathered as well. The liquid was then placed over the fire in the bowl to thicken. Lia didn’t add any kind of sweetener to it, as she wanted it to be more on the tart side so it would compliment the bread she’d made. I do hope he likes this…I’m sure it will be a welcome alternative…hopefully… It was only one more day. One more night that she would have to sleep through alone before she could finally see Romulus again. The thought made her tail sway back and forth happily, finally feeling like the torture of waiting would be at an end.

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@Himbo Tie

It was closer to an hour later when Romulus was woken, the other wolves having looked at his chest wound and determined he was not ready to move. A few of the new ones had offered to carry him back to get him aid, but Remus had shut them down quickly. He knew the truth about his friend, and he did not expect new wolves to their group to understand. His healing factor was not a well-known fact as the two of them felt that such a thing would cause unneeded stress on the taller wolf’s life until he would eventually be used up. Remus sat next to his sleeping friend and chuckled as he talked to him softly, “We don’t want you used up by my father’s schemes, and yet you go and do things like this? Are you trying to use yourself up?” Resting his hand on Romulus’s chest, he thought he heard a whisper and leaned over to place his ear above Rom’s snout. He heard a few muttered words but only a few were intelligible, ‘...that you...help me...Juliana...please don’t...I’m here...’ Looking down into the face of his friend, Remus sat up slowly and looked around to see if the others had heard. The other wolves were busy, as since the sun had gone down and they were approaching the sixth day, they knew it would be time for the return trip. They collected trophies and food from the bear guards, none of them daring set foot on the ritual circle. And for good reason, as since the priests had died and Romulus had laid down, the air over the circle had grown increasingly cold. It now sported an isolated blizzard held by the borders of the circle. They were content to leave the ritual circle well enough alone, but they had to stay near it to allow Romulus an opportunity to rest and heal up. They did not risk a fire, so the conscious wolves were moving around using the little light from the waning moon. Once they had everything gathered and were ready to move, Remus relented and went to wake his friend. It did not take much, just a gentle shove to Romulus’s shoulder while saying his nam

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e. Sitting up quickly, Romulus’s eyes snapped open, and he brought his sword in front of him. Growling deeply as he looked around, he felt his ears fall flat on the back of his head when the stark white and silver furred she-wolf that had been laying with him was nowhere to be seen. Feeling his growl break into a soft whimper as he looked around in confusion, his eyes eventually locked with Remus’s bright yellow eyes. It was only then that the biting snow registered, and he reached his paws up to grab his jacket and pull it a little tighter. Releasing a slow sigh, Romulus nodded and shifted into a kneeling position. Laying his great sword in the snow in front of him, he drew his longsword from his hip scabbard and grimaced as the steel felt sticky. He had not had an opportunity to clean his weapons, and now as he tried to make sense of the dream he just had, he took the time to do so. First, he laid the longsword beside the great sword and pulled his scabbard out of his belt. Reaching down and picking up a handful of snow, Romulus brought it to his mouth and chewed on it without swallowing. When his mouth was full of ice-cold saliva, he picked up the scabbard and spat it into the opening before jostling the hard leather object around. Pouring it out moments later, he nodded as bloody water flowed. .

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Repeating this several times, Romulus got the scabbard to a clean state and then returned it to his belt. Next came the blades, for which he removed his oil bottle and the rag in his belt pocket. Pouring oil onto the rag, he wiped down each of the swords carefully, thinking of the way he had done so in front of Juliana. Smiling as he remembered how attentive she had seemed, Romulus let the oiled rag slide along both blades mindlessly until there was no friction. Smiling as he finished, he put the rag and oil away before slipping his longsword back into its scabbard. Standing up with his great sword in his hands, he looked around before placing it in the sheath on his back. Looking at the other wolves, he nodded before speaking in a low tone, “Thank you for letting me sleep. I promise your kindness will not be ignored.” Looking around as he stepped forward, Romulus locked eyes with each wolf singularly before walking through all of them and turning around to face them. Lifting his left hand into the air, he smiled and called out to them, “We have turned the tide, brothers. This blizzard will not affect the eastern front. Now, we must return to the front and let them know to send braves after the blizzard sites.” One of the wolves stepped forward and pointed at him before speaking in a questioning tone, “If the Brave Warrior nearly fell, what chance do the rest of us have. Won’t you come with us to defeat them? Surely you have more than a week to give to us.” Remus stepped forward before Romulus could say anything, his black paw landing on the questioning wolf’s shoulder. Leaning down and growling into his ear threateningly, Remus spoke in a voice loud enough for all to hear as he turned away from the wolf’s ear, “Gaia has blessed him, yes. But even he has limits. We must be able to fight without his help or else we are just as weak as these bears using their pagan goddess and not their own strength. Romulus aids where he can, but he has duties outside of helpin

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g us win a war that we should have won already.” Romulus stepped forward slowly, his hands up as he spoke, “Easy friends. I know your concern Oliver but know that I will be back up here if it is needed. I know your strength though. These bears don’t stand a fucking chance. Now, let’s head back and report or else we’ll have made no difference.” Looking at Remus and nodding, Romulus conveyed his thanks to his friend before looking at the others and stepping back as if to invite them to move as well. He did his best to hide the limp in his left leg or how his right arm did not elevate as high as his left. His wounds had healed completely, but they each carried with them an intense pain, a side effect of his rapid healing. A message from Gaia to appreciate her gifts and not simply abuse them. .

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With the moon high in the sky, the troop began running towards the west before they would eventually turn south. Heading south right now would take them into Silverfang territory, and no matter how badly Romulus wanted to see Juliana, he would not risk open war. Looking to the south as they ran, Romulus smiled and breathed in slowly through his nose. He felt as if he could smell her coming to him, like he had been able to smell her from across the banks of the lake. Thinking of her made his legs churn just that much faster in the snow, carving a route for his comrades in the deep snow of the mountains. He could imagine the way the rose and vanilla scents complimented her natural scent. A smile spread across his muzzle as he heard her laughter in the wind, accompanied by her voice and the tone she took when speaking seriously. He looked forward to speaking with her again, but as he trudged through the snow, he was at a loss for what he would tell her about. Surely, she wouldn’t want to hear about his week away. She was strong and an able combatant from what he could see in her build, but she was not a warrior, and neither was her pack a warring type. Deep in thought, he was not able to see around him to the fullest extent, only occasionally glancing up to see the stars for navigation. In this distracted state, he did not see the troop of bears that they were running towards. That was until a piercing paint entered his right thigh and caused him to stumble. Looking down at an arrow embedded in his kilt and stabbing through into his leg a little, Romulus howled angrily as he reached down and tore the broadhead out of his leg. It was a small troop, all things considered, with only fifteen bears in them. Romulus smirked as he thought how foolish they must be to attack a dozen wolves. Looking over his shoulder to rally his comrades, he felt his smirk fall away as he saw Remus and the others running from a considerable distance to catch up. Laughing softly at his pre

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dicament, Romulus realized that he had started to run faster while thinking of Juliana. He must really want to get home, but now he had yet another fight between him and his love. Dropping to all fours as he ran forward through the snow, Romulus ignored the pain in his shoulder and legs. This stance allowed him to be faster and more erratic in his movements, as well as lower to the ground with the height of the snow blocking easy view. Plowing through the snow with every stride he made, he caused an eruption of snow to fly from his snout and shoulders. He heard the twinging of bow strings as the archers of the element tried to shoot him, but the snow acted as a shield and camouflage. None of the arrows could find him and as he got closer, he leapt into the air with his paws and claws ready. Landing on the chest of one of the three archers, Romulus bent down and bit into the back of the bear’s neck. Twisting the bear’s neck and head in his jaws, Romulus pulled upwards and ripped the archer’s head off in his maw. Holding it while growling deeply, he saw several of the bears stumble backwards while the remaining archers struggled to seat an arrow. Leaping from the corpse, Romulus dove into the snow next to one of the other archers. Biting into the bear’s calf as he landed, he pulled fiercely to rip a chunk from the bear’s leg. Seeing it stumble and fall to a knee, Romulus swung his hands rapidly, starting on his right in a three-hit move. The first slash caught the bear in its shoulder, ripping five deep troughs in the flesh there. His left paw struck the bear’s face, knocking its head up before his final right strike came in a backhanded slice that opened the bear’s throat into a jetting geyser of blood. .

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Growling as he heard his comrades communicating their distance through howls, he knew they would be here soon, but he needed to handle the last archer. Grabbing the bow of the second archer he killed, he threw it at the final archer’s hands to knock the arrow out of his paws. He couldn’t close in for the kill as the other bears were forming a defensive stance, so he dropped to all fours and began running a loose circle around the bears. Barking and howling as he did, he glanced over and saw how close his comrades were. Circling over to them, he stood up and drew his great sword. A few of the bears stepped back as he stood at his full height over the wolves next to him. Grinning confidently, he charged in with his sword raised and a growling roar emitting from his muzzle. Locating the archer over the cluster of melee weapon-wielding bears, Romulus pointed his sword at the bear with a growl before looking down at the other bears. Remus and four other wolves had caught up with him and were readying their weapons while charging. Leaping into the fray, Romulus blocked three strikes from swords before swinging his sword in a wide arc to push them back. Looking to the one on the right that his displaced the most, he brought his sword down at the edge of the shield. Knocking it aside, he thrust his sword forward and slit open the bear’s throat. Stepping forward and spinning quickly, he kept the blade against the bear’s neck until it flew off with the sharpness of his blade cutting it off. The spin also allowed him to bring the sword around and establish a defensive zone again. The other wolves attacked the flanks of the line while Romulus kept to the middle to avoid an accident. Smacking his blade into the shield of one bear to cause it to stumble, Romulus spun the other way and blocked an axe strike at his back. Knocking the axe from the bear’s grip, Romulus reached forward and grabbed the bear by the throat. Squeezing and digging his claws into the flesh, he pivoted h

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is hips and threw the bear over his body and onto the ground. Releasing his hold on him, Romulus stomped down with his right foot on the bear’s head, crushing it by force. Turning to the last two bears between him and the archer who was preparing another arrow, Romulus bounded forwards on all fours to throat off the archer’s aim and avoid the shot before coming up and slamming his shoulder into the shield of the closest bear. Knocking the bear over and falling over it, Romulus turned around quickly and dropped his head down over the fallen bear. Biting at his snout and ripping side to side, Romulus bloodied his face until the bear could no longer see. Grabbing his snout with his left paw and ripping his head back, Romulus dug into the bear’s throat with his teeth. Ripping out the chunk of flesh and swallowing it with a snarl, Romulus looked at the stunned bear with a shield and sword. Narrowing his eyes as he slowly stood with a growl, Romulus turned his back on the bear before facing the archer. The stunned bear dropped his weapons and went to all fours as he ran away as fast as he could. Smirking as the archer looked to his fleeing comrade, Romulus stepped forward and slashed his sword from high right to low left. .

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The bow was the first thing to split in half, but as the bear stood still for a moment, a line of blood could be seen pouring out from its shoulder and down diagonally to its hip. An expression of shock crossed its face as it saw its comrades dead on the ground before it fell to its knees. The impact of falling caused the bear’s torso to fall back and off the stump of its legs and abdomen. Looking down at the bloody hole in his kilt, Romulus grabbed a scrap of cloth from one of the dead wolves and wiped his blade clean of the blood covering it. Raising it victoriously in the air, he slid it back into his back scabbard before turning to the others. Remus was waiting for just that and caught Romulus in the jaw with a sharp right hook that caused the larger wolf to stumble in surprise. Stepping forward and grabbing Romulus’s collar, Remus growled deeply, “I don’t know where your head is, but bring it back here before you get us all killed. Look up there, we are still catching up to you. If you can’t keep a steady pace and be mindful of the group’s pace, then let someone else be the point wolf. Slow the fuck down and bring your mind back to the present.” Shoving him with his grip before releasing, Remus turned and walked to one of the wolves that was kneeling down and holding his side. He had suffered a mean looking slash to his chest, but when Remus arrived, he shook his head and said that he could keep up. Reaching up and grabbing his jaw gently, Romulus looked at the wolves around him with an expression of guilt. Nodding slowly to show he understood, he walked over to the wounded wolf and helped him up slowly before wrapping his arm around his shoulders. Looking into his face with a solemn expression, Romulus spoke in a low voice, “I am sorry friend, I did not mean to make you risk this injury. I promise it won’t happen again.” The other wolf nodded and patted him on the chest before thanking him. It was moments like this, where he could feel his arrow wound heal

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ing, that Romulus wished he had Juliana’s gift of healing. If he could heal this wolf, he could right his wrongs, but instead he saw the amount of blood and knew the wolf’s days were numbered. Stepping back as another wolf came up and started to apply a field dressing to the wound, Romulus looked to Remus and nodded apologetically before looking into the distance. The sixth day was mostly uneventful after this, Romulus keeping his mind about him and moving with speed and stealth. They let multiple troops of reinforcements pass until they began getting closer to the border. It was the morning of the seventh day, and they were nearly two miles from the border when they came across a large camp of bears that were readying for an attack. The injured wolf had died in the night, his axe in his hand as he thanked his brothers for the opportunity to fight and die beside them. The loss weighed heavily on Romulus’s mind as he looked at the enemy camp, and despite Remus’s reassurances that it wasn’t his fault, Romulus could not listen. It was his fault; he had been the point and had gotten them into a bad fight. Looking down at the camp, Romulus turned to the surviving wolves and the body they had rolled up into a blanket to make carrying easier. Pointing over the edge of the cliff, he spoke in a soft voice, “I want you all to go back to the border. I will disturb them and then meet you at the border.” Each of the wolves looked at him seriously, their expressions verging between stoic rejection of his words to offense. Shaking his head, he tried again, “I cannot lead you into this, it would be a massacre. Please, let me distract them so that you may go past.” .

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Remus chuckled and laid a hand on Romulus’s shoulder before speaking in a serious tone, “You just don’t get it Rom. We live together or we die together. To arms wolves, these bears look too comfortable on what will soon be our land.” Romulus grinned and shook his head as each of the wolves readied their weapons, his eyes going between each of them and the corpse behind them. How many more dead would he be carrying back today? They could not go around the bears, their land claim was too wide, and he had already seen the sentry locations. They would be spotted and shot down by archers before they made it two hundred yards. Looking over the edge, he studied the camp for a moment before nodding and turning to the others, “There is a narrow portion if we can run through what appears to be their mess area. I don’t see many eating, but it is the quickest way through. One of you needs to carry our comrade while Remus and I act as the vanguard. Let’s move.” Seeing one of the wolves sheathe his sword before picking up the corpse between his arms, Romulus turned to Remus and nodded. Readying his great sword, he breathed in deeply before stepping off the cliff. Below it was a building that he could only imagine was the command post by the scent of rich pipe smoke coming from it. Landing on the roof before leaping down onto two unaware bears, he cut the first one’s head off before reaching down to the snout of the one he had landed on. Ripping up quickly, he felt the bear’s neck break before it could utter a sound other than the surprised grunt when he landed on it. Glancing back and watching as the wolves dropped down, he counted to the twelve he needed to before turning to start moving. Crouching felt foolish, but still, they all did it to be closer to the ground and able to hide behind crates as they moved. The first several yards were uneventful, but as Romulus caught sight of the palisade they needed to climb, he heard a growl off to his left. Seeing three large bears

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with battle-axes glaring at him, he breathed in deeply before motioning the others to keep moving. Standing and walking towards them, he could tell by the red paint on their chest that these were members of the royal guard. Chuckling and resting the sword on his shoulder, Romulus called out in a cocky tone, “How rests the prince’s head? Still in that box I put it in, or did you ever find his body where I shat it out.” Lowering his left hand to rub over his stomach while licking his lips, Romulus grinned before taking up a serious stance and expression. These were the best trained bears he had fought yet on this trip, and he needed to take them seriously. Moving forward and beginning the circular dance of his blade cutting through the air, Romulus saw the rage on the three bears’ faces as they did not even think to call for aid, their pride injured by his statements. Good, that would make this more manageable. Hearing Remus’s pads walking up behind him, Romulus called out without looking, “No brother, this is my fight. Get them to the border and speak with the generals. They must know about Artio’s blessings.” .

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Hearing Remus huff and pause before walking away without a word, Romulus nodded as he saw the bear on his left raise his axe and step towards him. Whirling his sword around to block the axe strike, he was quick to sidestep and raise his blade to his right and block that bear’s swing. Seeing the one to his front stepping forward, Romulus pressed the attack with multiple thrusts towards the lead bear with wide arcing movements between each strike. The bear batted his thrusts away with the haft of his axe before pressing his own attack. Rolling backwards with a groan, Romulus stood up quickly as he felt his leg and shoulder protesting this display. Not to mention the hole of coldness in his chest that kept his breathing more shallow than normal. Keeping the bears in front of him was his best chance at surviving this. He snarled at them to challenge them forwards, a challenge which the bear to his left answered with a growl of his own. The bears were disciplined, but that did not mean they were without error. Turning to growl directly at the left one, Romulus felt a spark of hope as it charged at him. Blocking the swing with his blade, he side-stepped the bear’s approach and swept his sword around to slash it across the back. His blade bit deep, severing the bear’s spine and cutting into his heart. Watching the bear stumble before falling flat, Romulus breathed out calmly before turning to face the other two. There would be no cocky remarks as he readied himself to fight them, his mind set on surviving this fight alone. The right bear stepped forward after glancing at the middle bear, clearly requesting an opportunity to kill the wolf alone. Romulus watched the middle bear lower his axe and nodded towards him, respecting his honor before turning to the one that squared up with him. The bear made feinting attacks with his axe, causing Romulus to have to move to block each one. Growling in annoyance, Romulus pressed forward after one of the feints. Whirling his blade

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around, he caught the bear in the upper arm before continuing to step around him. Bringing his blade around for an upper cut to the bear’s chest and neck, his blow was blocked with the bear’s axe before the bear swung at him. Stepping back quickly, the blade caught nothing but his chest fur before Romulus moved in to press his advantage. Swinging the sword around, his arm caught and caused the blow to go off target as Romulus let out a yelp of pain. Looking down at his shoulder which was red with inflammation and pain, Romulus growled and shifted his sword in his paws. Stepping back to dodge another swing of the bear’s axe, he growled and held his sword forward to establish distance between them. As the bear pressed forward, it knocked Romulus’s blade aside. Using this to his advantage, Romulus spun with the momentum and dropped to his knees before bringing his blade up in a slash across the bear’s stomach and up into its ribcage. Watching the bear fall to its knees with a shocked expression, Romulus withdrew his sword and turned to face the final bear. Bringing his sword up, he felt fatigue beginning to take over his movements. This fight had to end fast. Sprinting forward, he dodged the first swing by dropping down to his stomach. Rolling over to avoid a chop down at him, Romulus drug the edge of his blade along the bear’s inner knee to drop it to its knees. Charging up from the ground, Romulus released his hold on his sword and tackled the bear backwards. Moving to bite at the bear’s face, he caught a harsh claw to his side which caused him to lift off the bear slightly. In that moment, the bear brought its legs up and kicked Romulus back and off of him. .

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Stumbling backwards in surprise at the bear’s agility, Romulus had no time to act as the bear swung its axe down and caught him in the left collarbone. Crying out in pain as he felt the blade bite deep into his chest, Romulus looked up at the standing bear with a look of confusion on his face. Glancing down at the blade, he fell back from his knees to sitting on his heels. Feeling his left arm growing numb as the searing pain throbbed through him, Romulus watched the bear step closer and grip the axe just beneath the head. Pulling it out with sickening squelching sound and a grin on his face, Romulus growled angrily and surged forward, his right paw grabbing the bear’s face to rip it to the side while his teeth buried themselves deep into the bear’s throat. Knocking the bear over and ripping at his throat over and over, Romulus felt the bear beating on his back to try to get him off, but he only bit deeper and faster. Soon the bear’s arms fell still, and Romulus sat up and looked into the sky with his vision fading and blood draining from his wound. He heard the familiar sound of Remus’s paws accompanied by the familiar sound of another wolf in their group. However, the sounds only reminded him of a set of paws that he wished to hear, the soft sound as her weight made little sound. Looking up as he fell backwards into the arms of his comrades, Romulus heard Juliana’s voice telling him to return home.

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Two hours before sundown, Romulus shifted in a bed that was not his, blankets of fur drawn up over his feverish body. His eyes cracked open, and he looked down at his shoulder slowly. The pain was intense, but the wound had healed as he expected. He was not wearing his cold weather jacket, but thankfully the minotaur horn was still on his chest. Bringing his right paw up to grip it softly, he smiled and set his head back down before sighing. The movement in the room must have drawn attention, as Remus soon came to the door and pulled aside a hanging fur that acted as the door. Looking over his friend as he laid there holding the horn, Remus chuckled before kneeling down and looking over his wounds. Seeing they had all healed, he placed his paw gently on Romulus’s forehead before speaking, “You really scared us there. You weren’t healing by the time we got you back to the border. A medic had to patch you up as best they could before they sent you home. They told us to prepare you a grave, and I really thought we might need to.” Looking up at him slowly, Romulus groaned before speaking in a soft voice, “Where am I? What day is it?” Laying his head back with a wince, he shifted his eyes in a sideways glare to Remus, “Why did you come back? I told you to leave. What would the pack do if you died?” Remus shook his head and leaned down to rest the end of his snout on Romulus’s forehead before speaking, “You’re my brother; if not by blood, then by choice. I could not just leave you to die. So, Octavius and I came back to get you. We heard you cry out in pain, and it was terrifying. I’ve never heard a sound like that from you.” Lifting up and gesturing around him, he smiled before continuing, “You’re in my family home, Rom. You’ve been here before, you should know. You’re in my room if that is your confusion. It’s the seventh day of your deployment, you just came home in a different way than you intended. There is food ready for you to eat before you leave.” Seeing Ro

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mulus’s eyebrows furrow in confusion, Remus chuckled as he stood up, “You kept telling Lia that you were coming home and that you would see her soon. I expect a proper introduction once we are able.” Blushing softly as he realized he had been talking in his sleep, Romulus sat up slowly with a groan and pushed the blankets off his body. He was in a purple and white kilt, and he could see his armor stacked up at his feet with his swords against the wall. Looking up at Remus as he grabbed his armor, Romulus started putting it back on while speaking, “Thank you Remus. For washing this and mending it, but also for getting me home. But you know I hate being cramped, so I will have to eat and run.” Remus nodded as Romulus groaned and stood up from the bed. Sighing as he felt his back popping, Romulus grabbed his swords and strapped his longsword to his hip before strapping his back scabbard onto his back. .

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Following Remus out of his room and into the main room of his home, Romulus smiled and nodded when he saw his pack leader look up from his plate of venison. Bowing his head, Romulus spoke quickly, “Thank you for your hospitality. I hate to do this, but I must leave. Your son made you proud, and I am thankful to count him as my brother.” Picking up the piece of venison that Remus offered him, Romulus chewed it and swallowed it quickly before nodding again before turning to leave. Out in the dusk air, Romulus groaned as he felt the aches across his body. His left leg held a considerable limp that was aggravated by a slight shuffle from his right leg. His breathing was shallow from the pain of the ice blast and the axe combined, not to mention his shoulders both feeling useless. However, as he looked to the eastern sky and saw the darkness it brought with it, he started a steady walk east. Wolves reached out to him to ask of their loved ones or to thank him, but he offered them nothing more than a stern nod as he walked by. His paws eventually got him to the border, where he could finally see the female that had been in his dreams and on his mind. Remus had given him a sponge bath to clean the blood from his wounds and his face, but approaching the tree line, Romulus felt as if he was still disgusting. He could not bring himself to touch Juliana’s perfect white fur when he knew that just beneath the surface, his fur was saturated in dried blood. Reaching the tree with his chest, he grabbed his soap and the blue cloth. Replacing the orange cloth with the blue signal, Romulus put the orange cloth away before walking out into the clearing of the border. He knew they had agreed to call out to each other, but Romulus needed to be clean before she saw him. Stripping down to his nude form, he leaned his swords against the rock that he placed his kilt and armor on. His limp had grown aggravated further as he walked to the border, but he made it to the water’s edge desp

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ite the painful expressions on his face. Crouching down in the shallow water to wet his entire body, Romulus looked up and flicked his ears to release any water on them. Bringing his soap between his paws, he worked it to a healthy lather and started washing his face and body. The water around him had the bubbles of his soap ringing around him, but there was a large amount of dark red streaks working through the soap and water around him. @Fiory

Dawn had come at last, brightening the sky and calling for those still in their beds to begin to wake. One bed on this clear beautiful morning was already vacant, its occupant having been unable to sleep any longer while waiting for the sun’s rays to welcome the day. Ivory pads had stepped outside in more of a rush than normal, making a beeline for the edge of the village trees. The ground was covered in dew drops, and the sweet smell of the morning tickled her black nose. It felt like ages, traveling through the brisk morning air towards the border of the pack lands. In reality, it had been merely a week.

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“I don’t know why you risk this…The last time we did this, there was a minotaur attacking… Why chance fate again Lia?” The auburn female whined, trudging along in the early morning hours behind her starshine coated friend. Sabelle was carrying a pack this time around, a change of clothes and spare cloths. As well as a couple of small knives, just in case. The only reason that the more timid of the two had decided to bring something to arm themselves with, was because her leader had gone out without her bow. ”I won’t need it” She had said, confident and dismissive when Sabelle had questioned her. That had shocked the fae more than anything else. Juliana never went anywhere without her bow and quiver. The idea that now she had decided to go to the border of Silverfang and Grayback territory without a weapon to arm herself with, had solidified in the auburn she-wolf’s mind a grave conclusion. Something was definitely wrong with Lia.

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“It will be fine. That was a fluke the last time. We’re just going for a quick soak.” Juliana dismissed Sabelle’s whining, waving her paw at her as she spoke. “I don’t see why you need it. You just bathed yesterday. Your coat looks as shiny as ever Lia…” Sabelle growled, more in irritation at the dismissal than anything else. “I need to look and smell my best Sabelle..” Lia whispered gently, ignoring the growling in her friend’s voice and smiling out as they reached the edge of the lake. “It’s… for diplomatic purposes. Just trust me.” “Diplomatic purposes? Since when did you care about how you smell during diplomatic negotiations Lia?” Sabelle’s head tilted and a confused look rose on her face. The white she-wolf was acting so strange lately, her gentle amber eyes watching as Lia now was crouching next to a bush, reaching in for what looked like scraps of fabric and a bar of some kind. “Did you stash soap up here?” Sabelle asked, putting the sack down under a tree nearby. It happened to be the very tree that Romulus and Juliana had circled each other with a week prior. The same one that now held one of Juliana’s arrows high in the trunk of it. For the last week it had sat skewered to the trunk with nothing to show for it. Today however, would be different. Today it would have its purpose. Today it would fly its colors. “Yeah. It’s my own private stash… so don’t tell anyone Sabelle.” Lia growled lightly, taking the scrap of blue fabric and tying it around the base of it where the fletching feathers of white could make it stand out. A snort escaped the auburn red muzzle of her friend. “Who am I going to tell? If you want to keep your soap out in the elements, then that’s on you… I personally don’t see the point.” Her amber eyes glanced towards the arrow and she cocked her head a little at it. “What’s that for?” Sabelle questioned, her ears flopping to one side as she made to remove her clothes. If Lia was taking a bath, Sabelle might as well too while they were h

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ere. “Oh. It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” The white female made to disrobe too, stepping into the cool crystalline waters and sighing happily. It was like she had gone back in time, gazing out over at the Grayback bank, waiting for the minotaur to bound through with Romulus at it’s heels. “Nasty thing last week…” Sabelle was grumbling, shivering in the water shallows and wetting her red fur. “Hm? Oh.. yeah…” Lia hadn’t been paying attention, which was the usual these days. “Whatever happened to that warrior… He took off after you helped him right?” “Mmhmm…” “And he didn’t give you an indication of where he was going?” Lia shook her head idly. “And he didn’t say thank you or ask to repay your kindness?” Sabelle waited for an answer, sighing when she knew at this point none would come. Lia had zoned out again, gazing over at the opposite bank. She hadn’t even tried to entertain an answer this time. “So I guess he’s probably long gone now… off with his manticore mate, after devouring a minotaur, and their three dragon pups right?” Nothing from Juliana. The auburn female huffed, scooping up some of the water near her and splashing the white female in the face to break her from her daydream. “Huh? Wha- What was that for? I was listening!” Juliana barked, shaking her head and turning back around to get to the task at hand. Her rose petal and vanilla bar dipped into the water and begun to lather in her paws, wanting as much of the scent on her as possible. “You weren’t listening at all. You were off somewhere else. Somewhere far away.” Sabelle had her own small bar of soap, one that used blueberries and oats. It was very sweet in comparison to the more sultry scent of soap that Lia was lathering generously into her fur. “Probably with someone else too”

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Lia’s ears shot forward and her blue eyes went wide at her friend, who merely giggled at the she-wolf’s response. Lifting her left arm, Sabelle just shook her head and drug the bar of soap over her fur, careful of the crafted bangle around her wrist. “Speaking of…” Juliana nodded her snout towards the bit of metal jewelry made of brass and polished green jade around Sabelle’s wrist. “Who’s the lucky male?” The auburn fae, smiled and pet the little bracelet fondly, turning it around in the water to create little waves and make it glitter in the morning light. “I’ll tell you.. If you tell me.” She said, pointing at the minotaur horn pendant that Juliana wore around her neck. For a moment both females glared at one another, a mock teasing as they tried to sus out which would cave first. Juliana was stubborn and strong willed, but when Sabelle wanted to be she could be just as bad. “I’m sure I’ll meet him eventually.” Juliana growled lightly, going back to washing her coat with her back towards Sabelle, who merely huffed and continued herself. Knowing that Sabelle couldn’t see her, Lia looked down at the little pendant, her paw coming up to wipe a few suds off of it so it shone brilliantly in the early daylight hours. Soon. He’ll be home soon. The morning passed easily, the two finishing up their baths in relative peace and dressing before heading back to the village. Lia left the arrow marked with the blue scrap of fabric, glancing across the lake at the orange one still hanging on the tree where Romulus had left it. Unlike last week, everything went smoothly this morning, and Juliana couldn’t wait until the evening when she could make her way back out to the lake and hopefully meet up with Rom again.

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Juliana caught herself multiple times throughout the day, checking where the sun was at and how close it would get to the horizon. It seemed like Gaia had slowed down the earth, forcing her to wait longer and longer as the day crept on. This was torture of the worst kind. As the evening finally descended upon the valley and the Silverfang village, Juliana could barely contain her excitement. She hardly ate anything; too antsy to really sit still. Instead she took the loaf of bread she had made the day before, with a small pouch of the reduced berry sauce with the excuse that she was just going to eat this instead when she got hungry. Her father had tried to speak with her, wanting to get an update on the crops for next season that they would be planning for, but Juliana just rushed through the explanation. When asked what her hurry was, Lia had just mentioned that he wanted to stargaze tonight, and the perfect spot to do so. It was somewhere not far, so she would be home later. The she wolf didn’t even wait for her father’s protesting growls before skipping off into the woods. The sun was setting, and while the day had taken forever to move along, it seemed that as soon as night was threatening to arrive, it was all too eager to move ahead quickly. Gaia please, don’t let me miss him… please let him have come home safely.. Juliana quietly prayed, crouching down as she got nearer to the edge of the lake. Her tall black ears pivoted forwards, listening intently for sounds coming from the water or the opposite shore. At first, it seemed relatively quiet, her ice blue eyes glancing towards her arrow that hung in the tree. The scrap of blue fabric wafting in a gentle breeze. A set of nervousness washed over the normally confident female. What if he wasn’t here? What if he didn’t answer back? What if he hadn’t come home? Clutching the small sack she had over her shoulder, Juliana decided it would be best to at least announce she was there, in case Romulus had shown up

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and was waiting for her to let him know. Her gaze moved to the moon, just past being less than half full tonight, but giving enough light so that the lake was bathed in a dim soft glow. Gently, letting the notes carry on the soft breeze by the lake, keeping herself hidden, Lia called out hoping Romulus would hear her. ”I’ve come by the light of the half waning moon, To see my warrior who I hope arrives soon. I wait in the shadows of the opposite shore, Til it’s safe to embrace you once more”

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@Himbo Tie

His wounds were closed and healed, providing his flesh with a few more blemishing cars and causing his coat to shift slightly in its growth. Looking down at his paws as they held the soap that he had worked into a nice lather, Romulus felt his eyes glance over to the fresh scar that started in the middle of his collarbone and extended on his front and back several inches to nearly split his pectoral muscle in half. The blow had nearly killed him as it was only a mere half an inch from striking his heart. He was not afraid of the death he nearly faced, his expression dropping as he observed the ugliness of having a scar that showed his weakness. Looking up at the opposite bank worried Romulus as he did not know what Juliana might think. He didn’t like the fact that he had such clear signs of his weakness, but she would likely be concerned about more than his pride when she saw these injuries. Shaking his head in annoyance, he closed his eyes as he tried to ignore the seed of doubt that these injuries had placed inside of him. The soap in his paws was brough up to his snout, rubbing gently in a back-and-forth manner. Leaning his head forward allowed the soap and blood to run out of his fur and into the water of the lake. Washing the sides of his muzzle as well as the top and the underside, he glanced down at the water and shook his head slightly when he saw how red the water beneath him had become. Smirking as he continued to wash his face and started to push up onto his forehead and around his eyes, Romulus made the mental note to stop using his mouth in fighting as often. Satisfied that his face was clean, Romulus dipped his head in the water and shook it around violently before bringing his head out of the water and shaking it vigorously. Feeling the water flying from his fur, he licked his teeth and growled before setting the bar of soap on a river stone. Standing and limping over to the trees at the border, he located a pine tree and picked one of the closed

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pinecones from it. Placing the pinecone in his mouth and chewing it violently, he ignored the pain of the hard petals stabbing his gum and tongue. His chewing allowed the plant material to clean his teeth and add a fresher aroma to his mouth rather than the taste and smell of Ursine blood. Finding satisfaction in his attempt to clean his mouth, he spat out as much as he could for the lesser animals to eat and use. Walking back over to the water, he tried to avoid limping but failed half the way and had to pause for a moment. His left leg was aching and screaming at him, the remnants of the magical wounds still chilling him to the bone and sapping his strength. Growling as he pushed through and reached the water, he dropped down to his hands and knees and dunked his face into the river. Biting at the water as it flowed through his teeth and washed his mouth out, Romulus took on a large mouthful and raised his head up to gargle the river water. Spitting it out and running his tongue over his teeth again, he grinned as he was satisfied with the taste and texture of his teeth. Wading into the water some before sitting in the shallows, he started to wash his arms and chest, ignoring the pain he experienced in crossing either of his arms over his chest. Feeling the dried blood breaking loose before flowing out of his fur, Romulus moved his paws over his entire body, aside from parts of his back. In some areas, like around both of his shoulders, his lower chest, and his left knee, the blood was largely his own. But across his paws, chest, and his neck, the blood was the last sign of how brutal his fighting could become. .

17:55

Feeling his fur returning to the softness that it was when Juliana had washed him, Romulus stood slowly with a groan and cast his eyes across the lake. He could still see the blue scrap of cloth on her arrow, and if he looked back, he would see the scrap of blue cloth pinned to the tree by the blade of his dagger. Smiling softly as he imagined seeing her, Romulus felt his head tilt slightly as his eyes closed and he felt her in his arms. Moving out of the water after rinsing off his soap, he laid it with his belongings before coming back to the water quickly. His leg was still making him limp, but the water made it all feel better as he didn’t have to bear his full weight. Buoyancy helped to alleviate the pain in his legs, and he could let his arms float slightly so that he didn’t have to feel the weight of his arms on his shoulders. The forward chop in his right shoulder was only a dull ache, making his arm a little slower to move if he wanted to use it. The cleave to his left collarbone however was still a fresh pain, and in some ways, he could still hear the sound of the axe leaving his body: the soft squelching of flesh, the grating sound as his collarbone and ribs scraped against the steel of the blade, and the soft hissing as his lung was pierced and emptied itself. His chest wound still emanated a cold feeling that sapped his energy and made every breath feel labored. The arrow to his right thigh and the slash to his left arm had healed and were nothing more than sensitive if they were pressed on. Feeling his back beginning to ache, Romulus felt like an old wolf and lowered himself into the water. As his head dropped below the surface of the water, the churning of the waterfall seemed louder and drew his attention. Raising his head above the water and flicking his ears to remove the water that had filled them, Romulus swam gently towards the waterfall before placing his paws on the surface of one of the rocks that the waterfall fell onto after hitting a

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few rocks above it. Growling at the pain of using his shoulders, he got up onto the rock and sighed as he settled down, his back receiving a constant massaging flow of water. Looking out over the lake as he let the water gently pound his back, the wolf looked around as if he was expecting to see his she-wolf emerging from one of the bushes. He sighed when he saw nothing, but that sigh was quickly silenced when he heard the beginning of a familiar howl. Leaning forward out of the water, Romulus smiled as he listened to her words. Leaning forward to slip into the water, he let himself drop down to his shoulders before swimming towards his own shore. Standing in the shallows with the water just at waist height, Romulus howled back proudly. “Your Warrior of the Lake has returned to you, Guided by the graceful light of the waning moon. Hurry out and embrace him as he yearns to do, His heart swelling at the sound of your tune.” @Fiory

Juliana knelt out of sight, watching and waiting, wondering if perhaps she was too late. Perhaps she had arrived too late in the evening and he had not waited for her. Her light blue eyes peered across the lake from her underbrush hiding space, noting how the orange had changed to blue. He had been here, at least once. And yet she had not seen hide or hair of him. It wasn’t a large lake area, surely he would be easy to spot for as large as he was. She had sung her song, letting him know she waited for him, that she had come back hoping to see him. But so far, all she heard were the splashes of the waterfall into the lake. Indistinguishable sounds that sounded the same as every other time she had ventured this far from home. “Maybe I am a fool…” She murmured aloud to herself, her ivory muzzle turning to the bag she held tight to her side and sniffing at the contents within. “Maybe… I was not as important as I thought I was…” The thought was dejected, pained to say aloud and hear it not only in her head but echo in her ears. Her ears fell gently, having stood at attention until they began to ache, hoping for a sound, a whisper, something on the wind that told her that Romulus had returned safely. Her paw gently came to hold the pendant she never took off, the little horn piece that had reminded her of the gray male the whole week. The memory of him haunting her dreams at night and distracting her thoughts during the day. Feeling hurt, she almost had half a mind to rip the thing off before her ears flicked to the baritone sounds she had been hearing in her head for the last week without their owner present.

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He had made it back. He was home. He had kept his promise, and he finally had answered her. Her fur stood on end, and she slowly rose from her crouching position within the shadows and brushline. The doubts she’d held, the worry she’d been plagued with, vanished as quickly as a light breeze. Slowly, still checking around the area to ensure that they truly would be alone, Juliana stepped out into the moonlight. Because she had just bathed that morning, her coat was glowing in the soft light of the moon. Tonight she wore a tawny colored skirt made of hide as well as a matching top that purely covered her breasts and part of her back. Her midriff remained visible between the pieces of cloth and hide, and her tail swayed gently from side to side. She did not bring her bow this evening, having not felt the need for the additional weight and encumbrance of it. She was not hunting tonight, not anything that she wanted to pierce at least. The satchel she wore across her shoulder hung low on her hip, a simple bag with a flap to cover and protect the contents from the elements. The beading on the neckline and the hem of the shirt and skirt caught the light and made the illusion of her coat being made of star light all the more real. Lia loved wearing more comfortable outfits, things she would be able to work in, to run or to hunt in. But tonight she had opted for something more feminine, something that might be pleasing for Romulus to see coming out of the shadows instead of her normal rough and tumble garb.

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Her black nostrils raised and she searched around for only a moment before her eyes spied him across the lake. A smile rose on her muzzle and her tail quickened behind her in that sway. It was good to see him again. It felt right, and she desperately prayed this was not another dream she was having. Please don’t let me wake yet. Lia thought, standing on the bank of the Silverfang territory of the lake and connecting the river. Her hip leaned to one side as she put most of her weight on the opposite leg, her free paw holding at an angle against her hip and exposed midsection. “I hope I have not disturbed the great Warrior of the Lake in his bathing!” She barked at him, a playful growl in those words. Her call out to him echoed softly on the lake waters, and she was thankful to have checked to ensure they would truly not be disturbed this evening. She wanted no distractions, no interruptions tonight. Her light blue eyes gleamed looking out at him, waist deep in the water that likely would have covered close to her chest and she couldn’t help the smile that spread over that ivory muzzle. Juliana felt like she should pinch herself, ensuring he was not a trick of the moonlight coming to taunt her. However, as she continued to gaze at the male that had ensnared her attention, there was something different about the way he looked. Something was clearly off, and her sharp eyes took all of him in so she could decipher it. Most things were hard to see, too far for her to get a clear distinction as to the differences he posed. Lia knew how to fix that though.

Without another word, she turned on her heel and made a motion as if she were to leave the area. In fact, she just took out a large woven blanket from the bag she carried. It had been neatly folded so it would fit within the satchel and not crush the other contents on the inside. Taking an edge in her fingertips, Juliana purposefully kept her back to him, knowing how short her skirt was, knowing it would tease him and entice him to her side of the lake. Her arms whipped in the air, spreading the mat out on the lake shore, far enough from the water to not get wet, but close enough to see the intricate pattern that had been carefully stitched into it. While laying it down, she bent at the hip, stopping herself just short of showing off her assets. She had been nude before him before, and she knew he would likely appreciate that view again. But it had been a week, a whole seven days with nothing but her memory. Juliana was now here in the flesh and blood and fur in front of him. Even clothed, she hoped that her form enticed him enough to come to her. And if not, she would make her stance a little clearer then. Setting the satchel down in the center of the blanket gently as to not disturb the contents within, Juliana slowly turned back to face the large Grayback male in the lake. “Come to me, prove you are not an illusion. A trick of the light of the moon and the lake. If you be but a mirage, a sick and twisted hallucination of the Romulus I have missed for this last week, then I will take my leave of you and grieve properly at his absence.” There was a note of play in her voice, her tail remaining curled and wagging sweetly behind her. The breeze that picked up and floated into her nostrils told her that this was Romulus. He had come home, and all she wanted to do was embrace the large Grayback male.

20:09

I have missed you… far more than words can truly express. I worried that you would not return home… that the Ursine’s would have done away with you, and our last meeting would truly have been our last… Please come to me so I can prove to my heart you are here, for it still refuses to believe what my eyes are telling it.

20:09

@Himbo Tie

Standing in the water, Romulus looked around the underbrush on the Silverfang bank slowly, his mind wondering if he had heard some made up song that he just wanted to hear. He felt a tear forming in his eyes as he looked around, his craving to see Juliana growing more intense now that he had responded to her call. If it was a trap and she had been used to get to him, he was not certain of his ability to fight back, but he would try his best to find whoever hurt her. Feeling his lips snarling up on his snout as he let this worst-case scenario play out, he could tell he had just spent the last week in a war zone as he was immediately jumping to that style of thinking. However, his worrying proved to be nothing but that as the underbrush split open and out walked the pure white and silver wolf that had been occupying his mind and dreams. Watching her move forward from the brush, he could not help the smirk that decorated his snout. The way the clothes she wore fit did not match the clothes that he had seen her in before, but they had a certain feminine allure to them that drew his attention. Looking over her legs and then to her midriff, it was only when she stepped into more of the moonlight that he was able to see the way the jewels on the borders of her clothes glittered under the light. His tail swept back-and-forth at the upper levels of the water, a steady pace that caused clear ripples in the water’s surface around him. His eyes danced over her form before locking on her midriff, his eyes trying to see the detail of her abdomen and the fur there. The distance was too much, and he instead chose to look at the satchel on her hip. Not sure what she might be carrying, he felt like his feet were stuck in a deep mud field. He wanted nothing more than to sprint over and grab her, but in his mind’s eye he could not tell for sure if the she-wolf before him was real or just a figment. He had dreamt of meeting her at the border multiple times over the past week, but ea

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ch time as he got close to her, an Ursine would pop out from behind her and strike her down. Holding his ears at attention to listen for the huffing growl of the bears, Romulus kept his eyes moving over her form before flicking elsewhere to check. His tail reacted to hers, growing faster and more excited as she stood in that stance, his eyes looking between her hips, midriff, and the playful expression on her face. Whining softly as he wasn’t sure where to keep his eyes, his ears fell to the side for a moment before he decided to simply look at her face. Grinning and returning a playful bark, Romulus lifted his ears and allowed the hackles on his shoulders to rise for dramatic effect, “You are trespassing on my lake and must now pay the price.” Growling and biting the air with a wink, he settled his hackles back down and crossed his arms low over his stomach. Wincing at the pain in his shoulders, he leaned back and smirked to try to hide the wince. Returning her smile as she looked at him, Romulus quickly grew self-conscious of his new scars as he noticed how long she was looking. .

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However, as she turned around, Romulus could not help the warm blush that spread across his muzzle as his eyes flowed freely over her body like a waterfall of appreciation. The way her backside filled out the skirt brought his tail to a much more rapid wag, the water behind him kicking up quickly. She pulled out a blanket and this brought the mud away from Romulus allowing him to walk slowly forward towards her. He wanted to rush to her, and grab hold of her, ensuring she was real. But he did not want to make her clothes wet again. Not only that, but there was still the fear in his mind that this was a trap, and his ears were focused on finding the beings that would hurt her in order to hurt him. These thoughts of worries escaped his mind when he watched her bend over to lay out the blanket. The way her thighs swelled up gently from her knees showed that she was athletic and a strong she-wolf. The way her tail wagged back and forth was showing her joy, but the way it curled up and teased him with a near view of her nether regions drove Romulus crazy. Feeling his jaw drop slightly to let his tongue loll out to the side, Romulus felt his eyes locked onto the small amount of shadow that her skirt provided to hide that which he so desperately wished to see and touch. Growling softly at her teasing, Romulus had advanced to the mid-point of the lake and stopped, his eyes moving to the satchel she sat down in the middle of the blanket. When the white and silver she-wolf turned to face him, Romulus smiled warmly as he looked over her slowly. She had been in his dreams and on his mind, all of those in various stages of undress. Seeing her now in front of him was surreal and he would have tried to pinch himself had his chest not been aching enough to make the idea of sleep a foreign concept. Smiling as he heard her speak, Romulus nodded slowly as he continued across the lake. As he got close enough that he would be forced to walk, Romulus kept below the water so that only

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his head was easily seen. Speaking with a playful tone, there was a thickness of emotion behind his words that made it deeper, “I am no illusion, lest I be speaking to another illusion as well and we are both being tortured for some unknown crime. I have returned to you Juliana, and I wish nothing more than to come out of this water and embrace you. But I must dry off first and I must prepare you for what you’re about to see. I am not the wolf that left, I have been marked by war and I fear these blemishes make me undeserving of the attention and affection you are giving to me.” .

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Swallowing thickly to force the emotion down, Romulus stepped forward, allowing the water to fall away from his shoulders and chest. He felt the cool air kissing the scars under his fur, but the worst of it all was the wince that played at his features with every step of his left leg. Making it out of the water after walking at a slight angle, Romulus shook violently to try to dry himself enough to touch her. However, the shaking was more violent than he had prepared for. He dried off quickly, but his left leg gave out under the force. Falling forward to his knees and his paws, Romulus growled at the ground as he closed his eyes in disgust with himself. How could this be him? How could he have fallen so far? @Fiory

Juliana smiled at him. This illusion, hallucination that played with her. Teased her just like her Romulus would do. Let him be a hallucination, a mirage and trick. Just don’t let me wake up. She thought to herself, her own little prayer as he made his way closer to her. She watched him keenly, those eyes taking him in and noticing how low he had decided to remain as he got closer to the Silverfang bank. A giggle on her muzzle, she responded back to him while he made his way closer. . “Please then, come at me with the best you have to offer. I fear no trespass from you.” She teased, elated at him getting closer and closer. When he finally had gotten close enough that he had to basically kneel in the water to keep the edge of it hiding his shoulders and below. What was he keeping from her? Her smile slowly fell, looking at him like this. All week she had pictured in her head how this would be. How he would come back to her. She had thought how she would want to leap into his arms, just to hold him tightly and ensure that she could confirm that he was real and solid and there. Lia had thought of his scent and tried to pull the memory so she could have it with her each night. Every time she closed her eyes his smiling muzzle was playfully grinning at her back. And yet, when he was finally here, he hesitated. What had happened in the week that he was gone that would make him shy from her in such a way?

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The confusion on her face changed to concern, giving him a gentle nod to show she had acknowledged what he was telling her. War and skirmishes changes the most gentle into the most vicious. They leave scars both visible and unseen. As Romulus emerged from the water and the liquid dripped from his physique, Juliana’s eyes scanned over him. Fresh scars were quite obvious now, skin uncovered by fur showing the extent of the injuries that he had taken during the fight with the bears. Gingerly, Juliana made to step forward, watching him shake the water from his coat to dry himself good and properly. The hesitation in her step was short lived. Her eyes grew wide, watching the giant of a wolf collapse to his knees and paws, growling his curses at likely his own shortcomings. . “Rom!” Lia’s voice rang out, sounding more like a yelp than anything, was the only thing she could think to say. She cleared the bank of the lake in a few fast steps, dropping to her knees as she got in front of him. Her white coat dirtied from the knees down with the effort of sliding to be eye level with him. Her arms flung around his neck immediately, a strength there that she rarely exercised. Juliana held him tight around his shoulders, careful not to press too hard on his obvious injury. .

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“You damn fool.” Her voice in his ear was a low growl, brimming with anger, frustration but most of all pain. She had looked forward to being swept into his arms. To be held by him and to be able to hug him as tightly as she wanted. Now she couldn’t do that, there was likely damage there that would cause pain for him if she tried. Her ears pinned back in defiant anger. Not just at the male who had apparently been reckless. But also at the goddess Gaia for allowing such injury to happen. For having not sent Juliana to the north, to help and heal him. For giving her the gift of healing only for it to be useless when it was truly needed.

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. “How dare you come back to me broken and in pain…Giving me no ability to help you like I did before…” She continued, rubbing her muzzle into his neck fur tenderly. Her growling was turning into more a whine. Lia wasn’t truly angry at him. She was overjoyed that he was alive and that he had returned to the lake and back into her arms. Juliana just wished that he had returned in a more whole state like before. Forcing herself back from him so she could make sure to bring his muzzle up to hers, Juliana’s ice blue eyes were filled with shimmering tears, threatening to fall looking at him. They were a mixture of the pain she felt for him, but there was also a small smile on her muzzle giving her a pained but happy expression. Without wanting to wait for him, as she had waited long enough, Juliana took the lead this time and pressed her lips to his. Her paws softly held his face, embracing him in an embrace that screamed how much she had missed him. Missed his scent and his laughter. Missed the way his fur tickled at her nose, how his shadow loomed over her, how she couldn’t get enough of the lips she’d embraced. Her tail wagged behind her gently, sweeping against the ground in a gentle arc before she released him for air. . “We really should stop meeting like this… Where you’re too beaten and bruised after a fight.” Her words said in an attempt to chuckle at him, her palm on his face lightly brushing at his fur to better see his face. Those tears wanted to fall so badly, but like a true leader she held them back and refused to show this kind of weakness. Instead she lightly kissed his forehead before moving around to the side of him. She wasn’t tall, but she could help if he would like it in order to use her to stand back up or brace against her to walk. .

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“Come with me, you reckless warrior… I’ve brought you something.” She said kindly, her voice a gentle whine, happy he was home, elated to see him again. It was better he was home instead of not at all Juliana had concluded. When he was ready, when he had caught his breath, she would be there to help him to his paws and bring him to the blanket she had laid out for the pair of them. It didn’t bother her that he was nude and she was not. All Juliana wanted was to share some of her life with him, to catch up with him, hear of his adventures and battles and of the victories he’d earned. All while having a fresh snack she had made herself that she certainly hoped Romulus would appreciate. She couldn’t be sure if he would like it or if he would simply stomach it because she had brought it. At least it was something, and Juliana was sure that it would be better than the food he would have had to pack for his journey to the north.

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@Himbo Tie

On his hands and knees, Romulus could not see anything but a fast red-hot rage that colored the river rocks. How could he have been blessed like this by Gaia, only to be cursed with afflictions that made him barely better than the corpses he left in his wake. A humbler and more self-aware wolf would recognize that he had killed nearly three score bears in his time in the North, each of them falling by his blade. Under his command, the Ursine clans had lost nearly three hundred warriors, but he could not see that success. The only thought that clouded his mind was how weak he must look for falling to his hands and knees like some kind of cripple. Lowering his head and feeling tears of anger welling in his eyes, he heard Juliana’s voice as she screamed his name. It felt as if it was miles away, a distant call from a lover that he would never be able to look at again. Looking up and not stopping the tears that wet the fur around his eyes, Romulus lifted his left arm slightly from the ground in order to wrap it fiercely around Juliana’s waist. Pulling her close, he left out a soft whine before speaking in a relieved tone, “Lia, it’s really you. Thank Gaia, I feared I would never see you again. I feared I...” Stopping as he feared the words his mouth might spew; he pressed his muzzle into her neck and breathed in deeply. He was filled with the scent he had been yearning for, but he could also smell the scent of the soap he had given her. In a better moment, he would have been overcome with curiosity and asked her how it worked for her, but right now, he could do nothing more than press against her neck and weep openly in happiness at being able to hold the white and silver she-wolf in his grasp once again. .

12:08

Hearing her words growled against him as her ears fell back, Romulus could do nothing but pull her tighter against him. He could not argue against her words, for he had been a fool and he had been reckless in the North. He had let his mind wander and he pushed fights that he shouldn’t have. He was surprised the moment that thought crossed his mind. It had always been his role to take on the hardest fights, but with this female before him, Rom could only think about the duty of returning to Lia’s arms. He wanted to pick her up and wrap both hands around her, but as he began to shift backwards so his center of balance was over his hips, he felt an agonizing burning sensation in his upper abdomen. Hearing her words as her growls shifted into whines, Romulus pushed his head against hers more and nuzzled his snout into her neck fur. Breathing in and then out deeply, he spoke into her fur and muffled himself in an attempt to hide the pain in his voice from the wounds, “Lia, my Lia. I do not wish to return to you so. This is a disgraceful mockery of the wolf you know.” Feeling her shift back, Romulus released a slow whine as he felt his life slipping out of his paws. She did not leave him, though, and he lifted his muzzle to look into her piercing blue eyes. His own amber leaked unashamedly, fear of desertion in his gaze as he looked upon her. Seeing the small smile on her muzzle before she pressed forward to kiss him, Romulus released a heavy moan as his left paw shifted from her back to the back of her head. .

12:08

Holding his paw on the back of her head gently so that his fingers threaded into her fur, Romulus pressed himself into the kiss and released soft hums when her paws found his cheeks. His tail began wagging quickly, coming up from where it had tucked between his legs to stand in its pride. He held to the kiss, a feeling that he had been desperately missing but had been unable to find any substitute for in their time apart. Taking in her scent as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss, Romulus eventually pulled back to pant softly against her lips. Despite the pain his body was in, his eyes held an intensity to them that illustrated his need and love that had begun growing. Grinning and chuckling at her words, Romulus licked her chin gently before speaking, “That I can agree on. I want to show you my strength, not have to tell you of it because I’m too weak to show you.” Looking up into her face as she petted his fur out of his face, Romulus released a soft humming sound of appreciation. His eyes closed for a moment before opening and focusing on her own, his eyes wet with fear as her own struggled to stay dry like the proud women of his pack. Feeling a warmth in his chest as he looked at the strength she displayed, Romulus shifted forward with an aroused growl before pushing their lips together again. He drove the tempo and pushed against her forcefully, his right knee moving forward to shift his point of balance. Lifting his right paw and placing it on the clothed portion of her back, he gently trailed it down her exposed back before breaking the kiss with a heavy sigh. Smiling as he received the kiss to his forehead, he let a soft whimper escape his throat as she moved back and around him to his side. He appreciated what it meant she would do for him, but he hated what it meant he couldn’t do himself. .

12:09

“Oh? I receive more prizes than simply laying my eyes upon you? I am truly blessed.” Grinning as he lowered his paws to the ground and shifted his body so that his right hindfoot was on the ground rather than his knee. Moving his left arm back with a soft groan, he placed his forearm on her shoulder as a brace before one-leg squatting to stand up and keep the weight off his left leg. Bouncing slightly to get a feel for his balance, he moved his arm from bracing on her to going around her shoulders. He kept his form bent over slightly so that he could actually take her offered support and not just stand over her. Breathing out quickly and nodding, he shuffled towards the blanket with her help and low growls of pain and disappointment spilling from his snarling muzzle. Romulus pushed the pace and only stopped when they reached the blanket. His eyes danced over the intricate patterns of the blanket, a smile touching his lips as he spoke in a low voice with a chuckle, “That took quite the time and effort to make. We tend for plaids, if you can’t tell by my kilts.” Looking down at the satchel in the middle, he breathed in deeply and could smell something sweet and slightly foreign to him. The bag blocked too much to see what it was, so he simply turned to her and pulled her chin up gently with his right paw before lowering his lips to hers. Breathing out slowly through his nose as he relaxed more, he released the kiss and spoke in a gentle tone, “I have missed you, Lia. This week without you was twice as long as the life I had lived before I met you. My life began the moment I laid eyes upon you.” Kissing her again, he did not keep it for as long as he broke it with a sight before slowly lowering himself to a seated position on the blanket, his eyes looking up at her. He kept his eyes largely on her face, but he could not stop them from wandering and lingering on her exposed thighs and midriff. @Fiory

“Well a prize for coming back alive to me at the very least.” Juliana teased him a little, letting him lower to the blanket and get himself comfortable. The intricately embroidered and woven patterns were various stripes of reds, oranges and creams. Bright and bold when together but it showed that it would have taken quite a while to craft. Slowly, Juliana lowered herself down onto her knees on the blanket too, sitting there to face him. “Whether this prize is a Gift or a Torture, is yet to be seen though.” She continued, giggling a little. She embraced every touch, every kiss he gave to her. Needing the sensations to prove to herself that he was truly there. . “I have missed you too Rom…I worried every day that…” Juliana’s words faltered, and she hung her head a little, standing there before him and desperately trying to keep the thoughts at bay that had haunted her. The flash of imagery, of bears mauling and maiming, growling and roaring out with gray fur and blood spun across her ice blue eyes. It took her a moment, a fleeting sect of time before Juliana blinked to free herself from the nightmare she had been living with for a week. No, he was safe. He was here and while not completely whole as he had been a week ago he was breathing and he was here. . The white she-wolf let her weight shift so her limbs could slide out from under her bum, side sitting and leaning a little on him. Her paws reached out a little to trace the scar lines that plagued his body. Her fingertips were gentle, grazing lightly over where his skin and fur separated, and her eyes looked at him painfully. There was no healing this further, it was already too far gone, but the pain he showed hurt her too. What was worse, was that the cleave mark on his shoulder was not the only one. Another on his shoulder, and on his leg showed the extent of damage he has sustained in however many battles he had endured. Her claws gently found where the hole in his chest had been, and her palm held there. It

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was so close, so lethally close. He could have seriously died from an injury like this it looked like. Both from the shoulder and the chest. Why would he dance with death like this? Taunt it as if it wasn’t just at his back waiting to take him away?

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. Juliana could tell that there was still an immense cluster of pain associated with these injuries. She hadn’t needed to see the winces or whines from Romulus to know this. While they couldn’t be healed further, they could at least be soothed. Numbed and quieted so that a sense of normalcy could return to their master. Her fingertips gently began to glow that aquamarine color, using the damp waters from the lake that clung to his coat as the conduit for her help. There was a warmth, a soothing gentle flow that emanated from her pads, pressed against the scarred tissue and fur. The little glow of her palm sent out pulses like a heartbeat, not healing but at least numbing the pain in his chest. She would start here, working in her little amount of magic in order to give him some respite. . “Before I give you your gift…Tell me of your battles Romulus…Were you at least successful? Was your fighting worth the bloodshed?” Juliana’s voice was quiet asking these questions. She detested the idea of war and open fighting, even though she knew that it did play a necessary role. Her fingers and palms would move away from the chest injury to his shoulder next, her ears relaxed and forward now listening to the exploits and any explanations he chose to share with her regarding his time away. She would listen, nodding her head here and grimacing there at the different details he chose to share with her. Juliana would move those pulsing paws and their eerie blue light towards his shoulder, letting the pads gently massage and numb the ache and anger of his muscles there. . Each time she moved from one area to the next, she did so carefully. Lia paid attention to each sinew of muscle, each bend in his chest or arm or shoulder. She was meticulous in her treatment of him, wanting to be sure that she could soothe any and all aches. It wasn’t a permanent solution, and it would take time for him to heal completely, but at least he wouldn’t be in any more severe pain. Once he had gone th

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rough his trials and tribulations, the different stories of his pack fighting the ursines or if he chose not to speak about any of it at all, and instead speak about something entirely different, Lia slowly took her paws away from him. Her eyes glanced down at his leg, and she continued to treat him there.

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. “Here I thought my Warrior was invincible… besting a Minotaur was just a folly then? Just a trick to get my heart to swoon for you? Now I see the truth… when even a few bears can best you on a good day.” Juliana’s remark was just a tease, knowing full well that her statement might upset or embarrass the strong and prideful male. It was made in jest of course, hoping to perhaps convince him in her own subtle way that the next time he is called to war, that he will take better care of himself. Just to prove she was indeed joking with him, after sufficiently dulling the pain in his leg where the wound had made it difficult for him to walk or stand, Juliana leaned forward and planted a soft gentle kiss to the scar. Like a mother would to a cub in order to make the pain disappear when they had hurt themselves. It was pandering, but in a sweet and playful way. “I hope you do like your gift Romulus…” She said, leaning away and turning to pull the bag towards her and into her lap. A soft flush ran over her cheeks as she lifted the flap and pulled out the large round loaf of bread she had made the day prior. It was a soft golden brown color, smelling of lavender, vanilla and honey. In addition to that, she pulled the small pouch of berry compote that would accompany it. Her paws returned to their normal white, no longer glowing their gentle teal, Lia ripped a small chunk off of the end, showing the soft grain on the inside. Quietly, she poured a little of the berry compote onto it, letting the sauce soak a little into the bread before handing the piece to Romulus to try. It was no bigger than a mouthful, soft and still a little warm having been kept in the sun in order to heat it today. This didn’t over cook it, just keep it soft and warm in the bag so it would be a warm treat by this evening.

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. “I just ask that you try it… I made it myself…” Lia said quietly, a light chuckled on her lips as she tore off another piece for herself, dripping some of the compote onto her piece as well, and popping it into her muzzle. A delighted little smile spread across that sleek maw of hers, her tongue coming out for a moment to lick at her lips in case a bit of the berry juice had dared try to stain them. The combination of soft warmth in the bread with the crisp tartness of the berries mixed with the honey on the crust gave a light and satisfying mouth feel. Lia swallowed her piece of the bread, looking towards him to see what he thought. Truthfully, she was curious how the strictly carnivorous and meat eating Grayback would take to the more vegetarian way of the Silverfangs. “And… it’s not poison, I promise.” @Himbo Tie

The pain in Juliana’s voice as she cut herself from speaking about her worries and the way her head hung broke Romulus’s heart in two. He could not stand the fact that he had put her through so much pain with his absence, or more honestly, that he had not been there to comfort her and tell her how her worries would not come true. Looking down at himself, he knew how easily such a promise could have been a lie, and it chilled him to the core more than the ice blast that nearly stopped his heart. Raising his gaze slowly as he felt the pain of the blows landing once more, he could not help but imagine Juliana having been there to see each one as it cleaved through his flesh and bone alike. The fear in her eyes that he saw now at the imagined injuries flashed before him and hit him square in the gut. This was a fear that he could not stand to see again, so he would have to be more careful, if not for his own sake, than for hers. Feeling her weight lean against him as she came back from her living nightmares, Romulus tilted his head over and let it rest on the top of her own slightly. Looking down at where her fingers grazed gently over his scars, Romulus turned his head so that he could lick her ears appreciatively for a moment. It was a gesture of affection that he could not put into words at this very moment, but her gentleness with his wounds was reflected in his easy licks of care that he gave to her appendages. Grunting and grimacing slightly when her fingertips found the circular scar just below his sternum, Romulus could not help the gentle growl that played at the back of his throat. Of the wounds he had, the ones inflicted by magic were the most painful to the touch, as if his body was struggling to accept the healing that had been done to it. Kissing her forehead, he spoke softly, “They used magic I’ve never combatted before, shards of ice that surprised me with their speed.” Looking down at her paw as it rested over his chest, Romulus took a deep breath t

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o try to show he was alright. The breath only made it to the halfway point of his normal intake before his chest spasmed and he winced, his breath rushing out in a soft whine. Growling and balling his right paw up in a fist, he fought the urge to punch himself in the chest, his normal reaction to pain. If something hurt him, he would hit it and bring out his adrenaline to ignore the pain, but as he lifted his fist to strike himself, he saw her paw beginning to glow. Lowering his paw and adjusting his position slightly so that he was sitting with his legs out in front of him at a V angle, he allowed his tail to curl around his left to wrap around Lia’s waist gently. Watching her paw as she moved it over his chest, he released a soft sigh as the warmth pushed through his torso and eased the pain slowly but surely. The warmth began to match his heartbeat in its ebbs and flows of magic working into his body, and he could not help the satisfied moan that crawled from his throat at the intense comfort that came from the numbing effects on his crippling wound. His leg kept him from moving quickly and his shoulders slowed his reactions, but the wound in his chest sapped his breath and his energy as whole. .

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Hearing her questions about his time in the North, Romulus’s ears fell sideways as a momentary furrow grew between his eyes and onto his forehead. Was this information confidential and was he allowed to tell her? Even if she were a Grayback, he wasn’t sure if he would be allowed to. But as Juliana’s paws moved slowly across his chest to his shoulder and back to focus on the cleaving wound, Romulus found his doubts melting away. The loving touch of her paws filled him with nothing but thoughts of a long future, and with it, the honesty of a warrior and a faithful mate that wished to know of his victories. Kissing her forehead gently, he tilted his head back and looked up into the night sky as he spoke, recalling the victories and achievements in the field of battle, “The Ursine clans have been pushing on all of their borders, trying to claim land from all of their more fortunate neighbors. I’m sure you’ve heard of the peace that your Silverfangs have reached with the bears. The Grayback leadership could settle for not such peace agreement, seeing the encroachment on their borders as an invitation of war. My efforts, I am certain, have made victory more achievable for my pack.” Licking his lips as he looked down over her shoulders at the way her legs folded beside her, Romulus could not help but allow his eyes to gaze over them for longer than a moment. Taking in the natural bends and the grace with which they took her leg, he could not pull his eyes away from the way her musculature on her legs had delectable curves to them. Breathing out slowly as her hands continued to soothe the pain in his shoulder, Romulus closed his eyes and continued to speak, “The Ursine clans worship another goddess other than our Gaia, a sow named Artio. Praying to her for protection and good fortune, the bears were able to actually change the weather above the border. They summoned massive blizzards that reduced visibility and hearing to mere feet, allowing the bears to move silently unt

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il they were close enough to strike. They used ritual circles, patches of ground they had cleared of all plant life, in order to chant and worship their goddess to summon down these storms. They would paint themselves in her image with blue paint, some sort of blue berry that grew in their lands. They had wooden totems that they painted in similar manners, and when dipped into basins of wolf blood that they kept, these totems would expand the reaches of the storms.” Growling as he thought of the magic the bears used, he glanced down and smiled slightly as her paws shifted over to his right shoulder slowly. He lowered his head and kissed her snout gently just behind her nose before continuing, his voice taking on a more excited tone, “I killed fifty-six of them myself, and three of them were royal guards that I fought alone. I was able to taste Ursine blood and flesh in great quantities, helping set up an offensive for my pack so that they could push into their lands. I slew Artio’s priests, four of them, and made them pay for their pagan ways. They deserved no pity or mercy, and they received none at my blade nor claws nor jaws. They have renounced their faith in Gaia, the mother that gave them life, and they have invented this false idol to focus their efforts and belief in. I painted the snow in the blood of Artio’s heathens, and as they died, I felt Gaia smiling down on me. Some of my wolves died, six in total, but we were able to disrupt the flow of the bears’ war effort. Together, we killed over three hundred of the Ursine warriors and ripped apart over a dozen supply convoys that would have strengthened the Ursine front line. I tried some of the bears’ food, they had this disc of bread that Remus called hard tack, but as you chewed it, it turned to ash in your mouth. It made me think of you and made me desperate to try the bread you spoke of. I knew you had to have better than ash.” .

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Grinning as he looked at her paw on his shoulder, he felt a revitalized energy in his limbs and lifted his right arm in order to bring his paw to her chin. Lifting her head slowly so that he could kiss her lightly, he released the kiss as her paw began to move towards his leg. His groin twitched slightly as her paws moved over the area, but he paid the movement no mind and instead watched the glow emanate from her pads. Hearing her words, Romulus narrowed his eyes and snapped lightly at her ears, his teeth chomping together just shy of her flesh. Romulus spoke with a playful growl that transferred into a soft chuckle, “I fought ten of those bears on my own, surrounded with only Gaia as company. It would have taken three of those foul beasts to win in those odds, but I did it alone. Next time I find a minotaur, I will bring it to see how your Silverfang warriors handle it. Though, I might need to cripple it by removing an arm to make it fair.” Kissing her forehead with a soft chuckle, Romulus shifted his head in order to establish eye contact with her. The warmth in his eyes displayed his thanks for her actions and a kindness to show that his challenge had been nothing but a return of words in the same spirit of jest. Gazing adoringly as she leaned down to kiss his knee, Romulus could not help the soft words that flowed from his lips, “Your pups will be the luckiest.” Smiling as she spoke about hoping he liked his gift, Romulus rolled his shoulders with a satisfied moan, having freedom of movement without pain. Watching her lean forward, Romulus could not and did not want to stop his eyes as they roamed her body for a moment. Taking in the way her clothes left her midriff uncovered, he looked from the ample curvature of her breasts to the dip of her lower back before it swelled into her rear. He wanted to lean over and peak at her rear more closely, but he controlled his urges and hormones and instead simply looked at the curve of her rear as it flowed into her str

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ong thighs. Her body was built for survival, and yet was filled with a feminine beauty that he could not ignore. Raising his left arm without pain, he let his paw trace slowly from the waist of her skirt and up her back to her shoulders. Pulling his arm back with the back of his paw tracing along the side of her body, he spoke in a deep tone, “You are so beautiful Lia.” Glancing down at the bag that she pulled into her lap, he watched her open it before breathing in and shaking his head slightly at the foreign scent. There was a slight familiarity in the lavender and vanilla, but he had never smelled them after they had been cooked. Shaking his head and snorting for a moment in confusion, he turned his head and sneezed, causing his entire body to shake before he turned back to the bread in her lap. Watching her tear some off and put the berry mixture on it, Romulus leaned in for a sniff before pulling back with wide eyes and looking at her in confusion. Grunting softly as he leaned in to sniff again, he pulled back and licked his lips before shaking his head again, his ears slapping at the top and sides of his head as he tried to comprehend the new scents. Taking the piece in his paws as she gave it to him, Rom glanced over at Lia with raised eyebrows before looking down at the morsel in his hands. .

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Squeezing it gently, his head cocked as it did not crumble like the bear bread had. Raising his ears in an attentive manner, he leaned in to sniff it again and squeezed at the same time before his head shot back at how the squeeze had caused a few droplets of berry to end up on his nose. Crossing his eyes as he looked at the droplets on the top of his nose, Romulus growled in a soft playful way before looking over at Juliana as she was putting the bread into her mouth and chewing it happily. Licking his nose quickly to retrieve the juice, Romulus barked in confusion at the tartness and yet sweetness of the drops on his nose. Looking over at her, he spoke in a soft voice, “I trust you Lia, but what is this?” Sticking his tongue out and licking the bread twice, he tilted his head as he tasted the honey glaze and the berry tartness. Putting the piece in his mouth fully, he chewed slowly and felt his eyes grow wide at the flavor explosion in his mouth. It was nothing like the stale ash the bears ate, the airiness of the bread and its warmth worked well to keep him chewing as he experienced the new flavors of sweet and tart. His tail wagged happily behind him as he finished chewing and swallowed. Licking his lips to make sure he hadn’t lost any flavor; he felt his eyes widen as a small string of saliva connected his lips when he opened his mouth. Licking it away with a small blush on his cheeks, he turned to the she-wolf and spoke in a light tone, “That was...strange but good. I would like more.” @Fiory

Juliana couldn’t help the delighted giggles that escaped her muzzle, watching this full grown male, play with the food she had offered him. She watched as he investigated it like he was an overgrown toddler, unsure and uncertain of the taste or texture or even the safety of the thing that she had given him to consume. It wasn’t until he actually put the bite of bread and jam into his muzzle and tried it did he realize it actually wasn’t as bad as he might have believed. “That…” Lia said gently, tearing off another small piece for him. “Is Lavender Honey bread. It’s a recipe that my mother taught me. I am the only Silverfang to know how to make it.” The morsel was handed to him once it was prepped again, the she-wolf letting him take it from her before tearing off a piece for herself again. It was a type of bread she would make often with her mother as a pup, and she was grateful to have learned the recipe and kept it memorized all this time. The memory of her mother, the white she wolf before her, was a warm one. She had been so kind and gentle. She had been the one to introduce ovens and breads to the pack. It was her idea to trade with the Waterdogs and to expand pack relations to other species cultures. It had been her mother’s desire to unite the packs under Gaia’s watchful eye to sustain the wolves of the world and bring them together in harmony. It was then a shame that she hadn’t lived long enough to see such a dream come to fruition. The packs were no more united then when she had been alive, but Juliana had taken that dream and was hoping to make it a reality. For her pack. For their future. For her mother. The thought of his comments before, how she was beautiful and how her pups would be lucky to have her, made the fae smile softly. Truthfully, she got her beauty from her mother, her kindness and compassion as well. The small compliments from the male warmed her heart, thinking she was bringing honor to her mother in this respect.

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. The she wolf had been elegant, not as muscular as her daughter would grow up to be, but lithe and frail. She had beautiful white fur, with a silver stripe that ran from the tip of her nose all the way over her forehead and down her back. She was the pearl of the pack, a mother to all the Silverfangs, and beloved by all those who knew her. The day that would end up being her last, had been started like any other. Juliana had been woken by her mother, a young she-wolf of only a few seasons, and just coming into her own. It had been a beautiful winter morning, with clouds of air hanging thick in the chill of the season. ”My little Starlight… Are you ready to wake yet?” Her voice was gentle and kind, warm like the summertime sun even in the frigid cold. Juliana had whined, wanting to stay in the warmth of the furs in her bed. Her mother had just chuckled at the stubborn little she-wolf, nosing her way into the covers to snuggle and tickle the pup awake and out of bed. The giggles and laughter had alerted the patriarch of the pack, who had stood in the doorway watching the two loves of his life wake to greet the day. ”Come along, my lovely Moonflower… if Juliana does not wish to learn your Lavender Honey bread recipe, then it will be her loss…” The threat from her father had the younger Juliana toss her blankets off immediately, squealing with delight at the idea of making something so special that only her mother knew of it. There had been begging for weeks and weeks until finally the female had given in to her pup’s request. Her mother worked diligently, showing little Juliana all the tricks she’d need to know in order to craft the bread to perfection and Juliana was an astute student. She had watched her mother roll the dough, add the dry ingredients, knead and shape and then back it off. Everything at the correct timing, and scale. The bread had come out beautifully, one larger regular loaf, and one smaller to fit Juliana’s smaller paws. The pair brought

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the bread back to their home, and shared it with Juliana’s father, who happily accepted even a taste from Juliana’s small loaf, praising his daughter on making something just as delicious as her mother had. The night came early in the winter, so after supper Juliana recalled how her mother had tucked her in gently to sleep, kissed her sweetly on the forehead and bid her goodnight as she always had. ”No star in the sky shines as bright as you, my little Starlight babe. Dream of only sweetness and honey, and I will see you when you wake. I love you Juliana.” But that night, there had been a horrible disaster. Juliana never got the details of what had happened. All she knew was in the earliest morning’s rays before most of the pack were awake and surely before her mother would wake her, the howling cries of her father had made little Juliana rush out of bed and to the sound. She had found him by the river, doubled over and sobbing, mourning the loss of the white she-wolf who hung limp in his arms. The sun’s rays just barely peeked through the dense fog that hung on the air, but it was enough to show the gleaming red of blood that stained both his coat and that of Juliana’s mother. His Moonflower was gone.

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. “So, does it have the seal of approval from the primarily meat eating Grayback? There is no meat in that bread Warrior of mine… Are you sure you can stomach more of it?” She teased, wondering exactly how Romulus might feel about consuming something that was fairly normal fare for the Silverfangs. They consumed different spiced breads depending on the season and what ingredients were available. The summer months provided a bounty of lavender and it was the safest to take honey from the bees nearby as they would have plenty of time to restock their hives for the coming fall and winter months. It was a luxury bread that Juliana made, as most breads were more plain, but when she did make it, the aroma always attracted the village to the communal kitchens. It was why she had to do it in private, keeping the loaf secret so she wouldn’t be asked to make more for the rest of the pack. “I will say… it is good with trout too…” Another quick pop of bread fell into Juliana’s muzzle and she thumped her tail happily at the sweetness and the tartness of the flavors. Adding meat like fowl or fish just made the flavors a bit more subtle. The saltiness enhanced what was already there and it provided the protein that the pack relied on in order to keep their energy and strength up. The Silverfangs were not brutes like the Graybacks. They had a few very strong males in their employ but most were more dexterous than large and brutish. Her light blue eyes turned to the loaf in her lap and the small pouch of berry compote. She would happily continue to feed Romulus this special bread that she makes if he wanted her to all night. All he need do is ask it, and it would be done. For the moment, she was content letting him take a few bites of the stuff, let him experience her village’s customs, their delicacies and their way of life. It couldn’t be all that bad, could it?

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. “Do you think… that the rest of the Graybacks might… like something like this?” Juliana asked quietly, wondering if baked goods might be the key to convincing the Graybacks that the Silverfang way of life wasn’t so terrible as they might have believed. It certainly wasn’t without meat, it was just with less so. Her eyes glanced over him, taking the male in fully this time now that he wasn’t in so much pain. Her cheeks flushed a little, recognizing that not only had he called her beautiful but he did so while sitting nude with her. All she wanted to do was nuzzle close to him, desiring nothing more than to hold him where he sat. Slowly, she put the rest of the loaf of bread in the satchel, closing the flap and making sure both it and the small berry compote pouch were secured. She still couldn’t believe he was home, and that he enjoyed the bread she had made. Gently as she could, her cheek nuzzled against his chest sweetly, not wanting to cause pain but all together desperately missing the touch of him.

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@Himbo Tie

“I thought I smelled lavender! But you eat it? You can eat lavender? I thought it was only for soap,” Romulus muttered softly to himself as he looked from the bread in his hands to Juliana, his ear falling to the sides in slight confusion before he looked the bread over. He was not distrustful this time, just trying to see the different parts of the bread and where one might cut it. He knew every part of an animal and how to get to it to eat it the best. But not this bread. This wheat creation had taken his mind and familiarity with eating and thrown it aside. Nodding slowly as she spoke of her mother teaching her and her being the only Silverfang that knows it, he glanced over and nodded solemnly as he understood the silent sentiment there. Taking the piece of bread and putting it into his mouth, he chewed and swallowed the piece with a small and authentic smile. He did not know the pain of losing his mother, as he assumed Lia did by how she stated her knowledge. He never had a mother officially; his birth mother being held away from her son as he grew and received Gaia’s blessings. He had been raised to believe that he was a direct descendant of Gaia and that his father had laid with the Great Mother and created him. His real mother sunk into the background before leaving the pack and travelling south to find a peaceful place to die in solitude. He had met his father, but interactions were scarce as his father was one of the wardens that protected the prey animals. As such, his childhood was filled with tales of being a miracle given to them and birthed by Gaia Herself. Seeing her smile softly after his compliments before her eyes grew unfocused as a memory played behind them, Romulus stayed quiet and kept his comments to himself out of respect for her moment. He allowed his eyes to trail over her body, appreciating the clothes that she had worn for the occasion. His eyes kept falling to her midriff, seeing the lines of definition that flowed up her sides smoo

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thly to show her abdominal strength. The soft-looking white fur of her stomach attracted his attention and made him want to touch her, but he kept his hands to himself and simply looked up towards her breasts. He would be more than willing to do this if she were watching him, so he felt there was no issue in the quiet appreciation of her body. Looking down at the bread and pondering to himself how they got the honey, he grinned and shook his head as he remembered his first, and last, time eating honeycomb. Remus had told him how good it would be if it was candied; it was a delicacy he had received on a more diplomatic trip to see the Ursine clans when he was much younger. Romulus had been intrigued and went searching for a beehive in the nearby trees. When he found one, he had forgotten how Remus had mentioned that it needed to be candied and he thought it was like candy when fresh. Climbing the tree to get to the hive, he had ignored the buzzing bugs as they came down the tree and buzzed intently in his face. Snapping at the bees out of frustration for them pestering his attempts, Rom had continued up the tree until he reached the hive properly. Grinning triumphantly with it in front of him, he had leaned over and taken a large bite out of the hive. His mouth was immediately filled with bees that were stinging his mouth, throat, and face. At the sudden rush of pain and toxins, Romulus’s body had seized up before he fell from the upper branches of the tree. It was that day that they had learned his fast healing had a serious drawback: prolonged pain. .

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Smirking as Juliana asked him how the bread measured up to his palate and seal of approval, Romulus reached over and ripped off another chunk before pouring some of the jam onto it. Stuffing it into his mouth, his face screwed up slightly as he had put too much berry jam. The sour taste overpowered the sweetness of the bread, but he chewed and swallowed it all the same. Burping slightly as he felt a strange swelling in his stomach, he lowered his hand to his stomach in slight discomfort. The yeast in the bread was interacting with his stomach and causing some bloating, but he had never experienced it before. Bringing his fist in front of his muzzle again to release a low burp that solved some of the swelling issues, he looked down at the bread and licked his lips slowly. Looking up at her, he tilted his head slightly before responding, “It is strange. Not in a bad way, as I enjoyed the flavors and the texture, but now I feel fuller than I should. It feels as if it has expanded in my stomach, if that makes any sense. I want to eat more, meat or not, but I fear I might become so full that I burst.” Chuckling softly, he leaned over and pressed his lips against Juliana’s cheek gently, a soft inhale allowing him to bring in her scent before he continued, “It tastes delicious Lia, your mother would be proud.” Hearing of the addition of protein, even a fish which he did not often eat, brought a slight smile to the male wolf’s snout. He knew it would be easier to sell to his friends and family if he could serve it with or alongside meat of some kind. As a highly war driven and dedicated society, he knew the Graybacks would only add something to their diet on a large scale if it could help them fight better. They valued speed and quickness as traits that could help a strong warrior get the upper hand. The main philosophy he had learned while growing up had been to work so that he could outrun that which he couldn’t defeat in martial combat, and train to defeat that which

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he couldn’t outrun. He had always been faster than his comrades, but he often opted for staying and fighting as he did not like to use his speed except to get into the fight faster. Taking another pinch of the bread, he was much more careful with the application of the berries. Smiling as he chewed on it, Romulus turned to Juliana as he heard her speak. His smile faltered and his ears fell back nervously before he spoke in a soft tone, “I’m not sure. I would like to think that the younger wolves around my age might enjoy this and be willing to try it, but the older generations will snub up as soon as they hear who it is from. They are already blaming our war in the North on the fact that the Silverfangs chose peace rather than to meet the Ursine on the field of battle like we had.” Seeing Juliana put away the food before nuzzling against him while sitting beside him, Romulus grunted softly, “That simply won’t do.” Grinning at her, he wrapped his left arm around her while his right paw hooked behind her knees. Lifting her and pulling her into his lap, he bent his legs and created a pocket in front of him and between her legs where she could lay. Looking down at her sweetly, he kissed her lips gently, his paw finding her cheek to hold her. His eyes locked with hers as he pulled back, a smile on his lips as he leaned down to kiss her again, his left hand running slowly up and down her back to play with the hem of her shirt and the exposed fur of her lower back. @Fiory

Juliana giggled a little at Romulus’s reaction to what the bread was, shaking her head a little and letting her ears flop from side to side sweetly. The moonlight caught her fur when she moved and her smile beamed at him. His goofy attitude towards the hunk of carbs was amusing. This large intimidating male, the epitome of strength and masculinity, struck stupid by a piece of bread. “No, you can eat lavender. You can also use it in medicines or teas. It just depends on which part of the plant you use and how much of it.” She explained, smiling at him and the curiosity that shone in his face. He’d only ever used it for soap? There were other applications for the plant, so she was glad to teach him of those possibilities if he wanted. Her tail wagged lightly behind her as he described how he was feeling full after only having a few bites of the bread. The wonders of carbohydrates. “That’s right. For us, we don’t need to eat as much as most of our diet is grain… is bread, like this. So it fills our bellies faster so we can do other tasks without having to eat more often…” She snickered a little at his little burps, her tail thumping the ground. “Of course for those not used to it, it does have that particular side effect, but the body gets used to processing it pretty quickly and that sound and action lessons in time.” The gentle evening was turning into quite the learning experience for him, and Lia relished in it. He didn’t mind the bread she made, the one she had learned from her mother. That was a joyous thought for the young she-wolf. This bread, and sharing it with those she cared for, helped her keep the memory of her mother alive. Having him tell her that her mother would be proud of her, was just icing on the cake. That’s all she had ever wanted, was to make her mother proud of her and by walking in her pawsteps Juliana hoped that she was following the path she would have laid out for her. .

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“Perhaps… you’re probably right…” Juliana continued, noting that it would take more than a few bites of the bread she’d made to convince the Grayback’s that the Silverfangs were not so dissimilar to them. It had been a fitting idea, uniting the packs like her mother had wanted in the first place, using a bread that only her mother would make, and only Lia knew how to make now that her mother had passed on. That day still haunted Juliana, questions still unanswered even by her father who refused to speak of the day that had ripped open his heart. Her mood shifted a little though, and her ears softly fell backward at a sharp angle hearing how Romulus seemed to be blaming her pack for the battles that he had had to fight in. That the Graybacks were blaming the Silverfangs for choosing peace over war. How was that their fault? They wanted peace and cooperation, and that angered the Graybacks? A soft growling sound rumbled in Lia’s throat, her gaze turning away from Romulus for a moment for the comment he had made.

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. “I’m sorry that wanting peace and prosperity for everyone is such a detriment to you Graybacks…” She growled, a slight lift of her lips to threaten her teeth. There was a bitterness, far more so than the berry compote she had made in that statement. The idea, the audacity that the Graybacks blame their war on the Silverfangs? Absurd. How was it her pack’s fault that they chose to fight instead of negotiate? There were far more options than just using your fangs and swords. Is it always just fighting for him? There is no other way? No other choice? The angry thoughts continued, even as Romulus moved her lithe athletic frame into his lap and held her close to him. Juliana hadn’t fought or struggled against his touch. She relished in it, even though she was refusing to allow herself to acknowledge it. Her good mood at seeing him had soured a little with his words, and even sitting in his lap the way she was didn’t seem to make her feel much better. At least, not at first. Her muzzle was turned and he pressed his lips to hers.While she wanted to stay cross with him, with the whole Grayback pack for their violent nature and one way of thinking. It was so hard to be angry at him. He tasted of sweetness and berries, smelled of the wild and of a home she knew of but had never seen. Her body had been tense, agitated but it slowly melted in his grasp. Her back shifted just slightly between his legs, allowing for Juliana to shift her weight to her side a little while she leaned up against him. Her legs sprawled out between his and the white she wolf found herself pressed against his chest with her own sweetly. No, not all Graybacks were fixated by violence and could only solve their problems in this way. Romulus wasn’t like that. He couldn’t be like that. He had liked the bread she had made for him, even had additional pieces. Seemed curious about it and had praised her for it. There was even mention that some of his pack might even enjoy it too, if only the older gene

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rations would give it a try. Give peace a try.

13:01

. “I’m sorry Rom… I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.” Juliana said softly, her ears falling and not staying so rigid against the she-wolf’s head. It wasn’t the opinion of Romulus she hadn’t appreciated. It was the opinions of his pack that he had repeated. Truthfully, her pack said some vicious things about the Graybacks as well. How they were unintelligent, how they were just brutes that fought over every scrap of meat and preferred the company of animals at night to satisfy their bloodlust if a hunt hadn’t gone successfully. None of these were true of course, just slanderous words that the pack’s older generations would spread as rumors while they worked the fields or the rivers. Lia had always seen it as idle gossip. Not detrimental but not enough to really pay it much attention. Now however, she could see how the ideas could be toxic and horrible to be heard or said.

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. Once given her muzzle back, Lia licked the side of his sweetly, almost in a submissive manner though in reality she just wanted to be sure the berry juice he’d had before had been completely cleaned off. The actions of this led her nose down his neck where she continued to lace little kissing motions to him. She didn’t want to be cross with him, didn’t want to think about the ignorance of both of their packs. Fighting never solved anything, but neither did passiveness. For now, Lia was content with showering Rom with affection, an apology in a way for snapping at him the way she had. Her lips gently fell over his collarbone and in as gentle a way as she could muster, Juliana laced small licks and kisses to the scar on his shoulder and traced it down to the worse one on his chest. Her paws softly held his abdomen, her pads gentle as they embraced him. Her tail swayed slightly at her own actions, her heart fluttering gently with the affectionate kisses she gave. This picked up her mood significantly, enjoying the embrace and shutting out the rest of the world and all its hateful negativity. Graybacks and Silverfangs be damned; Juliana just wanted Romulus, and that was all. She was slowly losing her ability to care about either pack if the thought of neither of them could come to some kind of peaceful resolution or consensus.

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@Himbo Tie

A low rumbling growl escaped from Romulus’s chest as he moved Juliana, a sound that communicated annoyance more than any kind of aggression. He would not back down from her growls when he felt he had done nothing to deserve them, and as her words stung him, his own lips raised slightly to give the growls a true outlet. However, he calmed the growls with a few deep breaths, his eyes closing for but a moment before he looked into her angered face. He would not share her aggression over something like a misunderstanding or taking his words and twisting them against him. He had expressed that his clan’s elders were blaming the Silverfangs for the war, the young wolves were simply the ones on the front dying for the honor of graying patriarchs. He hummed softly and looked down at her body as she was between his legs. Juliana was a strong she-wolf, only a fool would argue against that point, but between his thick thighs and well worked calves, the proud white and silver female looked small and fragile. Holding his lips to hers as his paw came up to hold her cheek gently, Romulus tried to push a singular thought through the kiss: peace, love, and a union of thoughts. He did not want to live the rest of his life not knowing when he would be called to kill something that was too much for him. He would not shirk on his duties or betray his people, but the longer his lips were pressed to hers and his paw held to her face, the closer Romulus got to the idea of running away forever with the she-wolf in his arms. He knew the woods better than nearly anyone alive. They could run into the woods and never be seen or heard from again, leaving the two of them with the opportunity to live whatever life they wanted together. Moving his free hand over the fur of her lower back, Romulus broke the kiss slowly in order to glance over her head as his claws skimmed gently up her spine before reaching the ornately decorated hem of her top. Spreading his paw over her back and running it down

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her back, he felt her beginning to shift and lifted his paw from her. Feeling Juliana melt into his arms and lay with her chest against his own, Romulus brought his legs in some to embrace her own with his company. Raising his left paw to hold gently to her shoulders and to make her feel touched and needed, Romulus brought her chin up again and kissed her deeply. Holding her with her eyes facing up for a moment longer, Romulus spoke in a low voice, “The moon grows jealous when she sees you Juliana, your fur taking her light and making it ten times brighter and more alluring. Growl at me all you want, snap as you must, but do not leave my arms. Losing you would be a crippling blow, the likes of which I would never recover from.” Sighing softly as he released his gentle hold to keep her chin up, Romulus lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead, his eyes closing as he listened to her apology. Smiling and humming softly, Romulus’s eyes opened slowly as he watched her ears fall more relaxed and saddened versus the alertness that had come with her growls. Pressing his lips to the top of her snout, Romulus licked along the side of her snout gently before resting his chin on the top of her head. Sighing softly as he looked past the edge of the blanket, Romulus began speaking in a soft tone, “I have not told you about my position in my pack. I am sure you have warriors in your pack that you call Silverfang’s braves. We do as well in the Grayback lands. I presented myself as one of those braves, but that is not entirely correct. I am not one of the braves; I am the leader of the braves.” .

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Swallowing thickly, he closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her waist slowly before continuing, “My life, all of it, has been nothing but lessons on how to kill. Kill or be killed and lead my brothers and sisters into fights that I knew they couldn’t all survive. I have grown accustomed to the feeling of loss and death, seeing my braves, my family, killed and displayed before me. All of this, only to have my wounds heal and theirs stay. I am so tired of death, but it is what my pack expects of me. To be a dealer of death and destruction until I am caught by the ill effects of my actions. I want to learn about life, Lia. I want to know what it is like to wake up and think about the sun and the growth it could bring. I need to know how others feel, because this cannot be all that my life has to offer me. These scars will heal over, and my fur will spread over them once again. They will be but memories in my mind as the visual reminder is gone and my pack forgets that I can bleed when they need their warriors. Greed caused this war, but I do not want that greed and ambition from others to be what signs my death and sends me to Gaia.” He sat silent for a moment before humming softly when he felt Lia’s tongue licking at the side of his snout and over his lips. He could taste the bit of berry compote on her tongue as it snuck between his lips occasionally, but he still accepted her actions to mean she cared even if she was not doing them in a submissive manner. Appreciating the affection and sighing softly, Romulus smiled and leaned back slightly with his left arm supporting his weight. Soft sounds of pleasure and happiness left Romulus’s muzzle as Juliana’s lips and tongue moved down his neck and reached his collarbone. He did not try to stop her when her mouth moved to his scars, the sensitive skin enjoying the soft touches of her tongue and the kisses she left on him. Looking down at her as her paws held to his abdomen, he followed the trail of her affection

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with his eyes before they closed, and his head leaned back with a new flow of pleasure and affection. Looking down at Juliana, he could feel heat dropping to his gut and did not try to stop the warmth from spreading to his manhood. He could feel his pulse echoing from below his waist as blood flowed to his excited region and caused it to grow in size slightly and begin to stiffen. Reaching for Juliana’s muzzle with his right paw, he pulled her up into a kiss before his paw shifted to holding the side of her neck. He leaned forward into the kiss and brought his left paw forward to caress her back and sides slowly. Tracing his fingers down her sides, Romulus moaned into the kiss as he felt his member reaching the apex of its excitement. @Fiory

Juliana listened to his words, knowing he was right in what he was saying. She didn’t want war either. She didn’t want the pain or the suffering or the heartache that came with it. The fighting and the bloodshed only produced more fighting and more bloodshed. The news that he was the leader of the Grayback Braves, seemed to not surprise her. He was large and powerful, it was no wonder he would be a brave, let alone their leader. They are lucky to have you…. She thought, wanting to say it out loud to him, but deciding instead to remain quiet. She didn’t want to say something to upset him, or ruin the moment they were having. Especially with the idea of revealing what each of them were to their respective packs. He was the Brave leader, the trusted warrior of the Grayback clan. This complicated things further than they already were. He would be required she assumed to prowl and protect Grayback territory from any foe. Called each time for any fight or skirmish or war. It made sense now why he had been hunting that Minotaur. Why he had faced it for the most part alone. As the Brave leader, the warrior of the Graybacks, there would never be a time when Romulus would not be called to fight. It was, as far as Juliana understood it, his role in life. It was what Gaia had sent him here to do.

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. This troubled her, considering that as the next leader of the Silverfangs, her duty was also to her pack. She couldn’t just leave them, abandoned and adrift with no rudder and no way home. She had to be strong and strategic. Plan their spring and summer harvests so that the fall and winter were bountiful with food and shelter. She was expected to continue diplomatic affairs with neighboring packs and to provide the experience and leadership the pack would rely on. Her and her mate both. So the idea that Romulus could never truly leave the Graybacks, and Juliana could never leave the Silverfangs, broke her heart. How were they to be together, in any way other than in secret, when everything seemed to want to pull them apart? The news she held locked away. She didn’t want to acknowledge it, didn’t want to spoil their evening together after being apart for what felt like a millennia. Juliana kept instead showering him in affection, bathing him in kisses under the moonlight. No… I can’t tell him… I can’t… she thought, her heart aching at the idea of revealing just who and what she was. She wanted to be truthful, tell him everything. At the same time, there was a fear that was growing in her abdomen, separate from the slight prodding his excited rod was doing to her. A fear that if he learned what she was, what she was to the Silverfang pack specifically, that Romulus would no longer want her. That they would have to part. They would have to go their separate ways, and Juliana couldn’t bare the thought of that.

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. Her muzzle lifted and she accepted the passion in his kiss, her paws holding him tenderly against his chest. This was elation, and it was heartbreaking. His moan made her inhale shakily, to the point where she just wanted to forget everything. She didn’t want to remember that he was the Grayback Brave, the warrior they used to win fights and battles of war. It was painful to think of that. She didn’t want to be the future leader of the Silverfang clan, sworn and destined to lead her pack and defend it against all enemies. Including the Graybacks. There was no rivalry here, there was only the gentle splashing sounds of the waterfall on the lake, the serene light of the moon dancing on their coats. The strength in Romulus’s embrace of her. The tender kisses she gave to him. You can’t keep this from him forever… The thought might as well have been an arrow straight from her own bow. When he released her to breathe, Lia went straight back to him. Her tail swayed and stopped. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy and hadn’t wanted to show the joy she felt. It was more her tail felt heavy, because her heart was being weighed down by the thoughts in her head. Her muzzle shifted so she could line kisses along his neck again, wanting to taste every inch of him. Her paws wrapped around the barrel of him, holding him close to her while she desperately seemed to want to devour his being. It was only once she had reached down his chest and the top of his abdomen, knowing the sensation she felt pressing against her. Seeing the thing escaping its sheath, did Juliana finally stop. Her ears fell sadly, which would have looked odd considering the idea that having him so excited to have her could make her appear so sad. Her forehead fell softly on his chest right where his heart would be and Lia sniffled against his fur. The tears she’d been holding back from before were joined with new fresh ones. He’d be able to feel a few of them as they ran down the length of her muzzle and dri

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pped onto his abdomen.

14:43

. “R-Rom…I’m so sorry….” her words were shaky, quiet on the breeze and full of heartache. “You… you shouldn’t have told me what you are…” Every word she said felt like another piece of her heart was breaking. Why did he have to be so damn important to the Graybacks; he was important to Her! “I… I can’t be with you. We can.. We can’t be together…” There was a whine on her voice saying this, like she refused to want to say it at all. Like mentioning the facts of her next sentence would surely break his heart as it broke hers. She could feel the agony of this, and the tears would not cease as she spoke. “I’m.. I’m the next Leader of the Silverfangs…” @Himbo Tie

Breathing deeply as he prepared to pull her in for another deep kiss, Romulus was surprised when Juliana did not share his need for air and instead started to kiss and lick along his muzzle and down his neck. Moaning deeply and breathing out a shaky breath, he felt his eyes drift closed before they reopened as he looked down at her with a slight feeling of disbelief. Had his chest wound ruined his lung capacity that badly, or was she just ignoring her basic survival needs in favor of meeting her more primal needs of pleasure and the display of such things? Moaning and letting his head fall back, Romulus let the moan grow into a slightly louder sound, a soft howl of his appreciation playing over their heads before he looked back down at her. He had noticed her tail stopping but had accustomed it to her being more dedicated to kissing him and putting her affection on display. That assumption fell flat on its face when he looked down and saw her ears falling sadly when her head was oriented to see his member standing thick and proud, anticipation leaking from the tip as he felt his arousal growing. Furrowing his brows and bringing his paw up to scratch the back of his head awkwardly, he lowered it down and gripped his shaft with his fingers before pushing it down against his thigh with a soft groan. The pressure and contact did not lessen his arousal, but he tried to explain himself with a shaky voice, “Jul- mmm Juliana, I’m sorry. You don’t have to touch me; I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. Your kisses felt good and exciting, so I could not help but react. I can try to put it away if you need, but it will take a little time.” Grinning awkwardly as he finished speaking, Romulus’s brows stitched together when he felt Juliana’s head fall against him before she sniffled softly. The tears falling on his abdomen brought a flurry of emotions to his mind. Had he said too much? Yes, the comments about his role in the pack had been too much for her to handle, espec

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ially with how nonchalantly he had spoken of death. Feeling her arms around his chest as her tears trailed off of her muzzle and onto him, Romulus rested his free paw on the side of her neck gently. His fingers trailed through her fur as he thought. Romulus had come to terms with his role in the pack years before, knowing that he would be tasked with roaming the lands as a policing force. This was why he had no home and he had never put much weight in the advances of the she-wolves of the pack. They wanted the honor of bearing his litter, being the one that took the Brave Warrior’s seed and brought the next generation of Gaia’s Living Line to the world. This need of the women around him to get his attention and affection was part of what drew his eyes to Lia: a female who knew nothing of his roles or tales and was interested by what she saw rather than what she heard. Lowering his head and kissing the top of her head, Romulus closed his eyes as he thought of the future fights and battles that he would be a part of. This excursion into Ursine territory would not be the last of his life, as he knew that in two weeks if there had not been considerable advancements along the front, he would be called back up to make a difference yet again. Looking down at the wounds, he breathed out deeply. How many fights did he have left in him? He was young and still full of energy, strength, and confidence. But he knew even those resources weren’t enough if he was put in a position to fight undefeatable odds. He feared the moment he went to swing his sword and found that the enemy on the other side had already reacted and killed him before he knew it. .

01:33

Before this excursion, before he met Juliana, this fear had never been there. He had never been defeated, but he had been horribly wounded. He just healed up and went right back at it, not knowing the concept of self-preservation or a stopping sense. Now, he had a thought at the back of his head the entire time he was in the North. He had to get home. He had to see her and hold her again. This had proven a fatal distraction to him, already getting one of his wolves killed. He was afraid of never seeing her again, but as he held her to him, he was filled with confidence that there was no reason to feel this fear as she was not going anywhere. That was, at least, until she started speaking. He sat in silence as she started to speak, his eyes narrowing and his head tilting to the side until her last words left her mouth. A low growl started in his chest before crawling up his throat and emanating out of his mouth. Lowering his paws to her shoulders and pushing her back, he fought his urge to shove her with all his strength and instead moved her only enough to give him room to pull his feet back from around her. Pushing up with his legs and stumbling backwards slowly, Romulus looked from her to his paws, his eyes immediately streaming tears of sorrow and pain down his cheeks. The gray fur under his eyes turned black as his tears fell, but his snout carried a stark contrast to the sorrow in his eyes. His lips were pulled back to display his impressive teeth, canines that were much longer than normal but he kept hidden through an illusion of lip control. Growling and snarling at her with his hackles raised, Romulus made no move to come closer to her, his self-control working against his instincts. It would not take much for him to leap forward and overpower the she-wolf in front of him, killing her and denying his enemies their heir. Or he could capture her and take her to Remus’s father as an incredible bargaining chip that the Silverfangs could not ignore. Stepping

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back as he growled further, the deep sound broke at the end and trembled, transitioning into a tear-filled whine and whimper. Falling to his knees, he brought his paws to the sides of his head and looked up into the sky, screaming out a howl, “Why Mother?! Why present her only to take her?! Have I not done enough, bled enough, for you to reward me?” Lowering his head and crying out softly, he let the sound of his sorrow turn to rage again as he bared his teeth and turned to Juliana. His amber eyes were distant, and his pupils were enlarged from intense emotion, but instead of the arousal from before it was raw rage. Keeping his distance from her, his right paw struck at the rocks and ground in front of him, digging a deep trench that flung river rocks and clods of wet sand into the lake. Lowering his paws to the ground as he looked at her, his ears were drawn back in anger and his tail was held straight back. Opening his mouth to growl, the deep sound was broken by a sorrow filled hiccup as his aggressive stance broke and he fell to the ground, his arms out in front of him and his head laying sideways on the ground with his eyes closed to allow his tears to stream easier. .

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He stayed like this for a few moments before calling out softly, his ears having returned to their normal state and his hackles dropped, “Juliana Silverfang, you wound me with this truth, but it is not your fault. You needed to protect yourself from a rival warrior, so I understand hiding your identity.” Pushing up slowly, his body moved loosely as the anger and fighting his urges had sapped his energy. The pain was beginning to return to his wounds, but he ignored them as he sat up and back on his heels with his knees nearly touching, separated only by the musculature of his thighs. Looking at her directly, he breathed in deeply and then released a slow breath before continuing to speak, “My life began when I laid eyes upon you Lia. MY life, not my pack’s choices for me. Unless you choose to walk away, my heart is still yours.” Lifting his right paw and cradling the minotaur horn that hung on his chest, he looked at the horn around her neck and said, “I am sorry for my reactions. But I must pose a question to you. Is it not better to live a secret life, when the alternative is becoming one of the walking dead? Living life only for others with your heart broken and trod upon. I choose you Juliana, even if I must still listen to the summons of my pack.” @Fiory

The tears wouldn’t stop. As desperately as she tried, Juliana’s heart was shattering into pieces. Why, why did he have to be that of all things? Why the Grayback Brave lead wolf? Why couldn’t he be some scout, just some nobody that their pack wouldn’t have given a damn about had he run off to join another, or to chase some tail. The white she-wolf remained silent, letting her tears fall on his coat until he shoved her off and backed away from her. Lia made no effort to force him to stay. She wanted only him, and it seemed that Gaia had other plans for them both. His growls and snarls were met with whines and whimpers. She had no reason to fight him, no desire to. As he continued to rage, she waited for fangs or claws to rake her. To destroy her where she sat, huddled on her knees. Juliana couldn’t even look up at him when he began to berate the mother Gaia herself. Why Gaia… Have I not suffered enough? You have taken my Mother from me, and have opened my heart again to a wolf I cannot have. Have I not followed your teachings? Have I not shown compassion and dedication to your sigil? Why torture your children in this way? To what end? Lia’s mind raced, her ears drooped at the thoughts running through her head. Her paws held her arms tightly, as if she was trying to give herself comfort, trying to hug away the pain and despair in her chest. This was the worst possible outcome. She couldn’t take him from his pack, and he couldn’t have her. How cruel it was that Gaia toyed with them both.

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. Slowly while the growling of Romulus still raged in her ears, Juliana looked beside her at the satchel she’d brought. Of the bread they’d shared and of the joy it had brought both of them. Just a few moments ago, Lia had been so happy. So content in life. She had found a partner who cared for her regardless of how important the pack saw her. He didn’t see her as the diplomat or the leader of the pack. She was his equal. He was her everything in that respect. The thought of losing him now, of having him leave and never return to her purely based on who she was and what she was to her pack, felt like her soul was being crushed. No amount of her healing would help her here. This was a pain far worse than death. A part of her even wished for his fangs to tear out her heart and end it now; at least then she would pay for the treachery of loving her enemy. Yes. That was the truth of it. She loved him. There was no other explanation for the rush of feelings she had whenever the thought of him had crossed her mind. Whenever the smallest hint of his scent was on the wind. The mere sight of him tonight had sent her heart aflame with happiness and desire. The idea of never seeing him again, never seeing his smile or the charm he showed, never hearing his comforting hum through his chest to her; Juliana wished for a thousand painful deaths instead of living through that once. Slowly, she began to realize that his growling was quieting. She hadn’t dared look in his direction this whole time, too ashamed and heartbroken to try. Her ears barely moved when he started to speak, about how it wasn’t her fault of what she was, and that he understood why she had to hide her identity from him.

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. It hadn’t been a choice I wanted to do…I couldn’t lie to you Rom…I can’t lie to you… The words never made it out of her muzzle, merely thoughts that ran through her head in mourning. His continued words slowly began to lift her. Out of the pitch and darkness she had found her soul lingering in. He believed his life began anew when she saw her? That his heart was hers, if she still was willing to care for it? Another tear fell down the end of her muzzle, sparkling in the moonlight as it fell. He asked her a question and she had to ponder it slowly before she could answer him. “Romulus Grayback… “ Her words were choked, having silently cried for so long while he raged and snarled. Swallowing a little, Juliana tried to continue, her voice quiet and gentle. Her muzzle opened but then closed again when no sound came out, no words or noises. Words were hard to come by, a commodity it seemed that Juliana had run low on. Slowly lifting her muzzle so her soft blue eyes could look him over, she let out a gentle whining sound, barely audible. He was magnificent, kneeling there in the moonlight. Her heart ached to be near him, She could tell that his rage had resurfaced the pain in his wounds, and her paws were desperate to hold him again. Maybe if we had never met, none of this would have happened….

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. That thought saddened her more. The idea of having gone through the whole of her life, been matched with a male she certainly would not have cared for half as much, and never known the joy and elation that Rom had brought to her. He was her magnet, drawing her in like gravity. No, I could die a thousand times over beginning at dawn tomorrow, and I would rather that fate than live a singular lifetime without knowing you. Her paws gently played, holding that pendant against her heart, letting the silver gleam in the gentle glow of Gaia’s eye. Her decision had been made. There was no other path ahead of her. Slowly, Juliana got to her paws. She didn’t have too far to move, but she couldn’t sit on the blanket alone anymore. It was too cold, too painful. Carefully, she knelt down in front of the male she loved so completely, hesitant to hold him, but wanting to embrace him all the same. “My heart was never mine.” She said gently, her left paw gently placing its palm on his muzzle as she searched his eyes. She wanted the truth, wanted only what he could give to her. “From the moment I fished you from the water, and held you against my breast, you have ensnared and captured all of me. My heart has never been mine, never been something I could give to anyone… It has always belonged to you, and I’ve only come to realize this after having been in your presence.” Her thumb lightly ran over the tear marks on his face, hating how upset he had been, all because of her.

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. “Don’t you understand Romulus? I can’t breathe without you. I cannot eat, or sleep or dream without you in my life. Regardless of my pack and their expectations of me and the rules they subject me to… I refuse to let you go… I want only you, for as long as Gaia lets me live. And even then I will not enter her embrace until you are able to join me at my side.” Through the tears and the heartache, everything that Juliana was saying was truth. She only wanted Romulus, her pack be damned and so be his. Neither of the packs deserved either of them. Star crossed lovers, enemies to each other, and yet here they knelt confessing the feelings that was felt between them. As she knelt there, Lia had the overwhelming urge to embrace him again. She wanted his kisses, his hugs, his paws against her back. She wanted all of him or none at all. If he allowed it, Juliana would wait no longer. Her muzzle and lips would connect with his, wanting nothing more than to prove to the male just how desperate and in love she was with him. That she wanted only him and only what he provided. Her renewed kisses would be passionate and unyielding. By the light of the moon, she would give her all to him and no less. Her heart belonged to him, her body needy and desperate for his touch and so much more. If he did not, Juliana’s advance would be halted, her lips held back from his. If he needed time, she would allow it, despite how much it killed her slowly and painfully inside. She would respect the male’s wishes, and even go so far as the slide away from him to give that space that he required. @Himbo Tie

Hearing his name leave her mouth in such a tear-choked manner hurt more than the resurfacing pain in his chest. His heart ached as Romulus looked at Juliana, her muzzle lifting as she tried to speak. No sound came, the words choked away by the tears that spilled down her snout and sparkled like tiny jewels for Romulus to see. He wanted desperately to rush over to her side and embrace her, filling her with his energy and taking away her need to respond by showing he understood. But, in truth he was not sure he understood. Was she going to stay, or would she be leaving? Was tonight the last night they would see each other? Romulus gripped his paws into tights fists, his anger at himself welling up as he thought of his stupidity for bringing up his role to his clan. She had not asked to know, he had simply given the information, and now they were both paying for it with pain and sorrow. Looking into her beautiful blue eyes with his own amber hues, he tried to express his need for her and his support in helping her to work through this together. Looking over her form, Romulus lowered his paws and braced them on the tops of his thighs, trying not to wince as he aggravated the large scar on his left knee as well as the small puncture on his right from the arrow. Smiling softly to try to encourage her to speak, the expression fell as his head dropped as a fresh wave of tears washed over him. He had ruined it all, this perfect fantasy of having what all the other wolves had talked about. Rom had found the she-wolf that he wanted to take as his mate, yet he ruined it all by not being the wolf that Lia needed him to be. Romulus thought of abandoning his duties, but as soon as he did, the image of the minotaur in the village came forward. How could he risk his people’s safety for such a selfish act as seeking love? Watching her hands move to play with the pendant he had given her, Romulus felt his own hands mimicking hers. His fingers curled around the slick horn and could

23:27

feel the point that had nearly ended him. His necklace came from the horn that had gored him, and even as the elder wolf had worked on it, she had not been able to get the slight discoloration from his blood to remove itself. He had permanently stained the surface of the horn with his own blood, making it all the more personal to him as he shared it with Juliana. If not for her, that wound would have killed him, just the same way that without help from medical supplies, the wounds he had suffered in the North would have killed him. Running his thumb over the silver plating of the pendant, he felt the intricate leafy patten as he watched her moving to stand. His lips quivered slightly as fresh tears joined the ones he had already spilled. He knew she was going to walk away from him, leaving to return to her home and ignore the mistake that had been giving some of her time and energy to Romulus Grayback. As her paws carried her towards him, his brows furrowed as his eyes squeezed shut. His head fell forward and he started to rock forward and backward slowly, his lips moving in silent pleas to tell her to leave him. He wanted nothing more to hold her in his arms again, but as he craved for her touch, he remembered the hateful noises he had been making towards her. Why would she approach when he had growled with such threatening intensity? He had made his violent urges crystal clear, and yet her paws carried her closer to him before she knelt down before him. Looking up with longing eyes, he opened his mouth to speak but closed it with a small smile instead, a glint of hope coming into his gaze. .

23:27

Seeing her paw raise to embrace his muzzle, Romulus leaned his head into her touch, his tears still coming but lessening in their intensity as he looked into her eyes at a much closer range. The wet spots under her eyes broke his heart, but he was too afraid to lift his paws to embrace her. What if he hurt her or worse? Juliana deserved nothing but the best, and as he looked into her eyes and saw his reflection slightly, he could not help but feel like a sorry substitute for the mate she deserved. Hearing the words of her heart and how he had ensnared it, Romulus felt his eyes squeeze shut as tears flowed again, but there was a warmth to his chest now. Tears of joy as opposed to rage or grief spilled over his cheeks as he opened his eyes and looked into hers again. Opening his mouth to respond, he let it close gently as her thumb found the wet fur beneath his eyes. Romulus raised his right paw slowly before bringing it to rest against the back of her paw that was placed against his muzzle. Curling his fingertips gently under her palm, he did not move her away from him but simply held her there. As if making an effort to shape the laws of time and make the night stop, Romulus held her paw in place so that he could enjoy this contact. Looking into her eyes, he wanted to pull her to him and silence the pain that left her lips, but he knew that they needed to be addressed in order to leave no stones unturned, “I’ve lived my life giving my heart to my pack, when in reality it had already been removed from my chest and held in reserve for you. I will gladly take your heart and put it in my chest, if only you will do the same with mine. Keep my heart safe Juliana, and let it keep you warm even when I am not here to do it myself. I will cherish yours and protect it with every ounce of my energy. I do not have room for two loves, so I choose you. My pack, I will serve them as is my duty, but my love is yours. My heart is yours. My life is yours, Juliana.” As Juliana move

23:27

d forward to kiss him, Romulus pressed forward and met her halfway, his paws moving up swiftly to hold to the sides of her head. Pulling her into the kiss hungrily, he worked his lips against hers before slipping his tongue out to lick at her lips softly. If she opened to his request, he would let his tongue glide into her mouth hungrily, curling over hers to claim and taste the mixture of the food and her own natural flavor. Moaning into the kiss deeply as he shifted his paws down from her head, he gripped the sides of her neck lovingly as he pushed against her. Not wanting her to move, Romulus broke the kiss and dropped his paws quickly to the underside of her thighs. Adjusting his kisses so that he was kissing her along her jaw, he lifted her easily and pulled her onto his lap so that her weight was supported by his thighs. .

23:28

Ignoring the hum of pain that the pressure brought on his thighs, Romulus licked her muzzle along the side as he made his way to her ears. Holding his head against hers with a soft moan, he whispered softly so that his words tickled along her ear gently, “I love you Juliana, more than life itself. You are a gift to this world, but I am selfish and will keep you for myself.” Bringing his head back so that he could see into her eyes and impart the promise in his words, Romulus pressed their lips together again as his tail began thumping swiftly on the ground behind him. His paws moved up from her waist and traced slowly over her midriff and sides before reaching the bottom of her bra. Bringing his left paw up and around to the back of her head, he threaded his fingers into the fur there while his right paw moved. Palming her breast gently at first, his fingers quickly gripped her with more purpose as he moaned into the kiss and separated their lips for but a moment, “Juliana, I need you to know how much I love you. You are all that I want and more.” @Fiory

Juliana’s eyes closed, embraced and loved and overwhelmed by the realization that despite what she was and how their lives together would be anything but simple or clean, Romulus wanted her. He seemed to need her, just as much as she needed him. In his hungry embrace she welcomed him openly. Her tongue met his, playing sweetly with him even though her lips had a slight saltiness to them from her tears. His moan was met with a whine of her own, enticing and encouraging in its gentleness. When allowed a breath, there was no way Lia would have moved away from him. She embraced him tenderly, her arms light against his shoulders with her palms holding him as close to her as she dared. Keeping still as best she could, Juliana felt herself being lifted and she only just assisted him in the effort. She was no meek or incapable bitch. The drive she had extended past her leadership skills and was buried in her very core. If she hadn’t wanted to be there, quite simply she wouldn’t be. No, Juliana was more than happy to sit in Romulus’s lap, straddling him sweetly with her tail wagging back and forth like the weight had finally lifted from it. She recognized he was still hurt, still in pain, as there was no healing that she could have done for him. So instead she held his neck, letting her muzzle rub and caress his fur. Lia took in all of him; she wanted every ounce of scent he owned, and to never let it leave her memory. Her paws at the back of his head and shoulders grasped him as if she was afraid if her grip lessoned he would vanish from her. Her ears fell back at his words, not out of concern or anger or hatred, but because she couldn’t allow herself to miss a single word he’d say to her. ”I love you Juliana, more than life itself. You are a gift to this world, but I am selfish and will keep you for myself.”

08:22

. Her eyes threatened tears again, though the she-wolf wouldn’t allow anymore to fall. She had cried enough tonight, more so than she had in years. Not since her mother had been taken from her and her father. Her cheek buried itself in his neck, wanting nothing more than to be enveloped by him and replace her scent with his. Though muffled against his thick fur, Juliana’s voice was clear in it’s quiet tones back to him. “Romulus, I love you more than the air I need to breathe. If you are to be selfish and keep me for yourself, then allow me the same as I do not want to share you with the world or anyone else.” Her eyes gleamed when he pulled his head back to look at her. The moon reflected off her held tears making them shine like precious stones. Juliana had found her match. Found her equal. No other would do, and no other would replace him. Her partner, her friend, her lover and confidant. Everything she needed, and he was sitting there beneath her lithe frame. Sitting there atop him in a role reversal to the normal, Juliana embraced his kiss again. Her body though small in comparison to him, squirmed and rolled at his touch. Her midriff showed the strength of muscle she had while also being lithe and feminine. Her outfit, though hyde and pliable, held fast against her, hiding her most sensitive areas for modesty and decencies sake. Though Juliana was tired of being the only one clothed between the pair of them. She had worn the outfit as a tease, as something she thought he might enjoy seeing her in, but now she had the overwhelming desire to shred them off of her.

08:22

. Her throat sang back to him, a gentle moan of want and hunger and delight. She loved feeling him against her, the sensation of him sliding up her midsection, of groping the mound of flesh hidden by fabric. It was wonderful to have him love her the way he did. At the same time, she required more. The urge to be greedy, to want more from him was intoxicating, so when he pulled away from their kiss again to speak with her, Juliana only allowed his voice agency for the briefest of moments. A palm moved from the back of his head and shoulders up to his cheek just momentarily while the other snaked its way to the base of her top. “Romulus, I could not love you more if I tried. You are what I’ve been waiting my whole life for.” She whispered, letting the first hand on his cheek join its counterpart. In a swift motion, her back twisting a little to assist in it’s removal, her top slid over the top of her head and was easily tossed behind her to land on the blanket and cover the satchel of bread that lay there waiting to be consumed. Free and open, Juliana felt less constrained this way. Less weighed down. She wanted him to have all of her, just like she wanted to have all of him. The fur that had been covered gleamed in the moonlight, and Lia made sure to press herself against him tenderly. The she-wolf wanted to give him everything. All of her and more if she could afford it. For the moment, her skirt remained as she refused the idea of getting off of his lap, but at least now he had more to touch. More to see. More of her to embrace.

08:23

. Her paws slowly fell down on his chest, fingertips gliding over the painful scars that he sported. Before further words could be spilled or sentiments shared, Juliana moved her muzzle down so she could embrace his neck and throat first. Her fingers pet at him, massaging the chest she wanted nothing more than to embrace, while her lips kissed and licked at his fur. Every so often her teeth would lightly graze against him. Just enough to show she was there, that she wanted him. That she wanted to mark him as her equal and her only. Perhaps she would, if he were to give her the chance or permission to. For the moment, all she wanted was him. There was no other in the wood. No owl softly hooting at the pair of them from a hollowed out tree a few yards back. No squirrel bouncing back and forth between the lake and the treeline on its hunt for fallen nuts or berries. No raven that flew overhead and cried out into the evening air in an eerie call to invoke the calling of others to join in its gathering. The only things that Juliana would allow her ears to recognize and take solace in, was the thundering waterfall that masked the pair’s euphoric sounds and tussles on it’s banks, and the gentle pounding of the hearts that were beating in sync with one another from within Lia and Rom’s chests. She would care for his, and he would hers. A silent promise held with conviction and purpose. Graybacks be damned, and Silverfangs be cursed. Juliana couldn’t have cared less for either pack and their ridiculous feud that would drive her away from Romulus. This night, under the gentle gaze that Gaia provided with her half lidded moon, Lia would embrace the destiny that had been put before her. The one she had been seeking without knowing where to look or when to try. While she had cursed Gaia’s wisdom earlier in the evening, she now prayed for forgiveness for her foolish words. The Mother of all knew what was best, and Lia was elated to be proven wrong. Gaia had brought Romulus to h

08:23

er, in a bloody disheveled heap, laid there in need of her and in assisting with him her path had been set. And Juliana had no plans nor desire nor craving to stray from it. Tonight would be just the two of them, and that was all that mattered. @Himbo Tie

Romulus groaned softly as he could not bring his lips back to Juliana’s, his brows furrowing slightly before he leaned his cheek into her paw while she spoke. He smiled at her loving confession and licked the inside of her wrist lovingly, his head shifting to kiss her palm when it was taken away from his face. Releasing a soft growl of frustration as his sources of contact were being taken away from him, Romulus looked into her eyes with a slight air of annoyance until his peripheral picked up her movement at the hem of her top. Leaning his head back slowly as he watched her hands tug on the fabric, a low moan escaped his lips as he saw how her back arched to help with the removal of her top. That was an arch that he was hungering to see, her body overcome with pleasure and energy as he took her to the next stages of glee. Lowering his paws to rub at her hips and pull her down towards him, his eyes fell to her breasts as they followed the fabric up before falling slowly and settling. His jaw opened and his tongue fell slowly out of the front of his snout, his eyes locked onto the gentle mounds of flesh unashamedly. He had seen her breasts before today, but there was something about this moment that seemed truly different. He was able to touch her freely, encouraged to even as she was tracing her paws and claws gently over his own chest. Lowering his head to press his snout against her collarbone, he breathed in her scent as his paws slowly traced their way up her midriff to find the undersides of her breasts ready for his touch. Rubbing his neck and cheek against her to transfer his scent onto her, Romulus could not help the deep moan that escaped his lips as his paws came into contact with her breasts. Groaning gently as he felt his member beginning to stiffen back to where it was before it had fallen with anger, Romulus spoke in a husky tone, “I need you Juliana.” .

21:48

Feeling her paws beginning to work down from his collarbones in addition to her lips and tongue, Romulus tilted his head to the side so that he could see her ministrations as she delicately applied them. Moaning deeply against her neck, he felt his throat rumble in appreciative growls when he felt her canines dragging over his flesh. Splaying his fingers over her breasts to squeeze slowly, Romulus felt his hunger overcome him as his tongue left his mouth to lick at the side of her neck. His lips kissed down her neck to her collarbone, licking and savoring her flavor as he went. His mouth opened occasionally to allow his canines to press through her fur before finding her flesh in gentle grazes of pleasure. Low vibrations left his chest as he moved his fingers in slow circles over the surface of her breasts, avoiding the nipples until he brought his fingers slowly off of her. Letting his claws run over her sensitive flesh slowly, Romulus found her nipples with the pads of his fingers and brought his thumb on the other side of each. Pulling his fingers gently off of her, he grinned as he felt his pads work along the edges of the sensitive nubs before releasing. His left paw returned to her and began palming and embracing the soft mound with more needy energy as his right wrapped around her back. Moving his head to look over her shoulder and down her back, he grinned slightly as he saw her tail moving again before turning his head to the side and pressing it against the side of her head and neck. Pulling up slowly to mark her with his scent, he spoke in a low tone when his mouth leveled with her ears, “I want you to carry my scent Juliana, as I will carry yours. May the world know of us, and may they fear us.” .

21:49

Pulling back and lowering his head to rub his muzzle against hers slowly, he pushed her head up slowly so that he could press their lips together again. Savoring the moment and her taste, Romulus closed his eyes as his paw on her back pulled up slowly towards the back of her neck. Holding her neck for a moment, he lowered his hand to her side and ran his claws gently over the fair flesh of her hips and lower back. He could not help but gently grope her, wanting to feel all of her body and everything that she had to offer him. Growling deeply as he pulled her down on him again, Romulus grinned and broke the kiss in order to kiss and lick down her snout. Pushing his nose against the underside of her jaw to push Juliana’s head up slowly, he licked his lips as he looked at her exposed throat and chest. The moon made her gleam and glow in his arms, but he was jealous of the way the light was able to claim and cover her body when that was what he wished to do. Lowering his muzzle and licking up her throat slowly, he kissed every few inches before his lips ended up just beneath hers. Holding his lips on her chin lightly, he grinned before kissing back down towards her throat. Reaching the bottom of her jaw where it met her throat, Romulus turned his head and opened his mouth slowly. He let his canines press into either side of her neck gently before he pulled back slowly. His teeth scraped gently over her flesh only to be followed quickly after with his tongue licking over the flesh. He pulled back slowly and raised his head to look into her eyes, his paw from her hip coming up to embrace her cheek gently, trying to ensure she felt no danger from what he had just done. @Fiory

Juliana’s heart was racing, like she was traversing a great field at a breakneck speed. It pounded in her ears and all she knew to do was to keep next to him. Every touch, every movement excited her. Her muzzle obeyed when he shifted and moved, finding new places to kiss and lick at him. The only times that Juliana would remove her nostrils from his fur was when it threatened to have her sneeze, tickling the sensitive black nub each time she inhaled a little too deeply. With his gentle growls and groans, Lia added to the chorus of sounds with light melodic moans of her own, each time pleading and whining into his fur. Her paws slowly made their way down his abdomen, holding at his paws when they found her hips. She had been hovering for a while now, not wanting to hurt him, knowing of the injuries he had sustained in the war up North. Lia knew that even though she was smaller and less bulky, that the light weight of her could still hurt and bring back the pain she had worked so hard to try and numb for him. There was a desire however, to ignore this wisdom. A primal instinct to sit fully, to squirm and shift on top of him until she was as comfortable as could be. Lia’s tail rose and wagged like a brilliant white banner, a flag of surrender to the elation she felt. When his hands met her hips however, Juliana’s legs faltered slightly, wanting nothing more than to allow him to pull her into him. Bring her as close as could be, engulf her entirely. Instead, her wits remained, and while she did lower closer, her powerful legs kept her relatively hovering above him.

22:44

. It wasn’t like she wanted to deny him, but more the sensation of him growing between her legs was enough to keep her at bay. She wanted him, needed him. Her body was desperate and begging, but her head was pumping the breaks. Undeterred, Juliana kept at him above the waist, panting sweetly at his touch to her exposure. The last time he had touched her breasts had been when she had saved his life. She didn’t count that as significant enough. He had surely seen her nude before, but hadn’t had the courage to embrace her yet. This time, there were no halting motions. No hesitations and everything else that would make Juliana apprehensive of his advance. While he caressed her thick mounds of fur and fat and nerve endings, Lia took the time to sing in his ears. Glory in his name to him, as gentle whines and whimpers in his ear. She adored this. Everything about it. Not a submissive wolf in the slightest, but he could do what he liked with her. She encouraged it. Delighted in his touch, in his growls and in the taste of him each time she laced kisses along accessible flesh and fur. At his teasing of her, she moaned gently, a little louder than before at his touch. Breathless and smiling she let her lips press against his ear, murmuring sweetly in a honeyed toned.

22:45

. “I need you Rom…” The world would never recover from this pair. The strength and skill of the Graybacks manifested in the masculine Romulus. The sleek and intelligent leader of the Silverfangs, formed in the feminine beauty of Juliana. A match like no other, perfectly complimenting and passionate while also hanging in the forbidden scandal that their packs depicted for them. They would either unite the world in peace and prosperity, or their love would burn it to the ground. There would be no middle ground, and while Juliana could see either option coming to fruition in her mind’s eye, none of it mattered. He wanted her. He needed her, and she him. That’s all that mattered, and that’s all that ever would.

22:46

. Her head manipulated to lift at his gentle press, she gladly obeyed. It was dangerous to show your throat to your enemy. It gave them unfettered access to rip and tear you. To destroy your life and send you to Gaia bloody and broken. This gesture was sacred, it was the sign of ultimate respect and trust. Those who garnered it’s allowance, were among the few that could say they were truly partnered with their equal. Lia felt she could trust him, he would not hurt her, so her throat was exposed to him. Breathing gently in a soft open mouthed pant, she could feel his fangs against her flesh. His canines made her visibly shiver, fighting with herself to keep from growling and snapping at him. The surge of wanting to show him that he was not the only leader here this night. That she was not subservient to him. Instead, she let out a high whine, her ears falling gently when he licked over the scrapes he’d made. She held herself there a moment, just enough to catch her breath a little from their teasing and manipulation of each other’s senses, before her head dipped and gazed gently into the amber eyes of Rom. What have you done, you carnal thing? She thought, taking a paw to lightly pat at the softly noticeable marks he’d made. He had marked her. It was as good as a ceremonial passing of tokens. She was his, marked and claimed. No other would have her, and she delighted in the way he chose to do this.

22:46

. “My might warrior…” Juliana began, leaning forward and letting her legs slip further under her, tiring of keeping her hovering. The feeling of a thickness between her legs that she had seen before and had not touched made her flinch and return to her senses a little. He truly did need her, in more ways than one. And while she certainly wanted to give in to his physical demands of her, her head was winning out in this war of hormones. Not yet… He’s too injured.. It will hurt him to try… she thought, leaning for his muzzle and kissing him sweetly. Still… just because we can’t complete this eve… doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy him.

22:46

. The thought had been devilish, cruel and lustful. A wicked smile came to her face, while her paws gently fell further on him. One slipped between her own legs, hidden only by the scrap of fabric that was her skirt stretched across his groin. Without seeing what she was doing but not really needing to, her gentle paw pads found the tip of him creeping out, a stiffness she’d felt against her that teased. So he would get the same treatment. A tease for a tease. Her index and middle fingers, lightly played at the tip of him, gently stroking against him to coax the snaking appendage out, begging it to be released so she could play. @Himbo Tie

A smirk played at his lips as their eyes met, amber and blue, an understanding achieved between them as they made eye contact. He was her mighty warrior, his skills and efforts now dedicated to her as with marking her as his own, he was ready to receive a similar mark from her. Watching her paw come up and touch the four light red marks that were hidden slightly by her fur depending on how it laid, Romulus could not help the absolute swarm of butterflies that took flight in his stomach as he waited for a sure sign of her acceptance. She was his equal in all ways, and nothing he was doing was meant to assert himself over her in any way other than to excite her. Looking into her eyes, he felt his lips curl up into smiles as there was nothing but warmth radiating back at him. Hearing what she called him as her legs started to let her body lower onto him, Romulus moaned and started to lean forward to take her lips as she was relaxing into him. Her thighs and calves were not near his leg wounds, so her pressure would be nothing but pleasurable to him as he felt her weight coming down gently to press into his growing manhood again. The momentary contact against the tip caused his breath to hitch as his eyes closed, but she would not stay and flinched slightly while sitting up. Her legs pushed her up slightly, pulling a low whine from his lips as his hands fell to find her hips and grip her firmly. He was not sure if it was his manhood or the worry for his legs, but he wanted to reassure her that he was not in pain. Speaking quickly as he lowered his muzzle to rub against hers softly, he let his paws extend to rub her lower back gently, “Juliana, you are not hurting me. You are not on my wounds; I would move you.” .

00:28

Feeling her lift up and off of him a little more, Romulus released a slightly annoyed growl, his muzzle dropping so that he could kiss her neck before letting his forward teeth graze at the flesh. Kissing up her neck to just below her ear, he let his tongue leave his mouth to lick at her ear slowly before he pulled back and looked into her eyes. He wanted to communicate that he appreciated her care for him and would reciprocate it, but he was also not in any serious pain in their current position. Seeing her lean in to kiss him, he raised his paws to embrace her cheek and neck gently, holding her in the kiss as he poured his love through it as best as he could. Pulling back and lowering his paws to rest gently on her shoulders, his lips quirked into a smirk when he saw the devious smile forming on her lips. Tilting his head questioningly as he licked his lips in anticipation, Romulus watched her hands creep down his body before his breath caught in his throat. His head fell forward with his forehead landing on her shoulder, a shuddering moan leaving his throat as her pads came into contact with his tip. His eyes closed as he leaned into her gently, his paws lowering to hold her hips in place against him. His member reacts fondly to the enticing contact, pushing forward out of its sheath with the intent of filling her hand. Looking up with darker eyes, he pressed their lips together hungrily and whimpered softly into it before pushing harder. Bringing his claws up her sides slowly to reach the sides of her breast, he released the kiss and moved his lips along her jaw to reach her neck. Breathing in her scent and pressing his lips to her neck as he pushed through her fur, Romulus brought his paws in to hold onto her breasts, squeezing them together. Holding his thumbs on the underside while his fingers drew down from above, he rolled his thumbs up to tease both of her nipples with circular motions. .

00:29

Lowering his head down her chest, he leaned back slightly and groaned as the movement aggravated the wound in his chest. Growling deeply as he looked down at his chest, Romulus shook his head before lowering his paws to grip under her thighs again. Pulling her up and ignoring the strain on his shoulders, he pushed his right foot back and pushed up into a deep lunge while lifting her and carrying her. Shaking his head and snarling if she made any attempt to leave his arms, he stood up and walked slowly towards the blanket. He pressed his lips into hers as he walked, his nose giving out short bursts of air against her snout with every step he took. Looking into her eyes as he broke the kiss, he spoke in a soft voice, “Yes, it hurts, but it reminds me that I am alive, and this isn’t some beautiful afterlife I have slipped into. I am not damaging myself; the wounds have healed.” Pressing his lips against hers again as he got to the blanket, Romulus released the kiss before shifting his paws so that he was gripping her on her hips. Lowering her down so that she was standing in front of him, he felt a stab of shame as he had to admit he was not in a position to hold her while doing anything else he wanted with his legs. Sitting down slowly on the blanket, he reached for her to move her slowly over him so that her feet were on either side of his hips. Licking her hipline just above her skirt, he lowered his paws to the lower edge of her skirt and hooked his thumbs under the fabric gently with a grin. Shifting his grips down to the back of her knees, he made a small motion to ask her to kneel down over him as he laid back and looked up at her. A soft sigh left his mouth since the position relaxed the raging pain he had felt in his abdomen. Looking up at her, his teased manhood was on full display in addition to his physique. Bringing a paw back behind his head, he winked up at her and bit his lip to invite her down. @Fiory

Juliana’s smile widened at him, listening to the complaints, to the noise of him reassuring her that she was not in fact hurting him. That he would be alright. To please return in a way. Oh you silly thing, I know Lia thought, almost cruelly, her fingertips gently coaxing at him between her legs. She wanted to tease, almost to torment the male for as long as he could stand it. He had worried her after all. He had gone to a war that he never should have needed to fight, left her alone for a week with just the nightmares that he would not returned as more than just a pelt for her bed. And when he did return, he had to break her heart into more pieces then there are stars in the sky by confessing what he was to her. If anyone was cruel, it was Romulus, this was just his punishment that Juliana would inflict. A soft giggle found his lips when he embraced hers again. She knew she was teasing him, playing with him like a pup would a new toy. As he grew in her palm, she welcomed the fleshy thing, pinching lightly around the tip and gently stroking at his length that she could manage to gather. As he emerged to her enticing touch, Lia was finding it harder and harder to maneuver herself in order to get a good and establishing grasp of him. It was almost frustrating, wanting nothing more than to enjoy him but finding herself blocked by her own skirt she wore.

08:52

. So when Romulus moved his claws down her sides and hooked under her thighs, Lia was both lated and also unsure. He was healed, the scars proved that, but he certainly wouldn’t be able to take her anywhere would he? Didn’t this hurt? Didn’t this pain him further or risk aggravating the wounds that had only just healed? Her paws held him around his neck, her muzzle turning to him immediately. Her jaw opened just slightly, ready to protest and urge him to put her down as to not harm himself when his soft vocals kissed at her ears. It hurt, and he recognized that, but he was assuring her that he wouldn’t damage himself. That it reminded him of being alive, that he hadn’t slipped away into a heaven away from her. “I think I have a better way to remind you of just how alive you are Rom…” She murmured in a pleasing whine. Her tail swayed behind her when her paws hit the blanket, watching as he lay back to get himself in a more comfortable position. Considering his injuries, he certainly would need to lay like this instead of sit up. She could only imagine the pain he could have been in with having waited until this moment to remove her added weight from his lap. Her paws softly pet at the top of his head when he sat in front of her, licking along her hips and begging for the fabric that held her to be removed. He wanted all of her, and she wanted nothing less than the same. Without needing the instruction of it, she let her hips rock from side to side gently, allowing the fabric to slide slowly off of her. She didn’t need the hide of fabric any further anyway, it was just getting in the way like her top had.

08:53

. Her right leg lifted out first, her left kicking the skirt away to join the top that had been so dismissed earlier. This was far more freeing. Both as Gaia had intended, stark and bare in the moonlight. Juliana shone brilliantly but she couldn’t care less about her own coat. Her steps were few, just enough to kick that skirt away from her and take the necessary strides to place one for on either side of him. He was magnificent, even in his scars and battle injuries. Even in the inviting look he gave on his face, and the enticing wink of playful seduction he employed. Lia couldn’t have prayed for a better partner. That said, she was not about to play second fiddle to him. He wanted to play? Then play they would. She grinned at him, her ears forward and alert, while her tail raised high in a dominating stance. Juliana meant nothing but play with it. Both of them were of leadership quality, equals in their own right. For now, the she-wolf was on top, and she was going to exploit it as much as she wanted to. Slowly, she bent her knees and let her body slink lower as if she was going to sit upon that waiting and anxious member. Those blue eyes even suggested in their gleam that she might allow this, allow him to take her as only he would be allowed. However once her paws got close enough to hold his abdomen and chest, Juliana leaned forward to keep her hips away from that desperate appendage. Instead, she would walk up his chest careful of his injuries and kneel when she got close enough for her muzzle to become flush with his. Her tongue came out again but instead of rapid and desperate as before, her pink muscle instead took it’s time, sliding along his jugular and lacing kisses from her lips up his jaw. Demanding was her need for compliance, lightly pressing his head back similarly to how he had done her before. He was missing something that was required, and only Juliana could bestow it upon him. Once satisfied with the angle of his face, the lift of his jaw

08:53

and the stillness of his throat shown bare to her, Lia pressed her nose against it gentle. Her maw opened around his neck and held him tenderly in her mouth. There was a small amount of pressure, her smaller canines needing a bit more force in order to apply her returned mark to him. Her fangs dragged sweetly against his fur and skin, raking his flesh so all would know. No Grayback or Silverfang would have him. None from another pack. He was taken and hell hath no fury for any who attempted to disrespect Juliana’s mark of him.

. Satisfied in her return sentiment, Lia began kissing at his chest again, rocking herself backwards as she went down his chest and abdomen again. She went until she could not hunch forward any further, sitting herself up so that she sat upon his lap just under that eagerly waiting member, still anxiously waiting it’s turn. Her eyes had a sultry gleam in them, her hands softly falling on either side of the base of him. Her fingertips and pads gently massaged the area, tickling and pressing before they found the underside of his shaft. Taking the back of her index and middle finger, Juliana softly let the finger knuckles drag from the base that had slipped from his shaft all the way up to the very tip of him along the natural ridge his member had. It was a first stroke in a way, a gentle petting, a teasing touch. Juliana planned on teasing him more, wanting to hear his whines and his groans as they brought her a joy unmatched. He was alive, and she would ensure he lived in ecstasy.

16:14

@Himbo Tie

Despite the fact that the contact was small and fleeting, likely meant to tease him and see how much he could stand, Romulus hated the way that the tightened hide of Juliana’s skirt kept her from being able to caress and tease his full length. Even still, the stroking movements that she could make while sitting on his drew deep moans and needy gasps from him. He did not know whether to throw her down and fuck her or to simply let her continue to edge him along. He was not sure he had the energy or strength required to fuck her appropriately, and that kept his legs rooted as they were. Instead, as her fingers teased at him, he moved his paws gently and slowly over her back, pushing up before drawing back down with added pressure to pull her closer to the tool she teased. He enjoyed the teasing despite the fact he likely was supposed to find it agonizing. That was true, he did not like being kept from touching her or feeling her delicate fingers wrapped around him properly, but he also liked the fact that he had full access to her lips and the ability to carry her as he did now. Hearing Juliana’s whine as he set her down on her feet, Romulus felt his manhood throb and he swore it extended the last few inches as it stood at full mast before her. Sitting down and looking up at her, there was a strange feeling in Romulus’s stomach. He wanted to be back where he could look down onto her and manipulate her body to both of their pleasure, but the way she stood over him and was able to observe everything he had to offer her was just as exciting. Sitting up and drawing his tongue slowly along her fur just above her skirt’s waistband, Romulus moaned softly when he felt her paws petting the top of his head gently. Pulling his head back to look up at her with a gentle smile on his lips, his eyes traced down her body to her hips as they moved back-and-forth. .

16:16

As the fabric slid down slowly with the side-to-side motion of her hips, Romulus licked his lips hungrily while watching the progress intently. He was engrossed in watching the show before him, his eyes locked on the slow teasing movements of the fabric as it displayed her hips to him first. Leaning over and licking each of her hips gently, he nuzzled his muzzle against her lower abdomen before pulling back and watching her legs come up and out of the confines of the skirt. Moaning softly as he saw her right leg raise up and come free, Romulus looked over how well toned her leg was, a clear sign if another was truly needed as to why Juliana was his equal. Letting his eyes fall slowly from her hips to the prize between her legs as her skirt was kicked away, Romulus laid back on the blanket and looked up at her with a smirk. Watching her hips sway gently with the steps she took, Romulus allowed his eyes to trail over Juliana’s thighs and calves, taking in and appreciating the strength within them. The feminine curves of her thighs stole his attention as she stepped over him, his eyes tracing over each leg before ending up at her womanhood. Looking clearly as she stood over him, he groaned softly and felt his eyes close for a moment as his manhood flexed and throbbed, desperately aching for a union with her. Watching her tail raise up in the air, Romulus grinned as he felt his own down between his legs on the blanket wagging slowly in anticipation. She was a strong female, one who made it quite clear that while she enjoyed his presence and needed his companionship, she did not need a male to tell her how to live her life. Such independence and self-assuredness were incredibly attractive to the male, his body reacting as she began to lower herself. His shaft stood high, and he rocked his hips up to try to meet her, but as he did, he could not ignore the immense pain that shot through his abdomen. .

16:16

Wincing slightly but keeping his hips rocking upwards, Romulus looked up into her blue eyes and caught the gleam that made him believe she would be guiding herself onto him. Lifting his paws and placing them on her knees and thighs gently, he added no pressure to move her and simply ran his fingers and claws gently over her to show his appreciation for her. Feeling her paws reach his chest, Romulus offered a breathy moan as he could see how close she was to him. Biting his lip as he could imagine the sensation of thrusting into her in mere moments, he furrowed his brows and let out a whining growl as she leaned forward and denied him such contact. Looking down at her abdomen as she moved further up his body, he could not help but smile when Juliana’s muzzle reached his own. He wanted to feel her around him, but when her tongue reached out and licked at his jugular before kissing up his neck, he felt his hips lower as he was transfixed in this new sensation. Feeling her muzzle pushing up on his own, Romulus offered a deep moan as he laid his head back, his eyes closing as he exposed his throat to her with no hesitation. His paws shifted over her body as he laid before her, resting them gently on her waist as he did not want to interfere with what she was about to do to him. Gasping softly as he felt her nose press against his throat, Romulus released a deep hum that would vibrate from his chest and throat, sending them into her thighs and mouth as he let it be known that he enjoyed this display of affection and marking. Squeezing his fingers into her waist as Juliana pulled her canines against his flesh, Romulus panted softly and closed his eyes, his head filled with bliss. Short intakes of air were followed by soft moans as he laid beneath her, his manhood leaking heavily from the slit at the tip. .

16:17

Feeling Juliana’s lips on his chest once again as she started kissing down towards his abdomen, Romulus raised his head and looked down at her with his eyes freshly darkened with arousal. Bringing his paws up, he squeezed her breasts hungrily before bringing his right paw up to the side of her throat. Holding her gently as he stimulated her breast through his thumb and index finger occasionally pinching her nipple, Romulus sat up slowly when she lifted her lips from his chest. Pulling her into the kiss and holding it for a moment, he released the hold with a disappointed sigh and lowered back down, both of his paws sliding down to hold onto her thighs gently. Seeing the look in her eyes as her paws laid on either side of his member, Romulus smiled and watched her work, his eyes moving between her eyes and what her paws were doing to him. Closing his eyes and moaning deeply as her fingers massaged the area, Romulus could not stop the gentle shiver that ran through his torso as her fingertips tickled him lightly. Feeling her fingers lightly run along the veiny ridge of his shaft, Romulus panted softly and looked down at her paws, transfixed with seeing what she was doing to him. A soft whining groan left his throat as he closed his eyes when her fingers reached his tip, a trail of precum working down his head and down over the top of his shaft. Flexing his lower abs to cause his cock to swell and jump slightly, Romulus watched with a momentary smirk as he saw a fresh drop of precum spill out and gently roll over the other side to go onto her fingers. Looking up at her eyes with his lower lip pulled into his teeth, he released the bite in order to speak softly, “Juliana, I am yours.” @Fiory

Her white paws were gentle against the sensitive flesh, her tongue lolling with a playful bounce out of her muzzle. He was so close to her, she could easily adjust her hips and just allow him to play at her sensitive hidden folds. But no, Lia wouldn’t allow that yet. Soon perhaps, when he was healed fully and she could unleash her partner into the wilds of his heart that he wanted. When he wouldn’t hurt himself further with the effort. For now, her palms would have to do as a substitute. Considering the moans he released into the night air, she was fairly positive he didn’t mind. “As I am yours, Romulus.” It was almost purring in the words she spoke back to him. Her pads spread out from his tip and massaged down his length this time, letting her whole hand play instead of just the backs of her two fingers before. It glided lightly against him, letting the base of her palm be the last part of her to press against the head of him. Fingertips around his base squeezed and made little rolling motions, almost coaxing to ensure all of him was ready to play with her. She would have no part of him missing out. Satisfied that she had all she could of him as of yet, knowing when he would get close how his body would react, Lia began the teasing motions of rolling her hand up and down that length. Her fingers barely made it around the girth of him as it was, and Juliana had to swallow a little thinking of a future eve where injuries would not pause or encumber them. Using the droplets that he created, Lia spread it around him, her finger stroking over the top of him each time as if collecting more of his nectar. With one paw she kept her slow and teasing rhythm on him. But the other required a distraction too. Surely she did not want to overstimulate him too quickly, and since his paws were so far from her while she sat upon his lap, Juliana decided to give him more to look at. Giving him that show of her body that she knew he enjoyed.

17:20

. He had made her shiver when he played with her breasts before. Sending chills of delight up and down her spine from the sensitive pink nubs. So while her right hand grasped the length of him, massaging his wolfish member up and down, her left would slide up her own hip. Her fingers dragged against her white and silver fur, making sure he had to watch every inch as she pulled her claws up her own abdomen. The fur parted at her claws sweetly, and she let out a light humming sound as her digits got closer to their ultimate goal. Her fingertips found the mound first, the left fleshy and furred protruding portion of chest held gently in her left hand. Her fingers spread across it, teasing at her own nipple as she massaged in time with the stroking that her right hand continued below. It was a dance, a delicate teasing partnership they played. She serviced his cock wanting nothing more than to take him, while also giving his eyes the competition of what to pay attention to. Should he look towards her chest where her paw teased at herself for him, begging him to do it himself or do his ambers fall on the erection as it was tended to, stiff and massaged in her other inviting hand. Unable to control her excitement, Lia let her head fall back a bit, her hips rolling sweetly against the base and sack of him while she played. The she-wolf was enjoying her male, as he was truly hers to play with. While blood hadn’t been drawn yet so the officiality of their marks were in question, that would only be a matter of time. Before the gaze of the moon, under Gaia’s guidance and per the Great Mother’s plan, Juliana would have no other but Romulus.

17:21

. Little whines would escape her lips, only smiles of pleasure falling over her muzzle to show just how much she enjoyed sitting atop him like this. Teasing him had always been fun. From the playful banter before, to the explicit nature of their game now. Juliana had always enjoyed toying with him, teasing with Romulus and goading him into playing back. Her right paw lightly would fall a little further every so often when it would hilt against his base. At one point in her stroking, Lia decided that his precum wasn’t quite lubricated enough in order to really enjoy the texture of him. So her fingers slide away just for a moment, letting him stand erect alone in the cool night air. Her own actions had seen to this problem though, and as gently as she could, she let her own fingers slide between her legs to collect the natural wetness that had built up there. It would be like she was marking him again, a subtle way to show not only was Romulus hers, but his cock was too. It belonged to Juliana, and her slick juice now gently applied would be proof enough of this. Until he could claim her and take that lubrication himself. “I feel like you are getting all the show and I am doing all the work Romulus…” Juliana moaned softly at him, continuing to stroke him for a little while longer having just wet him and wanting him to feel just how much she desired him. Slowing her rocking against him, and allowing one or two more pumps of him with her paw, Lia slid off his lap, lifting her leg and pulling it from straddling him to his side. She wanted him to touch her. To pet her, to stroke her to do whatever he damn well pleased with her. Fucking her was an option, just not this eve as she wanted him at his best. At his peak before taking him. So instead, his paws would have to do. Juliana situated herself so that her right hand could still reach and stroke him, but now his left had ample reach to her most sensitive area if he so chose to play with her. Kneeling beside him, lookin

17:21

g down at the male with a heated desire in those soft blue eyes, Lia silently pleaded with him.

17:21

. Her soft ebony ears fell gently on either side of her head, her chest rising and falling in a more rapid pant than when they had first started this endeavor. If he was excited and enjoying her touch, then she certainly wanted to experience his for her own pleasure too. Had he come home whole, had he not been injured the way he was. Had Juliana not had to worry and fret and work through nightmares, he surely would be allowed to bend her over and take his ivory prize. Lia would have gladly given it to him. Instead for now, her left paw teased him, falling off her breast that had been massaged to excitement and sliding down to her hip. It elegantly flipped over her white fur so that when it landed just above the enticing point of the V of her body, the palm was up. Her fingers curled into her palm, all except for one. The index finger remained straight, pointing up side down at Rom, before making a curling wave motion. It was a clear motion of “Come this way”, wanting him to take the bait of her and feel just how desperately she wanted him. She silently invited him to her. He was hers, and vice versa in this aspect. Juliana would have him play with her just as he had allowed her to play with him. All the while she wouldn’t make it easy on the male, continuing to stroke him up and down, even increasing her pace a little at a time to excite him further. There would be less conversation here, a little less need for it other than silent taunting signals that both parties could easily translate. This would be their secret love affair, a scandalous rendezvous under the moonlight, that neither cared to keep quiet for. One of many to come, until they could be open with one another and share their secret with the world.

17:21

@Himbo Tie

Romulus watched breathlessly as Juliana’s fingers moved over his length, his eyes moving to hers when she said that she was his in the same way that he belonged to her. Watching her paw move to run over his head slowly and completely, Rom could not stop the soft groans that came from his mouth, his sensitive tip swelling and pulsing against the contact. Moving his left paw behind his head so that he could relax his neck while still looking up at her, he ran his right paw slowly over her lower thigh as it was all that he could reach. He cursed the chest wound for ruining his ability to sit up easily, but that train of thought fell flat on its face as his eyes closed. Her fingers squeezing around his base brought a low moan from his muzzle as he let his head fall back, soaking in the pleasure that she was giving to him. Feeling her paw moving up and down his shaft with her fingers barely touching, Romulus opened his eyes and looked down at her actions, a shaky moan leaving his throat as he squeezed his paw on her thigh. He wanted desperately to touch her and give her even a fraction of the pleasure that she was giving him, but as her fingers danced over him to collect the drops of precum, his fingers squeezed on her thigh as he released a rolling moan. Looking down at her paw sliding up and down his slick member, he bit his lower lip before looking up at her face, his eyes locking with yours to communicate his need for her. .

19:40

As he lowered his eyes to look over the way her body reacted to the steady motion of pumping his shaft, his gaze caught her paw as it crept up her body slowly. Releasing a shaky breath as he focused on the slow journey over her body, he withdrew his paw from her thigh before slowly pushing it up her leg the few inches he could reach to try to get a feel for what she was feeling on her perfect coat. She shone in the moonlight, the natural shadows highlighting the dips and curves of her physique as her fingers split the fur along their path. Wanting that hand to be his desperately, he released a low moan when her paw reached her breast and enveloped it in her fingers. Licking his lips before letting his tongue lol out of his mouth in excitement, Romulus watched her hand move as if he were a hawk, wanting nothing more than to see all that brought his female pleasure. His eyes fell to her paw on his shaft, Juliana’s fingers gliding easily over him as his precum kept his shaft and her hand properly slick for their mutual enjoyment. Seeing how his member forced her fingers apart as they worked to wrap around his girth, he looked up slowly along her abdomen as he imagined how well he would fill her when they were able to dance together to their desires. His body aches were vanishing from his mind as he watched her paw playing with her breast and nipple, his own hand on her thigh moving to mimic the motions slowly. It wasn’t until her head leaned back and he could see her throat that he ignored his wounds. Seeing her rolling her hips to rub her womanhood against him for some stimulation, Romulus pushed himself up with his left arm before bringing his right paw up to hold the back of her neck gently. Placing his lips on her throat before licking it slowly, he groaned before falling back to the blanket, his eyes showing none of his disappointment in himself as he let his paw return to her thigh. .

19:40

The smiles on Juliana’s muzzle nearly broke Romulus as he tried to shift his attention fairly between the pleasure that she was bringing him and that which she was giving herself in his stead. His eyes locked onto the expression, and he could not look away from the raw emotion on her muzzle, a true statement of how much she was enjoying her teasing actions. He would not be finishing with these slow movements, not yet, but his moans and sounds of pleasure had been filling the air around them. Looking down at her paw on his member, he spoke in a shaky voice when she released him to reach for herself, “Lia, oh fuck. I want to taste you and touch you. My desire for you grows every moment I can’t.” Moaning deeply as he watched her bring her slick fingers back to his manhood, his breath catching in an intense gasp as his head fell back and looked up into the sky at the introduction of her lubrication. Staring up as a pattern began of gasping breaths turning into low moans, Romulus moved his left paw to grip the minotaur horn on his chest. He could not reach her directly, but the bond they shared in their hearts and the pendants brought him the sensation of holding her to him. Looking down at her as she spoke, Romulus moaned deeply before responding breathlessly, “Allow me to touch you Lia, and I will show you the pleasure you have brought me.” As Juliana shifted her position, so did Romulus. He propped himself up on his left elbow as his right paw started to reach out to touch her and claim more of her. Starting at her cheek, he rubbed his thumb under her eye slowly before sliding his paw down her neck where his fingers dug into the thicker fur gently to comb through it as he continued downwards. Finding her breast, he squeezed it gently and slowly, enjoying the sensation that he had watched her doing earlier while he was too far away to take part. Rubbing his thumb over her nipple in a slow circle, he brought his index finger up to pinch her nub softly. .

19:41

Romulus watched her hand track down her body slowly, his eyes following the course of her hand as he now had the freedom to follow it. His fingers moved down her stomach before wrapping around to find her waist. Letting his paw move over her lower back slowly, he reached her backside and squeezed hungrily, pulling her hips to the side before releasing as his eyes saw the motion of her hand at the center of her being. Running his paw down the outside of her thigh with a smirk on his lips, he let his claws follow behind gently in order to split the fur softly on her outer thigh. Wrapping his paw around to the inside of her thigh, he pulled it up slightly before relenting and raising his hand up on to her core while keeping his hand behind her thigh. Extending his fingers over the heat that he could feel coming from her core, he let his middle finger make contact at the top of her slit before drawing back slowly over her damp lips. Pushing it back forward so that he could press against the underside of her clit gently, he circled his fingertip around the sensitive nub slowly. His eyes moved to meet hers as his index and ring fingers played as well, running along her outer lips before coming to a stop alongside his middle finger. Smiling before a deep moan left his lips at her stroking of his member, he brought the fingertips of his index and ring fingers in slightly to press against the interior portions of her clit. @Fiory

Juliana gasped gently, her back arching gently at the softly touch of his pads sliding against the delicate folds. A shiver of delight, racing up and down her spine had caused that. She had enjoyed the sensation when she had sampled herself, moved her own fingers in order to wet his length with her own but such a difference when she felt him against her instead! More so than she had thought. Her immediate reaction was the desire to press into his fingers, envelop them in the head and slick opening that invited him so wonderfully within. It took all her willpower to stay where she was. To remain so he could explore her sensitivity as much as he pleased. However, the reaction did come with its own consequences. Lia was stroking Rom at the same time, her palm gently resting against the tip of his length when she felt the pad of his middle finger rest and tease at the bundle of nerves between her legs. As a result of this, her paw grasped hold of him tightly, far more than she had meant to, though not all together in a painful way. Her hand pulsed around him as she held fast there a moment, and then another moment longer. Her moans at first came out as gentle high pitched whines, needy and hungry and singing to the only audience she wanted to hear her.

20:29

. “R-Rom…. Please…” were the only words she had the cognitive ability to say, a pant on her muzzle as she felt hot to the touch. Her breath came shaky and her tail curled in delight at the soft sensations he brought to her. The she-wolf wanted more. Needed more of him. Her knees slid ever so gently further apart, wanting him to explore her more, play at her folds, even taste her if he so wished to. Slowly she returned to stroking him, her eyes closing sweetly as she enjoyed the teasing motions he would make and the massaging rubbing that she would do to him. Her pace went back to the speed of before, wanting only the ecstasy of his moans to fill her ears again. His singing was decadent. It was a rich desire that she craved to hear. Her hips would gently roll against his fingers while he explored her wet folds, sliding back and forth against him so he could really feel every wet fleshy part of her. Juliana felt her heart in her throat, happily letting her head remain back so she could show her mate the mark he’d left and ensure all the world this evening could see it too.

20:30

. The thought had crossed her mind and it made her cheeks flush brightly at it. Her Mate Yes. That sounded right. Romulus would be hers. Marked for her. Destined by Gaia to remain at her side. And hopefully one day in the future they would bare the finest litter of both Silverfang and Grayback. The small image had flashed across her mind’s eye temporarily before another soft wave of euphoria blurred the image and brought Lia back to the present. A cool crisp breeze brushed past her body and fluttered her tail and her fur. It made her shiver and moan lightly at its touch. It was as if the world wanted to add to the pair’s enjoyment of their bodies, and wanted to participate in the light foreplay game they played of teasing and taunting. Feeling her body warm at his touch, wanting nothing more than to have him fuck her until she was full and knotted by him, Lia gently let herself lean forward against his abdomen and chest. She remained stroking him, rubbing that length in her hand and paying special attention to the head of him while she did so. It was hard to concentrate on her actions, to dictate what she wanted to do in her head to him, so instead Lia allowed instinct to take over. She was wet, needy and wanted him all to herself. The female also wanted him to feel as good as possible, to explode in her hand if she could make him. So in her desire to bring her partner the experience she desired for them both, Lia’s muzzle came down gently against the shaft she stroked.

20:30

. In full view of him, her hand slunk down and held at his base, propping the male organ up so it stood to meet Juliana’s muzzle when it approached. There was a small look, once or twice given to him, a shaky breath escaping her lips feeling him continue to tease and play at her. It sent shivers through her hand that vibrated the base of him. With her free hand, having wanted him to tease her no more, delighting in the game but willing to lose if it meant losing to him, Lia pressed his paw against her slit. Her free hand rubbed the back of his, and her fingers gently guided his fingers to the waiting opening, shining and pulsing hungrily for something of him to press into her depths. At the same time, Juliana made her intentions clear as she could, a gentle sigh escaping her lips against the side of his cock to tease it further. “If you wish… a taste… then know I will do the same…” she whispered, her ears falling back softly as her jaws opened. For anyone else the sight might have been terrifying, her canines gleaming in the moonlight, shining and coated in saliva. Instead of teeth raking against the sensitive organ, her long pink tongue came out instead to greet it, pulling from the base of him and licking tenderly all the way up to the tip. It wrapped around the girth he had though not fully being able to cover the thing before the very tip of her tongue flicked gently across the top of him. It coated his cock in saliva, warm and wet that chilled a little with the breeze of the evening. To tease him further after the lick had been given, she gently blew lightly against him, wanting to send shivers through his body to tease and torment him. Perhaps this would teach him to keep himself from being hurt.

20:30

. Tenderly, her lips returned to him, starting at the base and lining kisses up the base of his throbbing appendage. She was sure he would want release, as she did soon. But she was also deathly curious and incredibly needing to taste him. To hold him intimately and to have him do the same. Her kisses traveled up his length, paying special attention to the portion of him where his shaft met the head of his spade, before sliding back downward and allowing her hand to continue the work. To continue the unrelenting stroking and to bring Romulus begging for more of her. In her motions she had slid her hips closer, easier for him to move his hand and slide where he wanted to between her legs. This had been purposeful on her part. If she was going to kiss at him and delight in teasing him, she expected she would not get away with doing it alone. Lia had the feeling that Romulus would likely want revenge on her cruelty, and the ivory fae desired nothing less from him. Each time he circled the little bud between her thighs Juliana praised his efforts with gentle moans and gasps of ecstasy. She would sing gentle tunes, encouraging him for more, pleading for the male to pleasure her as much as he damn well pleased. Her free hand moved away from his after a while, requiring to lay palm down on his chest in order to stabilize herself. Another soft howling moan escaped her lips as she let her head rest against his abdomen a moment, her ears falling sweetly in a comforted bliss. His touch was glorious, and she just wanted more of it.

20:30

@Himbo Tie

Hearing Juliana’s gasp as his fingers teased her lips, Romulus grinned and released a low moan as he felt how wet and inviting she was. His moan quickly turned to a gasp of his own as her paw gripped his member tightly, her hand stilling and shaking slightly as he teased her. It was a pleasant feeling, one that he enjoyed thoroughly, so he kept his movements on her steady. Rolling his middle finger slowly against the sensitive nub that caught his attention initially, Rom allowed his index and ring fingers to slowly slide up along her and then back to massage the outer petals of her flower. Looking up to her as he let a low moan roll through his chest, he bit his lip and watched the small changes to Lia’s face as her moans shifted to high-pitched whines at his very touch. He wanted to hear more of what she had to offer to him, in the same way he would not hold back from giving her his praise and sounds of enjoyment. Hearing her words, Romulus offered a soft chuckle before replying, his voice carrying a soothing tune with it, “Yes Lia, what do you want?” His words shifted to being more breathless as he watched her panting due to what he was doing. The way she had stopped moving and was focused only on feeling what he had to offer was perfection to Romulus. Drawing his fingers back slowly to tease along her slit and lips, he let his head fall back slowly when her paw started to stroke him again. Low moans rolled from his throat as her strokes returned to the speed from before. Romulus moved his fingers back up across her entrance and her lips, his middle and index fingers finding her clit in order to roll around the sensitive nub gently. .

23:38

Feeling Juliana’s hips working in slow rolling motions against his fingers, Romulus dug them in slowly so that she got more pressure and pleasure from the sensations. He kept his fingertips at her clit, slowly massaging it as he collected more of her nectar on his pads. He wanted to enter her, but the more her moans of pleasure reached his ears, the more he realized that this was where he needed to be: teasing her and bringing her pleasure that made her forget who or where she was. Her knees spreading made his access to her easier, and he lifted his fingers from her clit to lay all of his fingers over her. Pressing upwards slightly and rubbing his fingers in a quick circular motion over her, Romulus pushed up with his left arm in order to press his lips against her thigh closest to him. Kissing up her thigh slightly, he let his teeth graze over her gently before settling back down and letting his arm rest again. Watching the way that she postured her neck to show off his marking, Romulus could not help but smile as he imagined the rest of the world being able to see her in this moment. Juliana was his and his alone. He would not share her with anyone, and as if to strengthen his claim to her, he felt Gaia’s breeze blow over them gently to spread their combined scents to the world so that nothing was left for guessing. Moaning softly as the breeze played over his slick member in conjunction with her paw stroking over him, Romulus let his eyes close as his fingers separated slowly from her soaked core. He did not want to leave her alone, and so his middle and ring fingers slid slowly back from her clit to tease her silky folds as he brought his fingertips back towards her entrance. Finding the beginning of her wet embrace, he prodded his fingers gently against her before pulling his fingers away and back towards her clit. Rubbing his middle finger over the tip of her clit, his index and ring fingers massaged under it against the silky flesh there. .

23:39

Watching Juliana lean forward slowly and gently press against his chest and abdomen, Romulus felt his fingers still for a moment as he watched her paw working over his member. Groaning and gasping softly when she brought her attention to his head, Romulus was able to slowly get his fingers moving again, though they were not as intricate as before. Gentle rubbing motions along her slit as his eyes were locked on her movements along his length, needy moans flowing from his muzzle easily as he watched her paw bringing him to higher levels of pleasure. He wanted nothing more than to put her in front of him and breed her, his knot swelling inside her to hold him deep so that he could deposit his seed into her. However, as her head lowered slowly with her paw pausing at the base of his cock, Romulus could not stop the desperate moan that flowed from his lips as he spoke, “Lia, I want you so badly, I cannot stand being without you.” Feeling her paw reaching down to find his, Romulus moaned softly and brought his left paw up to rub over the side of her torso, his fingers moving to tease and rub at her closest breast needily. Drawing his paw back on her slit slowly, he moaned softly at the small massaging motions of her fingers on the back of his paw. Gently rubbing his fingers over her in much the same fashion until he reached her entrance, Romulus moaned deeply as he felt how wet and inviting Juliana was for him. Gliding his index finger around in a slow circle around her entrance, he moaned softly as he pushed his finger into her. He moved slowly, not wanting to bring his mate any undo pain or discomfort as he allowed his finger deeper into her. That was what she was: his mate, his heart, his breath, his very life. She would experience no negative emotions if he had any say in the matter, and now he would bring her pleasure. .

23:39

As his finger eased into her slowly before hilting at his knuckle, Romulus curled it gently as he pulled it out. His breath turned to as gasp as he felt Lia’s breath on his cock, and he quickly shifted his gaze down to where she held his member pointing at her, his eyes curious of what she was going to do. Smirking as he pulled his finger in and out of her gently and at a slow pace, Romulus spread his grip slightly so that he could position his thumb gently over Juliana’s clit. Rubbing his thumb carefully through the nectar that had spread over her silky-smooth flesh, he gathered enough to make his thumb easily glide over her sensitive nub. Looking down at her muzzle near his cock, he let his jaw lower as a soft panting could be heard while he listened to her words. Watching her jaw open slowly to expose her sharp canines as well as her wanting tongue, Romulus smirked slightly as he let his gaze catch on to the gleam of her teeth. They were built to tear and shred, causing wounds that would bleed out creatures larger than themselves or that would outright kill prey smaller than them. Seeing her teeth gleaming over his member, he felt no fear in his heart. There was no fear for Juliana, not out of disrespect but because of the trust he had in her. Absolute, life-altering, trust. A low groan could be heard as her tongue wrapped around his girth, Romulus's head falling back slowly while his finger inside of her stilled for a moment. A long, shuddering moan fell from his lips as her tongue slid slowly up his length. Closing his eyes and enjoying the contact, he allowed his finger to begin its slow pumping once again, though he kept his thumb moving in a tight circle around her clit. When the warmth of her tongue left his manhood only to be replaced by her cool breath, he pulled his index finger slowly out of her, his middle finger taking its place now. .

23:39

He slid his middle finger in slowly, allowing her to adjust to the slightly larger finger as he coated it in her nectar as well. Feeling her walls quivering with anticipation, Romulus pulled out his finger before pressing the tips of his index and middle fingers against her opening. When he could feel his fingers beginning to slide into her, Romulus slowly pushed himself in further before pausing as he felt her lips at the base of his manhood. Feeling her kisses as they moved over his shaft, Romulus moaned softly and laid his head back, his eyes looking up blissfully as he felt her lips paying attention to the union of his shaft and head. Pushing his fingers upwards slowly to allow more of him inside of her, Romulus reached brought his left paw up to grasp firmly at Juliana’s rear. His fingers dug into her flesh hungrily as he allowed the fingers of his other paw to slide deeper into her. Moaning deeply as he curled his fingers inside of her, he lifted his head to look at her as he spoke breathlessly, “Lia, your lips feel so good, my Love. Your voice is a gift to my ears, one I cannot get enough of.” Feeling her head against his abdomen before Juliana removed her hand from his, Romulus let a playful growl roll from his lips as he withdrew his fingers from her. Bringing them to his mouth, he licked her nectar off slowly before letting another deep moan roll from his lips. She tasted delectable, like the perfect finish to the perfect meal. Grinning, he shifted his left paw to the inside of her left thigh while his right went to grab the back of her right thigh just underneath the natural curve of her rear. Lifting slowly, he brought her closer to him before setting her down to adjust his grip to place his paws on the underside of her hips. Lifting her again so that her flower was over his collarbone and on display to him, Romulus set her down gently and wrapped both arms around her thighs. .

23:40

With his left paw holding her backside hungrily and his right gripping the back of her thigh gently, Romulus looked to the nectar dripping from where he had been teasing more of it out of her. Letting his tongue out slowly, he laid it flat so that he could lightly press it over her. His tongue covered the entirety of her slit, and as he pulled it back into his mouth, he curled the tip in order to glide over her clit and collect her juices. Moaning deeply as he tasted her, Romulus placed his muzzle against her inner thigh and spoke with a husky voice, “Lia, you taste so good. You taste better than anything I’ve ever had.” Letting his tongue back out, he let it flatten to cover her lips as he pulled it into his mouth. However, he pushed his tongue back out, letting the slick underside dance over her clit before he let it flip over and settle there. Shifting the tip of his tongue back and forth on her sensitive nub, Romulus withdrew his right paw from where it was holding onto the back of her thigh. Dragging it over her ass with his claws following to leave gentle scratches under the fur, he brought his paw to her treasure. Sucking on her clit gently before pulling his tongue back, he let his thumb move to take its original position. His thumb moved in small and tight circles around the pearl as his tongue made its way back along her slit before slipping into her waiting entrance slowly, exploring gently where his fingers had been. @Fiory

The gentle sounds that escaped the she-wolf’s muzzle were silk in the air. Hanging so the male she knelt beside could enjoy the sultry sounds as much as he pleased. Her body warm and needy, wanting the enemy on his back beside her far more than thought previously would be possible. Her tongue would play and groom at him, tender flicking motions just to tease and tantalize Romulus. She had taken one, and then another trip with her tongue up his length before she’d feel him invade her insides. The single digit slid into her and was hugged on all sides instantly. A shuddering exhale falling from her mouth at the sensation of it. The motions of it sliding in and out of her made Juliana want to give in and let him have his way with her. It made her melt and want far more than just his finger. Lia was enjoying sliding her long pink tongue against him while he fingered her, her back arching a bit, feeling him switch to the slightly larger digit instead. Juliana couldn’t help the gentle pant she made against his abdomen, her eyes closed softly and her jaw open to let herself take in air and push it out heated against his fur. Her ears flicked a little hearing him talk to her through the moaning he made, and for a moment she opened her eyes to look back at him. He’d taken his fingers from her, and was licking them like a bear would enjoy honey. It made the fae blush scarlet. She’d never seen something so lewd and so enticing in her life. Part of her wanted to bolt upright and move away from him, not exactly wanting to be the prey to his predator. However, with how heated she was the part that held her firmly there would allow the thought to be known by the glitter in those blue eyes.

11:34

.

11:35

If you like it so much, then eat your fill if you can…

11:35

. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind, and her attention had turned back towards that waiting member just dying for more of her attention, did Juliana feel her body pulled closer, jerked a little towards him. She quirked a brow at him, her paws sliding over his abdomen as he moved her. What in Gaia’s name was he doing? Her ears stood to alert, her head up as she felt his paws slide along her thighs grasping for a better position. Her palms fell gently over his abdomen, keeping herself balanced when she felt her hips lift and settle. Juliana, now laying atop him with her legs spread one on either side, immediately attempted to sit up. His arms grabbed her thighs as she moved which made her back arch while her paws walked her backwards, lifting her chest off his abdomen in the process. “Rom…what are yo-” Her words were immediately stolen from her. It had taken merely a touch, the gentle caress of his tongue against her sensitive folds that made her head tilt back to allow a moan ring out into the night air. Her tail curled over her arched spine. It was good she had released his cock, considering her paws now on his abdomen curled gently into his fur. They certainly would have pinched or possibly scratched the sensitive organ with her claws had she not removed them when she did. There was a hint of a whine on her lips, shivering in his grasp when his tongue flicked against that sensitive bud.

11:35

. “Oh my….” She panted, not expecting his tongue to feel so nice against her. Weak in the elbows, Juliana slowly lowered herself back down, having fully understood now what exactly he was doing. Her ears fell softly against her skull, her arms reaching forward on either side of him to palm and stroke down his abdomen, across his hips and landing just on his upper thigh area. Her muzzle slid against the sides of him, nuzzling gently before she decided two could play at this little game. Slowly, ensuring her canines were well covered as to not damage the sensitive skin, Juliana slid the flesh cock into her warm wet muzzle. Past gentle and sweet lips, nestled on a thick pink muscle that was all too happy to wrap and stroked at him as it entered. Slow and deep she let the thing enter her mouth, soaking it with her heat and saliva. Lia’s tongue would pulse against it, wanting nothing more than to excite and tease this male before her. To add to it, her paws that had been stretched out over his hips and upper thighs, slid light against his fur and muscles to the inner section of him. Her fingers gently fell over his fur, meeting in the middle where his balls sat untouched and unmessed with. That wouldn’t last long. With gentle strokes and massaging pinches, Juliana took hold of the fleshy mounds.

11:35

Just over her shoulders he’d be able to see the back of Lia’s head bob up and down, her pace increasing as time went on. Her tongue within her mouth pressing and rolling against the thick meat that it teased her. Once or twice she lifted her lips a small amount, only to allow her canines to tickle and drag along him. Not enough to leave marks, just enough to feel the danger and intensity that it would bring. While Lia focused on that task within her mouth and paws, her body ached wanting to fall off the mountain she was climbing. Every so often she would moan loud enough for him to hear even with her mouth full, sending vibrations of sound down into the tip of him. At one point her body felt like it was on fire, slipping most of him out of her muzzle so she could cry out into the air, desperate and needing him to hear her. “I.. ohhh Rom.. I… I’m..” She panted, heavy breaths on this cock as she hadn’t quite released him from her mouth, just let him lay on her tongue towards the entrance of her. Needing breath as she felt a euphoric sensation rush through her, a paw slid up and began stroking at the exposed portion of him quickly. It was an instinct she worked on, wanting nothing more than to feel and taste the release for him while she fought to try and hold hers back as much as she could. She wanted to cum for him, and she wanted him to cum for her.

11:35

@Himbo Tie

The confusion in Juliana’s tone when she was moved brought a smile to Romulus’s snout, his mind racing between his anticipation of being able to taste her and wanting to tease her. The need to taste her overruled the idea of teasing her, as his tongue quickly found itself flowing over her and then into her. His breathing came out in deep moans as he felt her paws grip his fur, holding herself up above him with her back arched in pleasure. Seeing her tail curl over her back in response to what he did to her, Romulus grinned as he rolled his tongue inside her, wanting to taste all that she had to offer. He pulled back slowly, his lips leaving her petals before his tongue slowly followed. Looking up at her glistening flower, he ran his tongue over her once more before speaking in a deep voice, “Trust me Lia; I would do nothing but bring you pleasure.” Lifting his lips up to kiss over her core again, Romulus kept his thumb working in a tight circular pattern around her clit. His left paw gripped at her ass and pulled hungrily, wanting to claim as much of her as he could. His claws ran over her flesh in gentle scratches that split Juliana’s fur and allowed him access to her flesh. He left gentle red marks over the perfect globe above his face, his eyes closing for a moment before he allowed his tongue to lay flat over her lips. Drawing back and then pushing forward towards her sensitive nub, he let the tip of his tongue curl gently to play with her delicate inner lips just beneath her clit. Letting his tongue dip beneath them before rolling over to lick them properly, he moaned deeply and pulled his mouth back from her when he felt her attention return to his member. .

04:07

Feeling his head fall back slowly as he looked up at the beautiful view above him, Romulus looked up at the gentle ivory and silver fur that ringed Juliana’s treasure. Seeing the way her fur contrasted with the night sky above them, Romulus closed his eyes and released a deep, rolling moan. Her paws sliding up his thighs to hold at the base of his member brought his eyes open slightly as he looked between her body and his. The small window of vision blessed him with a sight that caused his member to twitch within Juliana’s warm and perfect mouth. Seeing her lips and tongue working up and down his member at a steady, quick pace, Romulus released a low, whining moan before desperate words spilled from his lips, “Lia, my love, that feels so good. Please, do not stop.” Watching her lips lift away from her teeth and his cock to allow her canines to slide gently against him, Romulus let out a strangled gasp before lifting his lips back up to hers. Kissing her and tasting her anticipation as it flooded into his waiting mouth, Romulus extended his left paw up Juliana’s back. Letting his claws drag gently down her back, he ended the movement just above her tail. Letting his fingers rest on either side of her tail, he massaged his fingers gently into the sensitive muscles there, his hands mimicking the movements he had seen from mated couples in his pack. Shifting his right paw to slowly glide over her smooth abdomen, he stopped it on the underside of her breasts, which he squeezed gently before letting his fingers find her right nipple. Pinching and rolling the pert pearl gently, Romulus extended his tongue over Juliana’s pussy once again, his tongue settling the tip over her clit. .

04:07

Rolling his tongue in a gentle pattern around her clit, he pulled it back across her lips before swallowing the delectable liquids that he collected. Bringing his right paw back to allow it to continue its gentle pleasuring of her clit, Romulus pushed his tongue deep into Juliana again. Feeling her moans vibrating through his captured member while her fingers massaged and played with his sensitive pouch, Romulus could not stop the small thrust that his hips gave, forcing his cock a little deeper into her mouth. Rolling his tongue within her and feeling the tip rubbing against the forward wall, he added additional pressure as he let his mouth press fully against her. His snout pressed up against her lips with enough hunger that he felt her body shift upwards, his tongue diving as deep as he could get it before he opened his mouth to breathe in her scent. In this most intimate of locations, Romulus could smell the true scent the Juliana provided, and it was nothing short of intoxicating. He could not get enough, and as he kept his tongue working deep inside of her, he could not stop pressing his nose against her to drink in the glorious scent that she gave to him. Pulling back with a gasp and a raspy moan, Romulus closed his eyes and licked over her inner thighs, his tongue tasting the scent as much as he smelled it. His member throbbed and swelled as the pheromones drove through him, bringing Romulus’s eyes open with his pupils enlarged far beyond where they had been before. His tongue lolled from his mouth for a moment before he lifted himself again to capture her flower with his lips and tongue. .

04:08

Tracing her lips with his tongue slowly as his index and middle fingers took up the place of his thumb on her clit, Romulus moaned softly as he felt her lips move to release his as her tongue stayed put on the sensitive head of his cock. Feeling her hot, needy breath against him, Romulus repaid the pleasure by letting his warm breath bask over her flower before he closed his lips over her. Kissing all over her, he let his tongue dip back into her entrance when he heard the words that came from her lips. Moaning deeply and holding still for a moment, Romulus drove his tongue deep into Juliana’s entrance with increased fervor, his new mission clear as day to him. She wanted to cum, she was close, and he would bring her to it. Though, as her paw began to pump over his sensitive manhood, he could not ignore his own needs. Pulling back slightly to look down at her paw stroking him quickly while she held his head on her tongue, Romulus breathed out a shuddering breath as he felt his member beginning to swell with anticipation. Moaning softly as he worked his hips in a few slow thrusts up towards her, Romulus let his words come out without trying to overcome the shaky tone, “O-oh fuck...Lia yes, my love...Oh Gaia. Lia, I’m going to...oh fuck Lia, I’m about to cum.” As he finished with a desperate moan, Romulus let his tongue return deep inside her with a hungry neediness to taste all that she could give to him. @Fiory

The quiet of the night was broken by the gentle moans and whines from the pair of wolves enjoying each other’s company. There would be no peace, no sleep for the creatures in the vicinity of them. Neither of them cared for the noise they made. There was no concept of anything around them, just focused on each other and the sounds their partner’s sang out into the darkened night sky. Juliana panted against the male under her, her paws stroking and begging for him to release. Each time his tongue slid against her, each word he said, every moan fell delicate on her ears. She enjoyed every sound he made. The pleading gasps, the begging moans. All of it. Her back arched when she felt his claws at her backside, but not in a dissatisfied way. No, she loved that he wanted to hold her close, wanted to keep her secured so he had access to every part of her sensitive folds. Not like she would have moved away from him to begin with. I’m glad it feels good my love. Please.. Keep enjoying my mouth… I certainly am enjoying yours.. The thought was lewd, but Juliana didn’t care. There was none other than Romulus and herself. No one else existed and all she wanted, deep within her, was to give as much pleasure to the male beneath her as possible. That, and she desperately wanted to flip around. There was a primal need, a desire to take him properly. His tongue was glorious within her slick tight entrance but the she-wolf wanted him far deeper and thicker still. The idea of having him fill her, take her as his, sent shivers through her body. Her hips rolled against his tongue and she whined sweetly at the sensation of him. For now, this would do. For now this was acceptable. But only for now. Juliana was used to getting what she wanted as the next in line to be leader of the Silverfangs. She wanted Romulus. And she was determined that at some point she would have him, and all of him. Nothing but him would do, and the decision was so implanted in her mind that no one could

00:28

convince her otherwise.

00:28

. While she coiled and played at his cock, groping at it with her tongue and letting it plunge into her mouth and then slide back out again, she blinked with wide eyes feeling him thrust involuntarily for more. For the briefest of moments, she thought perhaps she was going too far, too hard, he was flinching or perhaps it wasn’t pleasurable for him. She had been careful, keeping her sharp canines tucked behind soft lips to keep from hurting him, only dragging her teeth over him very lightly a few times. Her ear flicked backwards to check and feeling his snout shove as far as he could into her told her all she needed to know. No, he loved that… lets go again then… Juliana wickedly thought, feeling her body heat and shiver at him. She couldn’t keep this up for much longer. But she also didn’t want this to end, she would spend the rest of her life just pleasing him if she could. The only reason she was able to last as long as she had, was because he had to keep moving his tongue and snout away to catch breath between pleasuring her. That soon wouldn’t cut it any further. It felt electric, like lightning was building and wanting to explode down her spine. The tingling sensation was a warning, her body’s alert system that something was coming, something massive and enjoyable. She was right there at the edge, and she could feel the torture of waiting, of getting there, of needing it more than breath and more than anything else. His tongue seemed to find this new sense of duty, this new drive, sliding into her and tickling at her insides with an increased ferocity. She had given him a warning, needing to tell him she was close and could barely contain the release she could feel was coming. Her ears fell gently on the back of her head, letting her paws do more of the work, wanting nothing more than for him to finish with her, desperate and greedily stroking him.

00:29

. His words were all she needed. They sent a flurry through her like nothing she’d felt before. Her back arched and she moaned softly, pushing her hips back in the process. Her paw squeezed at him, pressing at the underside of cock waiting for that promise he’d made. Coaxing, her fingers played at the sensitive tip of him, twirling the mixture of saliva and precum around to plead, beg with the sensitive organ for it’s release at last. Her body shivered, holding him but unable to hold out herself any longer. “R-Rom… I’m… Ohhhh Y-Y-You’re… going to make me… cum… I can’t Ahhh!” Juliana could barely get the words out. Lewd and raunchy as they were, she didn’t care. Couldn’t have cared who heard as long as Romulus was one of them. That sensation ran through her body and he’d be able to feel her insides pulse and flood over his tongue. Her walls gripped and rubbed against his tongue in rhythmic waves of ecstatic pleasure, pulsing as if they wanted to squeeze around him as tightly as they could. A splash of sweetness to coat that invading pink muscle came next, meant for the meat of him but certainly a well earned release. Lia couldn’t help pushing herself back against him, not wanting him to have the choice of breath until she had thoroughly finished, her head tilting back, begging him in a sweet moan in a voice full of desire and sexual need. She squeezed at him, begging and hoping for his compliance, requiring his need and as much as he could possibly give. Her words were barely above a whisper, enough to be heard but only for his ears while her body quivered around him in delight. Every breath was a pant, her fur glowing in the moonlight’s brilliance, basked in an euphoric high she was becoming delirious from. “Please… Cum for me Rom…”

00:29

@Himbo Tie

Feeling Juliana’s tongue, lips, and paws working over his manhood steadily, Romulus could not stop his hips from working upward gently a few times, his tip desperate to push down the tight embrace of her throat that he felt. He held himself back though, as his hips fell back with a deep moan of need. Romulus felt his mind losing awareness of the world around him as he kept his tongue deep inside of his mate. That’s what she was, but he was not able to prove it to her or Gaia properly by taking her completely. He felt an urge to push up and ignore his injuries in order to fuck her appropriately and claim her body as his, but he recognized that would mean losing the delicious taste that currently filled his mouth and covered his lips. He could feel her body beginning to grow closer to the release he so desired from her, her hips pushing back to force herself further onto his ready mouth. Moaning deeply and allowing his tongue deep access into her, Romulus kept his eyes locked on her rear where it was posed over him. Looking over her globes as he moved his left paw back to desperately grip and hold them, Romulus breathed in deeply as he kept his tongue deep inside her. Enjoying the flavors of her scent and her flower as they mingled in his mouth, Romulus could not stop the ragged moans that came from his mouth as he tried to enjoy both flavors together. Every bit of her essence he smelled and drop of her nectar that he swallowed went straight to his member, causing it to swell and pulse needily in her paws and mouth. He was approaching the end of his ability to hold himself back from cumming, and as she continued to stroke him, he was finding his will to hold out crumbling. .

09:16

His hips worked against him as he felt Juliana’s paw grip down hard on his shaft, slow thrusts pushing up through her grasp as Romulus’s member continued to get stimulation. Pushing his lips against her as she pushed into him, Romulus let his tongue dive deep into her, desiring to push her further still. His left paw rose from where it was on her tail to smack her backside before taking a greedy handful. Thrusting powerfully into her grip as he held her ass to keep her in place, Romulus let his tongue fall from her embrace for a moment so that he could moan and whisper for her to hear him, “Oh fuck Lia, I’m so close. I feel I am about to explode, do not stop.” Pushing his snout against her again and driving his tongue into her again, he felt the textured area on the front of her velvety walls and pushed his tongue against it hungrily. Closing his jaws lightly to glide his lower canines along the flesh that ran with her flower, Romulus moaned deeply and kept his ministrations on her delicate clit up with his fingers. Rubbing either side and pinching lightly, he felt her grip on his member growing stronger and moaned deeply against her. Pushing his hips up harder and faster, he could feel his jewels beginning to tighten up against himself as his orgasm approached at a faster and faster pace. Shifting his legs to plant his feet against the ground and give himself more traction, he thrust up through her hand with a low growl before dropping his mouth and speaking in a desperate tone, “Please Lia, let me feel your mouth again, I will finish soon.” .

09:17

As he finished speaking, Romulus moved his tongue back inside her with a desperate moan as he felt her fingers beginning to coax over his sensitive tip. He felt his manhood beginning to swell and twitch as his hips lost their rhythm and he relaxed them back to the ground. Her walls around his tongue tightened and shivered before he heard the delectable moans and words that came from her lips. Keeping up his movements over her clit, he held his left paw on her lower back to keep her in place as he kept his tongue waiting for her offering. Hearing her speak so freely caused his cock to swell further in her grip and his ears to perk forward as he made the effort to hear her every breathy gasp and word. Feeling her nectar beginning to run over his tongue, he curled his pink muscle inside of her to lap out all that she had to offer him. His desire to taste all that Juliana had to offer was the only thought on his mind. Drinking in her sweetness that filled his mouth, Romulus lost control of himself when he heard her words coming through the song of her moans. Thrusting once and then twice, he let out a guttural moan as he drank in her nectar and kept his tongue inside of her. His member swelled and finally released several thick ropes of his seed, several of them reaching into her mouth and on her muzzle before the final shots fell short and coated his lower stomach. .

09:17

As soon as the cum started to shoot from him, her paw on his base would feel his impressive knot beginning to form, a tool that would be used to lock her in place so that his seed would fill her and none of it would be wasted. His mouth fell away from her as his head fell back, his breath coming in ragged gasps, moans, and words, “Oh yes. Oh fuck. Lia. Lia yes. Oh Lia. Mmmmmm fuck Lia.” His paw on her clit fell away as his hold on his senses started to lapse. Bringing his arm up to wrap around her lower back as well, he lifted his head and began lapping at her flower slowly as his knot grew more and more to its full size, much like that of a grapefruit. Nuzzling against her flower and drinking in her nectar as it stopped flowing, he spoke in a low voice, “I wish you could feel that inside of you where it belongs Lia, but alas this is a substitute we must work through until I can hold my own.” Reaching his right paw down with a groan and rubbing at his sore abdomen and the fiery pain that had sparked up in his chest wound, Romulus groaned softly in disappointment at himself. He wanted to give Juliana what she deserved, but his body would not cooperate. Groaning as he moved his left arm off of her and pushed gently against her right hip with his right paw, Romulus started to sit up slowly as soon as she was not over him anymore, his lips missing the taste and feel of her own. @Fiory

Juliana’s ears that had been relaxed back, her body shivering during her own climax, shot forward at his words. Her soft blue eyes enjoyed hearing him moan, especially her name even though he couldn’t say the full length of it. It wasn’t like she could either. Before she had time to react, Juliana felt the sticky thickness of him fire out. Some erupted into her mouth, coating her tongue before she pulled far enough away to avoid further salty ropes down her throat. Unconscious of it, Juliana ended up swallowing what had fell in her maw, blinking as a string coated a line over her nose and muzzle. She sat up a little, allowing the rest of him to pool on his abdomen. Gently, Lia let her nose dip down and her tongue hang out, softly licking at him, cleaning and grooming the mess he made on himself. There was a soft hum on her lips, her tongue even reaching far enough to caress the knot of him softly. He tasted of musk and salt and wildness that she could not place. Her tail swayed back and forth above him gently. She delighted in this, ensuring his fur was sufficiently cleaned before turning her attention to the thread over her nose. Juliana had lifted her paw in order to wipe her face clean when she felt him gently shove her hip to indicate he needed her to get off of him. Gingerly, still feeling a little shaky, Lia complied, sliding off of Romulus and sitting up to face him next to her. Her legs curved elegantly next to her, and she leaned on her paw for stability. Her free paw came back to her muzzle, wiping the last remaining rope that he’d left on her face off. She felt she would need a bit more of a wash to really get it all out, but for now she was content with letting the musk of her mix with her own natural scent slightly.

19:30

. Panting gently, Juliana wanted nothing more than to lean into Romulus and enjoy the comfort of his arms. The night was wearing on, and she was sufficiently tired enough not to care where she lay her head to rest tonight, even though she knew eventually she would have to return home again. Until then, Lia let her muzzle come forward and plant tender kisses on his chest and neck. Her nose dug into his fur, inhaling deeply the mixture of herself and him that lingered there. It matched so perfectly together, like the sun rising after the moon and all her stars. He had a hearty scent of the woods, of dirt and she adored how wild it was. Hers was akin to the clean waters of the falls at their backs, delicate yet crashing and serene. Satisfied, Lia lifted a paw to draw Romulus’s gaze her way. She had never felt so free and so alive in that moment, in that euphoric existence that she had just shared with him. Her eyes shone brightly, dreamy like a haze had fallen sweetly upon them like winter’s first frost on the ground. It was in this moment of silence, this gentle quiet that the world seemed to let them be. They had disturbed the peace of the evening for so long, and yet here the world allowed them this quiet serenity. The she-wolf took in all of his features, the dark gray of his fur with its splash of copper and lighter gray along his muzzle. The dark ebony of his nose, the ferocity in his golden eyes. Her stark white contrast much brighter against it, her paw gently holding his cheek and even stroking at the fur there tenderly. A soft smile came to her face, and Juliana leaned forward to kiss him. She didn’t ask for permission; she didn’t need to. He belonged to her. She belonged to him. As far as Lia was concerned, there was no one else that would capture his lips but her own. She at least had been courteous enough to ensure her mouth had been sufficiently wiped down of his spunk before hand. In addition to that, she just wanted that sweet embrace. He had been lic

19:30

king and stimulating her lower lips long enough that the ones she used to communicate with him more often felt lonesome without his touch.

19:30

The kiss didn’t last long, just enough to convey her feelings of contentment and joy. Despite the argument that had come about prior to their primal need with one another, the evening had been a roaring success for Juliana. Moving just slightly, Lia shifted back on her rump not wanting to let her paw leave his face as if she were afraid he would disappear from in front of her if she did. Instead, Juliana spoke words that could only come from the heart. Sincere and full of that quiet serenity that only comes in the afterglow of such a delightful event they shared. Her tail swayed softly across the dirt and grass beneath them. Her ears stood to attention, keeping any sound he made on the highest priority list. Let the world know, let the Silverfangs and the Graybacks know. Let Gaia herself know.

19:30

. “I love you, Romulus Grayback… With all my heart and soul.” .

1

1

19:31

It was like she felt obligated and required to make it known. Her words were quiet, soft like the newest spring flower in bloom. She had wanted to shout it. Wanted to howl it as loud as she could, but when it came and rolled off her tongue, the gentle serenity and softness it held was more a gentle sigh than a shout. The she-wolf wouldn’t wait for him to be ready for her. Wouldn’t wait to see if he would allow it or if he would wish for something else. Shifting herself, she slid in a manner that she could sit between his legs. Her rump planted on the ground, and quietly Juliana leaned against him in a tender and quiet embrace. The recognition that his knot prevented him from being flaccid quite yet wasn’t lost on her, so she was careful in how she let herself fall into his chest. Lia still held herself upright, not wanting to weigh the male down or push him over. She just wanted the closeness, the embrace of him as they recovered from the exertion of their carnal act. Her gentle blue eyes fell on their little picnic spread a moment, the bread sitting within it’s cloth wrap haphazardly, the pouch of berry compote lying next to it with the tip up so it would not spill on the blanket or Lia’s clothes. Her skirt and top had been tossed without care on the blanket and lay in a heap, and Lia almost smiled, satisfied at where they had landed and how they appeared. Almost as if she thought they belonged to look that way. Though, the set up before them made a soft chuckle escape her thin muzzle. It seemed so silly to her, the question that had come to mind. Gently rubbing against his chest in the process, Juliana looked up at her beloved Romulus, a playful grin on her face. “Safe to say… I think this little moonlight picnic of ours was pleasant for you Rom?”

1

19:31

@Himbo Tie

Feeling Juliana shift slightly to get off of his chest, Romulus felt an immediate sense of being foolish. He could have simply moved her, what if she saw his push as him being upset with her or wanting her to leave him. As if he was still upset from their argument, he only wanted to have his way with her and then have nothing else. Feeling his nerves growing more and more as if he had fucked up, he looked down to where she was cleaning his lower abdomen and felt all of his fear slip away as her tongue gently found his knot. Moaning softly as he looked down at where her tongue worked to clean him before she moved to sit up, Romulus moaned deeply before looking up at Juliana’s muzzle where she currently sat cleaning it. He felt ashamed for having dirtied her face with his seed but seeing her cleaning herself brought a pulse through his manhood and another small bead of cum dripping down his length. The idea that he had marked her with, not only his teeth but his seed and scent as well, was very exciting to Romulus, and it pulled him up from his reclined position so that he could breathe in deeply. Scenting the two of them in the wind and nothing else, he hummed softly and smiled warmly as he looked towards Juliana. Seeing her legs curved underneath her, Romulus wanted to reach out and touch her, but he kept his hands to himself as he let his left arm stay back to prop himself up. His right paw came forward to rub his stomach and lower abdomen gently, a smile on his lips as he felt the dampness left by her saliva where she had cleaned him. This care that she took to make sure he was cleaned meant very much to him, as it was something he would see mated pairs doing. Taking special care to clean one another and nuzzle close enough to trade their scents. Letting their individual scents cross over to the other wolf where they would become intermingled and changed for all to know. .

08:40

A moment of worry caught Romulus off guard as he thought of this possible change to their scents and what it could mean for Juliana. He would not want her to be cast out or shunned for taking on the scent of a male, especially not a Grayback male. Wanting to reach forward and clean his scent off of her for her own sake, he found himself unable to move when he felt Juliana’s lips and nose applying tender touches to his chest and neck. Moaning deeply and letting his head fall back slightly to open his neck and throat to her, Romulus felt his thoughts fall away from the front of his mind as he enjoyed her touches. Her lips on his neck and the way she took in their scent was incredibly arousing, for it meant she was more than willing to smell like him. Smiling as he leaned his head forward and burrowed his snout gently into the fur of Juliana’s neck, Romulus breathed her in deeply and moaned softly at the beautiful union that carried through his nose and into his mouth. He could recognize his scent on her, and in this moment, he craved nothing more than to apply more of his rustic scent to her clean and pristine scent. Romulus lifted his head away from her, his eyes closed with a peaceful smile on his lips, though his ears stayed diligent, turning on the top of his head to try to detect any incoming sound. He heard nothing, as if they were alone in a plane of existence that Gaia had gifted them for this moment together, but that did not calm his suspicions. Why was the waterfall all that he could hear aside from the beautiful soft sounds of the she-wolf next to him. Was the world holding its breath in anticipation of what he and Juliana might do next, or was there some foul beast watching them from the shadows? Before he could turn to give a visual check along with his hearing, Romulus felt Juliana’s paw on his snout that moved to turn his head to gaze down at her. .

08:40

Letting his amber eyes roam over her features slowly, Romulus hummed warmly as a smile came over his lips. He loved every inch of the she-wolf beside him, but he could not keep his eyes from coming back to focus on her stark blues. They were intense in their beauty and the drive behind them, a fierce display of Juliana’s independence and strength while also showing how much she was drawn to him. When she leaned forward to kiss him, Romulus was only too eager to lean in to match her movement. Pressing their lips together with purpose and a need to feel all that she had to offer in this moment, Romulus lifted his free paw and held it on the side of her neck and head gently. Holding her to him as he worked his lips and tongue gently against hers in a hungry and yet satisfied display of claiming her lips, Romulus felt his eyes drawing closed for a moment before opening as her lips left his. Looking down his snout into her eyes as his lips stayed slightly open in a confused position of wondering why he was being denied contact, Romulus sighed slightly while lowering his paw to rub at the back of her neck gently. His sigh was cut short quickly when she spoke, her body soon following to fit perfectly between his thighs. Leaning forward into her as she settled down, Romulus wrapped both of his arms around her waist, holding her close against him while he lowered his snout to allow his tongue out. Licking along the sides of her muzzle before going over the top too, Romulus used his tongue to clean off anything left on her while also showering her in his affections. Licking back towards her ears and nuzzling his snout into the fur there, Romulus breathed her scent in deeply before releasing it in a gentle sigh. Resting his head gently on hers for a moment with a smile painted over his lips, he hummed and rocked his torso back and forth gently to let her feel the movement. Pulling his head back and looking down into her eyes, he spoke in a thick tone. .

08:40

“Juliana Silverfang, my life and my purpose, the holder of my breath and my focus. My heart and soul belong to you. I love you. I love you so much.” .

08:41

Leaning his head down to place his lips against the top of her head and hold them there, Romulus closed his eyes and could not stop the warmth that he felt building with the tears that threatened to spill. He wanted this moment to last for all eternity, holding Juliana against him as he felt the warmth of their shared love spreading through his very body and soul. Not just in the places of physical contact. No, he felt warmth through to the ends of his limbs and the ends of his fur. He knew this warmth came from her and the joy that Juliana brought to his soul. Licking her muzzle slightly before he opened his eyes, he let the tears flow down his cheeks before disappearing into the fur of his face. He would have to leave her in two weeks again for another bout in the lands of the north, unless the conflict was ended while he healed. He hated the idea as soon as it sprang into his head, but he wasn’t sure when he should tell her. Sooner was usually better for bad news, but he did not want to ruin their moment. Looking at the bag of bread as he heard her light chuckle, he smiled as he remembered fondly how good it tasted despite his worry and doubt. Looking down into her eyes as she shifted to look up at him, Romulus grinned at her words before nodding and lowering his lips to meet hers. Licking across her lips to ask for entry, he raised his right paw up to hold the bottom of her muzzle gently. He allowed his claws to trace along her jaw gently as he kept his lips against hers, no matter the freedom his tongue was given. After a few moments of holding the kiss and allowing his eyes to close, Romulus drew back and looked into Juliana’s eyes with a grin as he responded, “It was most pleasant Lia, I hope you enjoyed it as well. Though, I have worked more of an appetite, so perhaps you could feed the beastly Grayback some more of your Silverfang mystery bread?” @Fiory

The ivory fae was content in how she leaned up against the gray male. His scent was encapsulating, intoxicating to sit beside and even though she was careful not to stimulate him as he sat exposed waiting to relax again, Juliana wanted nothing more than to remain this way for as long as the world would allow. His words to her, his declaration had set her soul on fire. Juliana had never felt so complete in her life. It was like she had wandered the world without knowing she had been missing a piece of herself up until that moment. She had found that piece. Found that missing part and it was laying with her now. The soft humming sound he made on the top of her head, made her tail gently thud against the ground. She should have been just as vigilant as he had been before, listening for anyone who might stumble upon the pair in the middle of the night. Juliana couldn’t care though. Let them find her. Let them find them. What could they do about it, really? Stare and gawk, perhaps grow green in jealousy at something so pure that they could never grasp it themselves? Of course this couldn’t be further from the truth, and while he wouldn’t be able to see it, her face soured a little thinking if someone did happen to come across them. He was a Grayback. Not just any Grayback either, but their mightiest warrior. The one they summoned when the fight needed to be won, and won quickly she supposed. And he was injured. It would be all too easy to dispatch him. To do away with him and deeply wound the enemy pack. The thought made her shiver a little, never wanting a day like that to ever come to pass.

12:03

. Lia instead let her face soften, feeling his tongue on her muzzle. It was reassuring after those dark thoughts had invaded her happiness. Penetrated the warmth and divine gentleness of their embrace with one another. However, she tilted her head a little, spying the tears that he shed. Had she hurt him? Was he alright? Did he have a similar darkness invade his mind too? Deciding not to bring it up to his attention quite yet, Juliana just continued to cuddle into him, waiting for an answer to her question she’d posed. She got the distinct feeling down in her bones that he was hiding something from her. That he wasn’t telling her everything. Sure she had not liked the idea of her pack finding the pair of them together, but she hadn’t cried about it. He Had. It had to be something horrible that he was thinking about. For a moment a light flush rose on her cheeks at the idea that perhaps she had not tasted as sweet as he would have preferred. No… he was so insistent… I can’t imagine that he didn’t enjoy himself like I did.. Lia thought, dismissing the intrusive negativity. ”It was most pleasant, Lia. I hope you enjoyed it as well. Though, I have worked more of an appetite, so perhaps you could feed the beastly Grayback some more of your Silverfang mystery bread?” Juliana just smiled a little and nodded at his request. Such a silly way to ask for more. They had come with the embrace of a kiss she certainly allowed, leaning into him and enjoying the sweetness he shared. Lia had been all too eager to go for round two if he had allowed it. If he had been healed and well enough to endure it, but when he had pulled back from their intimate kiss, she knew it would have to remain as it was for tonight. It did however give her an idea. He hadn’t divulged what was on his mind, instead choosing to focus on food for his stomach and of the flesh with her. She wasn’t about to let him get away with something like that, keeping something hidden away from her for too long.

12:03

. “Of course.. I’d be happy to.” Was all she said, gently letting her lithe frame pull away from him. She didn’t stand though, and didn't move too far either. Instead, she remained on her hands and knees, stepping gently over his knees with her arms one and then the other in order to reach the bread and jam nearby. She could have easily reached the thing with hardly a stretch but Juliana was on a mission. She would get the information she wanted to hear one way or another. And if teasing poor Romulus with something he wasn’t well enough to take, then so be it. Her tail raised a little just so that it could sway back and forth behind her. With the angle she was currently at it was quite clear she was bent in front of him. Her backside well within view, her tail softly tickling at the angry member still trying to settle for the evening. Her fur was soft and tickling to him, and she certainly didn’t regret her actions at all. “You know…” She said quietly, after an achingly long time finally pulling the bread closer to her and slowly beginning to prep it for him as she spoke. “We have plenty of other breads too that you might like… some with cinnamon, some with berries baked into it, some that are more sour… we use those with more savory foods… I could bring some for next time if you would like…” Her words were soft, charming even. It wasn’t lost on her that he likely couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to her head or her mouth, not with her waist so easily at his disposal. So tantalizingly close and certainly willing. There would be no way he was healed enough to do anything about it, and considering she pegged him as spent, it would merely be a tease of what he could have.

12:04

. “There’s also different compotes too… each time it’s made we use different berries, so we get different flavors… but we can make it out of just about anything to go with the breads.” She continued unashamed and unabated at the movement her hips made back and forth while she spoke. Her paws lightly dribbled some of that berry juice onto the prepared piece of bread and using her core muscles, Juliana stood herself up onto her knees. Her body turned between his legs, so that she could walk forward on her knees in front of him. Her body pressed back against him again, her chest softly against his. Just as she was bringing her paw with the bread forward, as if ready and willing to actually feed it to him, she stopped. Her opposite paw came forward instead to lightly pull her thumb against his fur and the tear stains that had pressed his gray fur against his skin. “Romulus… Are you alright?” There was a seriousness in her voice now. A quiet and gentle worry. Lia wasn’t about to feed the brute if he was hiding something from her. Something had upset him. Something had come across his mind during their moment of contented bliss and it troubled Juliana that he was so upset to shed tears over it. Sweetly, she planted a gentle kiss to his forehead, her blue eyes piercing the ambers in front of her when she pulled back again. The sweet bread was his treat, after he would answer her. At least reassure her that everything was alright. That she at least hadn’t done something to upset him.

12:04

@Himbo Tie

Feeling Juliana’s lips curling into a smile against his before they opened slightly, Romulus eased his strong muscle forwards to bypass her lips slowly. Tasting the slight salty and sweet taste on her lips, Rom continued to let his tongue slide further into his mate’s mouth, rolling against her own in a teasing manner. He had felt her tongue’s activeness against his member, and he was looking forward to feeling her working against his muscle in the confines of their mouths. Humming softly as he felt his desire met fully, Romulus pressed his head forward to push their kiss deeper and hold his arms around her. His paws worked slowly up along her back, holding Lia against him desperately as if he needed nothing else in the world aside from Juliana’s touch. When she pulled away to speak and answer his request for more bread, Romulus felt immediately betrayed by his stomach, wanting nothing more than to deny his hunger for food and draw her back to him to allow his lips to meet hers again. Groaning gently as she pulled away, Romulus felt his tail thump softly behind him as his eyes worked down Juliana’s body slowly. Appreciating the curvature of her shoulders and breasts that were perfectly settled on her chest, Rom felt his jaw open slightly as he leaned forward slowly to take her breast into his mouth. His advance was avoided though as she slowly turned her back on him, her hands carrying her forward while her legs stayed still and slowly presented her rear to him. The way her back seemed to lengthen as she stretched forward while keeping her rear in place brough a thick stream of precum through his member. Glancing down and seeing the swelling of his knot releasing its intensity, he noticed the way his member stayed raging in its raw need to be touched. As Juliana lifted her tail to show more of herself to him, Romulus could not stop the low moan that escaped his throat as he leaned forward slowly. .

02:54

Reaching his paws forward and placing them on the back of Juliana’s thighs, Romulus slid them slowly up the backs of the toned limbs before they reached the round perfection of her rear. Rubbing his thumbs inwards along the shape of her rear, he stopped them just beside her lower lips which still glistened and dripped with a collection of her juices and his saliva. Rubbing his thumbs along her lips slowly, he gently pressed his digits inwards before pulling them apart slowly, spreading her lips slightly and exposing her entrance to him. The pressure would simulate the way her womanhood would be moved as it prepared for entry from a girthier object, but he could not deny himself his desire to taste her again. Leaning forward with a soft grunt as he held his thumbs in place, Romulus allowed his tongue to dip out of his snout before it trailed slowly along Juliana’s wetness. Starting first at her clit and running along her slit with his tongue flattening slightly, Rom moaned deeply and allowed his tongue to separate just as he reached her entrance. Placing the side of his muzzle against her rear, he let his tongue continue a slow lapping motion over her flower as he listened to her speak. Moaning deeply as her tail fell to tease at his member, Romulus reached his right paw forward and slid it along the underside of Juliana’s being. Finding her breasts and gripping one of them appreciatively, Rom groaned softly before shifting his head to allow his tongue to drag along her petals before he pushed it slowly into her entrance. Flattening the end of his tongue as it penetrated within her, he withdrew it slowly before holding his lips against her lower ones as he spoke in a low voice, “As much as I would love to taste these breads that you have, I want to taste all of your body before you can even go home Lia. A savory meal you say? Well, if you ask me, I feel I will need an entire loaf of that after I finish tasting your nectar.” .

02:54

Pulling his head back enough to allow his body to sit up slightly, Romulus drew his paw back along her body and let his claws mark gentle pink lines that marked where he had been. With both of his paws holding a globe of her rear, Romulus ignored the pain he felt in his chest and shoulders to knead his fingers against her ample flesh and spread her open for him. Watching her womanhood and other entrance open slightly in need and anticipation, Romulus lowered his head forward with a soft moan and allowed his tongue to lap hungrily at her lips before him. His nostrils pressed against the underside of the base of her tail; his lungs were filled with the intoxicating pheromones that her body released to drive his arousal onwards. Breathing hungrily and greedily as he pushed his tongue into her entrance, Romulus whimpered softly at the aches in his shoulders before wrapping his arms around her thighs and leaning back slightly. It was not all the way back, but it lessened the strain on his muscles and allowed him a full taste of her before he released her with a gasp. He wanted all of her, every inch of her being, but he only just realized where his face had been. Romulus was not bashful at the thought of eating her flower and tasting the nectar that glistened on her petals, but the way his nose had been pressed between her anus and tail caught him slightly off guard. He was not disgusted by her body and knew that every part of Juliana would be a treat to taste, but the blush on his cheeks sprouted from a worry of how she would feel about his closeness to an area that he had never approached before. Releasing his wrap around her thighs, Romulus instead let his paws hold gently over the sides of her thighs as his tongue traveled over his muzzle to lick away her excess juices and the scent that had pervaded his mind. .

02:55

Listening to her explaining the compotes and seeing her body moving back and forth before she sat up slowly to kneel before him, Romulus watched Juliana approach him and moved his paws accordingly. Allowing them to settle on her hips as she now faced him, Rom ran his fingers slowly around her back and up towards her shoulder blades before traveling back down to her hips and then forward. Allowing his paws to move freely over her, Romulus did not hide his need and hunger for Juliana nor his attraction to her. His erection stood as proud as ever, spurred on by his playing and tasting and how close she had gotten to him with the food in her paw. Slipping his arms around her waist to hold her against him, Romulus opened his mouth to receive the sweet, smooth treat when it was pulled back from his lips. Worried at first that he had offended her, it was only when her words penetrated his conscious and he saw her face grow more serious that he realized why she denied him the treat. Leaning his face gently against her hand as it wiped at the tear marks in his fur, Romulus looked up at her with amber orbs brimming with more tears as he let his mind wander to what had caused them. Releasing a soft whine as he leaned his head forward, Romulus held his breath for only a moment before releasing it when he felt Lia’s lips greet his forehead in a loving display. Looking into her blue eyes, Romulus shook his head slowly before his mouth opened to release his voice, deep and scratchy with emotion, “Juliana, the war with the bears is not won. My people will need me to return to the front in order to bring us closer to victory. I am only on a short leave, two weeks, before I must go back. Time enough for my wounds to heal. I am so sorry that I have to tell you this, my Love, but I cannot keep it as my secret. It affects you as much as it affects me.” .

02:55

Feeling his ears fall back in sadness and fear, Romulus looked into Juliana’s eyes for a moment before his own eyes closed. Tears darkened the fur beneath his eyes in a steadily growing semicircle. His breathing was kept uniform only by the pain in his diaphragm, but with every desperate inhale to try to calm himself, Romulus felt his wounds roaring at him in inflamed anger. Opening his eyes slowly, he looked up to Lia’s face to try to read her reaction to his news or his experimentation earlier. Whatever information he got from her, he was simply pleased to be seeing her beautiful silver and white form for just a moment longer in his arms. @Fiory

The world carried a stillness in the air. Just a gentle quiet that rendered the surrounding land into silence. The breezes that did pass through were light and tickling to the leaves that coated the trees and bushes. They carried scents from near and far in their invisible grasp, coating the evening air in a light perfume of different aromas. A woodland deer, snoozing quietly in a thicket of bramble wood and bush, kept safe only by the difficulty it would be to enter there unharmed if one didn’t know the way in. The near silent flutter of a great ghostly owl, flat in face and eerie gliding over the trees. The clear fresh scent of the rushing waters behind the pair that sat at the lake’s edge. The breeze that passed through caressed against Lia’s fur and lightly twirled her longer silver strands in play. In front of her sat Rom, his darker coat dancing along in that same breeze. Her black nose twitched a little, gathering the scents instinctively on that quiet little wind, but never letting her gaze leave him. Her tail lay low on the ground behind her, and other than the quiet rapid succession of her chest moving in steady rhythm in and out, she would look like a statue. Frozen in place and unmoving. Her arm slowly lowered and the bread treat she held threatened to fall out of her fingertips and onto the ground in front of them. The look on her face was not of offense, or anger, or even frustration.

16:43

It was disbelief. Terror and grief all wrapped up into a concern that plagued her sweet silver and white features. She could feel the tears start to flood her vision but in her own stubborn defiance she refused to let them fall. Her solid blue eyes stared into the amber ones held, looking up at her slowly to gauge the reaction on her face. Her mind was racing, faster than any doe or spring led breeze or falcon in flight. He had come home, he was hurt but he was alive. They had fought and argued. She had told him exactly what she was and how important she was to her pack. He had done the same. In the end they came back together, sharing the bread she had made and put her heart and soul into. The bread she knew to make special, only because her mother taught her to make it. The embrace, the kisses, the passionate decadence that they shared. All of it swirled in a haze of silver and gray. Her arm dipped a little lower and her shoulders lessened a bit in response. The tease of him just now, playing at her rear and at her presented sex when she teased him had been lovely too, even if she hadn’t said anything about it. It all came crashing in around her as she looked back into those amber eyes that only looked back at her. He seemed to be waiting, hesitant to say anything after giving her this news, hinging on whatever Juliana would say next.

16:43

“You’ve… Only just come home…” Her voice was quiet, like a dove’s whisper. With her voice found, the words came a little easier, her ears falling and slowly pulling backward. “You’re… You’re not healed yet…” The volume of her voice began to rise as the panic in it started to set in. He could get hurt further if he went. He could be maimed, lose a limb or an eye or something scarring. Worse, he could lose his life, and Lia would never know. There would be no raven to tell her to mourn. There would be no word from a fellow warrior knocking on her door to inform her of the loss. There would be nothing. Silence like the middle of winter, and just as bitter cold. The reason for this was because no one knew. No one in the Silverfangs knew of Juliana’s secret love affair with Romulus Grayback. And she could only assume that no one on his end either knew of her existence or relation to him either. Their brief romance would end just as violently as it started; with blood and death. “You… You can’t go back… Romulus you can’t! There has to be someone else they can send on their fool’s errand! Someone else they can send to their death! You… You’re not healed enough…You barely came back as it is!” She knew her words would fall on deaf ears. He had no choice, and she knew that. The panic in her voice made it louder than she meant it to be. There was true terror there, true fear of losing him for good this time. She nearly lost him tonight when he realized who and what she was, and now he was leaving in two short weeks. Going back to the place where he’d gotten so injured before. So beaten up that he could barely enjoy her. Lia’s arm finally fell, the bread falling to the ground and rolling a small distance away, landing bread side down by the two of them. Her fingers lightly fell on the necklace she wore, and a sharp pain crossed over her heart. The tears that flooded her eyes finally were too much for her to hold in reserve. As one fell and was followed by another, Juliana

16:43

leaned forward to bury her head in his chest. Hiding the shame she felt for her lack of strength to hold back something so simple as tears.

16:44

“Romulus… you can’t…” She whimpered softly, her words muffled and quiet in his thick fur. “You could die this time…” There was a tremor in her voice, her arms sliding gently around his torso and under his arms. All she wanted was to hold him as tightly as she could. Thinking perhaps her embrace would keep him there, keep him safe. Prevent him from going back into the Ursine territory where death surely waited for him. Her claws lightly pulled at the skin under his fur on his back, holding him to her and refusing to release him. “And I’ll never know…” The last part she couldn’t keep to herself. She wanted desperately to, but Lia needed him to understand her worry. Her panic. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him capable. He was the Grayback’s lead warrior; you don’t get that title by just being tall. You get it by being damn good at what you do. Fighting, killing, winning wars. But there was always a cost. This position was never one that lasted, and the nature of their relationship as fragile and new as it was, hung on just the two of them and no other. The fear of being home, wondering and waiting only to never receive word of his return or his demise was crushing to her. A suffering she didn’t know she could bare. “Please…Please don’t go…I don’t want to lose you” @Himbo Tie

Holding his paws on Juliana’s lower back as she listened to him speak, Romulus was painfully aware of the slackening he felt in her muscles and the way her tail seemed to lose all of its life and fell to the blanket. That simple movement threatened to break the wolf’s heart, his mind alive with examples of how expressive Lia’s tail was to reflect her mood. Little sweeps while she washed him in the lake. The way it happily beat against the bark when she had been pressed against the tree as he circled her. Even tonight, before their fight and loving reunion, her tail had made a hearty rhythm against her blanket as she watched him eat the bread. To feel it go still and collapse was like losing Juliana all over again, even as she sat still like a marble statue in his arms. Whimpering softly, Romulus shifted his legs tighter in towards her, as if the warmth permeating through his legs and being could be spread into her and free her from this frozen prison she had fallen into. Romulus noticed the way her arm fell slightly, threatening to drop the piece of bread, but he could do nothing to stop her arm’s movement for fear that if he let go of her waist, she would drift into the wind. Looking into her eyes and searching for an answer in her frozen silence, Rom could not help the soft sound that whined from his throat when he saw Juliana’s arm dip deeper and threaten to fall altogether. He was not desperate for the bread, but as he saw her hand falling, he could see her heart falling with it. If the bread fell and broke, Lia’s heart was threatened to join it and fall to its shattering demise on the rocks of the lakeshore. Shifting his right paw off of her lower back, Romulus was initially moving it to take hold of her wrist gently, but he was stopped when he saw the tears welling in his mate’s eyes. Even though he had cried before, Juliana had kept control over her own emotions well enough not to. .

23:13

Yet, in this moment, he could see her clear blue eyes welling and threatening to spill over with tears of her own. Looking over her features in a desperate search to see what she was thinking, Romulus was reminded of the desperation he had felt not long before now. Staring at her when she had told him her station, he had felt lost and without any direction of where he needed to go. Looking into her eyes now, Romulus felt a familiar fear and uncertainty creeping into his chest, but this fear did not manifest in a need to run from his problems. Romulus wanted nothing more than to be in this moment and place with Juliana, but he feared that he had spoken too much and ruined their bond. Lifting his right paw to hold gently at the side of Lia’s neck, Rom allowed his thumb to glide up gently and rub at the fur beneath her eye. He knew she had not let any tears fall yet, but his movements carried a comfort with their embrace that he hoped would let her know she was safe to cry with him here. Seeing her eyes looking into his own, Romulus took a soft breath and held it within him, fearing that releasing it would blow her away into the gentle breeze that danced over their bodies. Closing his eyes as he heard her words slipping from her lips, he could feel his heart seizing with a tight grip as the softness of her voice was not lost on him. She spoke so quietly that if they were closer to the falls, he would have lost her voice with the thundering water, but as she continued, he could hear the panic penetrating her voice and words alike. Shifting his paw up along her head gently to let his fingers thread through her fur around her ears, Romulus let his thumb rub slowly at Juliana’s ear as he spoke in a low voice, its depth cracking and carrying his emotions with it as well, “Juliana, my Love, I am healed. I am healed, and I am home. I am hurting, but my wounds are healed. Gaia only reminds me to be careful with this pain.” .

23:13

Romulus leaned forward to place his lips on the side of her muzzle in a comforting kiss, but he was frozen in place by her words that fell from her lips with more volume and panic clear in them. He felt a rush of emotions through his being: a need to hold Juliana and comfort her, fear at the prospect of losing her, shame for letting others die in his place, and immediate anger for letting the thought of running exist in his mind. Holding still and closing his eyes, Romulus breathed out deeply through his nose before pulling back slightly to look into her eyes again. He managed his emotions so that all that he displayed was his need to protect and comfort her, the truest emotions that he felt when in her presence. He desired her safety more than his own, and he needed to keep her comforted and in a state of constant bliss. Gently rubbing his thumb over her ear, Romulus glanced down and swallowed thickly when he saw her hand release the bread. Looking back up to where her paw closed around the pendant held over her chest, Rom breathed in slowly before speaking, his voice carrying thick with emotions and tears still falling from his eyes, “Lia, I am the one that Gaia chose for this purpose. She gave me strength enough to equal ten wolves; it would be selfish of me to not use her gifts. I would be condemning my brothers and sisters to certain death if they were expected to act in my stead. I would not be the wolf before you, holding you and loving you, if I allowed them to die in my place.” Watching the tears overflow Juliana’s eyes and fall in quick streams down her cheeks, Romulus wanted to wipe them away as she had done to his, but she pressed forward against him before he could act. Drawing his left paw up her back slowly in a slow massaging pattern, Romulus did not make an attempt to speak and calm her down. Instead, he lowered his head slowly to kiss the top of Juliana’s head and allow a soothing hum to vibrate through his chest softly. .

23:14

Kissing down from her brow to along the top of her snout, Romulus paused his movements when he felt Juliana’s mouth open, wanting there to be nothing that interrupted his ability to hear her words. Feeling her arms reaching around him and holding to him tightly, Rom felt his tears streak down his cheeks and along his snout. Holding still he let his eyes focus forward to the way his tear traveled along his fur before finally dropping gently from one of his whiskers and onto Lia’s snout. Licking the droplet away slowly, Romulus let his lips settle at the base of Juliana’s ivory nose before speaking in a low baritone rumble that carried through his chest as a hum before leaving his lips, “Juliana, I must. It is my duty, but I will not leave you alone in this world. I am not going to die, but I have someone I trust that I could tell about us, if you would like. Someone that can bring news to you should the impossible occur. Only with your blessing of course.” Reaching his paws down to grip Juliana beneath her rear, Romulus pulled her forward slowly and ignored the way that it pressed his pulsing member up between them. He wanted her close to him, pressed up against his being with all of her own. He could ignore the tease to his needy rod if it meant he could hold her against him and give her the comfort and warmth that he so desired to communicate to her. Kissing at her ears and licking her fur in a comforting manner, Romulus let his words roll over her gently, “You will not lose me. I will forever be in your arms and in your heart, just as you are within mine. I am not going anywhere Lia. No matter where my physical body is, my spirit and soul are yours and will stay beside you, always.” @Fiory

That ivory muzzle stilled, pressed against the darker gray chest of the male that held her close. She didn’t want to let those dark thoughts enter her head and corrupt her heart. The fact was however, she had. They had snuck their way in at his words. Two weeks, and he would be gone again. Two weeks, and she would watch him leave. Two Weeks, and that might be the last she sees of him. It was unbearable and no matter how hard she had tried, Lia had allowed herself to be overwhelmed by worry and panic at this new development. The attachment was strong, much more so than she thought it could be. As he held her close and hummed gently to sooth her worry, Juliana could just nuzzle him close in return. Her nose twitched in silence taking in the faint scent of herself and of Romulus still lingering in his fur. The words he spoke were kind, gentle, low to keep himself as steady as the rock she thought he could be. A rock that was cracked, one that seemed so fragile now that she really thought about it. “H-Healed? Romulus, don't lie to me.” Her ears pinned back at his words. Sure, his wounds had healed as best they could, but the pain was there, he was still quite hurt. That didn’t spell ‘healed’ to the she wolf who’s Gaia given gift was to heal. To prove his point to him, a soft growling sound on her lips, she turned her head just slightly so she could press the point of her nose into the long scarred wound that stretched across his shoulder and chest. The thick one that looked like he’d nearly been cleaved in two. It wasn’t gentle, meant to make him wince or whine or even growl back at her. Like sticking a sharp prodding finger into a fresh wound, that was the sharp pain she wanted to inflict on him. All the worse that her nose was coated in tears, adding salt to it for a sting she knew would hurt.

14:19

“Healed means you do not feel that pain… that you won’t need the reminder Rom…The scar should be reminder enough.” Her words were quiet. Defiant, but a whimper nonetheless. She didn’t torture him long, just to prove her point before she turned to rub against him tenderly. Apologizing in a way for the pain she knew she would have caused. She was angry and upset and scared. There was so much to say and she felt her time was ending too quickly to say it all. How could he go back, risk his life again and again. Gaia please… Why present him to me, just to have him leave? Why send him away where he could get hurt or worse? Have I wronged you? Am I not worthy of keeping this? A tear fell on her nose, guided down by a weightless whisker. She hadn’t wanted to make him cry more, and while shaking she exhaled gently into the warmth of his fur. He was right. She knew he was. Gaia had gifted him for a reason, and it was that gift that likely kept him alive the last time he faced the Ursines. And before that, holding his own against the minotaur while she had bathed. While she had been there to assist with his recovery. It didn’t make the situation any better. There was nothing she could do, no words she could say, no spell she could try, no action she could take. He would leave her behind again, and she would just need to hope he would return to her. Her soft blue eyes watched him lick her nose, kissing and comforting her in his arms. It was warm here, gentle and strong and reliably so all at once. An ear flicked, thwacking him gently in the chest as she calmed and stilled against him. Serious contemplation was in order, so while her tears stilled and she let him speak, let him comfort her and pulled her forward, Juliana allowed her mind to rationalize. It was what she was good at. It was her default state when a troubling situation or a decision came up. It was all she knew how to do.

14:20

”Juliana, I must. It is my duty, but I will not leave you alone in this world. I am not going to die, but I have someone I trust that I could tell above us, if you would like. Someone that can bring news to you should the impossible occur. Only with your blessing of course” That was an idea. Something, someone, anyone would do. Her biggest fear was never knowing what happened to him if something ever did. But he had someone with whom he would trust this information to? Juliana thought for a moment, wondering how such an exchange might go. But I can’t meet someone from the Graybacks… I’m sure I’ll be recognized. I was surprised that Romulus didn’t recognize me…though maybe the daughter of the chief of the Silverfangs isn’t someone they pay close attention to… I can’t take that risk though.. “I…I can’t meet someone from the Graybacks… It’s dangerous for me…” She said quietly after what seemed like an age of silence. A soft chuckle escaped her lips gently against him as she continued. “I shouldn’t have met you…But that was a happy accident. I can’t risk a Grayback deciding that I am worth more as a hostage than I am as their warrior’s love interest.” She paused again, letting the words sink in and the meaning of them reconcile with any argument he might come up with. She knew in a way that he would understand this. There had to be someone on the Grayback side who was equally as important as he was. While having never met them, Juliana knew that there likely was a successor at least like her that the Graybacks held in high regard. The last thing she needed was to expose herself to one of the wolves under that successor; under someone who held a higher rank she imagined than Romulus and the desire of his heart.

14:20

“But… I have a friend. She is like a sister to me. I would trust her with my life Romulus.” Juliana said softly, agreeing with his idea, but thinking it better to have a lower ranked female meet up with whoever his friend or trusted peer was. While she didn’t like the idea of putting one of her best friends in danger this way, she knew that Sabelle would do anything that was asked of her. She would keep this secret and take it to her grave if necessary. It would keep the Silverfang’s heir safe while also relaying the information that was so desperately wanted. And to be fair, Sabelle would be more than overjoyed at the prospect of Juliana finally settling on a mate of her own. That was all her friend truly wanted for her; a happy life in comfort with someone to keep her close and fill her life with love. Sabelle was a romantic that way, and it had always troubled the red she-wolf that no suitor had ever turned Lia’s head. Sabelle would lose her mind if she knew where his allegiance lies though… The pressure of him against her, teased her too. She wanted nothing more than to finish what they had started, but the mood had slipped and now she was just careful against him to not cause too much discomfort. Juliana held him tight, before finally letting her arms release him, gliding back over his sides to his front again. She had to trust him. There was nothing else that made sense and nothing else that she could do. There would be no convincing him to stay, no matter the hurt she put on him or the pain she took herself. Romulus would leave, and there was nothing Juliana could do about it. Her paw gently came up to wipe her face, her tears stopped and a thick knot in her throat. Her eyes glanced away from her, falling on the picnic they had enjoyed. The bread she had made, and the blanket they sat on. It was then that she saw the piece she had made for Rom, sitting in all its pristine glory on the blanket, untouched by dirt with the berry compote on top glistening u

14:20

nder the starlight. The sentiment was likely lost on Romulus, but Juliana recognized it as a good omen. A sign of luck being on their side. For only rotten luck would prevail to let your bread land on the jam side down in the dirt. Lia wasn’t superstitious in this way, and believed it to be an old maid’s tale to entertain pups. However, it gave the she-wolf a little bit of comfort. Perhaps there was luck on their side. Perhaps they would be alright. Perhaps he would come back to her then.

14:20

“Promise me…” She said slowly, lifting her nose so she could kiss the underside of his jaw gently. “Promise me that you will return to me. I cannot hold your soul or your spirit, and while I will always treasure them, my paws will feel empty if that is all I get of you…Please, I beg you to be safe and will ask Gaia every day to watch over you while I cannot.” She let her muzzle press against him gently this time, careful to not cause further pain that she had before. The sounds of the forest were starting to become louder as the creatures began to stir. Their night would be ending soon, as time continued to tick away the moments unendingly. Gentle leaves moving and the sound of the waterfall with it’s splashing waves were not the only sound to be heard. Faint and thick, a gentle thudding noise could be heard against the ground beside Juliana and Romulus, as Lia’s tail softly lifted and fell finally in relative contentment. @Himbo Tie

Hearing her words in argument of whether or not he was truly healed, Romulus began to open his mouth to remark gently back to her when he felt her snout turn and jab into the scar on his chest. He tried to hold his face still at first, but as her growl emanated from her throat and the point of her nose dug deeper, Rom could feel the beginnings of a deep pain that resembled when he first received the wound. Shifting his shoulder back slightly to try to avoid her prodding, Romulus felt his lips raising in a snarl as Juliana continued to press into him. His comforting shifted deeper in sound and higher in his chest, presenting itself as a deep growl with clear warnings for her to stop. The threats were largely empty, as he would not want to hurt her, but his growl still carried the threats of the unknown as he glared down at her. He knew Lia meant it only to prove a point, but the pain was beginning to block out her words and trigger only instinctual reactions. Juliana thankfully drew her snout back, after his scar had grown a nasty shade of red and grew more inflamed than it had been. Looking down at the wound that had begun to weep, Romulus could not help the way his eyes widened slightly as he looked down at it. Never have you wept or threatened to reopen before, what are you doing now? Mother, have I failed you? Why are my wounds not healing? Feeling his ears fall back with his tail coming to a still, Romulus breathed out a shaky breath as he glanced around them, his eyes looking to the examples of Gaia’s majesty in nature and searching for an answer. A sign of some sort had to present itself so that he could right his wrongs in Her eyes. Looking down at where Juliana nuzzled against his chest in fear and panic, Romulus wrapped his arms around her tighter and pressed into her, his instincts ringing loud in his ears with a need to protect them both against foes unknown and unseen. .

01:04

“My wounds do not leave scars when they heal, Juliana. Our Mother has blessed me and decided how I shall be reminded; it is not my choice Lia. I would much prefer for my flesh to scar and show my victories on my pelt, but nothing will stay. No blemish, bruise, or scar has ever lasted for longer than a week.” Speaking after a few moments of silently holding Lia, Romulus allowed his soothing hum to return to a softer vibration as he held fast to Juliana. Chuckling softly when her ear thwacked gently against his chest, Romulus rested his head on the top of hers gently, his eyes closing to ignore how the stars had begun to lose their powerful sparkles in the sky. He ignored the sounds of owls coming to roost as they turned in for the end of their periods of dominance over the forest floor. He ignored anything that would get in the way of enjoying this moment with his mate. My mate, my Juliana, my Lia. No matter what my wounds do, even if your mark heals away as well, I will encourage you to return it to my throat time and again. So that all around me can know that my heart is taken and belongs to another. Sitting quietly after suggesting introducing Lia to someone that could deliver the unfortunate news, Romulus waited for her to think through his suggestion. He hoped to hear her answer in the affirmative quickly and energetically as he would, but he knew in his heart that that was what separated the two of them. It is what allowed them to work, and it was why Gaia had chosen them to be the ones to help span the gap between the packs after all this time. I act brashly, swinging my sword where it is necessary. My growls and snarls communicate my intent better than my words ever can. You act with reason, allowing your mind and words to craft tools and solutions to the problems before you. We will be able to effect change like none before us ever dreamed, I just know it. .

01:05

Watching her face shift slightly as she thought, Romulus drifted his lips to kiss Juliana’s ears and cheeks slowly. He could tell how deep her thought had taken her by the concentration in her brow and eyes, but she eventually returned to him for he could see the light in her eyes as she looked up at him to speak. Smirking slightly as she mentioned not being able to meet someone from the Graybacks, Romulus lifted his head slightly and looked down at his shoulders as if he was examining if he were real or a figment of imagination. Grinning and letting his lips find her snout again, he closed his eyes for a moment at the soft sound of her chuckles before opening them again to look into her eyes with an air of seriousness. He knew that their meeting had gone well and was very unlikely in its success, but it still rubbed sorely in his chest and heart to hear the words come from Juliana’s lips that they should not have met. Romulus grunted softly as he bit his lower lip, refusing to argue against her or to openly admit to understanding her point of view, opting instead to stay silent as he could not truly make a case. He trusted his brother with his life, but was that trust worth risking Lia’s life? Hearing of Juliana’s trusted confidant, Romulus allowed his ears to perk up slightly in intrigue and energy. Looking down at her eagerly as she agreed to send someone to meet with his friend, Romulus kissed her brow gently before shifting his left paw to draw her chin up slowly. Pressing his lips to Juliana’s for a brief yet passionate kiss, Rom nodded slowly before speaking after releasing his hold on her chin, “I trust my brother with my life, and he already knows you exist. I dreamt of you in the Northern Lands and while in his home recovering today. I stated your name and called out to you. He only knows your first name, but he is eager to meet you. He desires for me to find peace in my life and not be used up as a tool or weapon until my body fails me.” .

01:06

“I want you to meet him, as I want to meet your sister. You are the new focus of my life, Juliana, and I want to know all that I can about you. I will be here when my brother comes to meet you and your sister, so do not fear any kind of aggression. Please, trust me.” Romulus looked into Lia’s eyes as he finished, trying to impart his faith in his own abilities into her. He knew Remus would not act a fool, as he would truly be happy to see Romulus finding a mate and someone that he loved. However, if his brother and best friend decided to make a fool of himself, Romulus was confident in his ability to defend Juliana and her friend long enough for them to get to safety. You won’t do that though, would you Remus? You preach about my free will to your father and our comrades enough as it is. You won’t go back on your own words and deny me the choice of my own mate. Sighing softly when he felt Juliana’s arms release from around him in order to move to his front, Romulus instantly missed the warmth of her embrace but allowed her freedom of movement by releasing the tightness of his hold on her. He did not want her to feel trapped against him, but as her movements stopped and she settled against him again, Romulus allowed his arms to tighten around her again. Holding Lia in his arms brought a sense of completion and meaning to his life, shutting the door of the lone warrior that fought with reckless abandon and opening the door to the more mature wolf. He closed his eyes and focused on the warmth that she offered against him, and that warmth quickly transferred his mind into thinking of ways to improve his odds in the upcoming fights. He had the best weaponry that was available to any of the Braves, but he thought of the ways that he had been injured in the latest battles. His leather armor worked well against claws and bites, allowing him the freedom of movement to avoid most damaging swings from weapons. .

01:07

But it offered little to no defense should one of those swings land. Looking at his shoulders and the wounds that plagued them both, he thought of the armor that he had seen Remus’s father, Marcel, wearing during his last incursion to the north. This conflict with the Ursines had been raging for the better part of three months, but it was a small part of a war that had been waging off and on for the last twenty years. Marcel was a pack leader that led from the front when it was needed, but he and his guards were dressed in the finest armor that the Grayback blacksmiths could fashion from their steel. Seeing his shoulders moving slightly as he adjusted his hold on Juliana, Romulus nodded slightly as he began imagining the armor that he would request be made for him. Two weeks was more than enough time to design and craft armor for him, he was confident of that. This was his key to surviving with no additional wounds. His key to returning home with Lia not worrying about him getting hurt. Listening to Lia’s words with a smile as he felt her lips against the underside of his jaw, Romulus nodded slowly before lowering his head to kiss her in a silent answer. Shifting her head up with one of his paws, Romulus held the kiss against her lips for several moments before pulling back with a shaky inhale. Nodding with confidence, he pressed his lips to hers quicker this time before whispering his response back, the volume more akin to a prayer and promise than spoken word, “Juliana, my Heart, I will return to you. I will hold you in my arms, and I will never let go of you. I will return victorious so that your heart fills not with worry but with pride. I will make you proud to be my mate.” .

01:07

Kissing her lips again, Romulus sighed softly before allowing his body to relax, his tail joining Lia’s in its soft thumping against the ground. Feeling his stomach growling, he glanced behind the white and silver she-wolf before speaking in a playful tone, “Now, how about some more food before dawn sends me scurrying to my bestial cave?” @Fiory

The white she-wolf waited, trying to still the anxiety in her heart at the idea of having Sabelle and Romulus’s brother meet with them. At least it would be easier to convince both sides if both sides were present that the other meant no harm. He seemed agreeable to it, if that passion in his kiss was anything to go by, and it gently made her tail wag just a little harder at the sensation. Lia had hoped this would be an acceptable idea, as she worried who this brother of his was. A subordinate perhaps, or someone who looked up to him, or perhaps even a littermate; Juliana couldn’t really know. At his mention that his brother already knew of her, she couldn’t help the little chuckle that escaped her lips. “You dreamed of me? Hopefully the dreams were warm and satisfying to you, since you were calling out my name.” She teased him, a gentle laugh in her words. Truthfully, she had dreamt of Romulus too, of meeting up with him every day since his departure. Of seeing him returned home safely and embracing him as she had done tonight. Thankfully she didn’t often speak in her sleep as it would be quite the discussion for her father to have with her, had he heard her call out the name of an unfamiliar male wolf while she lay in bed. As Rom continued, Lia couldn’t help but shake her head a little. His brother sounded very similar to her sister. “That is much the same for my sister.” She responded quietly, letting her muzzle rub against his chest gently in a continued apology for stabbing her nose into him earlier. “She has always wanted me to settle, find a male worthy of me. To finally be at peace and have stability in my life, instead of just the one everyone must appease or get approval from.” It tickled her a little that their siblings, whether by blood or by bond, wanted only the best for the pair. We are lucky to have them in our lives… I just hope for all our sakes that they keep cool heads when they meet.

23:01

As the pair sat there, Lia recognized that for a time Romulus had gone a little quiet. He had let her speak, and had taken it in, offering only a few words but enough that would satisfy an answer for her. Lia couldn’t help, that during these moments of silence between the pair, what he must be thinking of. What was going through his mind. Her blue eyes watched him for a moment, just a moment as he contemplated life behind his amber eyes, before her gaze turned towards the sky. It was lightening, and she recognized now that the creatures of the night were returning to their homes and holes to enjoy the coming dawn. Another night where the pair had stayed up in each other’s arms. Not a bad way to spend it. She thought pleasantly to herself, though if she were honest she knew that doing nightly visits would begin to tax her. Juliana was expected to rise with the sun, not sleep past it. She knew she would have to leave soon, and so would he. There was no getting around it and just as she came to this conclusion herself, she felt her chin lifted and his lips upon hers. While Juliana was more of a dominating wolf in her pack, she loved how Rom took charge at times with the pair of them. It let her relax for once, let someone else lead and while normally she wouldn’t dare trust anyone to do so, with Romulus she did. Her palms raised to rest on either side of his face, cradling him as they shared this moment of intimacy towards the end of their evening picnic date. It was with hesitation and almost disappointment that she let him free of her again, damning her own body for it’s inability to go on without breath. Her eyes glittered listening to his prayer whispered so gently in her ears. His vow to her that he would return. She need not worry. A barely creased smile fell on her muzzle, and she rubbed it quietly against his in recognition of the promise he made.

23:01

“Keep that promise my love. Lock it away and never forget it. Give your all in battle so you can return home triumphant and know that whether you fell one or one thousand bears, I am already proud to have you as my mate Romulus...But only if you are alive to be with me fully when you return home.” Her words were said just as softly, as if saying them any louder could startle them and have them float away on the passing breeze. There was a truth in each word, a lingering hint at how much she loved him. How much she needed him to come back to her. Not knowing if he would catch it or not, Juliana just sealed her statement with a quiet kiss to his cheek. Slowly, she pulled away to sit up on her knees, her ears flicking at the request he made of her. “Of course Rom. I would hate to send you back to your hide away hungry still…though how you still hunger after the meal you made of me I can’t understand.” Juliana teased him, letting her tongue come out to playfully lick at the end of his black nose. As gently as she could, she rocked back onto her paws and stood up at last. Juliana didn’t realize just how scrunched up she had been, stretching up to the heavens in front of him with a light whine on her lips as she did so. Her back stretched and she even raised a little onto her toes as she bent. Her tail curled in a soft crescent shape before she released the tension and let her body relax again. As carefully as she could muster, Juliana stepped over him to get to the bread and compote she had left, tearing a new piece for him and letting some of the compote slide onto the dense baked good. Her gaze moved towards the piece she had dropped and a soft chuckle escaped her lips.

23:01

“I am not a superstitious wolf Romulus…” she began, holding her paw out for him to either take the ready new piece of bread with his paw or with his muzzle; she expected either from him. “But there is a saying in my village… when your bread falls and lands with the jam side up, Gaia smiles and grants you luck in your life.” Once he had taken the newly made piece of bread from her, Juliana decided to join him and make a piece for herself. The remaining honey lavender bread was enough for a couple more mouthfuls, or one really large Romulus sized one, so Juliana decided this would be her last piece. Her gift to him tonight would be to take the remainder home, if only to enjoy until they could meet again and she could present him with a new treat to indulge in. Perhaps that was how she would convince him of the Silverfang lifestyle, with pastries and breads and other such treats he could indulge in. The thought made her giggle a little as she came back to sit between his legs, leaning her back against his chest instead of her front. He surely would have calmed a fair amount, but just in case Juliana wanted to ensure she was still not causing him too much discomfort. “We should make this our last snack of the evening my love…” She said softly, lifting her nose to the sky to watch as it continued to threaten being brighter and brighter. Her breath came out as a soft huff of smoke, signaling that the weather was slowly becoming colder as the days grew shorter. It both excited her, as she could spend more time with Romulus in their secret evening romps, but it also worried her too. They would need to harvest soon, and her days would be quite busy when that happened. It was always busy for the pack when they finished for the season to prepare for winter’s coming grasp. They had time, it wasn’t right upon them yet, but something that Juliana had to think about. As much as she didn’t want to finish her evening with him tonight, it was for the best. She needed to get some

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sleep before she would be required to get up and fulfill her duties.

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“Please.. Take the bread home with you. Either share it or indulge it on your way to your bed tonight.” She said with a playful chuckle on her lips. “I hope when you eat it, you are filled with warmth and love, because that is what I used to make it.” Reluctant to move off of him, Juliana would wait until his response if he gave one, or for him to finish his snack from her. She didn’t want to have to get up, as she knew it meant getting herself dressed and then heading back to her home and slipping into bed. Once he was ready, she leaned forward and stood back up, dusting her fur off and moving towards her buckskin clothing. First the skirt and then the top. She shook her head to allow her fur as much freedom as she could allow, ensuring it wasn’t snagged in the clothing before she would move to pack up the picnic beside them. It was agonizing doing this, as she wanted nothing more than to lay with Romulus there by the bank of the lake, their lake, and sleep until dawn’s rays woke them officially. Perhaps one day… “Do we want our siblings to meet here?” Juliana suddenly asked, realizing if that were the case, then their secret rendezvous might get a little crowded if Sabelle and Rom’s brother knew this was where they met up with one another. It wasn’t like Lia thought they would need their liaisons for longer than this one instance, when Rom and Lia couldn’t meet in person themselves, but the threat was still there that the pair could be caught in a compromising position if Sabelle and his brother knew where to find them. A soft flush ran over her face at the idea of Sabelle looking for her and coming across them both as they had been just moments before, enjoying the taste of one another instead of the bread she had made. It would certainly gain her an earful from her auburn coated sister, regardless if Sabelle approved of Romulus or not. “Or perhaps somewhere further South?” @Himbo Tie

Romulus could not help the chuckle that played at his lips when Juliana asked of his dreams and expressed her hopes. Nodding slowly as he looked down at the smiling she-wolf in front of him, he let his eyes close for a moment as he recalled some of the dreams that had swept across his mind in that frozen wasteland. There had been those where they had engaged in actions that would heat both of them up, but there had also been dreams where Romulus simply held Lia in his arms and held her beside the fire. Grinning as he opened his eyes and looked down at her, Rom placed his lips against her snout softly before shifting them to her cheek. Holding there for a moment, he responded in a soft tone, “Yes, I could not help but dream about you Juliana. You kept me sane and granted me the strength to keep fighting and pressing on. Without you, I would have struggled to find the need or drive to continue forward when I was hurt the worst.” Listening to her speak of her sister, Romulus felt the corners of his lips draw up into a gentle smirk as he realized how similar she seemed to Remus. His ebony-furred brother had always helped Rom with turning down females that wanted nothing more than to be honored as the mother of his litter due to his station. Remus had enough experience turning down similar attempts that he was quickly able to deflect the advances thrown at his larger brother. Thinking about what Remus might be doing right now as he allowed himself to drift into a comfortable silence, it became apparent to Romulus that he was being watched. Feeling his paranoia kick up for a moment, the worry fell away almost instantly when his amber eyes shifted and met Juliana’s blue gaze. Smiling lightly, he watched her concentration turn upwards, and Rom could not help but allow his own to follow Lia’s. The sky above them betrayed his intention to spend an eternity in this night, but it brought with it a beauty that he could not ignore. .

07:35

It was a beauty he saw reflected in the white and silver fur held against his chest; his arms wrapped around the female before him that had accomplished something none before her had. He wanted to keep her in his arms, and as he looked down over her lithe form, Romulus felt a stir in his stomach that he had never felt before. It was something he had been warned about and heard talked about by older males of the pack, but he had never experienced it before this moment. Looking over Juliana’s body slowly before he pressed his lips to her, Romulus felt the urge to take her and start a family with her here and now. The idea of the coming dawn was forgotten during an instance of thought that saw only her belly expanded and holding their litter inside of it. Rom knew that Lia would make the perfect mother for his pups, and in this moment, he knew that he was no longer looking for a suitable mate and female to breed with. The thought excited his heart, but he was able to bring his mind back to the present before the feelings of joy and excitement found his softening girth. Holding himself firmly against her as he kissed her, Romulus moaned softly and enjoyed the feeling of her paws moving to rest on his cheeks. Feeling himself relaxing in the cradling sensation, he could not help but melt into Juliana’s hands, his neck releasing the tension of holding his head up entirely to enjoy the trust and love that her touch displayed. He did not want to release the hold their lips had on each other, but as he pulled away to whisper out his prayer of devotion to his mate, Romulus was vaguely aware of the hesitation he felt in her paws to let him draw back from her. It was agonizing, separating his lips from hers to weaken the strength of their embrace, but it had to be done. As he finished, he noted the creased smile on Lia’s muzzle and pressed into her gentle rubbing before listening to the words that came from her lips to his ears at the same whispered volume. .

07:35

Romulus could not help the smile that spread across his muzzle as he heard Juliana’s profession to him, his eyes moving to greet hers with a glisten of joy and thankfulness in them. He heard the words she had to say, and he latched onto the fact that she admitted to already being proud to be his mate, no matter his performance in the battle. It did not make sense to Romulus, who had seen wolves disowned or cast out if they failed to perform well when it came to combat. To be accepted and wanted by Juliana, regardless of how he fought, was a novel sensation, but Rom was quick to lap it up as he returned her kiss to his cheek with a brief kiss to hers as well. She already loves you, you dolt. She isn’t a Grayback; she doesn’t expect you to come back covered in the blood of your enemies. Return to her, live and well, able to perform and show your love to her, and she will be more than pleased to see you. Remember this promise, live by it, and return to her arms. Grinning as Juliana pulled back and remarked on the meal that she was, Romulus smirked and nodded before bringing his paws forward. Shaking his head with a grin after Lia licked his nose, Rom let his clawed fingertips draw slowly up her legs to her thighs. Holding onto the sides of her thighs gently, he drew his eyes slowly up her lupine frame as she stretched up and back into the air. Moaning softly and biting his lower lip as he heard the gentle sound of her whine, Romulus watched through heavily lidded eyes as Juliana rose up onto her toes and curled her tail behind her. Letting his paws glide up from her thighs to rest over her hips and waist, Romulus smiled before speaking in a low voice, his growing arousal evident in the thick huskiness in his voice, “Devouring you, Lia, only drove my hunger for more of you into the atmosphere above us. I will not push our luck by going into the daylight hours with my muzzle between your thighs, but I could spend the rest of our days tasting you if you would let me.”

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. Leaning forward to prove his point, Romulus held his fingers tightly on Juliana’s hips as he let his tongue snake from between his lips. Drawing his tongue slowly along the fur just above his mate’s core, Rom brought his head up to track his embrace slowly up to her toned lower stomach. Stopping just before her navel, Romulus looked up into Lia’s eyes to force their gaze to meet as he opened his mouth and bared his teeth slowly. Drawing his canines gently along the smooth fur that covered her womb, Romulus kissed each of the light red lines left by his teeth as a clear claim for her body before Gaia and any other nocturnal onlooker. Sitting back and holding his gaze on her to show how seriously he meant such a motion and mark, Romulus slowly drew his paws back down her thighs and calves before resting them on his own legs. Rom watched Lia prepare him the bite that he had requested, and he could not help the joy that sprouted in his chest from seeing how seriously she took the task of preparing one of her delectable creations for him. Looking at the piece of bread and compote in front of him, Romulus raised an eyebrow questioningly for a moment as Juliana started to speak about superstitions. Nodding slowly as he understood her point, he glanced down at the bread on the ground and grinned before speaking softly, “May Gaia’s guiding hand find us and direct us on the lucky path that She has laid out before us.” Leaning forward slightly, he opened his maw and let his tongue extend slightly to wrap under the bread in Lia’s grasp. Closing his lips gently over the food as well as her thumb and index finger, Romulus snarled his lips up playfully to play with his teeth drawing back slowly over the smooth texture of her digits. Pulling the bread from her grasp as he brought his head back, Rom released the gentle hold on her fingers before chewing the bread with a satisfied humming sound, enjoying this gift that Lia had brought for him and the opportunity to taste it. .

07:36

Romulus watched her prepare herself a piece of bread and compote before eating it, his eyes tracking Lia’s movements as she turned to return to him. Smiling as Juliana’s giggle reached his ears, Rom thought to ask what had made her laugh, but his thoughts were torn from him as she sat down against him. He had lost the pained rigidity of his member and the accompanying knot but being this close to her again brought a new pulse of excitement through his chest and loins. Feeling his member shifting slightly to grow in case it was needed, Rom shook his head for a moment before wrapping his arms around Lia’s stomach. He kept her held against him as he heard her speak before releasing a low hum that vibrated through his chest and into hers. He did not want to let her go and return to his side of the river, but he knew that they needed to in order to keep up the secrecy of their union at the lake. Lowering his head to lay his snout on Juliana’s shoulder, he kissed her neck softly before breathing out his answer softly, “We will eat more tomorrow night. I can be patient.” He noticed the steam that rolled from their lips as he spoke, but it brought with it a chill that penetrated deep into Romulus’s chest and the wound in his left knee. The steam in the air reminded him of the fact that he would be returning to the border war sooner than he would like. A moment of weakness spread through his chest as he thought for a moment to take Juliana and run, escaping their individual responsibilities in order to live alone with only each other. The thought lasted long enough for a wave of shame to spread over Romulus, hating the cowardice that such a plan reeked of. He could not turn away from those that had raised him from when he was but a pup, and he knew that Juliana would not leave her pack to their own devices in order to pursue her own joy and pleasure. That was one of the many things that he loved about the wolf in his arms, and he would not strip that from her selfishly. .

07:37

Smiling as she talked about the emotions that she had put into baking the bread for him, Romulus kissed Juliana’s neck again before lifting his lips along the base of her jaw slowly. Kissing up to her ears and holding his lips there gently, he held his breath for a moment before letting his words flow out softly, “I will think only of you as I eat this treat.” Feeling Juliana shift slightly to stand and get ready to leave, Romulus released his hold around her by shifting his paws to gently hold onto her sides. Drawing his fingertips slowly up her ribs to the sides of her breasts, Romulus released a shuddering breath under her ear before lowering his hands to the ground and scooting back slightly. His member had pulled back into its sheath, but he ignored it as it began to swell again at the contact his hands had made with her supple flesh. He pushed up from the blanket and brushed his fur softly with his palms after Juliana stood up, his eyes watching her preparing herself to get dressed again. Romulus stood with a grin as she pulled her skirt up, his feet carrying him forward to rest his hands on her now covered hips. Running his hands slowly over the fabric that separated him from her, Romulus bit his lower lip before letting his eyes climb slowly from her waistband to her breasts. Grinning as they too were covered by her clothes, Rom leaned forward and pressed his lips against Juliana’s after she shook her head, his left paw reaching up to thread gently in the fur at the back of her head. Holding the kiss for only a short moment, he pulled back to break the contact with a disappointed groan before stepping back as well. He was threatening his resolve to truly step away from her and let them go to their beds, so he leaned down to grab the bread that was left for him as Juliana gathered her belongings. Wrapping it in the thin cloth that it had come in, Romulus held it in his left paw beside his hip as he watched Juliana work quickly. .

07:37

Hearing her question and proposal, Romulus chuckled softly as he realized that he had not even been thinking of a place that could serve as the meeting place. Turning and gazing down the river in the suggested direction, he nodded slowly before speaking with a thoughtful tone, “I’m sure there are places along our border that are secluded enough for such a meeting, but I don’t know if I can find something alone. I feel, as unfortunate as this sounds, that you and I must meet tonight and find a place that our siblings can meet. This place, our lake, I don’t want to share with them. It is too...intimate.” Romulus grinned as he turned to face Juliana, his feet carrying him forward to embrace her quickly and press his lips against hers. Looking into her eyes as he broke the kiss, he swallowed thickly before passionately finding her lips again. Allowing his tongue to slide between his lips and press through hers, Rom savored the flavors within mate’s mouth before pulling back with a soft gasp as his lungs threatened to rebel within his chest. Bringing his open paw up to hold Lia’s cheek as his paw holding the bread pressed against her lower back, Rom brought her closer to him before whispering, “Tonight, I will meet you. I love you Juliana, and I cannot wait to see you again.” Stepping back after another brief kiss, Romulus closed his eyes and turned around before striding towards the water of the river. He kept his head forward, denying his eyes the chance to betray him and look at her again. If he turned his attention back to Juliana, he would find himself rooted in place and never leaving. That did not stop his ears, which turned back to catch any sound she had to offer as he limped slowly towards the river, his left leg stiff at the knee now that his arousal was not distracting him from the pain. He was ashamed of himself for showing this pain to her, but Romulus felt it was better to show the truth than hide from her and give her false hope or pretenses.

07:37

@Fiory

Pulling her skirt and her top back on was the worst feeling she had to endure this evening. It only made it worse when Rom came over and held her hips, now with a layer of cloth between the pair. She never knew how much she hated wearing clothing until this moment. Why did they subject themselves to wearing scraps of leather and cloth to hide their bodies, when Gaia obviously made it so much better not to? Probably for the exact reason that tonight happened, so that we are not distracted all day and all night with our lovers and their embrace Juliana thought, though it was a little pained coming to mind. The idea of staying in just her fur against Rom in just his was an enticing one. Feeling his paws against her made her want to strip the damned clothing off again, though she knew that wasn’t the best decision to make. Instead, she gave a gentle giggle at his affections on her lips. It was so hard to leave him again, she hated every time they had to say goodbye. It hurt so much when the nights would end, why did there always have to be an end? How cruel the world was, that there could never just be a beginning and a middle but always an end to follow. After proposing the idea to him, she listened to his logical response, her dark ears flicking forward to ensure she heard and understood everything he said. Her cheeks flushed a little at his reasoning. He was right, the lake was too intimate. They had made it so tonight, and she couldn’t agree more that she didn’t want Sabelle and his brother stumbling in on their special place. Our special space. No one else’s. “I’m happy to meet with you tonight then Rom… we’ll scout it together.” Was about all she got the chance to relay to him, before her body was swept up into his embrace. There was no fight, no struggle just a whine of delight. Her paws held his face and she enjoyed the taste of him again and again. Who needed to breathe anyway? Juliana certainly didn’t believe she ever needed to come up for air. Romulu

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s provided enough for the pair of them. She could survive on his kisses and embraces alone. Food was for the weak, Rom was her sustenance and she relished each time he came back to her in need of his own refill of her.

12:38

“I love you too Romulus.” She whispered sweetly, quiet like the sigh of a dove. “Tonight can’t come soon enough.” While he stayed true walking away without looking back, Lia couldn’t help but watch him leave. The limp he had stabbed her heart with every step that he made. The idea of him going back to war, going back to fighting in just two weeks time made her heart race and she did everything she possibly could to quell the rising panic. Don’t show it on your face. Don’t let him see. She scolded herself, those lips rising into more of a smile then the grimace she knew was coming across her muzzle instead. Instead, she took a breath and checked the area to ensure their presence was dutifully masked. The last thing she wanted was a scouting or hunting party to pass through and discover the intimacy they had shared by any evidence left behind. She wanted to say something. Wanted to call him back to her. Wanted to hold him in her arms and never let him go. But instead she stood as still as a tree, a statue of white fur and blazing blue eyes as she gazed out at him. Once he got to the other bank, was when she finally turned and made her way through the brush and towards home. Like him, she couldn’t allow herself to watch him any further. Didn’t dare let herself remain rooted to the spot for longer than she had let herself already. Watching him disappear into the treeline would be agony and it was something she didn’t want her heart to bare. Her paws felt heavy as if laden with river stones as she walked through the wood. Lia nearly dragged herself back down the trails and through the secluded brush to Silverfang territory and the home she knew. Her head swam with different images of the evening. Of the fight they’d had, of the tender moments together, of the intimacy and release they both desperately needed. It culminated in a vision of her future as she rounded the bend and came towards the opening towards the village. The sun was threatening to crest over the

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horizon, and the gentle light was softly falling on the homes and farms laid out, still in slumber. The residents of her home still dreaming their sweet little dreams, while Lia returned home with a dream already swelling in her heart.

12:39

Her bed looked so empty, hard and cold even though she knew it would surely welcome her in a warm and comfortable embrace for the few hours she’d get of rest. Slipping her bag off her shoulder and sliding herself into her bed, Juliana curled in on herself, snuggling deep and holding her palms up to her chest. Tonight had been so grand, it ended on such a high note. He knows now. There’s no secrets between us. He is the Grayback Brave, and I am the Silverfang Heir, and we both know it. She thought in her head, thanking the heavens above and the grace that Gaia had to penetrate their hearts so they could see past their titles and pack responsibilities. Lia would run away from it all if she could. Leave everything behind and live out the rest of her days with Romulus, just the two of them with a family and a home all their own. A new pack, one where it didn’t matter where you came from, it was the strength of your character that defined who you were and who was worthy of you. A small smile crept on her muzzle as she let the exhaustion run it’s course and take her to the dream that had come to mind. A comfortable home, a plot of land they could work that overlooked the sunset as it fell. And in that field, two perhaps even three pups running, jumping, and laughing in hues of gray, silver and white. Safe and secure, looked after by the broad shouldered and tall male that leaned against the home with her in his comforting arms. Lia could see herself nuzzling against him gently as sleep let her live in that dream. It was so real and so strong for her heart, it even made Juliana murmur softly out loud as she slept. “I love you… Romulus..” Juliana maybe got about three hours or so of sleep before Sabelle came to wake her. The growling under the blankets was met with inpatient huffs and scolding barks at her. You’ll understand soon enough why I’m so tired Sabelle… Lia thought miserably. She hadn’t wanted to wake from that dream. A glimpse of heaven on earth, a

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nd it was an addictive vision she never wanted to leave. How dare Sabelle disturb her utopia, her pleasant heavenly vision of her future. The red she-wolf just continued to shake Lia until she groaned irritably and forced herself out of bed. Lethargic she dressed and stretched, wearing her normal trousers and a darker blue vest today. It was easy to wear vests as it kept her arms open and allowed her to keep herself active and free from getting caught on things while she worked.

12:40

“Alright, you’ve got to check the fishery, and we’re getting close to harvesting the wheat so it would be a good idea to check our stock and see if we need to turn last season’s harvest into meal or flour to make room for this season’s.” Sabelle chattered on and Lia just nodded her head quietly at her. She wasn’t in the mood to talk as anytime she opened her muzzle instead of words coming out, she instead let out a gentle yawn. After about the third one, Sabelle clad in a green shirt and soft yellow pants against her auburn coated fur finally put her paws on her hips. “Why in Gaia’s name are you so tired?” She growled gently. “I’m not… tired.” Lia lied, not convincingly. “You look awful. You realize that your father is meeting with the scouts this afternoon…” Sabelle continued. Lia just nodded her head, her eyes half lidded as she listened. “And YOU” Sabelle growled a little more urgently “Are going to have to be more than just barely conscious at that meeting. What is up with you?” “Nothing ‘Belle…” “Don’t lie to me Lia I know you better than that.” “I just… didn’t get a lot of sleep last night… that’s all.” That wasn’t exactly a lie per say, considering she had been up nearly all night with Romulus. Her heart swelled and she couldn’t help the gentle smile that came to her muzzle reminiscing on the evening’s events. This unfortunately was not lost on Sabelle who found a moment on their walk through the center of the village to pull Juliana by the ear towards a secluded corner between two homes. “Ow! Sabelle what are you doing?” Now she was awake, a gentle snarl on her face as she rubbed her ear painfully. It wasn’t like the red she-wolf to be so demanding. “Alright spill.” Sabelle growled, her arms crossed in front of her. “Spill what?” Lia responded, perplexed. “Who is he?” “He?” “Oh come on Lia, don’t try to hide it.” “Hide what? Speak plainly before I really get irritated Sabelle.” “Who’s the Male who’s caught your eye?” Lia froze. Sabelle had al

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ways been so quiet and timid. She was the best friend that Lia loved having around. Easy to get to do anything and always willing to please. So it was for that reason that Juliana forgot how observant Sabelle could be. It was uncanny how she could almost read her mind sometimes with how in sync the pair were. It was as if they truly were sisters. The only thing was, she didn’t know if this was the right time to talk about Romulus with her. They hadn’t found a meeting place yet for Sabelle and Rom’s brother to meet safely. “I.. don’t know what yo-” “Don’t Lie to me Lia. You’re awful at it.” Sabelle barked quietly, keeping her voice just under a whisper as best she could. A gentle whine escaped her muzzle shortly afterwards. “Come on Lia… You can trust me.”

12:40

This was true. Sabelle had been inseparable from Juliana since they were pups. While not blood related they were basically sisters with how close they were. Lia couldn’t consider Sabelle as anyone but that, as giving her the title of her closest and best friend didn’t seem like it was enough. I know I can trust you… but… is it too soon? She thought, letting silence fall between the pair for a moment, her ears falling gently. Sabelle began tapping her paw on the ground and Lia scoffed at her, snorting out a hot bit of air at her attempt to play the waiting mother. I guess… I can say… something…and we can talk later about more details.. Juliana thought, taking her paw and gently rubbing her neck. “Alright… just… you’ve got to keep your muzzle shut about it. I’m not ready to announce anything yet.” Lia began in a hushed whisper. Sabelle leaned in to listen, her tail wagging brightly behind her and nodding in anticipation. That’s the hopelessly romantic she-wolf that she knew. It was too bad that Sabelle was so quiet and timid when it came to males, otherwise Lia was sure she’d have been snatched up and whisked away to make a family of her own by now.

12:41

“I may have.. Met… someone.” Juliana said softly “Who??” “I can’t tell you yet.” “Wait a minute… is it Necklace Male?” Sabelle said excitedly, pointing at the minotaur pendant around Juliana’s neck. That’s right, Sabelle had asked about it when Romulus was gone the first time. They had been bathing and Juliana remembered the bangle that Sabelle had worn. Her gaze moved to her wrists, suspiciously empty. The bangle was gone. “Y-yeah… actually Yes…” Juliana said gently, and a soft squeak of delight came from Sabelle’s muzzle. Juliana held her sister’s paw in her own just to quiet her and gather her attention again. “Sabelle… where’s your bangle?” She asked, and the excitement died in Sabelle’s eyes. Her auburn head shook from side to side, her green eyes gleaming a little with regret and irritation. “It.. didn’t work out.” Sabelle began, a soft growl on her lips. “Caught him with another fae… promised her a necklace… so I gave him the bangle back… I don’t need a male who doesn’t want me.” “Oh Sabelle… I’m so sorry…” Lia’s voice sounded a little broken. It wasn’t fair to her; Sabelle was so sweet, so pleasing, just wanting to give her heart to someone who would treasure it. “I’ll be alright… Tell me about Necklace-Guy!” Sabelle recovered, waving her other paw and shaking her head. That’s Sabelle… always thinking of someone else, never of herself. She’s in pain, but she’d rather hear about my happiness then dwell on the heartache she’s dealt with… “Well.. I actually want you to meet him.. But not yet!” Lia said quickly to quell any excitement that might alert anyone to their little hideaway. “When!?” Sabelle urged excitedly, doing everything she could to keep her voice down, even though it threatened to shout to the heavens. “I don’t know… I want the meeting to be perfect… will you be patient for me? Let me figure it out and trust I’ll let you meet as soon as I’m ready for you to?” Lia’s voice was quiet, her tail swishing back and forth behind her as she pl

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eaded with her very best friend. Sabelle groaned after a few moments, clearly not wanting to be patient, but in the end nodding, agreeing to wait for the right time as Juliana requested. Lia couldn’t have smiled broader. This was a good first step, and once she knew where Sabelle and Rom’s brother were to meet, then she could have Sabelle meet both males at once. Now she just had to try and get through the rest of her day without passing out before she could see Romulus again tonight and help scout a perfect meeting spot for the pair. Well, and bring snacks for the pair to enjoy while on their scouting mission too. @Himbo Tie

Romulus found it easier to cross the river than walking on the harder surface of the shore, sighing contentedly when the water took some of the weight off of his legs. Relaxing in the gentle current and lowering down to let the water lap at his chin, he held the pouch of bread out of the water with his left arm raised above his head. He could not ignore the strain that this put on his arm, but as he had told Juliana before, Rom knew that this pain was not a sign that he was still wounded. He was healed; he just had to deal with the pain for now until it subsided and allowed him to return to a life of peace and ease. The riverbed gave him easy purchase under the pads of his paws, but as he felt the soft mud turning to the harder sand and pebbles, Romulus groaned softly as he knew he would be stepping out of the water. He was not looking forward to supporting his weight on his knee again, but he made the effort to stand strong and not show his injuries to the she-wolf that he could still feel watching him. Stealing a quick glance over his shoulder as his legs pushed through the shallow water, Romulus caught sight of Juliana standing proud and still like a marble statue. He could see the smallest curve of a smile on her lips, but the way her eyes laid heavily on him betrayed her efforts to seem stoic in this moment. He could feel the longing in her gaze, for he knew that his own eyes carried with them the need to race across the river and take her into his arms again. He admired her ability to stand still and watch him, recognizing in her the strength that he had seen in the females of his pack and clan. There were no tear-filled goodbyes, only a promise to return victorious or not at all. Breathing out deeply as he stood on the bank and watched Juliana turn to walk away, Romulus nodded before matching her movements by continuing up the bank towards the rock where he had left his belongings. .

01:48

Looking down at the water dripping from his fur as he walked up the shore, Romulus chuckled softly and shook his head before continuing with the rest of his body. Stumbling a little from the intensity and power behind his shaking, he smirked when he saw a steady ring of water droplets falling through the air to land around him. Shaking his body a few more times as he walked to his belongings, Romulus was nearly dry by the time he placed his left paw on the rock to steady himself against a slight dizziness that had pervaded his sense of balance. Closing his eyes for a moment as he exhaled slowly, he tried his best to ignore the inflamed pain from the scars that littered his body. The sensation would pass and there would be no sign of the injuries in the coming days, but right now they plagued his movements and his practices. Drying off after a swim was painful with their current state, but if that swim meant he would get to see Juliana on the other bank, Romulus knew he would swim that distance for all eternity. Smoothing down the fur that stood on end over his torso and legs, Romulus grabbed his kilt and pulled it up over his legs. Tightening the belt at his waist and adjusting the folds of the fabric to lay correctly, he smiled as he moved his paws up his abdomen and settled them on the minotaur horn that hung from his necklace. Closing his eyes and remembering the warmth that Juliana’s body radiated when they were close together, Rom felt the corners of his lips pulling up into a broad smile. The large wolf sighed softly before opening his eyes and moving his hands to take hold of his armor. Picking up the larger pieces of hardened leather, he placed them over his shoulders and chest before tightening the straps that held them in place. He shook his head as he looked down at the armor and thought of the flaws that it carried with it. .

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He had never questioned its ability to protect him, but the wounds on his shoulders and chest were clear evidence that his faith was not enough to make up for the weaknesses in his defenses. He would need something more to protect himself, and while he had never thought it necessary, he now knew that he owed it to Juliana to come home safe and alive. Romulus was no longer alone and able to live recklessly; he had someone that he cared for and was responsible for. Strapping the leather frog for his longsword to his belt, Romulus nodded sternly as he slid the scabbard into the frog and tightened the buckles over it. Looking down at the great sword in its scabbard and the accompanying straps, Rom made a silent promise to himself and Gaia alike. I will return to her. No matter what comes across my path or what challenges I must overcome, I will have a life with Juliana Silverfang. I swear that to you, Mother. My life now has purpose, and she is my guiding light. Tightening the straps for his back scabbard around his chest, Romulus nodded to affirm his promise before stepping away from the river and climbing over the ledge that led into the forest. The trek through the woods back to Remus’s home was uneventful as Romulus pushed himself to move at a swift jog, not wanting to waste any time before he could get some sleep for the day. He suffered the consequences of pushing his body like this, with red hot pain spreading up his leg and across his chest. But he also knew that feeling such pain simply meant that he was alive. He had not passed on into the afterlife and dreamt up the night with Juliana, his Silverfang mate who also happened to be the heir to her father’s throne. His jog brought him through the sleeping avenues of the village, his ears attuned to the sounds of gentle snoring escaping multiple earthen homes that he passed. It was not until he got within eyeshot of his destination that he slowed from his swift jog to a slow trot and eventually to a walk. .

01:48

A wolf, clad in black leather that stood out starkly from his white fur, stood outside of the house, his paws crossed over the head of a battleax. A veteran of the battlefield and a member of the elite Braves under Romulus’s command, he was one of many tasked with guarding the home of their chief. Hearing the heavy footfalls of the larger wolf, the white wolf turned his ears in the direction of the sound before his head followed. His hands shifted to pick up his ax, but he did not move to hold it in a way that screamed aggressive intent. A low chuckle left the white wolf’s throat before he shook his head and spoke, “You are lucky I can recognize your footfalls, or else I would have been obliged to attack you. What are you doing out so late at night, Romulus? Or are you just awake earlier than everyone else and hoping to start the day first? You should be resting; your wounds need it.” “Octavius, if you nagged me much more, I would expect to look down and see you stretched over my cock. No, I couldn’t sleep. With thoughts of the North racing through my mind, I needed to move and expend some energy. Now, I will get a few hours of sleep, if you will let me pass. Perhaps you could even follow me into my bed and nag some more,” Romulus smirked as he spoke, his feet carrying him to his comrade’s side where he could rest his right paw heavily on the wolf’s shoulder. Octavius shook his head and chuckled softly at the jokes before shrugging Romulus’s paw off of him. Nodding his thanks to the other wolf, Romulus moved to step past him but paused as his eyes came back to the other. His smile fell away slowly as he spoke in a solemn tone, his shoulders falling slightly with his voice, “Thank you for rescuing me. Remus told me that you went back with him to help carry me home. I would be dead without your help, so thank you.” .

01:49

Lifting his paw to squeeze Octavius’s shoulder again, Romulus allowed it to slip off after a few seconds to make sure that his authentic thanks had cut through the raunchy jokes he had shared. Pushing aside the curtain of elk hide that kept the outside air from entering the home, Romulus saw that the main fireplace of the home was filled with ash-covered logs, evidence that it had been out for a few hours now. Looking at the deer hide that separated a side room from the main living quarters, Romulus smirked and walked slowly over to it before pushing it open. The room was bare of any decorations save for a single wooden statue carved from the heart of an oak tree. The statue bore the image of Gaia in her lupine form, standing on all fours with her pups suckling from her teats that provided the nutrients and energy needed to start the lives of every wolf in existence. Smiling as he quickly removed his swords and scabbards and laid them down beside the statue, Romulus lowered himself to his knees before laying over into his bed. This was the room that was afforded to him by Marcel, Remus’s father who bore the safe pitch-black coat as his son. He preferred to sleep in nature or away from the town, but the next day’s duties, self-appointed and duty bound alike, required that he be here. Romulus’s eyes closed before he realized it, a smile creeping onto his lips before his mind delved into the fields of his slumber. Racing along through tall grass, a smile spread over his lips, Romulus was able to look over and see a silver and white streak moving alongside him. Shifting through the grass to get closer to her, he caught glimpses of Juliana’s face before she smiled and moved further away from him. For some time, his dream self played this cat and mouse game of getting close enough to see Juliana clearly before she darted away, and the chase began anew. .

01:49

Pushing his paws harder against the soft ground of the field they were running in, Romulus propelled himself faster than he had been before and angled his approach so that he would not simply be running alongside Juliana. Romulus ran hard and fast until he burst through the tall grass and came face to face with Lia. Seeing her eyes grow wide in surprise at being cut off like this, Rom grinned and wrapped his arms around her midsection before falling back and bringing her close to him. Rolling with his arms around her to keep her close and safe, Romulus stuck his left leg out to stop on his own accord and held himself hovering over her. Looking down at her body below him, he realized only now that they were both running without clothes on, just as Gaia had intended. Seeing his excitement hovering over her stomach, Romulus bit his lower lip and shifted his amber gaze to Juliana’s bright blue eyes. Seeing her smile and nod, he pulled his hips back before pushing forward with a deep moan as his member slid into her waiting entrance. Feeling immediate pleasure blossom in his stomach and along his member, Romulus started a slow and deep rhythm of thrusting into Juliana. Hearing her moans and gasps of pleasure as he took her properly this time, Rom could feel that all of his body was moving freely with no pain to interrupt his actions. His hips slammed forward with significant strength and passion, rolling with each deep penetration so that his mate could feel all that he had to offer for her. It was received well, for with every deep thrust, Lia’s breath was stolen and replaced with his name and calls for him to not stop. A spread of warmth came over his abdomen as he found himself closing in on his orgasm, and as the realization spread over his face, Juliana held tight to him and professed how close she was as well. Several deep thrusts later, Romulus’s control slipped before he slammed himself into Lia and felt his cock swell before his orgasm crashed over him. .

01:49

Spilling his seed into her, Romulus could feel her walls working a quick pattern of rolling tightness as she moaned out his name and reached her climax with him. His knot grew quickly on the base his manhood, locking himself in place and keeping his hips pressed tight against Juliana in his dream. Unable to pull out of her, Romulus emptied more and more of his seed into her until the throbbing of his cock finally found a stopping point. With the conclusion of his orgasm, Rom felt Lia’s tightness persist around him as his knot held them both captive in this moment of intense love making. The knot could not keep his mind in the realm of dreams, however, as Romulus found himself waking up slowly when the sounds from the interior of the home started to grow louder. He had only been asleep a handful of hours, but that was not the only handful that he had experienced. Glancing down his body, Romulus saw his kilt discarded at the foot of his mattress and his paw wrapped firmly around his swollen member. His knot was a deep red in color, owing to the intensity of his orgasm which had shot his seed out onto his mattress and nearly a meter off of it across the room as well. Blushing intensely as he pulled his hand away from himself, it was then that he saw the deer hide separation curtain fall away as a pair of tan paws walked away. Knowing those paws to belong to the tan she-wolf of the home, Romulus felt his heart sink as he realized that Manya, Remus’s mother and the mate to the chief, had just seen him fully aroused and shooting cum in her house. Pushing up quickly from the mattress, Rom dropped his kilt over his stiff manhood before grabbing his swords and replacing them in their respective positions. Using one of the rags that he used to clean his blades, Romulus wiped his cum up from the mattress and ground before stepping out of the small room. .

01:49

He could quickly smell the breakfast that had been prepared, but he could also smell the distinct scent of sex coming from the room behind him. Blushing as he saw Manya preparing a small plate of venison with some tubers cut up and pan fried, Romulus was thankful that no one else was in the room. Lowering his left paw to try to push his tented member down and make it less obvious, Rom was caught off guard when the older wolf waved her paw in a dismissive fashion. Swallowing thickly in embarrassment, he found his cheeks burning a bright red under his gray fur when Manya spoke with a chuckle, “Oh Romulus, I have seen you grow from a young pup to a grown wolf, I’ve seen that thing more than once. You don’t need to worry; I am not offended or need to tell my husband how you startled me. I heard you speaking and went to check on you, but it seems that you did not need any help that could be given to you. No, you were quite content in calling out to a certain...Juliana...for your pleasure. Here, get some food and then head to the blacksmith. Marcel and Remus await you there.” Nodding quickly as he stepped forward to take the plate that was offered to him, Romulus found his efforts halted when the female wolf held onto the plate firmly. He had only reached with his right paw, but by the raised eyebrow of Manya, he could tell she meant for him to take it with both hands. Reaching up awkwardly and feeling his kilt lift into a pronounced tent, Rom took hold of the plate and felt his cheeks burn hotter as Manya spoke again before releasing the plate, “Be proud of who you are and the gifts that you have, Romulus. Would I have rather not seen it? Yes, but I also do not want you to feel ashamed. Now, hurry along before they get impatient.” .

01:50

Taking the plate from her, Romulus quickly ate the food on it while Manya shook her head and walked out of the home. Despite how delicious the meat was and how refreshing the tuber salad was, Romulus could not shake the feeling that something was missing. Smirking as he glanced towards the deer hide curtain, he set the empty plate on the table with the others from the earlier meal before walking back over to his room. Stepping in and ignoring the lingering scent, Romulus moved the pillow that he had slept on and retrieved the small pouch that he had stored there before falling asleep fully. Smiling warmly as he opened the pouch, Romulus looked down at the chunk of bread that Juliana had given to him before leaning down and breathing in deeply. Taking in the sweet, floral scent of the bread as well as the scent of Juliana permeating from the cloth, Rom hummed softly before opening his mouth and eating the bread that was left there. The flavor immediately exploded in his mouth, and with it came a satisfied grunt as he realized this was what was missing from the meal to make it complete. Wrapping the cloth up on itself, he put it in one of the pockets of his kilt before moving to leave the home. A different wolf was standing guard when he left this time, but he offered no more greeting than a simple nod of recognition. He didn’t have time to greet the other wolf. Fighting back a yawn as he walked along the path, Romulus smiled at the different wolves that he passed until he could hear the distinct clanging of steel on steel coming from the blacksmith area. Reaching the fence that separated it from the walking path, Romulus opened the fence and strode in with a smile as he looked to the several forges that were all lit and heating various shapes of steel. Some of the wolves here were masters at blade smithing, while others were master armorers.

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The thing they all held in common, however, was their bright red fur and the black mane that ran down the backs of their necks.

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.

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The Graybacks themselves had a hard time working through the moral dilemma of taking from Gaia, but they were not against working with those that would and knew the proper ways of paying back to their Mother for her generosity. The blacksmiths that worked on the steel needed for their war effort and ways of life had no such qualms. They came from a neighboring land to the west, whose people dwelled across vast grasslands that were overtop of extensive mines that they operated. Neither Lupine nor Vulpine, these maned canines owed their allegiance only to those that could pay them the most or house and feed them the best. They brought with them their expert skills in smithing, mining, and crafting, and the best smith amongst them was a male named Apollo. Red furred with the typical black mane on his neck, the tall wolf bore a white stomach and chest with a large dark brown patch of fur that stretched across his collarbone and sternum like a broad-bladed arrowhead. Walking up to the anvil where Apollo stood talking with Marcel and Remus, Romulus nodded quickly in recognition of all of them without needing to speak and interrupt the conversation. He walked up at the end of it, but after listening to Marcel speak enough, Rom knew what his chief was talking about. “-it needs to cover as much as it can without negatively impacting the wearer’s ability to move and fight. I don’t want to give them protection only to turn them into a slow lumbering beast like the Ursine bastards. Take Romulus here for example. It would be a waste of his potential and talents to cover him in a suit of thick armor that slowed him down and made him fight like a regular warrior. His strengths would be forfeited, only to be replaced by weaknesses that we can only imagine. Too slow and his enemies can get in close and hit where the armor is not.” .

01:50

Apollo nodded and turned his attention to Romulus, his eyes looking over the Brave leader diligently as if he was imagining the armor that he would make for him. The maned wolf stood nearly as tall as the gray furred wolf, but he was much narrower in comparison. Stepping around his anvil to be closer to the model in his head, Apollo raised his paws towards Romulus’s chest before shifting his eyes to meet the amber orbs above him. Lifting his eyebrows as an unspoken permission to touch, he received a quick nod from the proud wolf before his paws went to work. Spreading over Romulus’s chest and abdomen, Apollo was looking quickly over the muscled features before him and then back to his paws, sizing up the measurements he would need to make the armor to fit the male before him. Looking back to his shoulders and resting his paws on them before removing his touch, Apollo nodded quickly before looking to Marcel and Remus and speaking, “Give me one week and I can have the armor you requested completed. I will need to see each wolf that is getting their own set of armor so that I can work on the fit and finish, but I can have it done before they deploy in just under two weeks’ time. Now, vast amounts to fill your need for the entire army? That will take time and materials.” Remus nodded slowly as Apollo spoke, stepping away from his father so that he could speak to the blacksmith about the expectations for outfitting their entire force. He had only cared about getting armor for the Braves: those wolves that would be fighting the most dangerous fights in the most inhospitable regions. Walking over to Romulus, he gripped his brother by the arm and turned him to have him walk beside him as he spoke, “As you can probably tell, my father and I are getting armor made. Armor for you, me, and our wolves in the Braves. We can’t afford to lose any of us on this next mission, so I convinced him to talk to Apollo. Walk with me, I have something to show you.” .

01:51

Matching Remus’s pace as they walked along the paths that led towards the northern portion of the settlement, Romulus nodded slowly before a small chuckle escaped his lips. He had not even had the opportunity to talk to Remus yet about his idea of finding better armor to wear, yet his brother had already taken the initiative to get some made for him. Shaking his head as he thought about how strange it was, Rom looked up to the mid-morning sky and breathed in deeply. Thank you, Mother. You heard me, and now You are making efforts to see Your children protected. Your kindness is appreciated; I will make a sacrifice in the coming days to give You proper thanks for this. Romulus was aware of Remus looking over at him, the ebony wolf’s sharp yellow eyes piercing into his own amber hues for an answer to the unspoken question: What in the name of Tartarus was he laughing about? Grinning and shrugging slightly, Romulus looked at his brother and spoke in a light tone, “I had been thinking about asking you about getting a new set of armor yesterday. I need something that can actually stop a weapon, not just a claw from an angry rival. My leather has served me well, but I nearly died because of my faith and trust in it. I need something more substantial, and this is the answer.” Remus rolled his eyes while smirking, his eyes settling on the path ahead of them before he glanced over at Rom. Making an exaggerated show of nodding his head, he chuckled softly before speaking at a low volume, “Yeah, sure. It had nothing to do with Juliana? You keep talking about her in your sleep, and I’m going to force you to introduce us. I don’t know of any Juliana in this settlement, so she must be from one of the fringe villages that you enjoy patrolling around. Tell me, is that where the other half of the minotaur horn went?” .

01:51

Bringing his paws up to cradle the minotaur horn in question, Romulus could not help the small grin that played at the corner of his lips. When he saw this movement, Remus put his left arm out and grabbed hold of Romulus’s shoulder. Pushing on his shoulder to turn him and force him to face him, Remus smiled before closing his right paw into a tight fist and speaking in a triumphant tone, “I knew it!! Octavius didn’t believe me, nor did any of the others, but I knew. I knew there had to be someone you had your eyes on. There was no other explanation for your distraction on this latest mission and the name that you would mumble at the fire or in your sleep. When are you going to introduce us? I have to meet her if she has captivated you like this!!” Putting his paws up as if to ward away the multitude of comments, Romulus chuckled heartily before shaking his head. He knew that his brother was going to be happy for him and excited, but he was not expecting this tirade of questions and demands. Laying his left paw on Remus’s shoulder and squeezing it gently, he spoke in a low voice to try to calm down Remus’s ecstatic energy, “I want to introduce you to her, and I plan on it.” At the pause in Romulus’s words, Remus brought his right paw up quickly and smacked Romulus lightly on the side of the head. Earning himself an aggravated growl, Remus returned it with a playful snarl before speaking quickly, “Okay, that sounds great. I hear that ‘but’ though, so go ahead and get it out so that I can tell you why you are wrong.” .

01:51

Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, Romulus smirked before snapping his jaws at Remus’s hand that lingered in the air as if prepared to smack at him again. Feeling a light buzz flowing through his chest as he thought of Juliana’s beautiful smile and striking eyes, Rom lowered his gaze to meet Remus’s and continued, “But I don’t have a place to do it yet. She isn’t from this settlement, so it is going to be a trek regardless. I’m trying to find a place where you can meet her, but I don’t have anywhere yet. I also need to speak with her and make sure that she can afford to come to a meeting when she has other duties to take care of.” Seeing Remus’s eyebrows quirk as he was so obviously preparing to remind his brother of his status, Romulus shook his head and spoke quickly, “Just saying you’re Marcel’s son won’t get you everything in life, you know this Remus. It is not a fix-all to all of life’s problems.” Romulus grinned as he finished speaking, seeing a smirk playing on his brother’s lips as he took the criticism on the chin. It had not been meant to hurt him, but there was some validity to it. Remus would not always have his father’s name to lean on. He would need to make a name for himself that commanded respect if he ever wished to claim his father’s title. A silence came over the two of them for a moment before Remus nodded and smiled, knowing the point that Romulus had been trying to get across. He raised his right paw to ruffle the gray fur of the taller wolf before stepping away from him. Remus turned and started down the path again, wanting to get Romulus to their destination. Though, as they walked, he glanced over his shoulder and spoke in a soft voice, “I assume this should not be widespread knowledge. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. Just don’t leave me waiting for too long, okay? I’m excited for you and I’m looking forward to meeting her, but I don’t know how well I can contain my excitement around others.” .

01:53

Grinning and shaking his head, Romulus followed in silence as he heard Remus laughing softly as they walked together. He trusted him to keep his secret just that: a secret that Romulus would divulge at his own discretion. Looking up the path, his eyebrows furrowed when he could see Octavius and several other Braves standing next to each other in a semi-circle while looking at something in front of all of them. Noticing Remus’s pace speeding up from a casual walk to a jog to close the final distance, Romulus growled softly out of protest before leaning forward and jogging himself. To his fortunate surprise, the pain he anticipated to shoot through his thigh was dull and resembled more of a dull ache than any of the pain from the night before. Smiling at the change in the pain, he caught up to Remus quickly and jogged alongside him until they reached the semi-circle. Octavius saw them first and pushed one of the Braves to the side to make room for Remus and Romulus to file into the gap created. Nodding his thanks to the white wolf, Romulus looked to the group of brown and gray wolves that were working on a wooden contraption that he had never seen up close before. Recognizing it from the Ursine convoys he had attacked on this latest trip, he knew that it had to be the disassembled siege equipment they had captured. Looking from Remus to the wolves working their paws over it tirelessly, he waited to hear from them what it was. @Fiory

The mid-morning sunshine warmed Juliana’s fur as she made her way down the dirt path of her home village. The huts were buzzing as wolves woke for the day, greeting the future leader with a wave or a quiet glance. The ground beneath her paws was well worn; she’d taken this road several times. Her duties were with her pack and so she often had to check different stages of their food procurement, their living situations, clothing and winter warmth, as well as her leadership duties that included treaties, peace talks and keeping boundaries safe. Continually moving helped her to at least focus and remain awake. It was that and her auburn furred shadow at her side that chatted away endlessly. “Can’t you tell me his name?” Sabelle whined, pleading to Lia for more information about her mystery love affair. Her tail was wagging furiously behind her, her steps kept in line with her ivory furred friend and her emerald green eyes gleaming brightly with interest. Juliana was beginning to regret having said anything to Sabelle. It was just like her to be so excited over someone else’s happiness over her own. “No…I’m not telling you.” Lia growled, her fangs bared in a playful snarl at the excitable fae next to her. “Oh come on. I won’t say anything! I can keep a secret!” Sabelle’s whining was grating to Lia’s ears. She was barely conscious as it was, and her friend knew it. Exhaustion wasn’t something that Lia did well with, and she groaned quietly as Belle began repeating the word ‘Please’ over and over in her ear. “Oh Fine!” Juliana barked in frustration. Her paws came up and rubbed at her black ears, her hand dragging down her muzzle over her eyes. She had stopped on the outskirts of the village, the path winding further towards the fishery where Juliana was due to check the catches that had been coming in. She was to determine just how much would be cooked and fed to everyone now, and which ones would be smoked and stored for winter meals. The trees shot up on either s

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ide of the pair, shading them from the sunshine momentarily and thankfully from prying ears and eyes nearby.

22:22

Juliana’s ice blue eyes glanced at her friend, before she burst out laughing, the frustration and irritation on her face melting away to laugh at the utter pathetic puppy eyes that Sabelle was giving her. She looked positively ridiculous, begging with a sweet pout on her muzzle. Watching her behave and personify a puppy at her age was both adorable and hilarious. Sabelle always knew how to make Juliana laugh. “Oh I said fine… His name is Romulus.” Juliana said softly, lightly pushing at Sabelle’s shoulder as she said it. There wasn’t a need to relay his pack surname at this point, so she chose to leave that out. Sabelle’s tail wagged furiously. “Ooh that’s a handsome name. What’s he look like?” “You’ll get to meet him yourself later!” Juliana barked her own tail swaying gently back and forth behind her. The impatience was infectious, and only made the silvery white female want to be back in Rom’s warm strong arms. Her face flushed a little, knowing what those arms were capable of, what the male that owned them could do with them. A shiver of delight ran through her spine making her fur stand on end for a moment recalling the nights antics. It filled Juliana with a fire she couldn’t explain and a soft grin spread over her muzzle. “Oh come on…” Sabelle growled gently, rubbing her shoulder up against Lia’s and raising a brow to her. “You can’t look that happy and not tell me what he looks like Juliana.” The auburn fae complained. Lia who hadn’t realized she had looked so starry eyed and content in her brief trip down memory lane to last night’s trist blushed profusely at Sabelle. Though knowing her friend and how stubborn she could be, Sabelle wasn’t going to let this bone go. “Here, I’ll guess and you just tell me if I’m right, alright? Good” Sabelle said softly, her tail swaying happily from side to side as the pair continued their walk down to the designated riverbank. Lia just laughed gently. She hadn’t even been given a chance to respond in the negative

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or affirmative before Sabelle had made the decision for her. The pair continued their walk up the bank of the river, heading towards the upstream nets where there were wolves already gathering and corralling the trout and salmon that had been snared by their thickly made nets. Sabelle couldn’t have cared, playing twenty questions instead with Lia as they drew closer.

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“Is he, tall?” “Yes… very..” Juliana said softly, grinning at Sabelle’s questions. If it kept her excited, and kept her happy, Lia would play her little game. “Ooh alright… Black coat?” Sabelle guessed, her finger on her nose as she thought. Juliana just shook her head no. Romulus did not have a black coat. Sabelle merely huffed and shook her head almost like she was disappointed. “Pity… but I mean.. You can enjoy what you want I suppose.” “Judgemental much, Sabelle?” Juliana scoffed, a soft growl on her lips. The auburn fae just moved a branch out of her face as she ducked around it and shrugged. “Hey, I like what I like. The tall, dark and handsome kind of male has always appealed to me… You know that.” She said softly, her red coat gleaming in the reflection of the river water next to them. Juliana just shook her head, a soft laugh on her lips at the shallow comment of her friend. “I should count myself lucky that Rom had dark gray fur and not black then.” Juliana responded, which only made Belle’s eyes light up like shimmering green gemstones. “Ooh! You call him Rom, and his coat is dark gray then? Good to know.” She said in a triumphant way, the red of her muzzle creasing in a broad grin at having been so clever as to get more information than Juliana was willing to share. Lia just growled gently. Dirty little trick. She thought, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. “Yes… I call him Rom… He calls me Lia too sometimes…” Juliana’s tone dropped a little quieter as they approached, getting within earshot of the fishing wolves and the splashing fish that were stuck in traps and nets. “Now shush. No more questions. I’ll talk about it later, alright?” Sabelle merely nodded, a wide grin over her muzzle unable to hide the excitement she felt. The pair of them grew silent as they rounded the bend and lept over large stones to greet the fishers.

22:23

“Good morning Henry.” Lia said gently, her arm coming forward to grasp at the older male who returned the gesture and held her just below the elbow. He had dark fur with patches of white along his muzzle and arms. He wore a large straw made hat over his head, his dark black ears, chewed and torn with age sticking out the brim of it. It was to help with the glare of the sun while he worked. He had kind amber eyes, ones that reminded Juliana of Romulus and she had to quickly look away to not get any additional ideas in her head. “Good morning Juliana. Come to inspect the catch this time?” He asked, his voice a deep growl, husked and ragged with age. For the life of her Lia didn’t know why he kept at this job. He had sons that worked with him along the river and were perfectly capable of taking over the foreman’s position from him so he could rest and retire in his senior years. It was probably for that reason that he didn’t relinquish this; Henry had never been one to settle and quiet. He was scarred from his time protecting the pack, his ears torn at jagged angles, his face had a deep mark across his muzzle that never grew fur back after it had healed, and there were several other similar marks along his arms and back. Gifts from the enemies of the Silverfangs that he had ensured wouldn’t continue to hurt and kill and maim. But this was all years ago, his wounds having healed into scars that stood out against his dark fur. Lia just smiled at the old soul, giving a soft nod before she lept up onto the small wooden bridge that allowed the wolves to cross back and forth along the river. It was made of planked wood and stones, carved from logs that Gaia had fallen for use, and the wolves had placed them in such a way to make it sturdy enough to walk along in a single file line, but flexible so the river water could flow over and under it. Juliana watched her paws wetten along the wood and she thought perhaps a design like this might work for her meeting with Rom. S

22:23

o they wouldn’t always have to swim back and forth across the lake. It might be too frail though… the water can be a little rougher and longer than it is here… She countered in her head, letting those eyes peer out instead to the river and the nets where the fish that had been caught were kept waiting for their fate. Henry began explaining how they had caught nearly a hundred trout and almost that many salmon. It was plenty to feed the village, and Juliana smiled proudly at the old fisher, listening to his proposal for what they were to do with the meat and bones and skins. Nothing would be wasted and Juliana thought for a long while as she peered into the water at the slippery morsels below.

22:23

“Yes.. That’s a fine plan. Take half to be smoked, the rest to be fileted. Any roe should be saved, and deposited upstream for those that made it past the nets. We don’t take the young.” Juliana said gently, and Henry’s broad smile was warm and understanding of her orders. It was a smart idea, saving part of their catch for a future meal, and preserving the lives of the young to feed the pack another day. It was such a simple concept, but it showed a wisdom of how the world worked in balance under the Silverfang pack’s rule. Especially from one who was just coming into her prime as an adult. As Juliana turned to head back to the bank a thought struck her and she turned her head over her shoulder to Henry behind her. “Save me a salmon would you? A nice big one…I’m feeling it for dinner tonight.” “I’ll filet it for you myself, Juliana.” Henry answered with a hearty chuckle. Juliana grinned, taking the last few steps quickly and hopping onto the bank with a spring in her step. She had an idea of what she would make today, knowing that it would have to wait until after the scouting meeting and the rest of her duties were completed. Her next stop with Sabelle who was eager to get her moving and keep her busy, was the grainery. There were decisions that had to be made as the coming frost threatened the crops still in the ground. Palla was inside the building, stocking up on different ingredients for the kitchen when the pair of she-wolves came inside. Juliana took this job very seriously; if the pack’s stores of grains and herbs and other foraged material was too low or ruined, it could be disastrous for the pack come the winter. As she peered into each large basin and jar to determine how low they were on their stores, a strong scent hit her nose and made it wrinkle. “Palla… What’s that smell??” She asked, turning to the she wolf and holding what she thought to be little white bulbs the stunk of it. The older female glanced up and peered at what Lia had in her h

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and before smiling broadly.

22:23

“Oh! The Bovines call that Garlic. It’s got a good flavor to it. They arrived yesterday and I traded some of our abundant lavender stock for their cream, butter and they threw that in as well since they were unable to use it.” Palla explained, cracking a bulb open to show several small white slices of the stuff. Juliana took another quiet sniff of it and after the initial shock of the different scent subsided, she could tell it had an earthy and fragrant aroma. “Do you think it’ll make a good bread?” Juliana asked, looking up from the strange new spice to Palla’s features. She smiled kindly and nodded. “Yes. They told me to mix it with their butter after it’s been crushed and to pour it over any bread for a new taste. I’m very sure it will add fat to our diet for the leaner winter months.” She explained. Not that Juliana wanted her pack to be lazy on the haunches and grow around their waistlines, but a steady diet and additional fat for warmth and energy stores was never a bad thing during the harsher snowy days. A buzz went through her head, wanting to experiment with this new flavor that Palla teased, though it quickly dissipated as she checked through the window to see where the sun was at. Just past midday; she would be expected in the scouting meeting soon, and had no time to make something new. Her black ears flicked backwards sadly and her tail fell. It would have been nice to share the new bread and meat with Rom tonight, but she just didn’t have time in her day it seemed. “Want me to bring you some? A sample?” Palla said quietly, placing a paw on Juliana’s shoulder and looking kindly at the young heir when she noticed how her face had fallen. She knew Lia quite well, and the prospect of creating something new always excited the white wolf. Lia’s blue eyes turned to Palla and she smiled broadly before nodding. That would be perfect! If Palla made it, then she wouldn’t have to worry. “Yes please. A good sized loaf if you don’t mind. That way I can sh

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are it and determine its worth for the pack.” Lia requested, and Palla just chuckled gently and nodded. This was perfect. Juliana was able to get a decent dinner for tonight’s rendezvous with Romulus and she was able to sample something new for the pack. Everything seemed to be going well for Lia today, not a cloud in the sky and so far nothing to make her question her standing or decisions within the pack. She was lighthearted, stepping easily to the hut of her father’s war council. This was where the scouting meeting was to take place, and Lia was in high spirits. Nothing could sour her mood.

22:24

“Afternoon my Starshine.” Her father said gently as she entered the hut through its long pelted door flap. Her white coat stood out among the grays, reds and blacks that sat in a circle on the floor. Mats of varying colors and woven materials were laid out and each wolf sat cross legged side by side so everyone was equal in the discussions. Her father Carlisle sat up at the end of the circle, clearly its head as the leader of the pack, though a space beside him had been left for Juliana when she arrived at his right side. There had been grumblings and growls before she entered, though silence fell as the several eyes of the nearly dozen wolves turned in her direction. A sense of dread fell over her shoulders, her ears back but her muzzle held high. The only female in the room, which wasn’t uncommon as most Silverfang faes tended to do more husbandry than scout and combat work. Juliana had no choice; it was expected of her to know both. “I apologize for my tardiness Father…” Lia said calmly, her voice holding more strength in it in this room. She had to. She had to show she was unafraid of the eyes that watched her steps. Proud and unwavering, Juliana was every bit the beauty her mother was with the strength and presence in the room that her father held all too well. She confidently walked through the center of the group, her tail held high with her back straight and her shoulders squared. Lia took her place at her father’s side, sitting down softly and crossing her legs. Her ice blue eyes glanced at the different wolves around her, in various coat colors and degrees of leather armor. Some had weaponry that they leaned against the walls of the hut; a sign of good faith that none here would be hostile towards one another and peace would prevail.

22:24

“You’re right on time. We were just going over what our scouts have found on the edges of our borders.” Carlile began quietly, turning his auburn muzzle from the daughter he adored to another male in the group. He was a strapping young fellow, tall even while sitting there, bare chested and broad. His coat was a mixture of dark grays and soft reds, and around his piercing golden eyes were dark black lines in his fur. Among his broad chest, Lia noticed he seemed to be adorned with strange markings, twists and turns made in a dark paint, nearly black against the reds and grays in his coat. She recognized the knot work as something from a more Southern pack, and her immediate thought was why such a stranger had been invited to the Silverfang territory and privy to a scouting meeting of all things. His dark black nose huffed a cloud out of his nostrils, and his tall red stained ears flicked forward. It was then that Juliana realized that his piercing gaze had yet to leave her frame. His unwavering glance made her eyes narrow a little uncomfortably before she let her eyes move on around the room. “Parion, you had news then?” Carlisle’s strong and commanding bark. The room grew still, and the male who had been staring unashamedly at Juliana turned his muzzle towards Carlisle instead. Parion, huh? Lia assumed, watching as the male straightened himself and seemed to flex his muscles unnecessarily once he realized that Juliana was also watching him. It made Lia’s stomach turn a little and her lips threaten to lift in a testy snarl.

22:24

“The borders have been remarked and relaid sir.” His voice that came from his muzzle was deep and low, a baritone sound that out of anyone else would have been pleasing to hear. Lia felt her ears flick backward slightly, doing everything she could to just pay attention to the report he was giving. “Along the Western edge we noticed the usual tracks of the treaty, those of Bovine nature that could be expected from their recent trades with the village.” He continued, his paw waving softly in front of him. Everyone was enraptured with what he was saying, his voice silky and smooth in the air. While everyone else was impressed and hanging on every boring word he said, Juliana was unimpressed. “What’s troubling sir, is the tracks we found in increasing number along our Northern border.” He growled, pausing for effect to ensure he had the audience of the entire room. Juliana rolled her eyes a little; while good looking and rugged, he was pretentious, full of himself it seemed and overly confident. A deadly concoction that the she-wolf couldn’t have cared less for. Parion’s eyes glanced to her icy blue ones, as if waiting to ensure that he had captured her attention too. Lia just raised a brow, patiently waiting. “From the North?” Carlisle continued, prompting Parion to finish his report. The male grinned but it wasn’t warm or inviting. It seemed more savage and cruel, his words coming out in more a growl of disdain at the words he was to speak.

22:25

“Yes sir… Panthera tracks to be precise...They go back and forth through the border sir.” The group was a mixture of soft growling sounds of agreement, confirmation of what Parion was saying. Carlisle remained silent, and Juliana looked from her father to the male who had been speaking. The grumbling sounds and snapping jaws of the other scouts began to grow louder as the silence from Carlisle and Parion continued, so Juliana cleared her throat to silence the wolves in front of her. “Please.. Can you be sure? We have a treaty with the Pantherans. They’re not to cross our border. It’s a serious accusation you bring claiming they’re doing just that.” She growled, her tail swaying behind her a little in irritation. Parion just smirked at her, almost patronizingly before nodding. “Yes, I am quite certain My Lady.” his voice oozed poise, trying to impress the she-wolf that only made her visibly wrinkle her nose as the fake manners he displayed. “I tracked them myself, all across our Northern border, and what’s worse is they kept going North towards Ursine ground. Not just one set either, but if I had to put a number to it…” Parion paused again for dramatic effect, his paw coming to his chin in faux thought. The gleam in his gold eyes told Juliana that he was just being a prick. “A good sized army, a couple hundred…Over the course of a few months at least.” An eruption of growls and snarls were voiced around the circle, the scouts arguing on how they should proceed. If the Pantherans had disregarded the treaty they signed last spring to remain off the Silverfang territory lands, it was calls of war that echoed around. Carlisle’s paws came up and he patted the air to settle the wolves down who reluctantly did. His sharp eyes turned to Parion who held his head proud and unwavering. The gesture was challenging for Lia. Who does he think he is?

22:25

“Parion… This is troubling news… We will need a delegation sent to Pantheran territory to address this-” “With all due respect sir.” Parion interrupted Carlisle, which sent the fur on Juliana’s neck rising, her hackles bristling at the disrespect shown. Really!? Who Does He Think He Is!?? “That isn’t all..The tracks were seen going to Ursine territory, but additionally they were skirting around Grayback land too.” A silence fell on the group and Juliana’s heart sank to the very bottom of her core. They were invading Grayback land too? Did Romulus know? I have to warn him, if they’re planning something sinister, I don’t want him to get hurt “What they do on Grayback land is of no concern to us Parion…” Carlisle growled coldly, as if the very name leaving his lips brought a disgusting taste to his tongue. The tone made Juliana wince inwardly. She knew her father hated the Graybacks, but hearing such cold ferocity in his voice had her concerned. Would he approve of Romulus, after finding out where he came from? “It concerns us Carlisle…” Parion continued, his smirk challenging and arrogant. “If the Graybacks are helping the Pantherans…” This she couldn’t help; a loud snort force itself through Juliana’s nostrils and she crossed her arms in front of her at the ridiculousness of Parion’s latest statement. His gold eyes snapped to her, and the rest of the group including her father gave her the undivided attention she had garnered for herself.

22:25

“The Graybacks hate the Pantherans. They wouldn’t join up with them.” Juliana said simply, raising a brow and rolling her eyes as if this was the most basic of information that any pup would know. “If anything, the Pantherans are likely trying to join the Ursines in their war with the Graybacks.” The room sat still at her words as they cascaded from her muzzle before she had had a moment to stop them. It was a sound theory she proposed, but it was clear on the faces around her that none of them knew that the Graybacks were at war with the Ursines. “My Daughter… and you.. Know this? How?” Carlisle questioned, his brow raising as he glared down at Juliana, who swallowed hard and shrunk a little at his side. The reason she knew was because of Rom, because of his wounds and what he had told her. She hadn’t realized that her father hadn’t heard the news yet and that this was new information being brought to his attention. Information that for most anyone, wouldn’t be something to just blurt out in the meeting of a scout’s assembly. Thinking quickly Juliana just gave a gentle shrug of her shoulders to play off what she had said as a casual statement. Something she assumed everyone had heard already. “It’s no secret that the Graybacks hate everyone. It’s not hard to assume they’d hate the Pantherans too as rival preds. Additionally I was told of the conflict through one of our shadows. I assumed you knew Father.” His eyes considered her a moment, taking stock of his daughter’s words as she sat there as still as she could be. Portraying not the nerves and anxiety that raced through her but the confidence of a leader who was capable of learning of the dangers for her pack. After what seemed like an eternity, Carlisle nodded, accepting the information as fact before turning back to the rest of the wolves. Juliana exhaled in silence, just glad that her father hadn’t asked when she had heard the information. Last thing she wanted to do was expose that her particular Shad

22:25

ow, was a Grayback himself.

22:25

Parion:

SPOILER

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22:27

@Himbo Tie

Romulus moved forward from the semicircle with the other Braves, his eyes looked over the various lengths of timber and cordage that were bundled together and strapped onto several carts. Looking at each bundle as he walked slowly along the line of carts, he saw several bundles of similar description. Two curved arms of wood that looked to be layered and kept together by something that kept them shiny and sturdy. Several metal discs that glowed like the light of a fire cast against a rock face, as well as several pieces that he recognized as steel from his familiarity with his weapons. Hearing a couple sets of pads following behind him, Romulus glanced over his shoulder and smirked when he saw Remus and Octavius both following behind him. Their eyes were looking from the bundles to Romulus as he counted how many of each bundle he saw. The wagon train was longer than he expected it to be when he started down it, but he had counted eighteen bundles of one similar description and five of another. He was coming up on a tent made from deer pelts when he felt a paw reach out and grab hold of his right arm in the crook of his elbow. Turning slowly and seeing Remus stretching out to grab him, Romulus met his brother’s gaze before shifting his own to the black eyes of his ivory friend. Octavius’s fur was close enough to Juliana’s to make him wonder what she might be up to right now, but the ebony eyes looking back to him were nothing like the stark blue eyes of the female he was thinking about. However, looking into his friends’ eyes told him one very important thing: these bundles were not a surprise to them. Looking over Octavius’s shoulders to see the other Braves stepping forward to help with untying and organizing the bundles, Romulus breathed out deeply through his nose before turning his attention to Remus. He did not enjoy being surprised when it was something that he had seen used to tremendous effect, but he tried to control his irritation as he spoke. .

03:52

“I guess most of you were acquainted with these while I slept off my injuries? Well, I’ve seen them used to terrific success against us, but they were all put together and in working order. What success have you had in fitting these puzzles together to make any sense?” Remus rolled his eyes and stepped forward as he rested his right paw on the side of the wagon closest to them. Looking down at the bundle of disassembled lumber, he nodded as he recognized that this would not appear as much more than a lump of firewood to his taller friend. Reaching down and grabbing hold of a bundle of one-meter-long wooden shafts with a steel arrowhead on one end and white feather fletching on the other, Remus lifted the bundle and rested it on the edge of the wagon. Resting his paws on the bundle of darts, the ebony wolf gestured towards the Braves working with the smaller wolves before speaking, “We are studying them and getting used to them, but we do have help with putting them together. I want to introduce you to them, but I need you on your best behavior. They are...different.” Romulus raised an eyebrow at his brother’s vagueness before shaking his head and looking down at the wood and metal gathered together in the wagon. He had seen wolves pinned to trees by those very darts that Remus rested his hands on, and as he looked at the shining steel arrowhead, Rom could hear their howls of pain and desperation as they tried to free themselves. Rom closed his eyes for a moment to ignore the memories before shifting his gaze back to Remus. He knew that if the Graybacks could get this kind of equipment working to their benefit, then it could do wonders to keep the tide in the North moving in their favor. They had already pushed the Ursine forces back and were making slow progress towards expanding their northern borders, but if they turned the Ursine heavy weapons against them, the Grayback warriors had a chance to cut all the way to the Ursine capital and dethrone their king. .

03:53

Remus smirked as he saw the way Romulus’s brows furrowed as he studied the assorted lumber and metal in front of them. He knew that his taller friend was going to be stubborn about the change, but he was also certain that he could get Romulus to come around to it. Looking over his shoulder to Octavius, Remus nodded slightly before gesturing towards the tent and speaking in a low tone, “Will you see if they are ready for us?” Glancing towards the tent as Remus directed their friend, Romulus huffed softly in low annoyance before looking back to the wagons around them. He did not know the name of the machine or its parts, but he recognized it as the bolt-thrower based on the two curved arms of lumber. Walking away from the wagon, he moved between the two rows until he came to one that had a distinctly different arrangement of lumber inside of it. Seeing much thicker and longer lumber pieces, with some measuring over five meters, Romulus reached into the wagon and retrieved a triangle of cloth that was two feet on each side with three ropes coming off that were all nearly a meter long. Holding the ropes in his right paw, he balled up his left paw into a fist and placed it in the pocket of the sling. Raising an eyebrow at Remus as he approached, Romulus spoke in a low voice, “Seems like a bit of overkill to launch our lead bullets.” “Try something more the size of your head, and you’ll see the importance,” Remus chuckled as he rested a paw on his brother’s shoulder. These weapons had been mainly used on the western portion of the front, away from where he and Romulus had been fighting and scouting. Taking the sling from Romulus and putting it back with the lumber, he glanced over when he heard the deer pelt of the tent shifting. Seeing Octavius peeking out to wave them over, Remus nodded before patting Romulus on the shoulder and speaking as he guided him over to the tent. .

03:53

“We’ve got twenty of the bolt throwers and seven of the stone throwers, but we’re going to see about making some more once we know what we’re doing. Our guests are new to the land, but they know how to work and craft these weapons. All they ask is for a safe place to live and prosper. It seemed an easy enough deal if you ask me.” Romulus glared over at Remus as they walked, his nose moving quickly as he lifted his head and tried to scent the guests on a breeze. He half-expected to see bears when they approached the tent by how Remus was speaking, but he had to trust his brother to not betray his trust in this way. Letting Remus enter first before following, Romulus ducked his head under the straight edge of the deer pelt that functioned as the door frame. Lifting his gaze, he immediately saw two wooden constructions, but his attention was diverted quickly to the two beings that stood on the other side of the closest wooden construct. One of them stepped forward on dark brown cloven hooves, its brown eyes looking into Romulus’s amber gaze. Standing over a foot taller than the large gray wolf, the elk male had stark white antlers that proudly stood over four feet over its dark brown head. Explains why the tent is so tall, Romulus thought to himself, his eyes carrying slowly down from the male’s head to the dark brown fur that continued his neck to a patch of thick brown fur that stuck out of the top of his green tunic. The tunic traveled down to his mid-thigh, which was where Romulus saw a pair of dark blue breeches that reached the elk’s ankles. Standing where the male had come from was a female elk, her head barren of the antlers that were unique to the males of their species. She had a similar pattern to her fur and stood only a few inches shorter than Romulus, but her tunic and breeches were both a muted tan in color. Typical of prey animals: the male stands out to distract from the female so she can run. .

03:54

Holding his head high to show that he was not intimidated by the admittedly impressive set of antlers, Romulus could see Remus looking between him and the male elk out of the corner of his vision. Every ounce of him felt the need and desire to launch himself at the deer before him, but he resisted the urges as it seemed that there was some reason that Remus had brought him here. Glancing to his brother for a second, Romulus returned his attention to the elk to make sure the antlers were pointed away from him still. He had seen the disastrous results of a desperate wolf charging at an elk in the hopes of a meal when food was scarce. He was not in a hurry to join his failed brethren by bleeding out on the ground with his innards held in his hands and cut open in dozens of places. Romulus was drawn from his daydream when he heard Remus growl deeply before clearing his throat in an attempt to break the staring contest between the two tall males. Looking over at his brother, Rom sighed softly before turning his entire body to face him and showing him the respect that he deserved. To his pleasant surprise, the elk turned as well, lowering his gaze to Remus without lowering his head and the defensive antlers. Remus rubbed his hands together slowly and nodded before speaking, “Romulus, I would like to introduce you to the leaders of our guests, Oskar and his mate Adelheid. They have come down from the North to escape being hunted down and killed by the Ursine, and they are offering their skills and knowledge in exchange for a place of safety here. They will be granted immunity from being hunted so far as they are producing and manning the weapons that they build for us.” .

03:55

Remus stepped forward and placed his left paw on one of the arms of the wooden construction closest to them. Looking down at the siege engine, he tapped his thumb against the wood before continuing, “Oskar and several of their males were conscripted by the Ursine to run these pieces, so they are going to continue to be the ones operating them. However, in the case of an emergency, I wanted to show our Braves how to utilize them as well. If we are behind enemy lines and can use one to our advantage, I want us to be knowledgeable on how to operate them to the best of our abilities. Now, I’m going to go ahead and give this over to Oskar so that he can explain to us how they are used.” Remus motioned the male elk forward before stepping back and motioning for Romulus and Octavius to come closer. Oskar moved to the front of the machine and rested his hands on his hips before turning to the wolves that were gathered in front of him. Looking to each of them, he snorted out quickly before speaking in a deep voice that rolled through the air more than into your ear, “This beauty here is my specialty; Adelheid knows the other better so she will explain it when it comes to it. Are you three the only ones that are going to learn about it at this level?” “Yes. The others will learn how to operate them, but I assume the ins and outs don’t need to be known for that sake. If they need to know in the field, the three of us can tell them what we need.” Remus’s response came quickly, earning a slow nod from the bull elk. .

03:55

Oskar glanced over at his mate to see her nod as well before continuing, “In that case, I’ll start us from tip to base in here. Operating procedures will be explained afterwards. Firstly, this machine is called a ballista, whereas the machine that Adelheid will show you is a catapult. This fires bolts which are very similar to an arrow, just thicker and with more devastating impact. The catapult fires stones that, as you can imagine have deadly effect on the target.” .

03:56

Turning to the front of the ballista, Oskar rested his hands on a square of steel that measured one meter squared with raised projections of mountains pressed over the surface save for a single hole in the center that was a few inches wide. The square face had pieces of steel plated wood bolted into the edges that formed a shallow box facing the rear, with a cut out on the two vertical boards that house the arms of the ballista. The top and bottom of the box had two large brass washers with cords running over them and a piece of iron that extended from two sides of the washers. Oskar placed his hands on each part as he spoke, “The ballista is powered by two heavy bundles of highly tensioned cords that are held in place by these washers and the pins within them. If your equipment needs to be adjusted after maintenance or reassembly, you will use a large spanner to grip these iron blocks and turn them to increase or decrease the tension as needed. The stronger the tension, the more powerful the shot. But if you go too strong, you will break the machine and be left with nothing but firewood.” .

03:56

Oskar shifted his hands to the metal plating before continuing, “On the sides, this steel is used to keep the entire construction strong and to resist the warping of wood when exposed to the elements. Preferably, the construction will be using aged hardwood that will not flex and swell or shrink and break, but if you need more engines fast, then you will have to use wet wood from wherever you can get it. The steel plates will resist that. This forward-facing steel plate is thicker and used for defense from other projectiles coming in and hitting the innerworkings of the machine. The tension bundles are made from equine hair that has been tightened to the point that it plays a high-pitched chord when you pluck it. The mountains are an artistic liberty to cover the blank face and reduce the one-way glare of reflection, but they also work to increase the overall strength of the steel plate to distribute the force of impact. Impenetrable to most projectiles that can be launched at it, save for this hole where you fire from.” .

03:56

Walking around the side of the machine, Oskar waited until the wolves had followed him on either side and looked where he was directing them to. Running the pads of his fingers over the coiled ropes, he laid his hand on the curved arm of the ballista before shifting it to the string that was attached to the ends of the arms and drawn flat against the backside of the wooden framed box. As he had before, he spoke with every gesture, “These are your tension bundles. As I said, lose these and you lose the machine. Careful of your claws or anything else sharp; they are held so tight that just a small slice will cause the entire bundle to shred and collapse. The arms of the ballista are made of laminated ash that has been treated with oils to be resistant to the elements, but you need to be careful if operating these, ballista or catapult, in a damp environment. If your torsion system gets wet, it is lost. The bundles will lose their tension and will never get as tight as they were before. If a rainstorm or blizzard comes over you, cover the headstock with pelts or anything else that you have that is watertight. That is your first priority. Steel, brass, and wood can be replaced; equine hair is hard to come by ethically.” Pausing for a moment as he looked to the wolves in front of him and beside him, Oskar breathed out deeply through his nose as he realized how he had sounded with his last word. Seeing each wolf looking at him with slightly narrowed eyes, he nodded before continuing to speak, hoping that he could turn their attention back to the task at hand, “You have archers, so I do not think I need to explain the functionality of a bowstring or how important it is to keep it dry as well.” .

03:57

Romulus smirked and stepped around the bull elk to place his paw on the arm of the ballista. He could see the similarities between the large contraption and a bow that he had trained with from his youth. However, the longer he looked at the arms and thought of the bow-like properties, the more his smirk turned into a smile. He had seen Juliana’s bow before, and he knew that she would appreciate a weapon system like this. He didn’t know how to tell her or when he could, as something like this would be a secret of the state, but he hoped that one day he would be able to share it with her. Turning his attention back to Oskar, he watched with Remus and Octavius as the elk rested his hand on a piece of steel that ran down the center of a wooden channel extending from the back of the headstock. It was similar to an owl’s foot with two forks that extended out to the front and hooked downwards while having a single flat portion that extended to the rear. The claw pivoted on a bolt in the center, and there was a second piece of steel that swiveled out from beneath the rear flange to let the whole device tip back or would slide under it to lock it in place. Oskar looked to the wolves as he held the long thin string that extended from an eyelet hole in the swiveling piece. Slipping it under the flange and showing how the forward hooks wouldn’t move, he pulled on the string and let the hooks raise while speaking, “This is your trigger mechanism, much like your fingers are when you release the bowstring and launch your arrow. You slide this forward along the table and hook it over the bowstring, then you pull this string to free the wedge underneath and let the hooks release. There is a piece of wood attached to the front, the slider, that will guide the bolt forward and keep it balanced until it is fired. However, you cannot simply slide the trigger forward until you address the rear of the machine.” .

03:57

Oskar brushed past Romulus to walk to the rear of the machine where two steel wheels with wooden pegs inserted into them sat on either side of the end of the thick board that acted as the working table and backbone of the machine. There was an opening in the wood between them, exposing a single thick steel rod with two lengths of rope wrapped around it. The ropes extended forward and met at the back of the trigger assembly, showing that they were one rope that simply looped through a steel ring before coming back to the winch mechanism. The wheel on the left had a second wheel attached to the inside edge that had aggressive teeth built into the steel at sharp angles. Lifting a steel arm that had been laid back on a hinge, Oskar gestured at the sharp points in it before lowering the arm onto the secondary wheel. Giving one peg a shove backwards towards the headstock to try to move the wheel, he grunted with effort and discomfort when the ratchet arm fell into place and seized the wheels to stop any movement. Pulling the peg in the other direction, he smirked when the ratchet wheel turned and the arm jumped slightly before repeatedly falling into place. The bull elk saw the surprise in the features of each of the wolves and nodded before lifting the arm out of the way and pulling up on the ropes to release them from the pulley system. As the pegs spun slowly with the rope coming off the rod, Oskar spoke in a confident tone, “Release the ratchet to attach the trigger to the bowstring, then put it back in place when you turn the winch, and you will pull the bowstring back. It will hold the string ready for firing until you are ready to release, and if you are diligent with your maintenance of the torsion bundles, there is no fear of them loosening or losing tension if you hold it ready to fire for too long. Now, lift the back of the stock when you have the string back and a bolt in place, and the support arm of the base will fall out of the way.” .

03:58

Lifting the back to let them see the arm fall down, Oskar held the machine up with his left arm while gripping the trigger string with his right hand. Pulling the string gently to release the wedge and let the trigger activate, he nodded before reaching his right foot out and hooking it under the support arm. Lifting it up before grabbing it with his right hand, he stuck the end back into the divot on the underside of the stock before releasing his hold on the machine and stepping back. Placing his hands on his hips, he nodded before gesturing towards Adelheid and the catapult, his voice coming out in a more patient tone, “That is the run-down of the ballista; we’ll show how everything moves and works after you learn about the catapult. If you don’t have any questions, please head over there.” Romulus glanced at the other wolves looking to Oskar and placing his right paw on the wooden stock of the ballista. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he spoke in a gruff tone, “Tell me, how did you get all of this wood. None of it smells of rot or dirt, and yet you have plenty of it. Did you cut open our Mother for this, or do fallen trees preserve differently in the North?” Remus reached a paw out to shove Romulus in the side, but Oskar put his right hand up towards the black wolf with a small smile on his snout. Lowering his gaze to meet Rom’s amber orbs, Oskar nodded slowly before speaking, “You speak of Gaia, I’m assuming? My kind does not worship her, but we do respect her as we worship her ally, Carnonos. With his blessing, we are allowed to remove trees from the wild and use them, so long as we replace each tree felled with a sapling to take its place. Our steel likely comes from the same source as your own, if I had to guess. So, while I understand your caution, my Lupine friend, there was no disrespect or torture of the earth to gain these materials.” .

03:59

Breathing out deeply as he listened to the bull elk, Romulus nodded slowly before turning to the cow elk that stood patiently with her hands clasped in front of her. Ignoring the glare from Remus, he walked over and stood beside his brother and Octavius to learn of the catapult. He would not be made to feel ashamed for looking out for their Mother’s health, but he also realized that aggression at a time like this wasn’t needed or polite. The Cervine pair was putting themselves at risk while being alone in this tent with three large Lupine warriors, so the least he could do was return their goodwill with his own. .

03:59

Adelheid smiled as she gestured to each of them to come closer and get a good look at the machine before her. A five-meter by three-meter wooden base supported the entire contraption, with a three-meter-tall stand in the near middle of the base that had arms supporting it. A massive pad of straw stuffed pelt sat in the middle of the stand, and it had a four-meter wooden arm pressed against it. One end of the arm was in a larger version of the same torsion bundle that the ballista had. The other end had two bolts sticking out near the end on the left and right sides, a hook on the very end of the arm, and a smaller bolt on the bottom. Resting her hand on the bottom bolt that ended in a large eyelet, Adelheid bent down and retrieved a piece of steel that was attached to a long length of rope. The ropes were attached to a larger pulley system than the ballista’s but the mechanics were very similar. Hooking the piece of steel to the bolt on the arm and holding a small string to the side, Adelheid smiled while speaking in a much more pleasant, almost motherly voice, “Oskar did such a thorough job explaining the torsion system, ratchet, and winch that I don’t think any of you need to be told again. The catapult functions similarly to the ballista, but the biggest difference is that it slings rocks rather than shooting darts. Your trigger operates the same way, but make sure to stand clear of the arm when it swings home.” .

04:00

Smiling as she reached beside the catapult and picked up a piece of cloth with three long ropes, Adelheid showed it to each of them. Romulus recognized it immediately as what he had held before but waited quietly as Adelheid worked. Fastening two ropes to the bolts on the sides, she gave each a strong tug to show that they wouldn’t budge. The final rope had a loop sewn into it, and as she hooked it over the end rod, she turned and spoke with a kind smile, “This will hurl a stone or lead weight the size of your head over four hundred meters. The ballista will shoot out to six hundred meters. Want to see?” Romulus looked from Adelheid to the tent, looking to see how quickly they could take it down and expose the weapons to be used in the daylight. However, the sound of the pelt being drawn back on the other side where the weapons were pointing caught his attention. Seeing the large frame of Oskar disappearing before being followed by Octavius and Adelheid, Rom looked to Remus who was standing there looking at him with his arms crossed and a smirk on his lips. Nodding slowly, Romulus ran his paws over the catapult before speaking in a low tone, “And here I was, thinking you had miscounted. Let me guess, there is a finished one ready to be fired on the other side of those flaps.” Remus grinned before stepping towards Rom and putting his paws on his shoulders. Looking up at his brother, he shook him gently before speaking in a hushed tone, “This. This right here is what we need. This will give us an edge over the Ursine, and if they act up again, this will give us our edge over the Silverfangs. Just think about it; with these at our disposal, nothing will stand in our way.” .

04:01

Romulus smiled at his brother’s eager energy, but he did not feel any of the warmth creeping up to his eyes to give them the light of humor. He agreed that these machines would aid in their fight with the Ursine beasts, but the thought of turning them on the Silverfangs brought a cold pit to his stomach. Looking towards the front of the catapult slowly, he could see nothing but Juliana standing there, fear in her eyes and her hackles raised as she tried to ready her bow. Four hundred meters...with his heaviest draw bow and the best tail wind, Romulus had never shot an arrow further than three hundred. He had no doubt that Juliana was likely a more accurate and stable shot than he was, but he doubted even she could reach that far with her arrows. She would be killed by these weapons before she ever got the opportunity to draw her weapon. Giving Remus a half-smile as his brother squeezed his shoulders again, Romulus watched him turn away and release a summoning howl, calling the Braves from their tasks to the rear of the tent to see the weapons used. Looking down at the minotaur horn resting against his chest, Rom swallowed dryly as he felt the sickness of fear beginning to creep up the back of his throat. Grunting to keep his nerves under control and his breakfast settled, Romulus closed his eyes before whispering softly, “Mother, let Your children come to peace. We don’t need to die pointlessly. You can guide us together. Bring us back to Your bosom and let us grow under Your love.” .

04:01

Bringing his right paw up to hold firmly to the horn as he stepped towards the pelt door, Romulus pushed it aside and stepped out into the daylight while lowering his hand from the minotaur pendant. A fully built ballista and catapult were in front of him, but what really caught his eyes were the eight elks that stood in various brown and green tunics and breeches. Four were surrounding each of the machines, and their eyes were looking nervously from their leaders to the growing semi-circle of large, armored, and armed to the teeth Braves. While Romulus had been in the tent with the others, more Braves had shown up to be here to the point that there were nearly three dozen wolves standing around the elk. Barking to get their attention as he walked up to stand between the siege engines, Romulus looked to each wolf in the eyes, Remus and Octavius included, waiting to get their attention before moving to the next. Nodding as they were all now looking at him, he spoke in a strong voice that left no room for questions, “Pay attention to what the Cervines are saying. They know these weapons and have been operating them for years. They are going to teach you what you need to know, so listen sharply and ask questions if you have them. I want you hungry for knowledge.” Watching the Braves nod before assembling into three ranks, Rom waited to see the front rank sit down while the second rank knelt behind them. Satisfied with their position to watch and learn, he was turning to approach the ballista when a flash of red fur to his right caught his attention. Looking over and seeing a red fox in a black tunic standing beside Remus, Romulus smirked before pointing at him and speaking, “Franz, good of you to join us. I was hoping we could get some Vulpine representation for a demonstration and comparison. I trust you have your sling on you?” .

04:02

Nodding as the fox pulled out the mentioned weapon, Romulus pointed to the catapult before speaking with a chuckle, “That is going to put you out of business if you’re not careful.” Seeing the fox’s ears draw back slightly in a moment of fear, Romulus nodded before winking at the smaller animal to try to bring him to ease. The fox stood just over four feet tall, but he represented a portion of the Grayback population that was trying to make a new name for itself. Most scavenger carnivores were treated just as that: scavengers that could only survive if supported by those that were more capable. They were not respected when it came to large decisions, and they would lose any debate or legal issue with a true Grayback wolf if they tried to call one up. They simply did not provide enough to matter in the grand scheme of things. They were supported only to please Gaia’s giving nature and to keep the peace within the borders. There were those like Franz, however, who wanted to make a new life for themselves and earn a position amongst the Grayback society. The program was a new development that Remus had pioneered, giving scavengers and other smaller carnivores the opportunity to become true citizens of the Graybacks if they were willing to serve twelve years in the military as auxiliary forces. Those unfit for combat were made to drive the supply trains, distribute food, or clean equipment. Their service times were increased to eighteen years to make up for their lack of sacrifice. Franz, like the rest of his brethren that were capable of fighting, had been given the role of being a slinger. Armed with a sling and rocks, slingers were tasked with adding a ranged element to the Graybacks’ more common infantry tactics. They would supplement the Graybacks that were more skilled in archery or javelin throwing, while also using their speed and dexterity to get to the enemy’s flanks. .

04:02

That was Remus’s plan at least, which he had taken to Marcel to get permission to try to implement. Too often the Graybacks would rely on the tried-and-true phalanx formation that Marcel’s forefathers had used to great effect in their early years as the pack grew in presence. This led to complacency in their forces and made their tactics more easily anticipated by enemies that they would meet on the field of battle. Ursine, Panthera, Lupine, and Hyaenidae threats alike were becoming more familiar with the tactics that the Graybacks would be fielding and were therefore developing tactics of their own to combat them. The effectiveness of these new tactics was up in the air and often mocked or questioned, but younger wolves such as Remus knew better than to grow complacent over what the older generations deemed necessary or not. After a few years of bringing more and more ideas to his father of the changes that could be made to get their military might back to what it should be, Remus was finally given a tentative allowance to try it out on a small scale. The first step had been gathering the Braves under Romulus’s leadership and working with them to make them much more capable and deadly than they had originally been. Before the schism that had created the Grayback pack as it is today, there had been Braves that were full-time warriors with the other citizens only participating in military training once a year to be ready if they needed to be called to action. With the development of the Graybacks, every citizen underwent regular training so that they could be called to battle and function as efficient soldiers rather than commoners waving around spears aimlessly. Marcel had introduced the idea that some of these citizens become full-time warriors alongside the Braves. He wanted them to work alongside the warriors so that they already had to make a sizeable force that was always ready. .

04:03

Just like his father, Remus had wanted to be the next stage in the difference that was the development of their pack. No longer did he wish to have their borders threatened by enemies on all sides that they had to split their focus between and bring in treaties to end the conflict. There would be wolves that were always trained and ready to fight, no matter what the enemy was or when they attacked. They would be outfitted by the people, an idea that had never taken off since most warriors had to purchase or make their own arms and armor. With a small degree of allowance from his father to try out his plans and see how they were going to work, Remus had expanded the ranks of the Braves under Romulus and added specialist auxiliary forces that could fight alongside them in the worst areas. If there could be enough success on the small scale, he could convince and pressure his father into letting him try to implement these changes on a larger scale that would eventually encompass the entire pack. Hearing Romulus’s comment about the catapult putting his auxiliary out of order, Remus looked down at the small fox with a smirk before muttering softly, “Why don’t you go up there and show me why he is wrong?” Remus looked back up to Rom and nodded slowly as Franz walked forward and stopped beside the catapult, his eyes looking over the piece of equipment slowly as he sized it up. Bringing his attention to the ballista, Romulus walked over with Remus and Octavius, his paws behind his back as he looked from the siege engine to the elks that were standing nearby to run it. Shaking his head when two of them stepped forward, he looked to his two comrades and spoke in a confident voice, “We were paying attention inside; I’m pretty sure we can do this.” Seeing the grins from the ebony and ivory wolves, Rom looked over the ballista before staging himself on the left-hand side. .

04:03

The winch wheels on this model did not have pegs lining every hole, with only two that could be taken out and used, one per side. This would slow down the winching process, but he could only assume that it was the way that it should be. Octavius took up the peg on the right-hand side while Remus stood at the end and prepared the ratchet by swinging the arm off of it. His ebony paws moved quickly to pull the rope off of the winch rod before moving quickly past Octavius to get to his right-hand side and ready the trigger mechanism. As Remus hooked the trigger over the bowstring, Romulus lifted the ratchet arm and put it back on the gear. With the trigger and ratchet situated, Octavius put his peg in and started to turn the wheel. Romulus waited until the wheel had stopped moving to slip his peg into its hole and turn the wheel even further. There was an awkward waiting period between him and Octavius as they fought with the pegs and slowed down the arming process. Seeing the issue and recognizing it from his experience on the machine, Oskar walked up and held up both hands while speaking quickly, “Wait. Wait. Stop. Romulus, Octavius, you are fighting each other more than you are helping each other. Hand me your pegs and watch.” The wolves were slow to relent, but they eventually gave the pegs to the elk as they had been instructed. Romulus knew that if he expected the Braves to respect the elk and listen to what they had to say, then he would have to lead by example and do the same. With the pegs in hand, Oskar inserted the right-hand one in at the top of the wheel and the left-hand one at the bottom of the wheel. Twisting the peg and pushing it in forcefully, Oskar nodded as the one on the left stayed even as it hung upside down. Gesturing towards the wheels and then the wolves, he made a silent statement that they could continue. .

04:04

Taking up positions on the wheels, Romulus waited for Octavius to spin his wheel until his own peg was in front of him, at which point he could take hold of it and turn it again. The ratchet soon became an endless clicking sound as Octavius and Romulus got a steady rhythm of spinning the winch to coil up the rope. As it drew the trigger back, Oskar waited a few moments before stepping forward again and releasing a short bugling whistle to get the attention of the wolves on the machine. Turning to the other wolves that were watching their leaders work the machine, Oskar waved them over before stepping around Romulus to stand against the stock of the ballista. With everyone’s attention now on him and the siege engine, Oskar pointed at a small black line on the stock beside where the trigger had stopped. Taking a dart from the bundle of darts that hung on the side of the base, he placed it on top of the slider and then said, “Your darts are one meter long, so you don’t want to draw back further than this black line. Stop when your line bowstring reaches this line. Not every ballista will have one, but if you know the length of the correct dart, then you will know how far back to draw the string. Romulus, please rotate your wheel a little more.” Nodding and turning as instructed, Romulus watched the line and stopped when the string met the black line. His lips curled up at the ends into a smile as he looked across to Octavius and received a similar expression from his friend. Watching Remus reach out to draw the dart back a little to touch the bowstring, all three of them paused to look at Oskar and get his approval. Seeing the bull elk step back and nod slowly, Remus grinned and took hold of the trigger rope loosely before walking to the end of the stock and lifting the ballista off the support arm. He initially lifted it too fast, expecting it to be much heavier, but after a panicked bark where he lowered it back down, he looked at Romulus with a nervous grin. .

04:04

Giving his brother a grin before shaking his head and rolling his eyes in an exaggerated fashion, Romulus looked down at the firing range where the ballista was facing. Several archery targets had been set up sixty meters away from them with their stray surfaces painted with berry dye to denote accuracy. Remus held the end and lifted it slowly before lowering it as he tried to see where it would hit, but the size of the headstock made seeing the target impossible. Looking over his shoulder at Oskar, he received a slight smirk and knowing nod before the bull elk slowly walked up and grabbed the support arm to put it back underneath the stock of the ballista. Turning to address the wolves again, he gestured to the left side of the stock where there was a small drawing of the ballista with the angles of the machine and distances. His deep voice then carried over them all, “It will take time to get used to aiming and firing these weapons, but we have added diagrams to make it easier for you to get used to it. This is also why these machines are operated in teams: while one person maneuvers and pulls the trigger, the others can help guide the shot with instructions.” Adelheid smiled as she stepped forward and pointed at a similar diagram on the side of the catapult that showed the different angles that the arm could be drawn to. Resting her hand on the brace, she spoke in her smooth voice, “When deployed, we try to put the catapults down on specially made platforms that can rotate and allow you to shift the aim rather than always being directly forward. For the purposes of today, we have all the targets in front so there is no need to turn. The biggest thing to work on today is how far you need to pull back the arm for the targets. Just please keep in mind that when you fire this weapon, it likes to kick like a donkey, hence the name it has received of onager.”

04:05

Remus studied the angles on the side of the ballista and then lifted it again off of the support arm. Holding the stock down slightly from the parallel, he gripped the string for the trigger and was getting ready to fire it when Romulus held his right hand up to stop him. Reaching back and raising the rear slightly, Rom nodded at Remus to try to convince him of why he changed the angle before speaking, “The drawing has flat as one hundred meters. If we want to shoot closer, it needs to either be flat or angled down slightly.” After saying his piece, Romulus peeked a glance at Oskar and felt a swell of pride when the bull elk gave a slight nod silently. With the adjusted aim, the bolt flew from the ballista and ripped through the air before embedding itself in the central area of the straw target. Letting out a short whoop of excitement with Remus and Octavius, Romulus motioned for one of the Braves to step forward that had a bow strung across her back. Seeing Remus’s brows furrowing slightly at the inclusion, Romulus spoke quickly to explain himself, “We know how quickly our trained archers can fire, and we can see how slow the firing process will be on the ballista. Now, I know the elks will be quicker than us and we will get quicker with repetition, but Dianna here is one of our best archers. Let’s see the impact difference between the siege weapons and our weapons. Remus, if you want to convince us to use these, we need the comparison.” Remus nodded slowly before motioning to Dianna with his thumbs up, having no disagreement with his brother’s idea. The auburn she-wolf drew her longbow from her back and nocked an arrow on the string before pulling back with practiced ease despite the draw weight of the bow. After a second or two of aiming at the target with the ballista dart in it, she released the bowstring and sent the arrow flying through the air to hit the target above ballista bolt, her shot missing the middle to avoid going through the ballista hole. .

04:05

Romulus watched Dianna lower her bow before nodding and turning to jog down the range to grab the target and bring it back up to the others. He tried not to look as he grabbed hold of the edges and lifted it off of its stand. Getting back to the others and setting the target down so that the penetration was facing away from everyone, he waited to get everyone’s attention before turning the target to display the results. Rom’s eyebrows rose quickly when he saw the arrowhead sticking through three inches beyond the heavily braided straw while the ballista bolt was sticking through sixteen inches. Looking from Remus to Oskar, he nodded slowly before chuckling softly and speaking in a surprised tone, “Color me impressed. I was not expecting that level of penetration.” Hearing a couple of the younger braves sniggering after what he said, Romulus rolled his eyes before setting the target down and leaning it against the ballista. Pointing at two of the ones that were laughing, he spoke quickly in a cold tone, “Something funny Pollux? Liber? Care to share with the group? No, don’t bother. Run this down to the target stand and do thirty push-ups while you are there.” Seeing the two wolves swear under their breath before picking up the target and jogging down the firing range, Romulus looked to the four elks that had been standing next to the ballista at first. Pointing at the siege engine, he spoke in the same cold tone that did not invite any questions, “Two darts, as fast and accurate as you can. Hit the target but scare them. The rest of you, watch and learn how the masters work their machine.” Watching the elks move into position and start to work the ballista with practiced hands, Romulus lifted his gaze to meet Oskar’s suspicious glare. Lifting his lips into a slight snarl to defend his decision making, he turned to look down along the firing range where the target was being put back into place. .

04:06

As the wolves dropped down to their push-ups, Romulus shouted, “I’ll do the counting!! One! Two! Three!” As he counted the fourth one, he heard the ballista bowstring slap back into place as it launched a bolt down range that slammed into the target and knocked it on its foundation. Seeing the wolves stop to look at the target, he stepped forward and released a loud growling shout, “Did I fucking tell you to stop?! Four! Five! Liber, drop your chest to the ground or the next one will pin you to the ground!! Five! That’s better! Six!” Continuing to count the push-ups, he was at the twenty-seventh one when the next bolt was fired and rocked the target again. This time, however, the two young Braves stayed on task and finished their thirty push-ups before standing and jogging back up the firing range. Standing with his paws on his hips as they approached, Romulus raised his right with his palm towards them to stop them in their tracks. Watching as both young males stopped immediately and took up the attention pose, Romulus nodded slowly before speaking in a voice loud enough that it was clear they were not meant to be the only ones that heard what he said, “There is a time and place ladies and gentlemen. I suggest you find out what that means before the next time one of you decides to make a joke or laugh at something during an official training. If I wanted children, I would be searching through the new litters of the pack for my next Braves. Am I doing that? No! Because I expect a certain degree of responsibility and maturity from each of you!” Waiting a moment as his voice echoed off the trees near them, Romulus nodded before stepping forward and growling out his words at a lower volume that only Pollux, Liber, and Remus could hear, “Next time you lose your hunting pass for a week. Don’t let there be a ‘next time.’ Understood?” Seeing the two wolves nod quickly, Rom stepped to his left so that they could squeeze past him to their places. .

04:07

Turning to look at Remus and seeing an eyebrow raised at him in an unspoken question, Romulus stepped closer to his brother before muttering softly, “I know what a hypocrite is, and I know what I am not. That was a one-time thing. Though, once you meet her, you’ll be able to see why I wasn’t able to get her out of my mind.” Seeing Remus grin and shake his head, Romulus winked at him before turning to Octavius and speaking at a volume the others could hear, “Alright, listen up. Octavius will be here with Adelheid to guide you all through learning and becoming proficient with the ballista and catapult. I hope to hear only good things when we next meet.” Giving a pointed stare to Pollux and Liber, Rom nodded before turning his attention to Remus and then to Oskar. Waving them both over and walking past the tent to where the wagons were, Romulus was surprised to see elk working to offload the wagons, but he kept his composure and turned his attention to the wolf and elk he had called aside. Looking between the two of them, he spoke in a low voice, “If you are going to be here, we’ll need to set you up a region that can let you live there safely without threats from any carnivores. We don’t normally do this, but with what you are offering, an exception can be made I assume.” Feeling Romulus and Oskar each shift their gaze to him, Remus nodded with a soft chuckle before speaking, “My father has agreed to give you and your kin a portion of land to live on for the duration of your service with us. If you stop before the agreed upon twenty-five years, then your safety is forfeited, and you will be fair game for those with a hunting pass. However, should you finish your years, you will receive full immunity and borders to stay in that will ensure your safety. Outside of those borders, the same rules apply to you as they do to all prey: fair game outside of regulated areas.” .

04:07

Nodding as he heard the agreement, Oskar looked to the two wolves before speaking, “The Ursine promised us safe haven for our services, but after three harsh winters, they soon forgot their agreements and began hunting us as well. I pray to Carnonos that your kind are not as forgetful when your stomachs begin to growl.” Smirking as he nodded, Remus looked to Romulus and added, “My father does not want them to lodge with the other prey animals. We don’t want there to be any confusion for the wardens or hunters, nor do we want the prey animals to realize that there are members that are exempt from being hunted. That would be most unfortunate.” Chuckling softly as he listened to the two of them, Romulus turned first to Oskar and then to his brother while speaking, “I trust that you and your people have some kind of tents or something else with you? For now, I want you to stay here and sleep near the siege equipment as you assemble it and get the machines firing correctly. I’ll station Braves to stay here with you and keep you safe until we can find a place for you. It shouldn’t take longer than a few days, but until then you will be safe. I do know of a place that might work, Remus, but we’ll have to do something about the current residents.” Seeing Oskar start to speak, Rom raised his left paw and spoke quickly, “The place has a boar infestation that needs to be rooted out. We’ve been putting it off because there were more important issues, but it should be large enough to house all of your kin when it is done. What are there, sixty of you I think I saw?” Oskar’s answer came after a moment or two of thought, “We crossed the border with close to ninety, but we have lost six to wounds from our old Ursine hosts. However, I know we have several pregnant cows that I kept hidden away from the equipment. I couldn’t be sure how far to trust you all. I hope you understand.” .

04:08

Both wolves nodded at the comment before Remus spoke up, his words carrying confidence with them, “I can understand your cautious nature, friend. We will keep our word, though, and you will be safe while you live here and work through your service years. We will have this land freed up and ready for you soon, but please have patience.” Oskar nodded before speaking, his head lowering in a slow nod as he did, “I appreciate your reassurances Remus. You have been nothing but kind and respectful to myself and my people during our conversations. I will trust you and be patient. If you do not mind, I will be going to help my mate with managing the instructing.” Watching the bull elk straighten up before walking away, Romulus turned to Remus and spoke quickly, “I’ll go get some spears, you tell the others that a few will be staying to guard the Cervine?” Seeing Remus nod before stepping back, Rom reached out and placed a paw on the top of his head to ruffle his ebony fur roughly, “Alright, I’ll meet you at Gamma Point. The boars are in that area last time I scouted them out.” Remus nodded and smirked before leaving to go issue the commands to the other wolves. Turning and walking past the wagons that were becoming increasingly emptier as the elks worked hard to unload them of their precious cargo, Romulus looked up at the sky and growled deeply when he saw that the sun had passed zenith at midday and was starting to creep westward. He was excited to get to see Juliana tonight and spend time with her, but as his feet carried him to the armory to retrieve four boar spears, two for each of them, he knew that his responsibilities were growing and threatening his punctuality to see her. He had told her that he would be there at their normal time, but if he was engaged in a boar hunt with Remus, he couldn’t very well leave him to hunt them alone. There were too many possibilities that even he would need to be desperate to try hunting them alone himself.

04:09

Trekking through the woods with one spear strapped over his back and the other in his paws, Romulus moved low to the ground as Remus moved similarly about thirty meters to his left. The trees and undergrowth were thick enough that they would have to stand up fully to see each other, but they both knew that the other was there. Hunting and tracking required focus on your surroundings and concentration on the task at hand, and with their years of hunting and fighting together, Romulus and his brother would be able to know what the other was doing without needing to communicate. They had decided their play before they got this close to the boars, so as he heard the soft snorting and rooting sounds of one of them, he knew what to expect. Holding his spear with the blade pointed forward and low to the ground, Romulus coiled his hindlegs under him and smirked when he heard a series of angry barks to his left. Remus had gotten within visual range of the other side of the thicket where the boars were rooting around and nestled, so as per their plan, he had charged at them barking and braying to scare them into running. Some would likely charge him, but the majority would be running towards Romulus where he would kill as many as he could. They had alerted a nearby village of the hunt in process so that they could be on the lookout for any erratic boars. The villagers were also sending up young warriors for some training under the guidance of the Brave Warrior in an attempt to get them good favor. This was a delicate situation, however, so after a few minutes of making sure the youths were holding their spears in the best ways, he had instructed them to stay sixty meters to his rear. When the engagement began, they could come forward, but their main focus was to kill any that got past Rom and then carry the corpses to the village to be butchered. A peaceful feast was being prepared to welcome their new Cervine neighbors. .

04:10

Hearing a chorus of squeals and screeches as the hogs stumbled over each other to get away, Romulus slipped his spare spear off and laid it on the ground for easy access. As he brought both hands back to the shaft of his spear, he licked his lips as he thought about the deal that he had made with the village chief. A fresh cut of pork belly was going to be grilled up and seasoned for him to take with him as thanks for his efforts of feeding the village. Romulus was not certain if it was something Juliana had ever had before or would even enjoy, but he hoped that she would at least try it and give him her opinion. A fatty meat, it was one of the most tender cuts of pork that would melt over your tongue as much as you needed to chew it. Thinking of the spicy sweet glaze that he had asked to have slathered on it, Romulus grinned when the underbrush in front of him burst open with the emerging body of a boar male. Baring his teeth as he fought the urge to growl, Rom knew that making too much noise would have the chance of turning the hogs to run in a new direction. Lunging forward and lifting the spearhead above the boar’s head, Romulus drove the blade forwards and down to stab into the meaty neck of the boar. Driving the blade in until the lugs stopped it on the boar’s thick hide, Rom watched the hog look up at him and step forward before dropping to the ground as the blade penetrated its heart. Pulling the blade out and hearing a sucking sound as the boar’s flesh grabbed at the steel, Rom flicked the blade downward to sling off any excess blood before thrusting it forwards into the mouth of a smaller hog that ran through the brush squealing. The tip of the spear exited out the back of the boar’s neck, immediately severing its spine and killing it without much struggling. Stepping back to wrench the blade free, he narrowed his eyes when he heard heavier hooves in greater numbers hitting the ground in front of him. .

04:10

It seems the rest of you finally woke up. Come to me so that I can choose my meal for myself. Snarling as the sapling in front of him was battered down, Romulus dropped to a low squat and swung the boar spear in a low slice at the legs of the three boars that came towards him. Cleaving through the front legs of the first two and watching them tumble to the ground, Romulus pushed out of the squat and leaped into the air as the third hog, a large sow with even larger tusks, charged at him directly. Watching her run past him with two big boars hot on her heels, Romulus stepped to follow after them but stopped when he heard a shrill squeal behind him. Turning to see a boar charging him, Romulus stepped backwards but stumbled over one of the crippled boars that had rolled forward. Falling to his rear and dropping his spear, Romulus watched the boar lift its head to bring its tusks towards his chest. Growling deeply, he slammed his paws forward and gripped the underside of the boar’s tusks and pushed up to throw off its first attack. Losing his grip as the boar’s saliva made its tusk slick to the touch, Romulus brought his right knee up in a fierce blow into the boar’s stomach. Feeling the stomach give slightly before his blow hit the ribcage, Romulus brought his forearms up to cover his face as the boar somersaulted over him and fell on its back. Rom rolled over quickly and grabbed at his spear as the boar rolled over and got to its cloven feet as well. The spearhead was facing the wrong direction as Romulus grabbed at the shaft, but he jammed it forward and slammed the hard wooden shaft against the boar’s snout. Seeing it shake its head before continuing forward, Romulus growled and pushed up to his feet while spinning the spear in his hand so that the point was facing the boar. It was at this moment that he regretted leaving his great sword and longsword at the armory, but he had not anticipated the boars putting up this much of a struggle. .

04:11

Holding the spearhead low as the boar started to sidestep as if measuring him up as a threat, Romulus’s right ear flicked around to his rear as he heard a heavy set of footsteps coming up behind him. His tail wagged lightly though as he recognized the footfalls as belonging to Remus and not another boar coming up on his rear. As the ebony wolf stepped out over the dead hogs at his feet, the boar let out a rage filled squeal and charged forward. Romulus lunged forward and drove his spearhead into the boar’s throat. The lugs caught the hog’s collarbones and would not go any further, but as the boar continued forwards, the force of its advance caused the spear shaft to snap in half. Growling in anger, Romulus dropped the broken shaft and leapt forward to land on the boar’s back. Digging the claws of his feet into the boar’s flanks, he wrapped his arms around its head and arched his back while pulling the hog’s head up. Feeling it starting to thrash about to get him off, Romulus just growled deeper before jerking his shoulders back and forth to break the hog’s neck. The boar fell to the ground as Romulus pulled his right arm out from under it. Rolling it over onto its back and wrenching the broken spear out with his left paw, he scooted backwards and started to use the now dagger sized weapon as an impromptu butcher’s knife. Cutting back the hide and exposing the abdominal muscles of the boar, Romulus busied himself with cutting them away from the rest of the boar as Remus finished off the two crippled hogs with efficient stabs to their hearts. Looking up at his ebony brother as he worked the knife through the fatty tissue, Romulus growled deeply while shaking his head, “This bastard wanted to tackle me rather than running like the other three. Let’s take this to the two village youths and then go after those three. Two boars and a sow. If we don’t get them, they’ll just repopulate, and we’ll be doing this all over again.” .

04:11

Remus nodded before picking up Rom’s spare spear and handing it to the gray wolf when he found his feet. The broken spear shaft was slid into his belt so that he could hold the spear in his right paw and the cut of meat in his left. Even with the maned wolves working the forges and bringing fresh steel, there was no need to be wasteful and leave precious metals laying around because of a broken spear shaft. Stepping up to Romulus with his spare spear on his back and his main one in his hand, Remus nudged his elbow into his arm before speaking with a grin, “Are the hogs going to repopulate, or are those just your plans with Ms. Juliana?” Romulus’s cheeks, already holding a fair amount of red from the pig blood, turned positively scarlet as he looked over at his brother and grinned. Shaking his head and shoving him with his elbow, Rom spoke in a quiet voice, “I mean, I wouldn’t be against it. I’d rather get to know her a little more before talking children, but I mean may-” Romulus’s words fell away as his cheeks burned an even darker hue of red. He had already drawn his teeth and tongue over her abdomen, envisioning her womb as his and bearing his seed. They had not completed the act needed for such a possibility, but the thoughts were already there. Noticing his brother’s hesitation, Remus laughed heartily before bumping him with his elbow again. Walking past Romulus and calling out over his shoulder, he was not able to see the grin on the gray wolf’s lips, “You sly fox. You’ve already mated with her, haven’t you? You’ve slept with her before you even let me meet her? You wound me, Romulus. I can be hurt, you know. And this, this is the final blow.” Making a pained grunt as he gripped his side as if he had been stabbed, Remus looked over his shoulder and grinned at Romulus, a glint of true joy in his eyes as he felt immense happiness for his friend. .

04:12

The happy mood fell away when they moved down the path that Romulus had taken and saw the scene that was left for them. The two boards were slain, but the sow had run off and left a fresh path of chewed up ground where her cloven feet had carried her. The true reason their happiness slipped was when Romulus’s gaze fell on the bloody abdomen of one of the youths that had been following him. His eyes were lifeless, and he lay in an expanding puddle of his own blood. Turning to the other youth that was nursing a wound to her upper right arm, Romulus knelt down and dropped the pork belly to the ground, forgetting the joy of feeding Juliana when he saw the injuries that he had not been able to stop. Laying the spear on the ground, he pushed her paws away from the wound before bringing his own up to look at the extent of it. Wiping away some of the blood, he made a gentle shushing sound to try to ease the young female’s pain before speaking softly, “Your bone isn’t broken, that you can be thankful for. Here, take some of this and hold it to the wound. Keep pressure on it.” As he spoke, he ripped off a part of his green and brown kilt before pressing it to the wound. While Rom took care of the survivor’s wound, Remus knelt down beside the fallen boy and brought his right paw up to rest it on his bloody chest. Lowering his head and feeling tears trailing down his snout, the black wolf released a low growl promising pain to the surviving sow before he lifted his head. Moving his paw up to close the dead wolf’s eyes, he turned his head up to the sky and released a long, mournful howl that rang out through the forest and told of the boy’s loss and bravery. Finishing tying an additional length of cloth over the bandage to hold it in place, Romulus turned his head up and joined in on the mourning howl. The young female soon followed up on the howl after crawling over to the boy and cradling his head in her lap. .

04:13

“With proud thanksgiving, a Mother for Her children, Gaia mourns for her dead across the lands. Flesh of Her flesh they were, spirit of Her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labor of the daytime; They sleep with Gaia’s grand welcome.” .

04:14

Pushing up from the ground and retrieving their spears and those used by the youths, Romulus and Remus looked at each other and nodded in stern solidarity. The sow would taste their steel before the day was over, it was only a matter of time. Remus looked to the young girl and spoke in a gentle tone, “Your village will be here soon to help you get home and take back his body. Tell me, who was he?” The girl, her eyes red with tears that stained her gray cheeks, looked up to the two males before a new series of sobs wracked through her small frame. Her head lowered and her lips found the gray forehead of the fallen boy. Murmuring softly as she tried to get the words to come, she took a deep breath and chewed her bottom lip before looking up at Remus and speaking, “He...he was my...my brother. He wanted to be a Brave one day, but now he never will.” Romulus looked down at the boy’s body and knelt down slowly, his left paw reaching for the broken spear that was in his belt. Pulling it out and placing it on the boy’s chest, he moved his still pliant arms to rest his paws over the portion of shaft still attached to the spearhead. Swallowing thickly as he felt tears welling in his eyes, Romulus lifted his paw to grip her unwounded shoulder before speaking in a low tone, “He would have been fit to be the leader of the Braves, little one. But please know that he was a Brave. I carry his sacrifice beside every other Brave that has laid down their lives in service of out pack.” Seeing the young female look up from her brother to meet his gaze, Romulus smiled solemnly and nodded before leaning forward and pressing his lips against her forehead. Breathing in deeply and holding his breath for a moment, he released it slowly before speaking, “We will avenge him and honor his sacrifice, but your brother lives on with you, with me, and with Remus. He will not be forgotten.” .

04:14

Pushing up with his hindlegs to stand again, Romulus squeezed her shoulder again before releasing a long howl of summoning. The Braves were too far away to hear it, but Remus joined in on the recognizable call that every member of the pack knew. Calling out another time while turning to look at the boy’s body, Romulus nodded as he felt his chest grow fuller when the final breath the young boy breathed entered his being to join the Braves. Turning away and sprinting down the path that the sow cut into the dirt, he heard Remus close behind them before turning his ears forward to catch any sound in the wind. He was soon repaid for his diligence when he heard the distressed calls of the sow up ahead of them by a few hundred meters. He had slowed to a jog so that his heartbeat and footfalls didn’t mess up his audio tracking, but with a clear lock ahead, he leaned forward and took off sprinting again with Remus on his heels. They followed along her path instead of crashing through the underbrush, wanting to reduce the sound they made so as to not spook her and make her run away. Romulus charged along the path and caught sight of the sow as she stared off to his right with her tusks bared and ready for a fight. Ignoring that detail, he barreled into the clearing and drove his spear into her chest, throwing her to the ground instantly as the blade cut into her heart before being ripped from his grip by the lugs stopping the spear. Stumbling over her body a few feet, Romulus turned back to her and snarled at the corpse while walking over to retrieve the spear and pull it from her body. It was then, his hands on the spear shaft and pulling it free, that he heard the deep growl within the underbrush to his side. .

04:15

Four leopards stepped out of the tree line, each of them armed with a scimitar and dressed in flowy fabrics that draped off of their shoulders. Stepping back with his spear pointed towards them, Romulus offered a deep growl as his eyes darted between them. As the one on his far right stepped forward, Remus, who had been waiting on the path after noticing the way the sow had been looking, charged forward with his spear ready. As Remus skewered the first leopard and threw it to the ground, Romulus charged at those to his front with his spear forward. Making quick thrusting attacks to test the defenses of the leopards and force them backwards, Romulus looked between them and noticed that one of them was looking at him in the eyes rather than at the spear that was offending his comrades. Stepping to his right and swinging his spear around, Romulus smacked the butt of his spear against that leopard’s scimitar, causing it to stumble backwards. Barking quickly at Remus, he told his brother to grab that one before turning his attention to the others. In the moment that he had let his concentration slip, the leopards had moved to surround and flank Romulus. Recognizing this, he lowered his grip to the end of the spear shaft and whirled the weapon around, creating an area of space around him until the leopard to his rear blocked the shaft with his sword. It was a hunting spear, but it still had a solid enough construction to be used here in combat if in a pinch. Feeling the sword stop the spear, Romulus stepped towards that Leopard to keep up the pressure of attack. Holding his left paw still as a guide, he thrust forward repeatedly with his right gripping the end of the spear, changing the angle rapidly to make the leopard have to drop any offensive stance and go straight into defense. Smirking as the leopard blocked his last thrust with a deflection to his right, Romulus used the momentum to spin the spear around, making the second leopard step back to avoid the strike. .

04:16

While Romulus engaged the others, Remus dropped the spear that was lodged into the dead leopard. Pulling one off of his back, he immediately pressed the attack on the third leopard, thrusting repeatedly towards his sword hand to make him have to use it to defend himself. Every time the sword was used to bat away one of his strikes, Remus smirked and whipped the spear back onto aim to go for it again. Pressuring the leopard back away from the others until they were far enough away to not be of help, Remus dropped the thrusting attacks and switched to slashing attacks. Cutting at the leopard quickly and causing the swordsmen to have to put more behind blocking each blow, Remus choked up his grip on the spear shaft by bringing his paws closer to the middle. Remus made a backhanded slash with the spearhead, which the leopard parried to the side before catching the middle of the spear shaft in a fierce hit to its face. Remus had counted on the parry and stepped forward, slamming his spear into the leopard’s snout to knock him off balance. Following it up with a savage strike to the temple with the butt of the spear, Remus watched the leopard fall to the ground and stepped forward to start shredding his clothes and using them to restrain the leopard. When Remus drove the leopard due to be captured away from the danger area, Romulus went from trying to control a large area and into a more direct attack. Stepping quickly towards the farthest leopard, he thrust the blade forward at the leopard’s face and chest. Drawing its attention high and making the big cat block the high attacks, Rom quickly dropped his left paw to bring the spear low and thrusted forward. Stabbing the spearhead into the thigh of the leopard, he drove the spear forward until the lugs stopped its progress through the limb. Turning the shaft and pulling to the side, he cut out the side of the leopard’s leg. .

04:18

A jet of blood sprayed out of the leopard’s leg, but it did not have time to react as Romulus brought the spear back and then drove it forward quickly at the creature’s face. Its attention had dropped to its leg wound, so there was no attempt to stop the spear that drove through its teeth and then out through the back of its head. Hearing it let out a strangled gasp before its legs gave out beneath the weight of its body, Romulus pressed forward to cause it to fall backwards and give him room and space to free the spear for the other attacker. The effort was not needed, however, for when he turned around, the final standing leopard was running back towards the tree line. Pulling the spear from the mouth of the fallen leopard, Romulus stepped forward while lifting the spear like a javelin. Stepping forward with his left foot while holding the spear in his right paw, Rom pivoted his hips and drove forward with his right foot while launching the spear forward. The blade bit effortlessly into the upper back of the fleeing leopard, shattering its spine before the tip protruded out the front of its chest, shattering the sternum as well. Walking over to twist the spear and then rip it out of the corpse’s back, Romulus turned his attention to where Remus was kneeling next to the bound leopard. Its paws were bound behind its back, and its legs were bound at the ankles and knees. Planting the butt of the spear against the ground and leaning against the shaft with his right paw holding just beneath the lugs of the spearhead, Romulus looked down at the Panthera before speaking in a low growl, “What do we have here?” @Fiory

The conversation around the circle seemed to buzz with the information that had been shared. Grumbling and growling of discussion among each other, some with teeth bared and ears back. The only one who seemed to remain in the room in utter silence, was Juliana. Her ears, tall and dark in color swiveled to try and catch the words that were being uttered in hurried discussion. Some seemed to be on the side of fortifying the village if the Ursine’s were in a war. Others thought that perhaps it would be best to focus on the food for the winter. More started talking of if they had enough Braves of their own if the Grayback’s war came to their side of the territory. “My Friends, we’re all missing the biggest opportunity that Gaia has granted us.” Parion’s voice rang out, thick with arrogance and self righteousness. It made Juliana take notice for a moment, her ivory muzzle pointing slightly in his direction. Carlisle motioned for silence to allow the tall male to speak. He grinned and nodded his head in respect of the leader before a gentle growl hissed from his lips. “Don’t you all see?” He started, letting the words hang in the air to capture the wolves around the room who were waiting to hear what they were missing. “It’s so simple, and will solve so many problems in one fell swoop.” His words sounded almost triumphant, his paws forming into fists as he lifted one in the air in victory. Juliana’s eyes narrowed watching this showboating wolf carry on the way he was. What are you getting at… She thought, her mind working to solve the issue that he was bringing to the forefront. Slowly, her ears began to slide back, pinning in place and it took as much self control as she could muster to keep her snarl at a silent rumble in her throat.

22:06

“Leader Carlisle, you have led us through times of war and famine alike. Surely you will see the wisdom in this.” Parion continued, but Carlisle remained quiet listening with an intense stare and waiting for whatever Parion would announce. He had a calm demeanor, waiting patiently for the male to get on with it, his eyes piercing but his muzzle closed and silent to allow the male to speak his peace. Juliana’s lips twitched and fluttered, daring Parion to continue before she contemplated further ripping his throat out. “It’s simple my friends, allies, respected leader…” Parion motioned grandly to the congregation, and then to Carlisle, before he placed one paw on his chest while the other motioned towards Juliana as if he was trying to emulate the handsome prince in some kind of fairytale. “My lovely lady…” Lia just huffed in irritation. Blow hound… “Our biggest threat are the Graybacks…They are stronger and fiercer in number than we are. But if they are off fighting a war with the Ursines, who we have a peace treaty with… Why not destroy the Graybacks now while they are at their weakest?”

22:06

There it was. That was his grand idea. Attacking their enemy while they were unsuspecting or worse wounded and trying to heal after a war they were already fighting. Juliana’s eyes grew wide and Parion smiled broadly before turning to the rest of the council. The other wolves seemed to nod their heads as if this idea was actually being considered. Lia couldn’t help but feel responsible for it. She only had said the information about the war with the Ursines and Graybacks because Romulus had told her. Now she had given valuable information to her pack of an easily exploitable weakness to their enemy. Her mind raced with the idea of their arrows lit with fire burning homes and destroying the lives of the Grayback population. Of those who would prefer to live their life the way they were subjected to quick and painless deaths. Parion’s idea of attack first was not a Silverfang ideal, and her gaze turned to her father to try and get some semblance of where he stood on this issue. Carlisle, remaining stoically quiet, looking around the room and seeming to consider the idea that Parion had brought forth. Are you serious? “You Can’t.” She finally found her voice, and it came out in a hurried and anxious bark. The room fell quiet though quite a few wolves were still conversing and discussing the subject with quiet growls. Parion rounded on Juliana and quirked a brow at her. “Why not? They would not show us the same courtesy Carlisle Sir.” He mentioned, turning his nose momentarily to her father in acknowledgement even though Lia had been the one to object. Juliana would not be ignored, especially not by this arrogant male.

22:06

“We have a peace treaty with the Graybacks.” “It’s not a peace treaty you have, it’s a verbal agreement.” Parion growled back. “If we step on their land, we would be starting a war!” Juliana growled, her hackles slowly rising. “Not if we wipe them out before they knew what hit them.” The congregation around the room seemed to start agreeing further with Parion’s outlook on this. Lia leaned forward, her tail standing stiff behind her. “There are Women and Children that the Graybacks leave behind! It would be a Slaughter!” She barked, baring her teeth at the wolf in front of her, who just seemed to shrug lightly at the idea of destroying innocent lives. “They would have a chance to join the pack, and if not then they are traitors of Gaia and shouldn’t exist anyway My Lady.” “You have no right to decide that!” Lia barked angrily, moving from sitting on the ground to her feet, ready to stand and fight him right there if he so dared to challenge her. Parion stood as well, meeting her gaze and leaning down in order to come eye to eye with her. While standing it was clear he was just as tall as Romulus was, his shoulders nearly as broad though he had a slightly leaner figure to him. Juliana didn’t care what he looked like. He was proposing war with the Silverfangs and Graybacks, and that would involve Romulus. She couldn’t let something happen to him if she could help it. “Don’t we? We would give them the choice My Lady! If they choose peace with us than they would be welcomed, and if not than a swift death is the most merciful answer for them.” Parion growled, his ears forward and his hackles rising to meet Lia’s challenge. Her teeth shone brilliantly. How Dare You “They are Innocent! They are not soldiers, and they can’t help the home they were born into! Your idea would have us instigate a war with the Graybacks when they have done nothing to us!” “Nothing…?” The room went silent, even Parion and Juliana’s growling grew quieter. Carlisle’s voice was a quie

22:06

t rumbling sound, his face thoughtful and stern looking at the pair of wolves that were refusing to back down from each other. “They are not guiltless my daughter.” “But father! You and the Grayback leader made a deal!” Juliana barked angrily, her fury rounding on the father she had always seen as a peacemaker, not a warbringer. “Lia…” “No! You cannot allow this!” “Juliana..” “Starting a war knowing you would slaughter innocents is wrong Father!” “Juliana….” “If we do this we would be no better than the Graybacks! We would be no better than the savage Werewolves that roam without cognitive thought! We would Disgrace our Mother Gai-” “JULIANA SILVERFANG!” Carlisle’s voice had risen in tone and temperament. It was one of the rare occasions when Lia’s surname was used. Her muzzle remained lifted in irritation and ready to snap at any wolf that dared come for her. The silence in the hut was palpable. All eyes were on the pair, the current leader who sat in a calm fury glaring at his daughter, the future leader of the Silverfang pack, who had risen to her paws to challenge Parion and ended up challenging her father in the process. A thick lump hung heavy in her throat as she waited for her father to speak again, her expression unchanging from that angry challenge. You can’t… Please.. Juliana’s angry blue eyes pleaded, staring directly and defiantly into the warmth of Carlisle’s unyielding glare. After what seemed like an age of uneasy silence between everyone, Carlisle nodded silently.

22:07

“My Daughter, though reckless and headstrong in her declaration, is nonetheless wise beyond her years.” He said slowly and Juliana felt the air slowly return to her lungs. He wasn’t going to declare war. They weren’t going to fight the Graybacks after all. Take That Parion! “She is correct, we have a deal with the Grayback leader to keep to our own and never cross the border river between us. If one of our own or theirs were to do so, it would be considered null and void, and certainly open conflict with them would be warranted.” Carlisle continued, and Juliana slowly allowed her hackles to lower, on edge still but quietly coming back down. An anxiety filled her and she swallowed thickly in the silence that was left after Carlisle spoke. If only he knew that Juliana and Romulus had crossed that territorial line multiple times. If only he knew what they had done when they reached each other’s banks “I cannot agree to the blatant disregard of this solid fact.” Carlisle continued, and Juliana’s anxiety began to lessen. The she-wolf kept her blue eyes locked with her father who’s gaze moved to Parion’s golden eyes. He seemed a little perturbed at the idea that the leader of the Silverfangs was so soft on this idea but he wasn’t about to argue further in front of him. “However… if there was some…Proof that the Graybacks had already disregarded that order that would be a different story. No Silverfang would ever dare.” Carlisle’s final words on the subject made Lia’s tail fall a little. The finality of it, felt like a nail being driven down and thoroughly within Juliana’s chest. ”No Silverfang would ever dare.”...except… technically, I did… She thought, feeling a tightness constrict in her heart and a weight press heavy on her shoulders.

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The tension in the room lifted. Carlisle had made his decision. There was no going against the leader on this and even Parion backed down, lowering his head respectfully and sitting back down. Juliana sat down next to her father slowly, but kept her piercing gaze at Parion. He was trouble, and she had a feeling she needed to keep a damn close eye on him lest she regret it later. The meeting resumed quietly with less drama after that. Juliana sat back and stayed mostly reserved and quiet. She had a lot on her mind after her confrontation with Parion. It was also decided that he would be a more permanent staple here at the village. The Silverfangs had been lacking a Brave Warrior lead of their own since theirs fell in battle a few seasons ago. The knowledge of this had been kept quietly under wraps, while the scouts teams searched neighboring packs for someone strong and worthy enough of the title. Apparently their travels had gone so far south that they found hell itself and pulled Parion back to fill that role. Juliana could have vomited. He was so sure of himself, so arrogant and dripped with overconfidence. Her head kept comparing him to Romulus, who was equally large and every bit as strong. The difference was that Rom had already captured her heart. The way he played and the sweetness he showed to her. He could easily rip her in half, and yet when she was in his embrace she felt so protected, like a rare and exotic treasure that he was afraid could fracture if he was too hard with her.

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With the sun setting quietly in the distance, Juliana finally left the hut with the rest of the council. Parion and Carlisle had hung back and Lia wanted nothing to do with the private conversation they were having. Instead, she made her way to Palla’s kitchen. She knew there would be something there for her to do to get her mind off of the discussions that had gone on this afternoon. What was her father thinking, enlisting such a brash wolf like that into their village? She just couldn’t understand it. They were safe, or relatively so. They had plenty of archers, and the Otters were a long time ally of the Silverfangs, and assisted with throwing stones from the riverbed. Surely with their grain storage and the fish they were acquiring for the coming winter, they had all they needed. Gaia had provided, they didn’t need Parion and his savage ideas. “Palla?” She called softly as the she-wolf lifted the flap of the communal kitchen. The soft smell of baking bread wafted into her nose, and Lia couldn’t help her tail wagged softly as she walked in. “Ah, Lady Juliana… How can I help you this evening?” The elderly wolf said kindly, glancing over at the door as she mixed a creamy yellow substance in a bowl with a carved wooden spoon. Her graying muzzle smiled pleasantly up at the she-wolf who had her nose in the air sniffing. She could already feel her mouth salivate with the aroma of bread that permeated her nose.

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“I’m doing well Palla… What’s that you’re making?” Lia asked pleasantly, letting the warmth of the kitchen soothe and make her feel right at home again. No more thinking about Parion and his insane ideas. No more worrying about her father entertaining them either. No more worrying that a fight might come about where Rom and herself would be on opposite sides. I couldn’t draw my bow against Rom… I just couldn’t… She thought, the idea of turning in the wood with Romulus in her sights one that made her stomach turn violently. Juliana couldn’t bare the idea of knocking an arrow back, aiming for the heart of Romulus and letting the projectile fly. Shaking her head a little at the horrific thought, knowing how accurate a shot she was and getting the visual of the point piercing his dark gray fur and seeing the light fade from his beautiful amber eyes. “Well, this is what the Bovine’s gave us earlier. I took some of their butter and have been experimenting with the garlic they gave us.” Palla explained, showing the creamy mixture in the bowl. It was mostly solid still, with flecks of different herbs and smelled gently of the garlic. It looked nothing like a dough that Juliana was used to, but it did resemble the berry compotes that she would make sometimes. Interested, Juliana leaned on the slab counter that Palla was working on. The old wolf smiled, handing the bowl to Juliana and the spoon indicating how she should continue to churn the mixture until it was completely incorporated. Lia’s nose twitched at the smell, realizing that the garlic smelled much better this way than it had raw. Palla explained how she had experimented a little with it raw, and found that it tasted best if the garlic was roasted with the bread in the oven. It made it turn a gentle brown color and the smell was mild but Lia thought it certainly would have a lovely taste with the tender movements Palla had done. The old wolf had a way of pulling the best flavors out of the ingredients that we

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re found or traded, and Lia had yet to be disappointed with the concoctions she came up with.

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She kept turning the butter mixture while Palla moved towards the stone ovens, her tail swaying gently and her grayed muzzle smiling kindly as she checked the loaves as they baked. Juliana tilted her head, looking from the bowl to the bread already baking. Wasn’t this supposed to go into the bread before it was baked? Perhaps not “Shouldn’t be too much longer now My Lady.” Palla said quietly, closing the oven to let the bread continue to brown in the gentle heat of the oven. Lia just nodded quietly, and moved the butter mixture aside. Her arms leaned on the stone and without being able to help it, she let a soft exhale out of her white muzzle. The black fae furrowed her brow and the soft smile fell on her graying muzzle. “Something on your mind Juliana?” She asked, her voice gentle and calm, every bit the grandmother figure that she clearly showed. Lia looked up at her, searching her kind eyes before nodding a little. “I… I just don’t know what to do Palla.” She said quietly, not sure exactly how to talk about the things she was feeling. The things she had heard in the council wasn’t something that the general public, like Palla, so she had to be careful with what she said or how she said it. “Well, try from the beginning and I’ll see if there’s something I can tell you.” The kindness in her voice was warm like the bread she was baking. It made Juliana feel at ease, and she took a gentle inhale before continuing to settle the nerves in her stomach.

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“Well… It’s just the normal responsibilities that I have Palla. Managing the inventory and the status of the village, and then the leadership responsibilities that I can’t really explain either… it’s just… weighing on me I think.” Juliana said, choosing her words carefully as she said them. Palla smiled, her paw reaching out to lay her old palm over Lia’s arm. There was a kindness in her eyes that the older fae had, asking without words for the younger heir to feel comfortable speaking her mind. The words would stay here, and no one would hear other than the ingredients and breads that cooked in the oven. “I… there’s this.. Male..” Juliana said quietly, as if the words were hard to say aloud and she was nervous about letting them out. Palla just remained quiet, listening intently and patiently for Juliana to continue. “Well.. I.. I worry for him… With the different things going on, there’s been talk of… well.. I just worry for him…” “There will always be conflict Lia..” Palla said calmly, filling in where the heiress simply could not. Juliana’s ears flicked, knowing full well that Palla was right, and wanting to believe that she wasn’t. “I know… I just… I wish we could have this peace we’re experiencing last forever..” “I know dear. Perhaps we will one day.” “Do you really think so?” “I know so, Lia.” Palla said quietly. “... Do you think… that the pack would accept someone… outside of the pack in?” Lia said quietly afterwards. Her fingers lightly played against the minotaur horn around her neck. She kept thinking, waiting for Palla to speak, and wondering what the answer to her question would be. Her tail kept still, almost between her legs as she waited. “Perhaps…” Was all Palla said, waiting for the continued explanation that Lia was holding back. “I mean… “ Juliana was concerned that the packs would be at war with each other. And Parion was one more talk away from convincing her father that the Graybacks were easy targets. It was the last thing t

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hat Lia wanted, the last thing that Lia could stand. At one point she would have no problem tallying how many Graybacks she could down if they dared cross the river. Now? All she wanted was to protect those who lived there, she wanted to stand by Romulus and keep both her pack and his safe. “Juliana…” Palla said quietly, seeing the turmoil on her face. Her old paw reached forward and laid her palm on Lia’s cheek. There were no words that needed to be said. Palla seemed to understand at least to an extent that Juliana didn’t want a war, and worried for the male that had given her that necklace if a war were to start. She didn’t know where this mystery mate of hers was from and it didn’t matter. It was information that Palla didn’t require in order to give her advice to the young female.

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“Juliana my dear… We are so thankful for the peace that your father has brought to the pack, and I know as well as the rest of the pack know, that you will follow along in your father’s steps to keep the peace. You are as beautiful and wise as your mother was, and you have the best mind of your father. I am confident that you will keep us at peace. I have no doubt about this and you shouldn’t either.” A soft wetness filled her quiet blue eyes, and Juliana gave a quiet smile to the old fae. It was reassuring that someone felt so confident in her abilities to lead, that they didn’t need details. They didn’t need the reasons for the anxiety and they didn’t need explanation. Juliana just placed her paw against Palla’s and the two shared a quiet understanding for a few moments. The sun had completely set by the time the two were finished. Henry had come by in that time with the filet of salmon that Juliana had requested, and Palla had cooked it over the fire until it was beautifully cooked. She even put a dollop of that special mixture of butter and garlic over it and the fish smelled sinful with how great it smelled. Palla quietly and gently wrapped the large filet up so it would stay warm, placing it into a basket flat on the bottom. A small palm sized jar was used to house a few scoops of the butter to be placed with it and a fresh baguette from the oven lay beside the fish. Palla smiled at the handiwork of it all, and Juliana couldn’t wait to share it with Romulus. If he had liked the lavender loaf she had made, she was very sure he would enjoy this dinner option.

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“Be safe My Lady.” Palla said quietly, giving a quiet wink to her when Henry wasn’t looking. Juliana just smiled and waved back, making her way out of the hut and out towards the woodlands with her precious basket in her arms. She had to travel a little slower to ensure that nothing was jostled too much, but she was skilled in avoiding detection from those around her. Even with the aroma delighting noses as she passed. The moon was just beginning to rise when she finally made it to the sanctuary for Romulus and herself. Her ears flew forward, listening and waiting to hear if Rom had beat her here. Her eyes glanced across the water that sparkled with the moonlight’s gentle rays and she reached up to ensure the color was correct for when he arrived. An indication that she was here, and she was waiting. So much swam in her mind from the day. Especially the image of that charlatan, sneak thief in wolves’ clothing, the fraud that was Parion. There was no way he was actually interested in helping the pack or in keeping the pack’s best interests at heart. The worry that fell over her face was the private conversation that her father had had with him when she had left. What had they talked about? What did Parion want now, what concession? And what of these Pantheran that were breaking the border truce in order to cross back and forth to the North? She needed answers, and she hoped on their walk today to find a proper meeting place for Sabelle and his brother, that Romulus might have the answers she sought. @Himbo Tie

Dressed in a tan robe that reached down to its ankles and a white shemagh wrapped around its head with only its eyes showing, the leopard looked fit for the deserts of the east rather than the forest it was currently in. Its eyes flicked between Remus kneeling beside it and Romulus leaning against his spear, but there was no fear in the movements. It seemed to just be waiting to see what the two Lupines did, as if it had already accepted its fate before crossing over into Grayback territory. The movements and their confidence irritated Remus, but other than a deep growl that permeated from his chest, the ebony wolf did nothing but watch the cat where it lay. He was willing to wait until the leopard lost its will to sit in silence because he knew he was going to get the answers that he sought no matter. Sighing softly, he picked up the scimitar and looked over the curved sword while repeating his question, “What is your name leopard?” Romulus, however, was not as patient as his brother on the best of days, and with every moment that the leopard sat in stubborn silence, he could almost feel the day growing older. Every minute brought him closer to when he would get to leave and see Juliana, but if the leopard had yet to speak, he would not be able to leave. Growling and pushing off from the spear, Romulus reached down and grabbed a handful of the leopard’s robe. Seeing its eyes turn to him with a flicker of fear, he narrowed his eyes and picked the feline up with his right arm. Hearing Remus bark shortly in surprise at the move before starting to tell him to stop, Romulus turned his head with a quick snarl at his brother before turning his attention back to the leopard. Holding it up in the air, he grabbed his spear with his left hand and held the point against the leopard’s side. Bringing his face closer to the leopard’s, he curled his lip up in a fierce snarl while shouting, “What is your name?!” .

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Seeing the feline’s eyes growing wide slightly, he growled and shoved his hand out before releasing his hold on the robe. Watching the leopard’s eyes widen further as it fell backwards and landed hard on its rear, Romulus surged forward with his teeth bared and hackles raised as he crouched over its chest. Raising his left paw with his claws on display, he snarled down at the feline and released a blood curdling growl that started deep in his chest before rolling from his throat. Hearing a muffled sound as the leopard started to speak, Rom brought his left paw down and grabbed hold of the cloth of the shemagh that was in front of the other animal’s mouth. Yanking up and ripping the cloth of the feline, he watched the other wince as the cloth pulled painfully at its ears before it laid down its now bare head. Seeing gold beads braided into the hair that ran between the leopard’s ears, Romulus turned his eyes down to meet its gaze with his eyebrows raised. “Sulaiman, my name is Sulaiman,” the leopard’s words came through a heavy coughing fit as it dealt with being thrown down like it had been. Standing up and wiping the blood from his fur that had collected from killing boar and feline alike, Romulus looked to Remus and pointed down at their captive before stepping away. He ignored the glare that he received from the ebony wolf while slamming the spear in his hand down hard so that the butt of the shaft drove into the ground several inches to let it stand on its own. Walking away a few feet, he kept his ears trained back on the leopard to hear anything that it had to say to his brother. The anger between them was theater at its most basic form, but the leopard did not need to know that. He genuinely wanted to get this over with as quickly as he could, but he was not going to put his own desires above the safety of the pack by doing this interrogation poorly.

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Tossing the soiled fabric to the ground, Romulus knelt beside the corpse that he had made by throwing the spear.

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. While his larger brother busied himself with searching the dead for any paperwork or other articles to show how they got here, Remus knelt next to the captive’s torso and rested his left paw on the leopard’s chest. Seeing the feline glancing down towards Romulus, he smirked and leaned down so that his snout was next to the creature’s head. Chuckling softly as he too glanced to the more aggressive of the pair, Remus, spoke in a low voice, “Sulaiman, I suggest you go ahead and tell me everything you can before he gets bored of searching your comrade’s corpses. Let’s start with something easy then, how does that sound? Where are you from?” Sulaiman, shifting his gaze quickly from the large gray wolf to the black one next to him, resisted the urge to snarl when the snout closed in beside his head. Swallowing and shifting his head a little away from the ebony wolf, he glared up at the canopy above him for a few moments of stubborn silence. However, as the breeze worked through the leaves at the highest levels of the canopy, he spoke in a low tone, “We came from the lands to the far east of here, beyond the lands of the other wolves and deep into our own land. We were promised fertile lands if we left the lower desert and offered our services to the greater good. We came under the guidance of a priest of Sekhmet, but I worry now that was for nothing.” Hearing mention of one of the main Panthera goddesses, the goddess of their warriors no less, Romulus lifted his head and swiveled his ears towards the two. Pushing up from beside the body he had been searching, he held a sheet of papyrus in his left paw as he approached slowly. Reaching out and tapping Remus’s shoulder with it lightly, he raised an eyebrow and grunted softly before speaking, “Get a load of this shit. They’ve got a whole map of our northern territories and the Silverfang north as well. Not only that, see what’s in it too.” .

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Remus glanced up at Romulus before taking the papyrus and spreading it out on Sulaiman’s bound body as if he were just a table for them to discuss. Seeing a detailed map of the mountain range that separated both Lupine nations from the Ursine lands above, he continued to open it to the east and saw the border shared between the Silverfangs and the Panthera nation. There were red wax markings that detailed routes from the Panthera lands to the Ursine lands through the Silverfang territory, then further markings from that path to the Grayback lands. Looking at the map before glancing at Sulaiman, Remus could see the leopard’s eyes closed as it muttered softly under its breath in its native tongue. Growling and swinging his right paw out, he caught the underside of the leopard’s jaw in a fierce backhand. Hearing Sulaiman yelp softly in surprise before growling at him in return, Remus bared his teeth and spoke in a threatening tone, “Keep praying to your goddess, and I will send you to her for a one-on-one conversation with her.” Drawing his paw back from the leopard as he turned his attention to what else Romulus brought, Remus narrowed his eyes when he saw a smaller sheet of papyrus covered in the Pantheran script. A common language had been developed generations ago between many of the nations in the area, long before the Lupine nation had split in two. Its purpose was to conduct trade, treaties, and to otherwise aid in keeping the several different species of animals able to communicate between each other. While this common language was universally known and able to be spoken, nearly every nation had their own spoken language and script to match. Printed on the same style of papyrus with border art that made it appear official, there was no doubting that the letter was related to the map that they had found. Looking it over and trying to pick out pieces of the writing that he understood, Remus held it up and looked to Sulaiman, “What does this say?” .

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Hearing the leopard repeating the prayer from before, Romulus growled deeply and picked up the papyrus map and laid it out on the ground of the clearing. Seeing Remus back up slightly to make room for him, Rom looked down at Sulaiman and smirked when he saw the leopard’s lips stop moving mid prayer. Reaching down and grabbing the collar of his robes with both paws, Romulus lifted the smaller being and held him up in the air for a moment before dropping him to the ground. Hearing the air leave the leopard as he landed on his bound feet and then fell back to slam his chest on the ground, Rom shook his head and grabbed the leopard by the throat. Pulling him up and kicking his legs backwards, he forced Sulaiman onto his knees so that he could look down and see the map plainly. Resting his left paw on the back of the leopard’s head, he squeezed his grip in so that each of his claws dug into the fur and scalp underneath. Nodding his thanks to Romulus before he looked at Sulaiman, Remus picked up the letter and held it so that the leopard could see. Placing his index finger under the first words before drawing along the line, he smiled before speaking in a sarcastically kind tone, “Mind telling me what this says?” Sulaiman, his eyes going between both wolves with much more fear in the movements, grunted softly before looking at the papyrus. Reading over it quickly, he nodded against the claws in his scalp before speaking in a desperate voice, believing that the speed of his response might save his life, “They are instructions for us. Orders you could say. We are supposed to find routes through the territories of our neighbors so that we can establish trade routes to use to grow our nation and prosper.” .

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Snorting at the words that Sulaiman spewed out quickly, Romulus pulled him back and threw him on the ground again before looking down at the map. Ignoring the grumbling of the feline as he was laying on his side, Rom looked to his brother and saw Remus’s eyes scrolling over the message in his paws. Crouching down to pick up the map, he spoke in a low voice in their own native Lupine tongue, “He’s lying, you and I both know that. Trading routes have already been mapped out; you just have to carry the appropriate flag and paperwork to show what you are doing here. If he isn’t going to tell the truth, I say we take him to your father and see if that makes him squeal the truth.” Remus nodded slowly, his right paw holding the message as he brought his left up to scratch the side of his head. Looking over the note for a few more moments, he sighed before looking at Rom and shaking his head a little before speaking, “I can understand some of this, but it doesn’t bode well if I am understanding it perfectly. They weren’t here to look for trading routes; they were trying to map out our villages. Look here, they’ve already marked three on their advance from the border. These arrows aren’t their orders; they are their observations and the routes they have already taken.” Moving his paw to point out three symbols in the respective locations that both wolves knew there were villages, Remus growled deeply in frustration before continuing, “Besides, you know as well as I do that my father might kill the man before we get any real answers from him. We need to know everything we can; they were far too deep in our territory. Look how much Silverfang land they had to cross to get here; there is no way that they didn’t know they were there. Are they conspiring against us? We need these answers, and it will look better for both of us if we can bring them to my father rather than coming with no answers.” .

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Nodding slowly as Remus finished, Romulus set the map back down and then stood up to walk over to Sulaiman. Rolling the leopard over onto his stomach, Romulus picked him up by his upper arms behind his back and dragged him over to where he had been kneeling before. Hearing the leopard male cursing under his breath at being moved around, Rom lowered his muzzle beside Sulaiman’s head and growled deeply before speaking, “I don’t want your fucking opinions or attitude. We want the facts Sulaiman, not any of your lies and plea bargains. Why were you in our territory?” He waited only a moment to hear a response from the leopard before glancing down in front of him and stepping down hard on the feline’s tail. Hearing a pained yowl as he felt the bones break under his paw, Romulus snapped his jaws threateningly at the side of Sulaiman’s head before growling his words through bared teeth, “Answer the fucking question before I rip your tail off!” Sulaiman pulled his head away from Rom’s jaws before looking down at the map, a wet trail going through the fur under his eyes as the pain from the break surged through his system. The pain he felt came not only from the physical injury but also from the reality he was seeing developing around him. He would never be going home again, so why would he cooperate and betray his kin just to die either way. Remus saw the leopard’s chin rising with his gaze to look to the opposite tree line and smirked as he realized what was going through the feline’s mind. Reaching out with his left paw, he wrapped his fingers over the leopard’s snout and jerked his head to the side to force Sulaiman to meet his yellow gaze.

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Glaring at him, Remus snarled as he spoke in a deep voice, “You are going to die. But it is your choice how you die. Ripped apart and tortured or killed with honor in a painless way. That is the decision you need to make. Will Sekhmet have to piece you back together in hopes of you finding peace, or will you be able to walk to her and your eternity beside her?” .

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Sulaiman looked into the yellow eyes before him and nodded slowly, his jaw opening and stretching once it was freed from the ebony fingers holding him. Looking slowly at the map, he breathed in deeply before beginning, “I don’t know the answers to any ‘why questions,’ but I know what we were instructed to do. We were told to scout the most secluded paths through both Lupine nations and mark down any villages or settlements that we came across. If you look, we have villages of both Silverfangs and Graybacks marked on the map. We had snow leopards with us that we escorted to Ursine territory, but I do not know what their orders or destination were. I only knew to help them to the mountain pass there and then continue with my own mission. Once we had reached the end of your mountain border, we were supposed to document and mark the locations of your forces that are facing the Ursine warriors. With that complete, we were meant to return with an accurate map. That is all, I swear. Please, keep to your word and make it quick.” Remus nodded slowly as he listened to Sulaiman, his eyes settling on the map and seeing relating marks and such that proved the leopard to be speaking the truth. Looking up at Romulus where he stood behind the leopard, he nodded slowly before gathering the papyrus and folding it as it had been originally. Once the papyrus was picked up and Remus had moved away a little, he turned back to look Sulaiman in the eyes as he asked one final question, “Did the Silverfangs grant you access across their border, or did you cross illegally?” .

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Romulus felt his stomach fall as he heard the question, his mind immediately going to the white and silver wolf that dominated most of his thoughts in the recent past. She had been quick to talk about peace with him, so he couldn’t imagine that she would be able to stomach letting the Panthera scouts cross her border. Looking down at Sulaiman, he reached his right arm out and took hold of his boar spear while waiting for an answer from the leopard. Sulaiman, his head turning slightly to see the retrieval of the spear, breathed in deeply before speaking in a steady voice, “There is an agreement between the leaders of our nations to not cross the border with aggressive intent to each other, but there is nothing stopping us from crossing to travel through. Whether express permission was granted or not, I do not know. But we made it all the way here before running into trouble if that means anything to you. Now please, let me go home.” Seeing the leopard look up at him with a peaceful expression, Romulus glanced up at Remus and saw his ebony furred friend nod slowly. Lifting the boar spear and turning it so that the point was down, Romulus placed it against Sulaiman’s neck. He waited until the leopard mumbled softly in his native tongue and closed his eyes before driving the spear down quickly. It drove between the feline’s collarbone and shoulder blade with no resistance before piercing his heart and puncturing through. Feeling the lugs of the spearhead make contact with the bones of the leopard’s ribcage, Romulus looked down and saw that Sulaiman’s head had already fallen forward with his life passing from him. He pulled the spear out quickly and pushed the body to the side before shaking his head and stepping back. .

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Watching the blood drain out onto the ground, Remus pulled his lips into a tight line before shaking his head and gathering his spear as well. Reaching down and grabbing the hindlegs of the sow after putting the papyrus into a pouch on his belt, Remus started to walk out of the clearing while speaking in a low voice, “Come on, we’ve got to tell my father. If everything he said is true, we’ve been compromised and this likely isn’t their first scouting mission like this.” Looking up to the sky and seeing the warm glow of the evening sun coming over them, Romulus nodded before grabbing his spear and kneeling beside Sulaiman’s corpse. He had already passed on, but they would need some proof to take to Marcel and the others to prove that the danger and threats were real. Taking hold of his spear just below the lugs, he used it to quickly cut down and through the leopard’s neck to remove his head from his shoulders. Driving the blade up through the bottom of the skull so that the tip emerged just above the eyes, Romulus leaned the spear over his shoulders and walked with Remus.

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The sun had advanced further on its never-ending descent by the time they had reached the main hut where Marcel now stood in front of them with his hands holding the map that had been provided. Remus had already told him the details of the map and what they had learned from the leopard on Romulus’s spear. There were other wolves that had shown up that were looking as well: elders of the clan that had fought beside Marcel and officers in the military that were on leave from the front. Looking to each of them with a polite nod, Romulus felt himself growing distracted by the loss of bright sunlight and lost focus on what was being discussed. The same facts had already been debated several times over: the Panthera forces were becoming braver, there might be some union between them and the Ursine forces, the Silverfangs had a treaty with both the Ursine and Panthera clans. He still held the spear with Sulaiman’s blood trickling down it, but Romulus had taken the opportunity to immediately arm himself with his swords and put on his armor when they returned to the settlement. There was no way of knowing if there might be more felines in the woods, and he did not want to be caught unprepared if they showed themselves. His left paw held the handle of a wicker basket that had been delivered by the village from before. A cloth was wrapped loosely around it, but he could clearly smell the sweet rub that had been administered to the pork belly before it was pan fried over a fire. He knew it would have a sweet crust to it, but there was a pit in his stomach still at the fact that it had come at the cost of one of the village’s youths. He had nearly turned down the offering, but he could see in the face of the female wolf that had brought it to him that doing that would be seen as an insult. Allowing himself to see enjoying the meal as an honor to the young wolf, Romulus was able to let himself drift into a fantasy of feeding it to Juliana to see how she enjoyed the fresh meat. .

00:43

It was then, his mind deep in a fantasy with his Silverfang mate, that he heard a phrase that brought his attention quickly back to the present. Seeing Remus, Marcel, and a colonel on leave, Romulus stepped forward and narrowed his eyes before speaking, “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” Marcel looked up and raised an eyebrow at the irritable expression on Rom’s face before speaking, “Oh, so you are awake? I was worried you were catching a nap or something. I said that if the Panthera forces are pushing over the Silverfang border, then those cowardly wolves need to man their border and stick to the terms of their own private treaties. If they cannot stop the cats, then they are at as much fault as the leopards you just killed today.” Lowering his gaze to the ground before shaking his head slowly, Romulus gripped the shaft of the spear tightly. Lifting his head slowly, he looked up to meet Marcel’s glare with his own before replying with a firm tone, “I do not think the Silverfangs know that the Panthera forces are moving through their lands. Even if they are not like us, I’m certain they are still proud enough to not let their borders be crossed over and molested by an outside force. They must know that letting the felines cross their lands to our own would be seen as an act of war, so I do not believe they would risk that.” Remus glanced towards Romulus, his yellow eyes narrowing slightly as he recognized the challenging stance that his friend was taking. They were allowed to question the pack leader and bring up counter points, but to glare back at him could be seen as a true challenge. Raising his paws and stepping forward between both males, he looked between the two before speaking, “Romulus, you must see where this is coming from and how it looks. If what Sulaiman said is true, then the Silverfangs are not patrolling their border well enough to keep to their own treaty. This negligence is fault enough alone, whether they are involved or not.”

00:44

. Turning his head to face Remus, Romulus felt his lip curl up into a snarl. Shaking his head, he spoke with a slight growl in his voice, “How can we know if everything he said is true without some reconnaissance of our own? If you want to know what the Silverfangs are doing with their eastern border, I will lead a scouting mission across the river and check for you!” Marcel pushed Remus’s hand down while stepping forward with a growl, “You will do no such thing!! That treaty is one thing we will honor and obey, and there will be no going against that. The Silverfangs are giving these Panthera forces free passage, that is undeniable fact. To suggest otherwise is foolish and unbecoming of you Romulus. The Silverfangs will use this as an opportunity to strike against us without shedding any of their own blood.” Growling as he turned towards the older wolf, Romulus shook his head and kept his lip snarled up as he spoke, “To suggest that the Silverfangs, fellow Lupines, are supporting the advances of a rival predator is foolish Marcel.” Before he could continue, Rom saw a black paw swing to smack him in the side of his snout, causing his head to jerk. Looking at Remus where his hand was now coming back from where it had struck him, Rom shook his head before a dry laugh left his lips. “You go too far speaking to your leader like that, Brave. Hold your tongue and have some respect or leave; those are your only choices here,” Remus’s words came through a low growl, his shoulders turning to put himself between his father and his larger friend. Looking from Remus to Marcel while letting his lip fall, Romulus shook his head slowly before replying curtly, “We are already at war on one front, would you bring us onto a second front on the words of a Panthera? We have scouts for a reason. I could get you your answers so that you do not make a rushed decision.” .

00:45

Narrowing his eyes and putting a hand on Remus’s shoulder to push him slowly out of his way, Marcel looked over Romulus before responding, “You bring dishonor on yourself with these actions and words; hopefully you can regain some of that when you return to the lands of the north. You gathered intelligence today, useful intelligence, and now you refute it because it will lead to war? If you didn’t want war, you shouldn’t have brought me proof that the Silverfangs are conspiring against us!” Growling as he looked down at Marcel to meet his eyes, Romulus shook his head before turning and stalking out of the hut. His tail stood stiff in defiance, and his ears flicked away from the group to his rear in a show that he did not care what they had to say. Holding the spear and wicker basket in a white-knuckle grip, he focused on his breathing to try to calm it down. There were not enough able-bodied wolves within a few days’ march to marshal a force to invade the Silverfangs, so no matter the decision made, there was no immediate threat of war. However, the fact that it had been discussed brough a cold chill to Rom’s spine. It was a strange sensation - one he had never felt before over such a topic. He was not afraid of fighting or dying, but as the idea of invading the Silverfang territory came over him, he felt the weight in his paws transforming into the bloodied form of Juliana. Looking down at his arms which he had cleaned upon reaching the village, he could see the gray fur running red with the blood of his beloved. This visual distracted him so that he could not hear the footfalls rushing towards him until it was too late and the wolf behind him made contact. Looking at his left shoulder where an ebony paw was on him, he growled deeply and turned quickly with his hackles raised to stare into Remus’s eyes. Seeing Remus step back slightly before dropping his arm away, Romulus narrowed his eyes and snarled as a clear sign that he did not want to be bothered. .

00:45

Holding his paws up and stepping back, Remus sighed softly before offering a small grin to try and diffuse his brother’s anger. It worked slightly as Rom’s lip dropped, but his hackles remained raised in a clear threat and intimidation tactic. Sighing softly as he shook his head, Remus spoke in a quiet voice that only the pair could hear, “Brother, what are you doing? You can’t challenge him like that and not expect some kind of retaliation. I’ve got him to agree not to send wolves after you, but I’m not sure if I can diffuse the blood lust in that room for war. Besides, I figured you’d be leaping all over this. You know that a war between the clans gives us the opportunity to unite them and put the natural order back into balance. You know, like we talked about before, getting the wolves of both clans to eat and live as Gaia intended. What has changed?” Romulus, his eyes slowly going back to normal as he shook his head, looked down at the basket in his paw. Remus spoke the truth of his past views, but ever since he held Juliana in his arms, he had felt a change running through him. He would not abandon his ways, but there was merit and reason to what his mate viewed as her way of life. Stepping back and turning away, Romulus moved to step away as he spoke, “I don’t want a war between the clans, but you wouldn’t understand. Just...do what you can to bring reason to that room. I have to leave.” Remus released a short huff of frustration before reaching out to grab Rom’s shoulder again and turn him around. Bringing his left paw up to point it at Rom’s chest just beneath the minotaur horn, he spoke in a low growl, “Where the fuck are you going Rom? We are on the brink of another war, and you want me to stop it alone? Where else could you need to be right now if not here by my side?” .

00:45

Turning his head as he looked at the paw on his shoulder again, Romulus raised his shoulder to brush the grip off before turning to walk away again. He stole a glance up at the sky to see how the sun had progressed before offering a short growl as he felt the hand pulling on him again. Turning faster than Remus’s hand turned him, he snapped his jaws together beside his brother’s snout before growling, “I must go find where you will meet Juliana. I can’t be here right now.” Remus growled deeply and snapped back, “Juliana, Juliana, Juliana. That is all you talk about Rom. We are discussing the Silverfang treachery, and all you can do is think with your cock. I’m trying to see why you think they are so innocent, and you can only think of getting some tail. What good will come of seeing her tonight after this?” Narrowing his eyes and stepping forward to push his chest against Remus’s, Romulus lowered his head and bared his teeth while growling into the other’s ear at a whisper, “Because Juliana is a Silverfang. I met her in the lake with the Minotaur and she saved my life. I would have bled out and died if not for her. I owe her a life debt and more, so I must talk to her and find out what I can.” Stepping back with a shocked expression, Remus lowered his gaze to the ground and nodded slowly. Sticking his tongue in his cheek as he kept his eyes lowered, he hummed softly in thought before breathing out heavily through his nose. Looking up to meet Romulus’s gaze, he saw a flicker of fear and desperation in those amber orbs. Lifting his right paw to rest it on the side of his brother’s head, he nodded again before speaking in a quiet voice, “That’s very problematic, but it makes sense. No wonder you defended them so harshly. Okay, I’ll talk to my father and try to convince him to get more information before any attack is launched, but I need you to get information. Find out what you can, and I’ll calm him down.” .

00:46

Watching Remus shake his head before stepping away, Romulus released a breath that he had been holding. Turning and leaning forward into a jog towards the border, he looked down at the scar on his shoulder and noticed the fact that it had shrunk considerably over the course of the day. It carried nearly no pain with it, and as he went, he could only surmise that it must have been a combination of his natural healing factor working alongside Juliana’s own gift. Smiling as he thought of the sensation of Lia’s aquamarine magic working over him, Romulus sped up slightly as he heard the first hoot of an owl as it roused itself. The night was approaching faster than he wanted it to, and there was too much he needed to do tonight to let it slip away. His feet carried him along the path and then through the forest with great speed, but as he moved, he kept his eyes moving vigilantly to try to find any signs of any Panthera troops in the woods around him. Thankfully, none showed themselves by the time he reached his tree that held the appropriate cloth stabbed into it. Stepping out of the underbrush with the wicker basket in his left paw and the spear in his right, he set the basket on the rock he usually set his weapons on before walking towards the waterfall itself. Moving the spear so that he could bite into the shaft and hold it between his jaws, he looked at the cliff face beside the waterfall and stretched his fingers wide while looking for handholds. Reaching up and taking hold of a divot over a large rock, Romulus pulled himself up and started to slowly climb the sheer face. It was over one hundred feet tall, but it would give him the perfect position to mark the warning stake. Growling as he felt his left arm growing tired quicker than normal, he pushed harder with his legs to make up for the lack of reach of his arm. He eventually made it to the top, and as he pushed up to his feet, he took the spear from his mouth and smirked at the distance over the side. .

00:46

Holding the spear in both paws, he drove it down with force so that the butt spike at the end of the shaft drove into the ground and stayed put. Glancing up at the decapitated head of Sulaiman, he nodded as he made sure that it was oriented to be staring towards the Silverfang lands. The other three heads would be gathered and prepared in similar ways to be placed as warnings, but he knew that this one needed to be high enough to be seen from a distance. Growling deeply at the spear, he dropped down to sit on the edge of the cliff before lifting his weight up with his arms and pushing over the side. Digging his claws into the side of the cliff, the descent was quicker but also harder as he resisted the influence of gravity as it tried to pull him down faster. Eventually his feet touched the ground, and he stumbled back from the cliff face, his arms burning from exertion as well as increased pain from the event. Ignoring it as best as he could, he brushed his paws off on his brown and green kilt before walking over to his basket and picking it up. Resting the back of his paw against the cloth and smiling as he felt it was still warm, he looked fully across the lake to where Lia’s cloth was and offered a smile as he hoped to see her soon coming out to greet him. With his swords on his back and hip and armored in his leather plates, he knew he might look threatening to any onlookers, but he hoped that his mate would hold no such reservations. @Fiory

For as long as she could remember, the path had never changed. The lake had always been the same and while it had lured her out of her home and into its sparkling depths multiple times before, there was something so much better about the crystalline pool of water each night lately than it had ever been in her life. However, even then she couldn’t keep the joy and excitement in her as each paw step brought her closer and closer to it. Closer and closer to where they had met. Closer and closer to her beloved. To Rom. The questions that plagued her mind were on repeat, dancing in her mind and clouding the vision of fun and joy she had been looking forward to. Part of her hoped that seeing Romulus would help clear her head, would help to answer at least the question regarding the Pantheran threat to both of their packs. If they were crossing the Silverfang borders, it was safe to assume they also were crossing the Grayback ones too, wasn’t it? The treaty forbid the Pantherans from crossing the Silverfang border at all, so to find information out that this had not been upheld was unsettling. Especially since she knew that no Silverfang would have dared cross their boundary. None that she knew anyway. Surely Romulus would have more answers, surely he would have something she could go off of.

02:28

And then there was Parion too, the brute of a male who seemed hell bent on war with the Graybacks. Her hackles rose in anger just imagining his smug and sinister smile. Lia couldn’t stand the wolf her father had brought on, and she couldn’t understand why he was given any room to stand while in the scouts council meeting. Just the slight memory of him made her stomach turn and the feeling of retching up anything in her guts completely out was forced down. Her paws slowly moved bramble and branch as she neared the lakeside shore, feeling like it was taking an age for her to get to the lake tonight whereas in previous evenings she had nearly flown there. Fingers gripped her basket handle just a little harder, her free paw coming down to make sure the cloth that lay over it was tucked in for the tenth or twentieth time to ensure the salmon and bread would remain warm. Juliana had really wanted to share this with Romulus, and she hoped he wouldn’t be too late getting to their lakeside rendezvous in order to enjoy it hot. Her pace slowed far more than it had been before if that was possible, her glistening blue eyes glancing across the lake to see if she could see Rom on the other side. She listened with everything she had, which was hard because for the longest time all she could hear was the thundering of her heart in anticipation of seeing him again. It had been twenty four hours, and she felt like it had been weeks. Especially since she knew he wouldn’t be long here; Romulus was due to be dispatched in a couple weeks, and Juliana just wanted as much time with him as possible before he left her for the cold Northern war he was waging. Every second was precious, every moment a treasure and she didn’t want to waste any of it.

02:28

The lakeshore seemed still and quiet, a gentle glow over the lake from the moon shimmered over the surface, and the water from the falls churning and pounding as Juliana glanced over. Her ears flicked and she listened intently. There had been a little disturbance across the lake and the slight movement of fur caught her sharp attention. Her blue eyes peered out, narrowing to try and make out the figure that moved on the dark bank. The moon hadn’t quite illuminated them yet, so she couldn’t be sure if it was Rom or not. That, and they seemed to be holding a weapon of some kind with a thick round object on the end of it. It was difficult to register what the thing was, until a soft breeze brought the scent of it wafting into her waiting nostrils. Leopard She almost couldn’t hold back the soft growl that escaped her lips. So a leopard at least been caught on Grayback territory then? What was it doing over there? This at least confirmed the suspicions of Parion that the Pantherans had breached the treaty and were crossing the Silverfang border in secret. Lia bit her cheek and huffed softly at the idea of that arrogant male being right about anything. But why go all the way to Grayback land. There had to be more of a reason than a death wish, which was the only one that Juliana could really think of. Her gaze moved to watch the figure scaling the cliffside with the spear in paw. She noted the size of him, and wondered if he was perhaps another Brave of the Graybacks under Romulus, until he crested the top and the moon above shone over his face and coat.

02:28

A quiet smile spread over her lips, her heart leaping at seeing her beloved, her mate, her Romulus standing proud and plummeting the spear end into the rocks and cliff face. She was about to let herself be seen when her chest constricted and her stomach writhed in apprehension. He had turned the thing on the spear towards her and her eyes grew wide seeing that it was the head of a leopard, staring down at the Silverfang border with cold dead eyes. Its jaw hung slack and Lia could swear she could almost see the flies already delighting in the feast of it. Why did he point it our way? Why not straight ahead? She thought, watching him descend back down the cliffside until his paws had hit dirt again. Juliana watched for just a few moments more, taking stock of a basket in his paws as well. Had he brought something to their meeting too? I wonder what’s in there… She also took notice of the armor he wore and it made her tail wag lightly behind her. Was he also making sure that he would be safe? That he could be protected so he came home safe to her? Lia’s heart fluttered at the thought. While he had looked foreign to her initially when he first appeared at the lake shore, she now could see the striking male across the water as the one she had come looking for. Deciding to waste no more time and to finally come out of hiding, Juliana slowly stepped out of the shadows and the brush, letting herself be seen by the Grayback male that had captured her heart.

02:29

“Good evening, Brave Warrior..” she called playfully, playing the part it sounded like of a maiden in search for something she lost. “I do hope you’ll help me.. I’m here to meet someone…” She held her own basket on her arm, gesturing to it quietly before she used her other to pantomime the size of the one she was looking for, standing on the very tips of her toes to try her best at indicating his height. “Would be about your size, I imagine… Dark gray fur.. Handsome amber eyes… claims to be the runt of his litter? Any chance you might have come across a male like that?” the words left her muzzle in a sweet and honeyed tease. Her tail wagged softly behind her, letting her body come down from the few inches she was able to stretch vertically to show as best she could just the height of Romulus. She likely would come up short if it was actually measured, but Juliana paid the task no mind. Instead she began to pace idly back and forth on the bank, making sure that basket of hers was in clear view while she barked softly over to him. Loud enough for him to hear the tone and the words, but too quiet for others to bother with investigating.

02:29

“I would hate for what I brought for him to go to waste you see… So it would be most helpful, if you wouldn’t mind assisting me.” Juliana was feigning ignorance, dripping with the pretend guessing game she was playing with him where only she knew the actual rules. There was no way that she knew of in order to get across the lake without that basket getting wet and spoiling the fish and bread she had brought for him. So for Lia, she hoped he had a way across that would keep his basket dry and he could enjoy the contents of hers. A quiet giggle echoed over the lake shore, just barely audible by the time it reached the sensitive ears of her male companion on the other side. Tonight he would see that she wore a similar outfit to what she had worn when they first met. Forest green vest and tanned trousers, since she expected they were going to be walking and trying to find a place for Sabelle and Rom’s brother to meet properly. It would be hard to maneuver in a dress after all. Waiting for a response to her pretend inquiry, Juliana even seemed to sweeten the deal, a gentle whine escaping her muzzle playfully as she turned back down the bank of the lake, keeping herself in full view of him. “I would be ever so grateful, if you have the time to assist Brave Warrior… I might even give you something special for the trouble.” The insinuation of this was clear. As long as Romulus picked up the subtle and sensual hint she had laid down for him to pick up. @Himbo Tie

With the threat of roaming Panthera agents and a possible war with the Silverfangs on the horizon, Romulus had donned a more complete set of leather plate armor. It offered considerably less protection than the steel armor that was being made for him, but its plates of hardened leather would protect him from much more than his previous armor had. Rather than simply being shoulder plates, bracers, and greaves, the armor had plates that would cover his entire torso and upper arms in addition to a plate that covered his hips and groin over top of the brown and green kilt. He had always owned this armor and should have worn it to the North, but Romulus was overconfident in his skill after having successfully defeated the minotaur in his previous armor. Now he would take no chance of being caught unawares or in less armor than he would need to take into battle. He simply had to hope that Juliana could recognize him and would not think of his armor as some distasteful accessory. Standing waiting for Lia to step out of the underbrush, Romulus glanced up at the leopard head that was impaled on the spear above him. He was not wanting to think about it and how it might seem if Juliana was looking at him now, but he knew that it needed to be placed as a warning to any future Pantherans that would want to cross the river border. Their kind were not welcome in the lands beyond the river, no matter what agreement they had or resistance they were receiving from the wolves of the east. Any Panthera on Grayback lands without the immunity of a trade license would be dealt with similarly. Dropping his gaze from the head to the opposite shore, Rom released a soft groan as he searched the trees for any sign of his mate stepping out at an unexpected location or moving to play with him. He should not have stood out in the open like this, but after climbing the cliff, he did not think there was much need for subtlety. .

11:07

Romulus’s patience of looking for Juliana and not simply walking back to the trees was rewarded as he heard the underbrush of the tree line across the lake rustling softly. Raising his gaze and seeing first the tanned cloth of a familiar pair of trousers, Rom was reminded of the day he first met Lia. When she had been nude as Gaia desired, only to cover herself with similar trousers and play with his attraction to her to coax him across the border further. He smiled as he watched the plants move out of her way, but the thought of the border crossing brought a cold pit to his stomach. He had argued today to stop any talks of war until they had proof that the Silverfangs were breaking their word and treaties, yet here he was thinking of when he had willingly crossed the borders and breached that old trust for his own sexual interests. How selfish can I be? Risking war and the death of hundreds of innocents just so that I can have the one I love. Is my heart that much more important than the lives of my pack? Really? The answer quickly came to his mind as he saw Juliana breaching the underbrush and appearing before him gleaming in the moonlight and drawing his eyes to every surface of her body at once. “Yes, she is.” The words came out in a soft whisper as he stepped forward, a wide smile spreading over his muzzle as his tail began wagging back and forth excitedly. If it wasn’t for the leather cuff of armor that circled the base of his tail to protect against stabs to his core, Romulus would have placed bets that his whole rear would have been shaking with the force of his tail’s wags back and forth. Looking over the forest green vest that she wore, Rom felt a sense of relief when he did not see the strap of her quiver or the wood of her bow in her paws. He suddenly felt over-dressed and aggressive in his hull armor and wearing both of his swords on his back and hip, but he tried to ignore that when his eyes landed on the basket in her grasp. .

11:07

Feeling his mouth beginning to grow slick with curious hunger as he breathed in deeply, Romulus tried to detect what she might be carrying tonight but only ended up getting the whiff of his sweet and spicy pork belly. Grinning sheepishly to himself as he realized the ridiculousness of such a gesture, he stepped forward and started to walk towards the bank of the lake. He did not want to cross with his weapons or food for fear of the water spoiling and damaging them, but he was drawn closer to her with every moment. Only when the ends of his toes touched the water did he stop, his amber eyes locked on the silver and white she-wolf across the water from him as his tail slowed to a more comfortable wag. He was still excited to see her, but the juvenile display of energy fell away as his excitement grew to be more than just a flash of joy. The way her form approached him while her playful tone came across the lake brought an instant swell underneath Rom’s kilt, but he made no move to excite it further. Grinning at her greeting and lifting his right paw to rest it on his hip, Romulus tilted his head to the side while leaning heavily on his left leg. Shaking his head and chuckling softly, he watched her stretch her body out to try to reach his height. Sucking in a breath through his teeth and shaking his head slowly, he lifted his right shoulder in a shrug before calling across to Juliana, “Never seen someone that short, not on these shores.” Romulus laughed softly as he heard her description of him, a swell of warmth in his chest as he listened to the details that she gave to him. Shaking his head and grinning as he watched her come back down from her toes, he watched her pace back and forth while tracking the movements of her body and the basket that she carried. He was not sure what had his mouth watering more: the memory of how good she tasted last night or the anticipation of tasting the treat that she brought this time. .

11:07

“A male like that? No, not in these lands. That sounds like quick the handsome wolf though, so I hope you find him soon. I’d hate to see you left disappointed if he doesn’t show up.” Stepping back from the water with one foot, Romulus started to mirror Juliana’s pacing. He moved the basket so that she could see it clearly with every step he took, his eyes glinting with mischievous joy as he spoke, “You see, I fear we both at suffering from a similar conundrum. I am here tonight to meet with a female graced with icy white and jeweled silver fur with striking blue eyes, but I’ve seen no sign of her. I would hate for her to miss the opportunity to try what I brought her to eat tonight, but if she is not here, I might have to eat it all myself.” Hearing Juliana’s giggle bouncing across the surface of the water, Romulus’s eyes closed as a soft moan fell from his lips. Raising his snout to scent the air slowly and feel the shift in the wind, he could smell the rose and vanilla of the soap that he had given her, but there was also a new scent that he didn’t recognize. Hearty and making his mouth water with excitement, he lowered his gaze to the basket before looking up into her eyes with a grin. He was about to give another playful response to her teasing when he saw her move so that he could see more of her than the basket. The enticing offer drew his gaze down along her frame before reaching back up to her eyes. Licking his lips slowly, he barked across the water in a playful tone, “Tell me his name, oh Lady of the Lake, and I might be able to help you track him down. Though, if he has not shown up and I have, perhaps I am who you are supposed to spend this night with. My guest has not arrived, and I do not want my treat to go to waste, so I am more than willing to share with you. What do you say, my beautiful ivory she-wolf. Will you come to my arms?” .

11:08

Smirking as he started to walk south along the lake with his eyes on Juliana, Romulus bit his lower lip as he watched her lithe body in motion. Every step she took drew his eyes down her strong legs that he had seen spread over him before. He desired to see them so close again, but he also knew that they would not complete their goal tonight if he let these ideas take charge of his planning. Growling softly to himself as he continued walking, he called out with a grin, “I had hoped to find her waiting for me, excited to be taken into my arms yet again, but it seems that she has somewhere better to be. If you forget about the lout who is late to see you and come to me in her stead, I promise to make it worth your time.” Lifting the basket slowly and drawing in a deep breath from it, Romulus had to swallow the saliva in his mouth as he could taste the candied sweet and spicy pork belly by the scent alone. Sighing softly as his eyes flicked down the river some, he continued to walk until he stopped at a portion of the river that was only twenty yards across. The water was considerably deeper than the water around it as it rolled through a set of rapids caused by large boulders, but it was the narrowest portion near them. Raising his head to look across at Juliana, Romulus dropped the playful voice and spoke in a serious tone, “Step back from the water Lia.” Not waiting for her to follow his instructions, he took several deep breaths as he stepped away from the water as well. Stopping at the tree line and turning back to the water, he shifted his grip on the basket so that his fingers wrapped around the body of it and his thumb spread over the cloth to keep the pork in place. Lowering his head and closing his eyes, he took another deep breath before exhaling slowly. With his lungs empty, he took another quick breath before charging forward and leaping as his right foot struck the bank next to the water. .

11:08

Flying through the air with his eyes locked on the opposite bank, Romulus tucked his legs up to his chest while holding his arms forward. He could feel the tip of his tail strike the water’s surface lightly, but his feet came down solidly on the dry ground of the Silverfang bank. Springing forward in two short bounds to bleed off the momentum of the leap, Romulus turned his head with a wide grin to face Juliana. Following the momentum in a tight circle towards her, he dropped his torso slightly while extending his arms before he reached her. Wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her up off her feet, Rom pressed his lips to Lia’s in a passionate kiss. Holding his lips to hers until his lungs screamed at him, he pulled back enough that their lips were still ghosting over each other as he sucked in a deep breath and spoke quickly, “Juliana, my Love. I have missed you.” @Fiory

Those soft blue eyes gleamed, and her smile brightened seeing the male across the lake seem so pleased and excited to see her. His furious tail wagging made her spine tingle as she paced, teasing and taunting him playfully. Her own curled and waved like a white banner in their little game. Juliana couldn’t help the snicker that played on her lips at his answers to her, deciding to mirror his movements as he followed her own. “Oh he’s quite handsome… You’d surely know him if you saw him.” She said gently, her tail swaying back and forth while her voice tried desperately to keep that facade of ignorance on it. This was quite the fun game she was finding, and the partner she’d found to play it with was easily her favorite part. The broad shoulders and the strong arms, the powerful legs he used to pace and mirror her movements and the way even across the lake she could take in the width of him made her insides clench in excitement. In response to try and steady her beating heart she grasped the basket handle she had on her arm. He had something too, though her nostrils couldn’t take in the smell over the overwhelming scent of fresh baguette and garlic and fish. I hadn’t expected him to bring something himself, I wonder what it could be…

15:13

“Such a pity, that we’re both alone on such a beautiful night.” She called, following his form as the pair continued their game and made their way down the river. A quiet flush rose on her cheeks hearing his description of her. Surely he was just playing like she was, though she had been serious in her description of him. So perhaps, he thought the same of her? The fae couldn’t exactly deny how it made her heart flutter at his compliments. “She sounds lovely, just a jewel to behold. You must think yourself so lucky to have found someone like that. Though I’ve yet to see someone fitting that description either, otherwise I’d help you out.” Her paws continued down the bank, light over the small stones or branches she stepped over but never losing sight of him as she walked. Her ears flicked almost like she was disinterested in his offer, to forgo meeting her beloved for the playful doppelganger at the lake. Juliana’s mind swam with delighted visions of their last encounter together, of sharing the bread and of each other and her tongue nearly remembered the taste of him from before. Surely he couldn’t be serious, that Lia would have anywhere else better that she’d rather be.

15:14

“How interesting a bargain you suggest. I think I could be persuaded as you do remind me of the male that I miss.” She called back, playing along as she contemplated the idea of leaving Romulus behind for the stranger across the lake. The one who certainly was her beloved that pretended not to be. “Surely he wouldn’t mind, as I know he likes to keep me held tight to him… and your arms do seem rather empty.” Her tail swayed back and forth as the banks narrowed and came closer and closer together. Juliana was careful not to walk too close to the edge of the water, not wanting to step too far into the mud and slip. Her ears pivoted around, just to be sure that while they played their game of Strangers that no one out scouting on her side of the river would interrupt them. It was unlikely, as they were heading south and her scouting parties were all headed north and east to continue tracking the Pantheran threat that had arisen. The thought made her think of the council meeting and her face fell just slightly, giving pause to their game. Her arms lowered a little and she gripped the handle of her basket just a bit tighter. The image of Parion flashed through her head and in response her ears slightly flicked backwards in irritation. Just the mere suggestion of his image made her stomach turn, and made her want to lose any appetite she might have had. His voice was foul to hear in her head, his very scent a disgusting stain in her nose. He had dripped arrogance in that meeting, and it made the hackles on Juliana’s neck raise slightly just thinking about it. Especially as she knew for sure without having to confirm it with her father, that Parion would likely be included in any further investigation on the Pantheran threat on the Silverfang side. He was tall, strong and a capable looking warrior; it didn’t take a genius to work out that would be the reason he had been invited into the main village site from the outskirts further south.

15:14

”Step back from the water Lia.”

15:14

Romulus’s words and gentle voice rocketed her back from the disdainful image of Parion and the ill plans he surely was making. It brought her right back to where she was, on the bank of the river that separated her land from the Grayback’s territory, with the moon above spreading its eerie blue and white light against the dark forest on either side and glistening its reflection off the surface of the water between. The icy blue gaze that had moved towards the dark muddy banks of her side of the river, lifted when Rom gave his instructions, her paws stopping and stepping back a few paces as he had requested. What are you doing? She thought, her head tilting as he seemed to walk away from her, like he was going to leave. Had he heard something? Was there a danger he was going to investigate on his side of the river? Her nose lifted and she scented the air for any sign of such a thing, but came up empty. The passing scent of a rodent or two here and there or some fowl that were nested in the trees was all she could smell. Everything seemed peaceful, so what had been the sudden change to his demeanor? The sudden dropping of the game they were playing. “Rom.. what are you…?” There was a little confusion in her voice, quiet across the river but she soon didn’t need an answer from him. Her eyes went wide, watching as he made for the shoreline in fast strides. That white banner-like tail stiffened in a near vertical position as she watched him leap across the narrow part of the river and land on the Silverfang side. With her heart catapulted into her throat she watched as he sprang forward, running off the momentum of his jump. Wasn’t he still hurt? Still injured? The thought of him making it worse for himself, of causing further damage made a low growl mixed with a whine escape her once smiling and playful lips. Lia took an immediate assessment of the male when he turned her way, checking for sure that a bone hadn’t protruded from his leg or he wasn’t bleeding out a

15:14

t his sudden athletic feat.

15:15

Her paw lightly set the basket it held to on the soft grass at her feet, watching him stride forward. He looked better than anything she had seen in the last twenty four hours, and her eyes drank him in knowing for sure he hadn’t hurt himself further with each step he took. His limp seemed far better if not completely gone, and even the part of the scar she could see on his chest and shoulder seemed to have receded. It was in one fluid motion she held to him. Her body lifted and her legs immediately held to either side of his waist. Her arms wrapped around his neck and Juliana embraced his passionate kiss desperately. He was a glass of cool crisp clean water after a drought, and he tasted just as sweet. Juliana would have never broken that kiss, who needed to breathe anyway? Breath was for the weak and her lungs could suffer so she could hold him as long as she dared. Her fingers were quickly to lace into his fur at the base of his neck, and when finally convinced that air was necessary for them both Lia parted her lips from his reluctantly. “I have missed you too, my beloved Romulus.” Her words were quiet in response to him, her lips desperate to capture him again and only held back by sheer willpower. They had a mission tonight, and not one of carnal delights even though their bodies were quick to suggest it. They seemed to be talking in a language only they knew, unbeknownst to their owners who could only oblige or deny them. A quiet giggle played at her muzzle, and she gently rubbed against his neck and cheek sweetly. “I nearly had to spend my night with some stranger if you hadn’t shown up… Though to be fair, he was just as handsome as you are.” Lia’s tail wagged softly behind her, wanting nothing more than to remain in his arms for as long as he would hold her. She certainly wasn’t ready to come down yet, her nose pressing into his neck and inhaling his scent pleasantly. Her paws held onto his neck and shoulders as if he was the last solid thing on earth

15:15

that could ground her, wanting nothing more than to stay there with him.

15:15

“I brought dinner, though I see you’ve brought something too.” She said gently finally pulling her face out of his fur and lightly sniffing the air. There was something sweet and succulent in the air, now that she was much closer and able to actually catch the scent of it. It wasn’t familiar to her, though the spices seemed that way. Her nose twitched this way and that, trying to decipher what exactly he had brought. Was it more soap? No, it smelled far too delicious for that. It had to be something edible right? Her curiosity peaked she quietly let her legs lower and dangle so she could find the ground beneath her again. As much as Lia wanted to remain in his arms, it would make getting their supper out a little more difficult. “I hope you’re hungry, I brought more than just bread tonight for you to try.” She said excitedly, her tail wagging back and forth in a soft curve. Once he let her down as much as it would pain him and she certainly wanted to remain in his grasp, Juliana turned to the basket she’d left on the ground. A couple soft sniffs told her it was still warm inside, and her paws were careful lifting the cover off to reveal what she had inside. It had stayed just warm enough for the butter to melt just a small amount along the pink flesh of the salmon, the bread assisting in this endeavor to keep everything nice and warm though the container of garlic butter remained closed so the heat would not affect it too terribly.

Reaching in, Juliana carefully pulled a piece of the pink hunk of fish apart, placing it on her palm and blowing on it softly. Her lips curled to try to make sure that it just barely cooled the fish in her fingers but not enough to take away the warmth that it would have. Her nose twitched and she couldn’t help salivating a little herself at the idea of this new kind of treat for them. She’d never had garlic before, and the sultry smell of it was incredibly tantalizing, especially with the heat of the salmon melting it down her fingers. Gently, she moved closer to Rom, pressing up against him sweetly, and tilting her muzzle up to kiss at his chest and collarbone even though they were locked behind leather armor that prevented her lips from truly pressing against him, teasing and softly begging to lower himself to her a little. “Try it. Let me know what you think.” She murmured gently, knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist bending down to let her have more of him to caress. It was like he was getting twice the amount of treats. A tasty morsel of food to wet his taste buds and tease at his insides, while also being massaged and caressed by the lips of his wolven fae, who was all too happy to oblige and see him tonight. Lia would hold the morsel up for him to try, wondering what he would think of the fire roasted fish and the melt in your mouth flavor it held. She just hoped that he would like it, and would soon show her what he had hidden away in his own mystery basket. @Himbo Tie

Looking across the water at Juliana, Romulus could not help the swell of warmth that washed through his chest and into his arms at the idea of holding her once again. She was the loveliest jewel he had ever laid eyes on, and the idea that she was his jewel and his alone made his heart beat with glee and happiness. Her very existence seemed to drive his every heartbeat, and the aching loneliness he existed in without her by his side was vanquished when he laid eyes upon her. Even with the separation of the lake and subsequent river, Romulus could feel the warmth of his beloved against him. He could feel the weight that she had when he was holding her against him. He could feel every evidence that she was truly here and not just a phantom across the water, but he wanted to have more of her in this moment. He needed to have all of her at his disposal and the freedom to taste and touch her that came with it. “My arms grow emptier with every passing moment that my beloved is out of them. I feel them aching even now to reach out and take her into them. To bring her close to me and hold her even closer. Yet, she has not come to the river tonight, and I fear my arms will never recover from such a loss. Please, Lady of the Lake, Ivory Jewel of the Night, come to my arms and vanquish this lonely fear.” Romulus added a dramatic flair to his words as he spoke, dragging through the words as if he could feel a physical pain associated with the fear and agony of his arms in their solitude. Lowering his head and his ears forward to dramatize the pain even further, he let out a soft howl of wanting before grinning and looking across the river. Juliana seemed to be deep in thought, and despite his hunger to hold her again, Rom respected her need to concentrate on something else. The pause in their play gave him time to look her body over again for what had to have been the tenth or twentieth time tonight. .

15:38

It may have seemed a bit excessive to others, but for Romulus, he found himself looking at Juliana and finding new things about her that he loved with every time. He watched the way her ears moved constantly, taking in their surroundings, and keeping her updated on what might be happening around them. He did not let his defenses drop when they were together, but Rom had to appreciate the fact that Lia was not a she-wolf that would expect him to be solely responsible for their mutual safety. Romulus would not ask her to take up arms to defend him or protect them both as he stood idly by, but he had to admit that it was refreshing to not be the only one paying attention. It proved to him that she was strong, capable, and present enough at any moment to be a reliable partner in most situations. He would not, if he could help it, let her face any situation where this awareness was needed, but the fact that she had it was incredibly attractive to the warrior wolf. She was not helpless without him, but he would not deny either of them their union for much longer. The narrow portion of the river had stronger currents than any other portion of the river, and Romulus knew that if he fell into it, he would likely be pushed under until he resurfaced a mile downstream. He did not think about this risk, however, as he leapt across the river and landed with practiced ease on the opposite bank. He had added long jumping to his work outs over the past years in preparation for having to jump great distances to scale and traverse the northern reaches of the Ursine lands. If he could work to navigate their mountainous refuges, he could jump the river and enter Silverfang land undetected with a similar force of Braves. Ignoring such a possibility as he let the momentum of the jump bleed off, Romulus grinned as he strode towards his mate. .

15:39

He noticed the way that she sat her basket down with a mixed growl and whine, but Romulus just simply closed the distance between them with no fear or interruption. Even as she tried to look him over for any signs of injury, Rom felt his pride swell as he knew that she would not be able to see many. His limp and soreness had receded with his rest during the night, and while he had been curious why he was not feeling the dull ache, he simply chose to ignore the implications. Had her healing magic sped up his recovery? He had no way of knowing for sure, but Romulus was not going to concentrate on his wounds or the causes of them when he had Juliana in front of him. The she-wolf that had dominated his thoughts and dreams over the past week and some change. The female that he had wanted to spend his every waking moment with, despite his responsibilities and tasks he had to complete. The ivory jewel that he had risked execution for by defending with such vehemence to his leader. Lifting Juliana with no effort and taking her lips with his own, Romulus hummed softly into the embrace when he felt her arms around his neck and her legs against the sides of his waist. Moaning against Lia’s lips as he felt her fingers threading into the fur of his neck, Rom tilted his head and deepened the kiss by pushing his tongue gingerly against her lips before going beyond them. Tasting her mouth and reveling in her presence, Romulus was reminded of the flavors he had taken from her other lips the night before. His body reacted with a heavy pulse through his stomach and to his kilt covered loins, but Rom kept his attention on the kiss as his paws moved to rub over Lia’s back gently. Her vest, while beautiful and perfectly fitted, was in the way as it kept his fingers from being able to touch her directly and feel her fur under his pads. He could only imagine the frustration that she must feel from the armor he had covering his body. .

15:39

Finally, when his lungs screamed at him for a reprieve, Romulus pulled back enough to breathe and utter the truth that was soon echoed back to him by his beloved mate. Rom’s lips felt immediately absent and without any warmth as he started to move to press their lips against each other again, but he was able to control himself just barely. Their purpose tonight was not to indulge themselves in each other, despite how badly he craved to feel her warmth over his body and taste her release again on his tongue. A soft groaning sound fell from Romulus’s lips as he held his head back from Juliana’s, but it was quickly replaced by a low laugh when he heard the giggle from her. Such a sound was not what he expected from his mate, but Romulus drank it in with a smile as he returned her gentle rubs with his own. Holding his muzzle against her neck and taking in a deep breath to comfort himself with her scent, Romulus grinned against her fur as he heard her words. Pulling his head back with a soft gasp in mock betrayal, Rom let his head fall back as he spoke in a soft voice that held a laugh beneath it, “Oh woe is me, nearly replaced by the first handsome male that you see. Does my presence mean that little to you, my Love?” Romulus grinned before lowering his head and burying his muzzle into Juliana’s neck once more, taking in her scent with a satisfied moan. She was everything he could have asked for, and as he held onto her desperately, he was not sure if he could ever convince his arms to let go of her again. Not that he would ever want to. His tail wagged happily behind him as he inhaled her scent once again. His arms held firmly around her as he exhaled softly, his words coming in a muffled whisper against her fur, “I would happily be turned to stone under our Mother’s gaze if it meant I never had to let go of you, my Juliana.” .

15:39

A soft whimper escaped Romulus’s throat as he felt her head pulling back from him, though his lips quickly curved into a smile as he heard Juliana’s words. Nodding with a grin, he glanced down at the basket in his paw and responded softly, “I did indeed bring something, and I hope that you will enjoy it. I am not sure if you have ever had anything like it so sniff all you want, but I don’t think you will recognize it.” Rom grinned as he turned his head and pressed his lips to Lia’s quickly before pulling back as he felt her legs unwrapping from around him. As much as he hated the fact that she would be leaving his embrace, he was excited to let her taste his treat that he had brought. Lowering his head as he bent his knees slowly, Romulus let Juliana’s feet find the ground before he stood back up and straightened his back. He hated the loss of contact, but her excitement to try what he had brought was infectious. Nodding his head at her statement about his hunger, Romulus licked his lips quickly before speaking with a grin, “Famished, absolutely starving.” As if to punctuate his words, a deep growl rolled through his stomach and reminded Rom that he had not eaten anything since his breakfast. There was supposed to be a feast of pork, but the leopard interruption had ruined his opportunity for a meal before coming to the lake tonight. The offer for more than just bread had an immediate impact on his arousal, but he tried to ignore the swell he felt beneath his kilt and pay attention to what she was doing. Juliana had mentioned his hunger and food, so there was no need to let his sexual needs interrupt his ability to process what she was saying. Following her slowly as she walked towards her basket, Romulus stopped in time to watch her bend over to retrieve something from the carrier. His tail wagged excitedly behind him in anticipation of the treat that she was fetching for him, but he also felt his interest drawn over her body. .

15:39

Letting his eyes trail easily over her torso and the gentle curves of it down to her waist, Romulus bit his lower lip and resisted the urge to reach out and take hold of Juliana’s hips. Even if he was feeling better, he could still feel the cold ache deep within that would be likely to flare up if he engaged in such an energy intensive activity as where that could lead. He had felt the weakness permeating through him after the fight with the leopards, but it had subsided enough that he had felt confident in his leap earlier. Breathing out softly to distract his mind and take himself back to the point of why Lia had bent over, Rom tilted his head to try to see around her. A new scent rose from the basket before her with a strange hearty scent that he had never experienced before, but it brought a rush of saliva to his mouth. It had elements that reminded him of some of what he had had cooked up before with meats and the flavors added, but he could not place it. Breathing in deeply as Juliana stood to try and take in the flavor, he watched her blow on the pink flesh in her hand before stepping closer to try to see it better. He had had fish before and recognized the way the meat looked, but he had only ever had a white fish before. Watching her lips curve to blow gently on the fish in her palm, he felt a familiarity come over him as he recognized where he had seen such meat before. The name escaped him, but he had seen such a fish prepared and eaten by the Ursine warriors before as well as northern wolves that lived closer to the border. Smiling as she pressed up against him and kissed his armor, Romulus leaned down so that he could feel her lips on his skin where he would have preferred such contact. A soft moan escaped his lips as he felt hers against his collarbone and neck, but Romulus kept his eyes on the fish rather than giving in to his desire to take her lips with his again. .

15:40

Lowering his head and letting his tongue come out slowly, Romulus licked Juliana’s palm gently as he collected the sample of the fish and the small amount of liquid that had drained from it onto her hand. Moaning immediately as the flavor exploded on his palate, Rom closed his eyes and smiled as he chewed the bite of fish before swallowing it slowly. A soft sigh fell from his lips as he appreciated the flavors of the garlic butter accenting the already smooth, fatty flavors of the fish. Nodding slowly as he opened his eyes, Romulus lifted his free paw and took hold of her wrist gently before letting his tongue fall again. Licking Lia’s palm and fingers slowly to collect the juices that had trailed away from the piece of meat, he moaned softly and nodded again before speaking with his breath washing gently over her fingers, “Juliana, baby, that tasted so good. What is that, and when can I have more?” Grinning as he lifted his head away and moved towards hers, Romulus pressed his lips passionately against Juliana’s before letting his tongue find its way into her mouth again. Flowing his tongue over hers to share the flavors and enjoy them together, Rom released his hold on her wrist and brought his paw instead up to hold the side of Lia’s head. Threading his fingers into her fur as he pressed into the kiss and deepened it, he ignored his lungs’ cries for air as he enjoyed the taste of Lia on his lips. Rom needed nothing more in this life than to hold and taste his mate, and his lungs would just have to get used to that. .

15:40

His battle was lost eventually as he pulled back and gasped for air with their snouts still touching. Releasing his hold on her hair slowly, he brought his basket up and lowered his paw to pull back the small cloth that covered the treat within. Pinching and tearing off a bite of pork belly, he sighed softly as he could feel the sweet glaze sticking to the pads of his fingers. Immediately, a profile of sweet spice wafted up from the basket before Rom lowered the cloth back down again to trap the remaining heat. Bringing his paw up with the piece of meat pinched between his index finger and thumb, he held it in front of Juliana’s muzzle and grinned as he spoke, “I hope you enjoy this. Let me know how you like it.” @Fiory

A soft smile had spread over her muzzle at his playful words, hearing the gentle laugh that coated them as he feigned pain and suffering at her confession. A quiet growl rumbled in her throat only heard through her teeth that grinned at him. They came forward and nipped at his neck, a playful warning in a way to be careful what he says. How could he think, honestly, that any old handsome male would turn her head the way Rom did? It was clear she was playing with him, never serious with the gentle pull of her fangs. ”Does my presence mean that little to you, my Love?” “Your presence is what allows me breath, my Beloved. I would surely suffocate without you.” She had responded sweetly into his ear, wanting nothing more than to take in the rest of him and never let him go. His comment of being turned to stone so she never had to leave his arms rang true for her too. Lia always felt safe in his embrace, protected, warm and above all else, loved. So while it hurt to have to force herself down to the ground, she knew it was an inevitability for the pair. She wanted to share the food she’d brought for him, hoping he would like it and it would be something that he’d never had before. Juliana had at least never had the garlic butter mixture that had been created today so she was just hoping the experimental substance was a delight to the tongue. Juliana couldn’t help the soft laugh that came from her hearing that male growl after declaring how famished he was.

01:56

“Truly you are!” She said with a chuckle on her words, bending down into that basket with purpose. It wasn’t lost on her that he enjoyed the sight of her back end. And Juliana had grown fond of teasing him with it. Her tail swayed back and forth, just barely grazing against her backside to really tease the poor male. The image of him crawling to her on his knees just to have a second round of their fun from the previous evening gave her shivers. Why she thought such a thing was beyond her, but she had to admit it would not be unenjoyable. Her insides quivered at the idea of feeling his hot breath on her fur and his tongue exploring her intimate space again, but she was quick to swallow those thoughts down hard. Tonight was a scouting mission. They had a job to do. Sabelle needed somewhere safe and secluded, away from their private sanctuary to meet Romulus’s brother so correspondence could be made between the packs safely. So that Juliana could keep tabs on Romulus while he was at war. So that Lia could make sure Rom was safe. With her back to him, and her fingers working to get the piece of fish prepped for his tasting, Lia’s face fell a little. Her thoughts turned dark and she worried for her beloved. She needed to talk to him tonight about the Pantheran threat, especially since they were already over on Grayback lands. Lia could only imagine how devastating it would be if her hypothesis had been correct, and the Pantherans were working with the Ursines. Not now. We’ll talk later. She decided, letting her smile return when she turned with that small bite of fish and butter, blowing on it sweetly before presenting it to him to taste.

01:56

A shiver of delight ran through her body, feeling him take the bite and then gently lick her palm of the butter and juices that the fish had left behind. The gentle feel of the pink muscle and the strength it held against her fingers made her body desire it elsewhere. Like it was wasted being used against her hand and fingers. As if on queue like Romulus could read her mind, his muzzle shifted and she got a mouthful of him. His moan against her lips was met with a hungry delighted whine in return. The remnants of garlic and fish on his tongue was a flavor she’d never had before and her mouth delighted in the taste, though she wondered if it was perhaps because it had come via Rom’s mouth that she liked it so much. By Gaia’s grace he tasted absolutely sinful, and Lia was ready to burn for all eternity if only she could have him and only him. When he pulled back, she sucked in air in a light pant, her face softly flushed at the passion he had played at with her. Screw the food, take me instead Rom. It was plastered all over her eyes, and her tail swayed gladly at the idea. She wanted to just give in to him, just take him somewhere secluded and have her way with the brute. Let him satiate his hunger with her body. Let him sustain his thirst with her nectar. Lia would be the sustenance he wanted and needed, and she would want for nothing more. However, sense reigned supreme here. There was no time for a romp in the woods. No time for her to take her mate and ride him until he was emptied and satisfied. It would have to wait. Another night perhaps, if they weren’t quick enough this eve in finding an appropriate meeting place.

01:56

Soon he pulled back a cloth and an explosive smell hit her nostrils. It was spiced and sweet, it was rich in the air and hung like a sin around her nose. Her tail curled in excitement and stood to attention. A quiver ran through her back, watching him carefully as he reached into his own basket and pulled a morsel of his own out for her to sample. She knew immediately it was not something she had ever had before. Silverfangs did not eat red meat after all. ”I hope you enjoy this. Let me know how you like it.” Her sapphire orbs glanced up into the amber eyes of Rom for just a moment, a slight hesitation on her face. She’d never tried red meat before. Had no idea how it would taste and what was worse, she knew where it likely would have come from. Something sentient. At least with the fish and fowl that the Silverfangs partook in, they were feral things, brainless beings that they were careful to harvest only as needed to supplement their mostly vegetarian lifestyle. Juliana swallowed hard. It certainly smelled amazing, and she was curious, but she would be lying if she wasn’t nervous about it. What if it wasn’t as good as it smelled? What if she got sick and threw it up? Would it hurt his feelings? Would he hate her because she couldn’t stomach red meat? Only one way to find out… he.. He did try my bread and fish after all…

01:56

Slowly, she let herself lean forward to his fingers. Her tall black ears fell back softly, more in apprehension than in fear or anger. Her jaw opened and her nose wrinkled a little before she tenderly closed her maw around his fingers and the bite size piece of pork he had offered to her. Her ears immediately shot forward. The flavor was indescribable on her tongue. It was heated and sweet and burned all at once. She took her tongue to slide between his fingers to fish out that pork belly fully into her mouth before releasing his fingers in order to properly savor the meat in her mouth. It melted, absolutely divine on her taste buds. Who knew red meat could taste so delicious? A quiet excited moan hummed in her throat, nearly afraid to swallow the piece as if she feared it was the only time she’d actually have something so tender again. Reluctantly she did let it slide down her throat and it warmed her from the inside out. The fatty piece of meat was well received down into her belly and before she could even really think about it, Lia turned to not Rom’s lips like he had done to her, but back to his hand where remnants of that sticky sweetness remained. That wouldn’t do. Her lips gently fell on his fingers, pulling them into her muzzle delicately and softly sucking against them. Her tongue wrapped around his forefinger first, rolling and pulling on the digit to clean and take all of that sticky glaze with it when it dragged off of him. Then once satisfied that his forefinger was sufficiently cleaned, she shifted to his thumb to get as much of that delectable glaze off. None would be wasted, it was too damn good for it to be wasted. Her tail whipped back and forth behind her, excited and delighted at the exquisite treat he’d brought even though inwardly she worried what that meant for her. Lia even felt and heard the soft moan that rumbled in her throat, her eyes closing to relish the taste on her tongue and the feeling of his fingers in her mouth for a moment.

01:56

Her body squirmed; if she didn’t want him before she surely did now and she cursed herself that she would have to reel her hormonal and primal response back in again. Reluctant but knowing how clean his fingers were now, Lia slowly released his digits with a soft pop out of her muzzle, her tongue returning to lick her lips of the taste. With tail still wagging behind her she looked up at the tall male before her.

01:57

“That… That was delicious… I’ve.. I’ve never had red meat before…” She stammered, a flush rushing over her face at just how desperate she had probably looked in order to get every last bit off of him. A smile spread slowly across that silvery muzzle and she laughed a little at herself. The idea that a Silverfang had indulged in red meat, was a blasphemic idea. But that bite had been one of the most delicious things she’d ever tasted. Perhaps, the Graybacks weren’t too far off with their way of life and the food that they consumed. Surely something that delectable couldn’t be that terrible right? In moderation of course She reminded herself, her tail slowing a little at the idea. “I think we will surely feast tonight Rom…” Lia’s words were gentle, excited but so delighted to see him and enjoy a meal with him. One they could share. Quietly, she turned and motioned for him to follow her to a dry portion of grass. It was best to enjoy this banquet of theirs while it was warm, so she sat down beside her basket and pat the space beside her for Rom to join her. Her paws went to her own basket, pulling out the rest of the fish so he could see the size of it, a good sixteen inches long and thick with meat. Plenty for the pair when accompanied by the long baguette that hung slightly out of the basket edge.

01:57

“Share a meal with me… I have so much to talk to you about before we trek on Romulus.” Her words were gentle, wanting to be near him and surely to share the food they’d brought, but there was a solemn seriousness that laced its edges. Juliana would wait until Romulus joined her, before quietly ripping a piece of the warm baguette off and coating it with the supplied butter that Palla had made. “There’s been news.. And you may already be aware of it from the looks of it..” she started, taking a piece of fish and gently placing it atop the buttered piece of bread for him. She held it in her hands, a good couple bites worth of the food she’d prepared for him while she spoke of what happened in the scouting council earlier that afternoon. “Our scouts have found Pantheran tracks along our Northern border. They’re crossing illegally on our territory… how did one get to your side of the river?” Her tail curled around her legs as she knelt on the ground there, her body leaning back on her ankles in a more comfortable position as she waited for any response he might give. Juliana’s ears flicked backwards in irritation, the anger seething on her face. “The council seems to think that the Graybacks are partnering with the Pantherans, in order to wage an attack on us… One in particular was sure of it, but.. It’s not true is it?” As the words slipped out of her muzzle, Juliana’s fierce blue eyes gazed at him with the intensity of a blazing fire. It couldn’t be true, the Graybacks wouldn’t partner with the Pantherans right? Judging by the fact that Romulus had mounted a disgusting cat’s head upon a spear and had the thing facing the Silverfang border at the falls, Juliana was sure that they would not be in league with the Pantherans. Unless of course that one had just not followed the rules laid out to them and had been punished for it. No, Lia was sure that couldn’t be the case. But then, why was a Pantheran caught on Grayback lands? Had the Graybacks crossed to the Silve

01:57

rfang side to kill it? So much she didn’t know and so much she desperately needed to know.

01:57

“I don’t know how much you can tell me Rom… But know that I will tell you all I know, and all I can tell you…Just…. Know that we are not in league with the Pantherans. Our scouts now are tracking them and plan to make them pay for breaking their treaty with us.” Her words almost seemed desperate, wanting above all else for him to believe her. She didn’t want the Pantherans on her territory any more than it seemed Romulus did. But then that did beg the question; Why were the Pantherans crossing the Silverfang and Grayback borders in the first place? @Himbo Tie

Romulus watched Juliana as she leaned over to take the treat from her basket. His eyes rested on the swell of her rear, two perfect globes that spoke of her fitness as well as womanly shape, as his tongue dipped out to lick his lips slowly. He could imagine the sweet nectar of her release on his lips again, and as he brought his tongue back into his mouth, Rom rolled it slowly to remember the feeling of rolling his tongue within her folds. Drawing his eyes over the fabric of her trousers, he imagined stepping forward and placing his left paw on her lower back as his right came up to rub gently over her womanhood through the clothing. He would tease her with that indirect contact until he felt her wetness permeating through to beg for his touch on her properly. Biting his lower lips as he tried to pull himself back from becoming engrossed in such a delightful fantasy, Romulus focused on the food that she had to offer. The flavor was brand new to him, and while a low moan rolled through his throat at it, he could not keep his attention off the she-wolf beside him. Even now with an explosion of flavor in his mouth that he was enjoying, he felt that he was wasting a perfect opportunity to taste her and show his desire and devotion to her. Drawing his tongue slowly up each of her fingers, Romulus closed his eyes as he savored the combination of the scent and flavor of the fish and garlic as well as the scent and flavor of his beloved Juliana. There was not enough for him to taste the butter and garlic, but as he had cleaned her, Romulus felt his need to taste more of her continuing. Letting his tongue trace over her palm a few times beyond when he could have stopped, Rom released a deep shuddering moan as Lia’s flavor filled his mouth and overtook his senses. He needed nothing else in this world but to hold onto her and cherish her, and here she was in a position that he could do just that and fulfill his life’s purpose. .

22:47

Hearing the whine that met his ears when he kissed Juliana, Romulus pressed into the kiss with more desire to hear such sounds and feel her reactions to him. Gliding his tongue over hers and appreciating the way the flavors on his tongue mixed with hers, he held his grip on her hair and moved to thread it even deeper. He would not keep her from pulling back if she so desired it, but while she allowed him to kiss her, Romulus would not be letting there be any sign that he did not want all that she had to offer. Juliana’s hair and fur was perfect under his touch. Silken and smooth, there was a clear sign that she took care of herself and prided herself in cleanliness. Her lips were inviting, and her strong tongue played back with his in the perfect game. Everything about her was perfect, but Romulus’s lungs betrayed him and drew him back from her to be selfish enough to draw in deep breaths to calm himself and ease the gentle buzz of lightheadedness. Feeling Juliana’s breaths against his lips in time with his own gracing over hers, Romulus looked over her muzzle quickly before his amber eyes focused on her icy blues. He could see the passionate flush on her cheeks, standing out a faint pink underneath her ivory fur, and he knew that his cheeks bore a similar flush. He desired her and could feel his heartbeat thumping in his ears, and as his eyes focused on Lia's, Rom could see a similar desire mirrored back to him. There was a mutual need shared between the two of them to take each other this night and every night that followed. But, as his eyes lost their focus for a moment, Romulus could not ignore the fact that they were not at the relative safety and comfort of their lake. They were beyond the charted lands that their union had claimed as its own, and there was no guarantee of her safety. .

22:48

Rom knew in his heart that he would give his final breath to protect Juliana, but if they were engaged in the passion that this kiss could lead to, he would be too distracted to hear a threat before it was too late. Such a possibility was hard for him to swallow as a proud warrior, but he knew the reality of the situation when he was with his beloved mate. His focus would be turned solely onto her, and while that awarded her with all the affection and attention that he had to offer, it stripped him of his ability to protect her. As painful as it was to admit to himself that he could not protect her, Romulus took that pain and discomfort and allowed it to calm his passion and the racing heartbeat that came with it. His love for her would not wane, but his ears were able to flick around their surroundings and listen rather than being homed in on every sound Juliana made. Steeling himself on delivering Lia pleasures that would not distract them too terribly, Rom prepared her sample of his treat and held it read for her. He was aware of the way her tail stood ready and attentive as she waited for him to be ready for her. It brought a sense of joy to his chest to see her excited to try the meal he had brought, but he also felt a pit of guilt in his stomach. It was a well-known fact that the Silverfangs did not eat red meat, yet he had brought it to her for her to try. He was holding it before her, nearly forcing her to taste it, and he could not help the disappointment in himself. What if she hates it? What if she gets sick? What if she outright refuses to try it? I cannot blame her, and I do not want her to try something that would wreck her sense of self-identity. How selfish am I to do this to her? The hesitation in her features hammered these anxieties home to the point that Romulus felt his tail dropping slightly, the gentle wagging slowing as he felt his worries overtaking him. Only when she moved forward did his tail rise to wag in anticipation of her thoughts.

22:48

. Holding his breath as he awaited her final commitment to try the pork gripped by his fingers, Romulus’s gray ears fell to the side in a worried stance. He did not want to offend her with this offering, but it was the only type of food that he could bring to her. The hogs were sentient, but their lifestyles and choices made them more savage and animalistic than any other beast that bore the red meat that made up his diet. The harvesting of meat was done with respect to the prey as an offering from Gaia herself, and while such a similar care was taken with preparing the pork, the living creatures themselves did not warrant such care. Holding the pork before her, Romulus decided quickly that he would not tell Juliana where this meat had come from, or the fact that the sow responsible for killing the youth had been butchered and made as an offering to Gaia to help feed the young male in his first night in the afterlife. It was normal to offer food to help those passing over be well fed on the night of their first hunt, but this offering had come with anger and a vendetta to make the one responsible for his death serve as his meal. Romulus’s ears shot forward in time with Juliana’s, his lungs releasing the apprehensive breath before allowing the warrior wolf to breathe normally again. Feeling her tongue take the meat from between his fingers, Rom released his hold slowly before smiling as he watched her pull her lips from his hand. Watching her chew the meat a few times before he knew it had dissolved on her tongue, Romulus felt a wash of warmth travel from the top of his head to the tip of his tail. She had accepted his meal offering, and while he did not want to change Juliana’s lifestyle, he still counted it as a success. If she were willing to try at least one pinch, he could show her the benefits and pleasures of such a diet. He could convince her to eat with him and add the meat to her existing diet. .

22:49

Hearing the soft moan from her throat, Romulus felt his tail wag more intensely before he started to move to lower his hand that had been holding the meat. It was sticky with the glaze of the pork, and he had thought to treat himself to a bite as well. However, it seemed that Juliana had a different idea, and Rom had nothing but the most enthusiastic support for her actions. Watching her take his index finger into her mouth, his mouth fell open a little as his breath came in shaky gasps. He had not expected her to come back for more, so when she took his finger to suck on it and wrap her tongue around it, Romulus could not stop the surprised moan that fell from his lips. He let his eyes take in her enthusiasm as a smile spread over his open lips, his tail joining hers in a rapid wag back and forth. This was a reception beyond anything he could have hoped for, and he would be doing nothing to stop it earlier than his mate desired. There was a sense of eroticism that he had not anticipated when her tongue wrapped around his fingers and her mouth claimed them. He felt a strong desire to hook his fingers behind her canines to pull her forward, locking her head under his complete control so that he could decide what would be happening for the rest of the night. Feeling the warmth from before traveling to sit over his groin, Romulus ignored the swell of his cock growing excited and kept his fingers idle for Juliana to do with them as she pleased. Moaning softly and biting his lower lip as he watched her release his fingers with an audible pop, Rom grinned and looked to his fingers that were cleaned but shone now with a gentle gleam of the moon overhead. The last time his fingers had gleamed like that, they had just left Juliana’s core and were slick with her nectar. Moaning softly as he brought his hand up to his mouth, Rom licked the backs of his fingers quickly to sample the taste of his mate’s saliva once more. As he expected, it was delectable. .

22:49

Hearing her words and seeing the flush on her cheeks, Romulus grinned and leaned forward, his lips finding Lia’s in a slow kiss. There was passion behind the roll of his tongue over her lips to request entrance, but the purpose of this kiss was not to excite the hormonal pair further and distract them from their self-appointed task that night. No, he simply wanted his beloved mate to know how greatly he had appreciated her attentions. He needed her to know that there was nothing unsavory in her actions. Pulling back after a moment and breathing in slowly to take in Juliana’s scent again, Rom smiled before speaking in a gentle tone, “I had hoped you would enjoy it, my Lia. I did not know how you would react, but I had hoped that you would at least try it. Thank you, honestly, for letting me show you something of my people.” Grinning at Juliana’s words about feasting, Romulus nodded and let his eyes glance over Juliana’s body with his eyebrows raised. However, as his gaze reached her eyes again, a small chuckle played through his chest at the immaturity of the expression he had been jokingly portraying. Following her to the patch of grass, Rom grinned and shook his head lightly when Lia patted the ground beside her. Walking around behind her, he crouched down and pulled the right side of his kilt enough to make room for his thighs to spread. Sitting down behind her and wrapping his arms around Juliana’s waist, Romulus pulled himself forward gently so that her rear was pressed against his kilt-covered waist. Setting his basket down beside hers, he laid his chin on her shoulder closest to the baskets and turned his head to let his snout rub the side of her muzzle. Licking the underside of her muzzle slowly, he grinned and glanced over at the fish that Juliana uncovered for him to see. Humming and wiggling his head side to side on her shoulder, Romulus licked his lips before speaking, “You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.” .

22:50

Keeping his left arm wrapped around Juliana’s waist, Romulus reached over and uncovered his own basket to display eight strips of pork belly that were each an inch thick and nearly a foot long. Each strip was slathered in the sweet and spicy glaze, and there was a small black ceramic bowl that held several spoonsful of the sauce with a wooden lid at the end of the basket. Looking at the fish where it was on display beside the bread, Romulus licked his lips again before tilting his head on Juliana’s shoulder to look at her when she spoke. Smiling and pressing his muzzle against hers gently, he heard the solemness in her words, but he would not let them dampen his mood too much. Pulling his head back and kissing the back of her shoulder gingerly, he watched her prepare the piece of bread while speaking softly with his lips against her fur, “A meal would be perfect, and I look forward to having it with you. This news, though, I fear we might need to talk about it indeed.” Taking the bread and fish from her paw slowly, Romulus pressed his lips against the side of Juliana’s neck before pulling his head back and lifting it so that he could take a bite of the food without getting any inadvertently on her. His jaws opened but hung open with the bread in front of him, his eyes flicking over to look at Juliana as he listened to her speak. His stomach argued with a loud growl against the hesitation, but he ignored the complaints of the organ and lowered his paw while closing his mouth. Feeling his lip twitch as it threatened to snarl up at the mere mention of the Pantherans, Romulus raised his head higher so that he was sitting up straight. His gray ears stood tall and swiveled slowly, searching for any sounds that could suggest one of the mentioned scouts, Lupine or Panthera, was nearby. Glaring down at the river as his search found no sound, he released a deep growl as he spoke, “Your guess is as good as mine, Lia.” .

22:51

Shaking his head before lowering it forward, Romulus rested his jaw on Juliana’s shoulder again before continuing in a deep growl that rumbled his chest and throat alike, “My best guess is that they crossed over north of the waterfall. My brother and I encountered four today and slew them all, but not before asking some questions of our own.” Ending the growl with a snarl as if Sulaiman and his comrades were standing in front of the two of them, Romulus brought the bread and fish forward to take a large bite of them. His anger persisted despite the explosion of flavors in his mouth again, but he did take his time chewing so that he could appreciate the effort Juliana made in making this for them to enjoy together. The bread was still something new for him to get used to with its airiness, but the butter sauce and fish on top made the entire treat incredibly savory. Humming softly as he chewed and swallowed, he leaned his head to the side and rested it against Lia’s before speaking in a smoother tone, “This tastes incredible. If I’m not careful, you might fatten me up before long.” Finishing the bread and salmon in another bite, Romulus chewed it slowly while listening to Juliana’s next words. His nostrils flared in instant anger, but as the growl erupted in his chest, he closed his eyes and lowered his head to hold the underside of his muzzle against Juliana’s shoulder. She is being a sounding board for what others are thinking. These are not her beliefs. Remember who you are talking to. Opening his amber eyes to stare into Lia’s sapphire eyes with a blazing inferno that matched her own, Romulus kept his mouth closed as she continued to speak, but his breathing came as heavy exhales through his nose. His exhale turned into a snort as she spoke of their scouts moving to make the Pantherans pay for breaking the treaty. Turning his gaze away from her to stare out at the river again, Romulus wrapped his right arm around Juliana’s waist as well. .

22:51

The anger he was feeling was not focused on her, and she did not deserve to be a recipient of it. He hoped his touch would remind her that he cherished her and would not treat her with the anger he felt. His swords had wedged to the side as he sat, but as he felt their weight, Romulus knew that there was a serious threat in the air that he would be displaying by being armed as he was. He wanted to Remove his weapons and show Juliana that he meant her no harm, but in this moment, his chief concern was to keep his arms around her so that she could not leave him or wonder what his hands were up to. Clearing his throat and pulling his head back to rest his chin on Lia’s shoulder, he closed his eyes for a moment before re-opening them as he spoke, “I will tell you all that I can, I swear that, Juliana. The Graybacks are not in league with the Pantherans, and it brightens my heart to know that the Silverfangs are not either. My leader, a wolf named Marcel, seems to believe that the Pantherans crossed your borders with your blessing, but I tried my best to argue in your defense. I could not reveal that I knew a Silverfang, but I told him that your people would not let this breach of your treaty last without serious repercussions. No matter how you live, you are still Lupines after all.” Closing his eyes as he weighed his next words quickly, Romulus opened them and looked up at Juliana’s eyes from where his head rested on her shoulder, “We recovered a map and interrogated one of the leopards to get answers from him. They were scouting from your shared border along the northern reaches of both of our clans. They escorted snow leopards that used your northern mountains to head into the Ursine lands. They marked several large villages in both of our borders, and they had plans to link back up with those snow leopards at our northern border with the Ursines.” .

22:51

Shaking his head and drawing his head back, Romulus pressed his lips against the back of Juliana’s neck. His anger was still raging at the idea of the leopards moving freely through Grayback lands, but his mate’s scent was beginning to calm him down. Licking the back of her neck gently before pressing his snout against her, Romulus spoke in a soft voice, “I knew you wouldn’t let them through. I had faith in you, my Love.” @Fiory

The gentle light of the moon basked her fur in a soft white and blue light, dancing across the leather he wore and the darker gray guard hairs that covered him. She could have remained in his embrace and in his kiss forever. It was peaceful there, it was tranquil and serene. There were no fighting, no ill thoughts, no threats of violence and no politics to navigate through. It was just Romulus, and Juliana. And that’s all that the world needed to consist of. The taste of the pork still stung her lips and coated her tongue in its spicy sweetness and coupled with the taste of the male before her, Juliana surely had passed on and was being rewarded in heaven. Only when they pulled apart did she realize that life carried on, that she had not left this plane of existence and still held Romulus in her arms and on her ivory lips. It hadn’t been sexual, just quietly requesting entry, appreciative of the fae’s response to a food she had never thought to ever have. “Thank you for introducing it to me Rom…” She replied to him softly, a quiet whine on her voice as she leaned into him. It had been an entirely new experience, one that flooded her senses and delighted her taste buds. It wouldn’t be something she likely could indulge in regularly but a treat here and there couldn’t hurt too terribly. It was then that Juliana slowly moved to part them, immediately feeling the need to rush back into his arms but keeping her resolve to move their night along. The task they had was an important one, and the night would not last forever.

21:42

So when she caught him scoping out her body as if she were part of the feast to come, Juliana couldn’t help but chuckle gently at him. Such the one track mind her Romulus had, though she couldn’t rightly blame him for the way his mind wandered. If given the chance she would have gladly let him feast on the fish, the break, the pork and her. The idea of his tongue gliding through her fur the way it had cleaned the garlic off of her palm made her clench in appreciation at the image. Instead she attempted to focus on the task at hand, doling out the meal they had prepared for each other and beginning to start the hard conversation that she wished she didn’t have to mention at all. While she had offered him a place at her side, as equals, the larger male had other plans. Juliana wouldn’t move, just continuing on in her preparations while he sat behind her and leaned against her back. His muzzle gently against her shoulder and his arms holding her body close to him. She fit so comfortably against him, even crossing her legs in front of her in a criss cross sit so she could comfortably lean back and enjoy the warm embrace he offered. She grinned softly at his gentle licks, almost like he was a pup begging for what she had to give him. Her head gently tilted to fall against his, just a soft touch, leaning into his affections. “I am glad of your attention, my Love. I will reward you handsomely for it.”

21:43

Juliana’s ears drooped only slightly, knowing that their loving embrace and sweet words would have to cease as soon as she would bring up the conversations that needed to happen. Her heart told her that the assumptions and accusations of her father and of Parion were wrong. Romulus would have told her if the Graybacks were in league with the Patherans, and judging by the carnal punishment that had been laid out on one of them, that only solidified that possibility further. But her head disputed, there had been tracks, several tracks, and the questions were piling up. So with a heavy sigh she asked the first, allowing Romulus the treat in her paw of bread and fish and succulent garlic butter. Almost like she hoped the food might quell any anger he might feel for the words that would slip from her maw. Our scouts have found Pantheran tracks along our Northern border. They’re crossing illegally on our territory… How did one get to your side of the river? ”Your guess is as good as mine, Lia.”

21:43

The deep growl that released when he spoke told Lia all she really needed regarding how Romulus and likely the rest of the Graybacks felt about the Pantherans. Vile, Savage, Disdain. Any word you could come up with to hate and loathe the sly predators of the Eastern valleys was good enough reason for any Lupine, be they Grayback or Silverfang. There was no love for each other, but they certainly could both agree that the felines were not favored at all. Still, the growling troubled her, especially when he hesitated to eat with her because of the words she spoke. Her head tilted back so she could look up at him. He was beautiful. Striking and strong, the moon casting him in an eerie blue light that gave him an awe inspiring chiseled gleam. The way his stare seemed to penetrate the darkness, daring a foe to come and disturb them sent a chill through her, knowing if any were to be so foolish they would surely be torn asunder from his paws and the swords he carried. Still, she didn’t want him angry with her; she had to ask these things. They were important, she had to know the full truth and not just the one that Parion had barked about with the council. A soft whine left her lips, just quiet enough for him to hear, before she moved her head and allowed him to rest on her shoulder again.

21:43

”My best guess is that they crossed over north of the waterfall. My brother and I encountered four today and slew them all, but not before asking some questions of our own.” The rumbling feeling in his chest and his throat permeated Juliana. It made her breath increase not in anticipation of becoming his dessert as they had surely played with the idea earlier, but of becoming a foe in his eyes. For a while, Lia was silent, letting the waves of rumbling annoyance run their course until his mood lightened and he complimented the food she’d given him. It helped send a wave of relief over her. She was not his enemy, not a foe to fight, and certainly not one to be growling his frustrations at. Juliana quietly made herself a piece of the bread and salmon, adding a little butter to it and taking a bite. It filled her with a satisfied comforting warmth, and the butter was a divine explosion of flavor over her tongue. Palla was right, this was delicious and she couldn’t have agreed with Romulus more. “Oh? And your dish wouldn’t do the same for me?” She teased, realizing the pork in his basket was far fattier than her fish and butter. Her tail thumped on the ground a little, glad to have the smoother tones and more gentle side of him returning to her. Juliana trusted him, trusted him enough not to bring her bow to their meetings. Not to bring a weapon other than her teeth and claws. She felt safe and secure in his arms, so Juliana hadn’t felt the need to come armed. That didn’t mean that she wasn’t well aware of the weaponry that he carried as if they were a part of him.

21:43

The council seems to think that the Graybacks are partnering with the Pantherans, in order to wage an attack on us… One in particular was sure of it, but.. It’s not true is it? The eruption of that growl made Juliana’s own lip curl as a warning. She wasn’t trying to make him angry. And with every question she seemed to ask, it just made his anger flare at her. Lia didn’t deserve his ire, and she was beginning to detest talking to him about all this, even though she wanted to help both of their packs with a common enemy. When he looked up into her eyes, they were not held with anger or hatred. They were held with passion and conviction. She was a leader in her own right, and she demanded respect of it. Her inquiries were nothing against him or the Graybacks, they were intelligence gathering and nothing more. The emotion she conveyed to him was one of calm understanding, fierce and unyielding but resigned all the same. So it was wise of him to turn his gaze from hers and calm himself down before continuing to speak. It made her own face soften and helped lower her guard in the presence of a wolf who was supposed to be a rival. A rival she loved dearly with all her heart.

21:43

Her plea to him, in a voice that was gentle instead of fierce, kind and compassionate instead of demanding or agitated, seemed to help him come to terms with the facts. The Silverfangs were not in league with the Pantherans, and her heart beat faster hearing that the Graybacks were of the same mindset. He even vowed to tell her all he knew as well, as much as he rightfully could. So while Juliana broke another piece of her bread off and slipped her paw into his basket to try it with the pork he’d brought, her ears listened intently to what he said. A soft growl slipped through her lips at the leader of the Grayback’s name. “I know of Marcel…” She spat, not necessarily meaning for her words to sound so sharp. “My father Carlisle and I owe him a great debt... One that has yet to be repaid if I am truly honest with you.” her words were a growl but not aggressive. There was pain there, hurt over years and her ears flattened against her skull at the thought of it. Her soft blue eyes couldn’t stand the sight of him until she let the irritation of that wolf’s name leave her recent memory. It’s not his fault… he would have been too young… just like me… Stop it Lia. Her own thoughts angrily chastising her for letting a simple name get to her in this way. Her nostrils flared and she took a solid breath in before releasing it and the tension she’d gained. It was good to hear that Romulus had come to her defense, the same as she had to the Silverfang council. Her heart swelled, hearing how he had argued, and she imagined him similar to how she had barked her opposition to Parion’s naive thinking.

21:44

Her muzzle came back to his, her face softened and her gentle growling ceased. Like him, she had no reason to be angry with him. He didn’t deserve the pain and the suffering she’d gone through and it wasn’t his doing that had caused it. As a peace offering, hoping to keep their discussions this night to a more civil tone, she offered him a piece of bread with his pork belly, not necessarily to eat together unless he wanted to. For her the mixture of the flavors was a heavenly divinity that she couldn’t describe. The crunch of the crust paired with the melting sensation of the meat was lovely, and the best part was the bread soaked in some of that sweetly spicy sauce that covered the red meat. So the flavor lasted longer on her tongue, which made her tail thump in delight on the ground and against his thigh. Through her quiet whimpers of ecstasy at the taste, she listened intently to what Romulus had to say regarding the trespassing leopards. They had recovered a map? The troubling news that the leopards were not only trespassing on Silverfang land, but also scouting the border they shared with the Ursines and marking villages along the way was infuriating to say the least. Juliana could have kissed Romulus right then and there, if only for the sheer reason that she was proud he had slew those horrible felines and hopefully foiled their plans. Whatever they were. However this news reminded her of what she had said too at her council meeting and her ears fell slightly. Please, don’t be angry with me Rom…

21:44

“I have a confession Romulus… “ She said slowly, leaning back into him and rubbing her muzzle on top of his head for a moment. There was a gentle apprehensive whine to her voice, unsure how to say this without it sounding like she had given away too much information. Lia took her time, swallowing thickly before deciding it was best just to come out and say it. Her head lifted away from his for a moment and Juliana leaned her body forward to give a little distance between her mate’s gentle warmth on her back and herself. “During the council meeting… I let slip that the Graybacks are at war with the Ursines…” She said slowly, turning her head to look at him apologetically over her shoulder. “It wasn’t intended to be used against you, but I’m afraid it might be. I was arguing that the Graybacks couldn’t possibly be working with the Pantherans… That it was more likely that the felines were working with the Ursines that you were at war with, not the other way around…” her words faltered as she said them. Romulus had said these things in confidence to her, and she had carelessly let them slip, let her council and her father and that horrible male Parion know that the Graybacks were weakened by a war they were already waging. One the Silverfang council hadn’t known of. There was a soft quiver in her shoulders, unsure how he would react to this betrayal by her. It hadn’t been on purpose, she was arguing against a fight with the Graybacks. Not wanting to inadvertently start one.

21:44

“But because of that.. One of the members there suggested an attack… Because if the Graybacks were too focused on the north, then their numbers would be depleted in their home village…” The shame of this statement burned her throat, her paw lowering a little and nearly letting the food in her fingers slide off. “I argued against this furiously of course. I fought nearly with my father Carlisle to ensure your safety and the safety of your pack. We don’t attack the innocent, and that’s all that would be left if you and your warriors were up north. I made them see reason Romulus… I forced them to understand.” Her last words were more of a plea, like she was begging him not to be angry with her. Her body shifted so she could better look at him, her eyes glistening at the idea that he might be furious with her for letting this vital piece of correspondence slip through her teeth. “Please.. I…I would have fought my father to keep it from happening. And I can tell you now, no such plan is in talks. I swear on my mother’s grave and the life that Gaia has granted me, I won’t allow it to happen.” @Himbo Tie

Every growl that escaped Romulus’s throat and fell from his lips carried a sense of disappointment through his being. Here he was, spending the night with the she-wolf of his dreams, and he was wasting the opportunity of a good night by letting his anger get to him. Whether they had this heavy conversation or not, the night’s mood could have stayed lighthearted and enjoyable, but he was letting his soured emotions spoil the positivity. This night was supposed to be about them finding a place where Remus could meet Juliana’s sister, but instead he was letting his anger shape and ruin the course of the conversation. Closing his eyes as he tried to control his anger and the growls that spilled from his maw, Romulus focused on the scents around him in an attempt to calm himself. The sweet and spicy flavors of the pork belly combined well with the fragrant succulence of the bread, salmon, and butter. The flavors coming from the food caused his mouth to water with anticipation of more, but the true scent that captured his concentration was that which came from the female in his arms. The gentle fragrance of vanilla and rose petals still clung to her ivory fur and drew his focus back to Juliana. The soap’s scent worked nearly perfectly to accentuate her natural fragrance that Romulus had had the fortune of being able to sample on multiple occasions now. The subtle fragrance that he could detect when he burrowed his snout into her fur and down to her skin beneath, a fragrance that made his mouth water in anticipation and desire to taste her. His growl fell away into a rumbling moan as he thought of the strong flavor that had basked over his muzzle when he had been between her powerful thighs and enjoying the true flavors of his mate. Sighing softly as he kept his focus on the scents of the female in his arms, Romulus tried to shorten the growls that came from her words and the conversation as quickly as he could. He would not let them ruin this moment of her in his arms. .

13:58

Try as he might to stop the growls and keep a level head, Romulus found that he was failing in that regard. It was only the soft sounds of Juliana whining against him that seemed to penetrate through the beginnings of a fog of war that threatened to cover his mind. He never wanted to hurt the female in his arms, and the idea that he was causing his mate discomfort or fear enough to have this vocal response was incredibly disappointing. Kissing the back of her shoulder as he tried to control himself, Romulus allowed the food to break away the need to act and the instinctual violence that came from conversations such as these. Strategizing and talking about politics was Remus’s forte; Rom preferred action over talking and would not often stay in the rooms where discussions of this type were being held. However, with Lia in his arms and trusting him enough to speak about these topics, Romulus knew that it was something he could not escape this time. Hearing the comment about the pork belly, Romulus chuckled softly and shrugged before kissing the side of Juliana’s neck gently. Letting his exhale shift some of her fur before his lips found her again, he grinned before speaking in a light tone, “I figured this might be better than some of the leaner options that would make you chew more. I had hoped you would find this an easier adjustment for your palate.” Grinning as he let his teeth trace gently over the side of Juliana’s neck in a playful nip, Rom pulled his head back while reaching down with his right paw to pinch off a small portion of the pork belly. Cutting the small bite off the strip with his claws, he brought it up to his mouth and licked the sauce off quickly before chewing the meat easily. It dissolved quickly over his tongue, leaving him with less to chew and more to simply swallow before he continued in a playful tone, “Don’t worry, any fat that either of us gain from these treats, I plan to burn off of us with our own fun.” .

13:58

Unfortunately, even as both Lupines tried to take a reprieve from the tenseness of the conversation, it seemed that there was no avoiding the facts of the matter. They were not only here to enjoy each other’s company; they had a task they needed to complete and a difficult discussion to be had. Romulus regretted the growl that erupted from him as soon as he saw the way that Juliana’s lip raised in a warning snarl. Whether this was a difficult topic to discuss or not, she did not deserve to receive the anger he felt behind these topics. Rom also did not want Lia to think he was too immature or ill-equipped to handle a conversation such as this. He wanted to be comfortable talking with her about anything, and he wanted his mate to find the same comfort and security in his presence. How could he impart trust and good faith on her when her simple words were causing such an intense reaction? Romulus’s gaze lifted in surprise when Juliana’s chest was the one to emanate the rough sounds of a growl this time. He had heard through his learnings as a young pup what some of the reasons for the divide between the clans were, so he knew what Lia was likely upset about at the very mention of Marcel’s name. Rom had never put much weight into speculating the truth behind the rumors, as there was nothing he had seen before that could come of it. The clans had always been destined to live apart from one another, keeping the river as a sacred border so that no further transgressions against one another could occur. However, as he thought of the lessons that he had learned to keep the clans at peace, Romulus was keenly aware of where he was in this moment and who he was with. The treaty that he had sworn to defend and uphold on pain of death was thrown out the window the moment he laid eyes on Juliana in a conscious state, and Rom could not even pretend to feel any sorrow or regret for it. He was proud of himself for choosing for his heart and not his allegiances. .

13:59

His tail wagged in appreciation of his ability and choice to do what was best for him, despite the selfishness of such an action and the possible retribution. Taking hold of the bread and pork belly that Juliana had offered him, Romulus smiled and let his lips find the corner of hers in a slow kiss as his eyes drifted closed. He could be in the freezing tundra of the Ursine lands to the north or the scorching dunes of the Hyaenidae lands to the west, and nothing could remove the warmth and glee in his heart at the fact that he held his beloved mate in his arms. Lifting the food and taking a large bite so that the entirety of the bread and pork belly entered his mouth, Romulus hummed softly as he chewed and closed his eyes. He could understand why Juliana’s tail wagged so heartily and felt his own matching the gentle rhythm set by the she-wolf before him. Opening his eyes slowly with a soft exhale as he let the news of the map settle over them both, Romulus shrugged before speaking softly, “I don’t know how you will take this information to your clan, but I hope that you can get them looking where they need to in order to stop these incursions. I cannot guarantee that it will be me that catches them every time they cross our border, and I do not want to lose any good wolves to those feline bastards.” With his head falling back down to rest on her shoulder, Romulus glanced towards Juliana with his left eyebrow raised and his ears quirked forward a little when she spoke of having a confession. An immediate flare of anger from his worry of the Pantheran actions caught in his chest, but he silenced any attempt at releasing a growl and sat quietly. It would do neither of them any good to start another growling match, so he waited patiently for whatever words might come from the ivory she-wolf's lips. He appreciated the calming gesture of her muzzle stroking gently over his, but the apprehensive whine in her words caused him more worry. .

13:59

His immediate thoughts were not of what she had done to betray him or his trust, but what had someone else forced her to do that would trouble her so. Holding her tight with his arms around her, Romulus allowed his paws to stroke gently at Juliana’s sides to try and ease her worry and comfort her. His touch was removed, however, when she leaned forward away from him and looked back at him over her shoulder. The forest green vest that she wore stood out over her ivory and silver fur, much like his own dark brown leather armor hid most of the gray fur that he was known for. These separating articles of clothing had been ignored when he felt Juliana’s warmth and body weight pressed against him in their embrace, but they spoke clearly of their separation when she moved away from him. The Silverfangs were dressed in the comfort of their day-to-day life, as if there were no troubles in the world that might cause them any harm or distress. The Graybacks were clad and ready for battle and war with this new discovery on their lands. Juliana had faith in her people and had felt comfortable coming to the border unarmed; Romulus had been ready for a fight at any point in his trekking through the woods to find his mate and bring her into his embrace. The difference between them was glaring to the gray warrior, but the biggest issue of it all was the fact that they had separated before the dawn deemed it necessary. Something or someone had interrupted their time together, and now Juliana was drawing away from him. Romulus let his amber eyes settle on her stark blues, but he could not stop himself from searching around them quickly with his ears for any sign of the intruder. He only had so much time every night to see and hold his Love, so he was not pleased to feel her warmth stolen from him prematurely. It was only when his search came up empty and he heard Lia’s words that he knew for certain why the warmth had disappeared. .

13:59

Romulus’s gaze met Juliana’s and stayed there as she detailed the confession that she felt so strongly about and needed to come clean on. His jaw closed and set firmly as his back straightened, his pose losing the relaxed stance that it was so commonly adopting in her presence. Holding her gaze with no opportunity to show that his was going to slip, Rom was aware that it would look like a challenge to the she-wolf before him, but he did not care in this moment. He needed to watch her eyes to see the changes within them and the true impacts of the words that fell from her lips. There was a talent to putting emotion in your words to make them seem and sound a certain way to get an expected response from the recipient, but the eyes were much harder to train in the arts of deception. Swallowing thickly as he saw Lia’s eyes beginning to water, Romulus closed his own slowly and felt a warm trickle of tears glide down both of his cheeks. Resting his paws on his thighs with his palms against the fabric of the kilt there, Romulus shook his head slowly before a soft chuckle started to roll through his throat. Opening his eyes and leaning forward, he lifted his right paw to gingerly hold the side of Juliana’s head and neck so that she couldn’t pull away from him. Pressing his lips to hers and holding for a few moments, Rom pulled back with a soft exhale before taking a deep yet shaky breath. His eyes glistened with additional tears that battled to fall down his cheeks, but Romulus ignored them and pulled himself closer to Juliana again to press their lips together once more. Reaching his paws down and leaning forward, Rom gripped behind Lia’s knees and pulled her slowly to face him before drawing her closer to him. Stopping with her thighs up around either side of his torso, Romulus lowered his head to kiss Juliana’s cheek and under her ear before speaking in a soft tone, “I believe you.” .

13:59

Bringing his paws up to caress the sides of Juliana’s face gingerly, Romulus smiled warmly before speaking in a soothing voice, “We expected that your clan already knew we were at war with the Ursines; the same way we knew that your clan was at peace with them. The emissaries sent by the bears had warned us to take their offerings of peace like our neighbors to the east had, so please do not worry yourself on that behalf. We have been operating under the idea that the Silverfangs were already well aware of our involvement to the north. We knew that it would make us appear open to attack on our flanks, but we have kept eight legions of warriors back from the front to keep our villages safe, should our...enemies strike.” There was a distinct pause as Romulus tried to find the right word to use, settling on the most common term used to describe the Silverfangs. Before now, before Juliana, every Silverfang member was seen as an enemy, so there was no true inaccuracy in such a description of them. Smiling as he drew his thumbs slowly over Juliana’s cheeks, Romulus leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers again before speaking softly with their lips still gracing over one another, “I will detail what our strength in numbers on each front is to you if you desire, but I need that information to stay between us. I trust you and your intent for your clan as well as mine, but I do not trust your clanmates to not use such information to hurt my clan. I have faith in our ability to hold off an attack as one might come, but I trust you when you say that you will not let anything like that occur.” .

14:00

Lowering his paws from her cheeks slowly to rest them on her sides, Romulus looked into Juliana’s eyes for any reason to distrust her and found none. Smiling kindly as he glanced down at the bite of food held loosely in her grip, Rom pulled his left paw back to take hold of the bread and pork belly and raise the treat up towards Lia’s mouth. Holding it there for her to take the bite from his grasp with her lips, he winked with a grin before speaking, “Let’s enjoy our food before it gets cold, and then we’ll get back to finding a place for our siblings to meet. If you can trust me to eat from my paw, that is.” Looking to meet her gaze with a little more pointed purpose, Romulus held the food loosely so that she could take it with her lips if she so desired. @Fiory

As she spoke, Lia couldn’t pull her eyes away from his. They were sorrowful and full of anxiety. Yet still she held a determination in her gaze to meet the challenge of him. She had to show she meant what she said. She couldn’t let him see how much it had bothered her that this morning she had broken the trust she thought he had had for her. In her attempt to keep the peace that was so frail and fragile between the two packs. Her ice blue eyes gleamed brightly and she held herself as steadfast as she dared. It was clear to her that they were very different. Romulus grew up with war and fighting, he showed as much every time he came to visit her. Each time he stepped from his side of the river, his swords were held at the ready and he had some kind of armor or thick clothing to protect himself. Juliana had decided that a weapon she would not bring. It was partly because she trusted the wolf before her, the strong male that had captured her attention and her heart. She felt she didn’t need to bring such a thing to any of their rendezvous as if anything were to happen, Romulus would protect her. Lia never thought he would turn his violence and the blades he held towards her. It was also her way of showing just how much trust she was giving the male, in coming unarmed and vulnerable to him. Sure, she had her claws and her teeth and they could certainly do damage, but not nearly enough as a blade let alone two. If Romulus had really wanted to harm Lia, there would be very little she could do about it. Though she hoped that coming to him unarmed the way she did, that he would see the seriousness of peace she wanted to instill between the pair, not just for their sakes but for the sake of both packs.

18:25

As her words continued and she divulged her betrayal that ripped at her insides, Juliana kept a sharp watch on him. He wasn’t letting his gaze slip from hers, and she couldn’t really blame him for that. If it had been the other way around, Juliana wouldn’t have let her eyes move from his either, wanting to ensure she knew where her enemy was and what they were thinking at all times. her enemy No, Romulus was not her enemy, though at the moment he was a formidable force that she couldn’t deny gave her a little fright. He was much larger than her, much more fierce; even if Lia had wanted to fight him off she knew her chances of winning that fight were slim at best. If he was truly her enemy, then surely her head would stand side by side with the Patheran’s atop the ridge. The thought of her head removed from her body and standing upon a pike beside the rotten decayed form of that Leopard made Lia’s insides quiver and her appetite immediately died. Her heart cracked at the idea that her demise like that would come at her beloved’s paws, so she had to do everything she could to rid her mind’s eye of the thought.

18:25

A silence fell between the pair, and it was louder and full of more agony than Lia could stand. She dare not move, no sudden shifts as she waited patiently for Romulus’s assessment of her. Would he believe her? Would he know she was telling him the truth? That she had never wanted a fight nor did she want the innocents of his village attacked while himself and their strongest warriors were away at battle? That Juliana truly did have the Grayback pack’s health and safety and best interests at heart? It was agony waiting. So much so it felt like the world itself was on pause, holding it’s collective breath for any sign from Romulus on a decision he would make. Her ebony ears snapped forward, that quiet chuckle gently tickling her senses. She watched as he shook his head and then opened his eyes back up to look at her. What did that mean? Did he not believe her? Did he not trust her? A wave of fear washed over the fae, unsure if his paw was friendly or one of a foe. Would he kill her now then if her words were not to be believed. He doesn’t believe me… Lia couldn’t help the thought that ran through her head, resigning to the idea that at least a quick break might be merciful. She wouldn’t fight him on it, wouldn’t dare to. The fighting and slaughter of their packs ran through her head in a flash of crimson at the thought of her pack finding her body, of the Grayback’s taking ownership of the deed. Of the Silverfangs responding in kind.

18:25

Instead, her heart was thrown for a loop. Her lips found his and she pressed into them tentatively before he pulled away. A quiet gasp, an inhale that shook through her teeth more like was the only sound she gave before he pulled her in to taste her again. A quiver ran through her body and she held herself into his embrace for as long as he would let her. Was this it? What did this mean? Her anxiety was penetrating the clouds, higher than it had ever been while she waited for words to confirm or deny what she was thinking. Instead when he pulled away again, Lia felt his paws grasp at the underside of her knees and pull her in close. Her frame was light and easily manipulated. She didn’t want to fight him anyway, not if he didn’t trust her the way that she trusted him. With a leg on each side of his torso, resting comfortably at his hips, Juliana looked up at her Grayback mate with confusion and worry but most of all hope. ”I believe you.” The three words that caressed her ears nearly made Juliana lose everything. His sweet kisses to her cheek and under her ear before he said it made the fae melt into a puddle of ivory fur. Shock lined her face as she let him continue to speak, hearing of how the Graybacks already knew of the knowledge she had spilled. That they suspected her pack already knew of the war with the Ursines, due to the Ursine’s own doing. Everything in Juliana wanted to explode in relief. The stars could fall from the heavens and the rivers could dry up, and Juliana wouldn’t have cared to even bat an eye at the sight of it. He trusted her. He believed her. He even said he would discuss further with her their strength in numbers if it was something that she so desired.

18:26

“Oh Romulus…” Her words were choked and whispered, as if she was afraid to say his name and break the illusion of his kindness in front of her. His paws against her cheeks and the sweet kiss he gave to reassure her only made her shiver in delight. If she hadn’t been sure before, Lia was certainly sure now. Who else could divulge such secrets that were meant as classified information and live on with this kind of affection? With this state of love? Surely no one came to mind for Lia. Rom was her everything, he wasn’t angry with her or upset at her betrayal; he was reassuring and gentle and kind, and came to her with understanding and love instead of vengeance and despair. There would never be another for her, not in a thousand lifetimes. Her arms reached out in front of her immediately, wrapping around the male’s chest under his arms and holding him tightly. Her forehead fell against his chest, rubbing at the leather armor that he wore in such stark contrast to the forest green vest that matched it against Juliana’s ivory fur. Her claws gripped him tightly, holding fast as if she would never let him go. It was probably good that he had taken the bite of food from her hand before she wrapped him in a hug. The last thing she’d have wanted to do was the smear pork belly sauce all on his new smelling armor and fur.

18:26

“I’m so sorry… I promise.. Anything said between us stays between us. I never want to lose your trust in me Rom… Never.” Juliana murmured into the leather on his chest, pulling herself back momentarily in relief that he believed her. He believes me. He Trusts Me. She thought, a swell of pride at the male welling up and threatening tears to form and fall from her eyes again. These would be of happiness and joy, though Lia was too keen to keep them hidden and her cheeks dry. Instead she watched him lift the piece of meat and bread so she could take if it she so wanted to. ”Let’s enjoy our food before it gets cold, and then we’ll get back to finding a place for our siblings to meet. If you can trust me to eat from my paw, that is.” Juliana couldn’t help the small giggle that passed through her smiling lips. Now he was teasing her. Of course she trusted him, she’d be a fool not to. Her eyes glanced at the piece of baguette and the slab of pork that lay gently atop it. The smell and heat of it was divine, a sensory overload to her, and without hesitation she let her lips fall closer to it. It wasn’t big, the piece he held, but she was gentle anyway to take the morsel from his waiting fingertips. Lacing soft kisses along his palm before letting her tongue guide the piece into her mouth, Juliana was careful and damn near sensual with sharing the food with him. The flavor exploded in her mouth and as before her tail delightfully thudded against the ground behind her while she barely needed to chew.

18:26

“I agree..” She said after swallowing the bread and meat down her throat, her tongue wrapping gently over her lips to savor the taste. “We’ll eat our fill, and then work it off with a good hike.” Juliana was quiet for a while, taking the traditionally female role and doling out servings to the pair of them. Some salmon here, some pork belly and some bread. Each combination was just as good as the last, and the warmth that the food brought to the pair of them was better than anything that Juliana had experienced before. The only thing that could rival it, was the fun the pair of them had had just the previous evening, wrapped in each other’s embrace and tasting one another instead of something more traditionally seen as food. Time seemed to hold its breath, as if Gaia herself was willing the world to slow and allow the pair plenty of time to finish their picnic riverside meal together. When the last piece of pork and the last morsel of salmon had been finished, leaving nothing but their alluring smells to linger and tease in the air, Juliana closed her basket and pushed it gently away. She could come back for it on their way home, it wasn’t necessary to bring with them on their trek, and the lighter they carried, the less encumbered they would be, and the faster a suitable space could be found for Rom’s brother and Sabelle to meet safely. Her tongue gently cleaned her fingers and palms, before her attention turned to the male she sat in the lap of.

18:26

The whole time she had decided to remain straddling his hips, hugging him close and pressed up against him comfortably. It was certainly a better position to share the food in, as they could easily pass it between each other without worry of accidentally being too high or too low on account of them being back to front before. No, front facing was far more convenient, and it gave Lia a chance to really take in Romulus in all his magnificence. The strength of his jawline, the broad shoulders and the strength he carried, matched so well with the kindness in his amber eyes. Juliana couldn’t get enough of him, as if he were a cool drink after a scorching summer day. A playful thought came to mind, and without debating it within her mind, Juliana just pressed herself forward. Her lips fell on his, and her tail curled gleefully at the taste of him. It mixed with the slight aftertaste of pork and salmon and bread, but she didn’t care. A quiet pleased moan passed over her lips against him, and her newly cleaned paws gently held his face in her palms. Her kiss was hungry, despite having just eaten plenty of delectable food brought by the pair of them. Lia’s legs gently squeezed at his sides, pulling her pelvis in a little further with the action. The embrace was meant to steal his breath, a greedy desperate thing, and when Lia finally did pull back from him, she smiled devilishly up at the handsome male between her legs. Gently, her paws slid down his sides and over his thighs, falling to the ground behind her to let her lean back and really get a good look at him. She hadn’t yet pulled herself up, and with the way her back arched it was both suggestive as well as relaxed. Juliana had never felt so at ease in the presence of another before, his very aura gave her a peace she couldn’t describe. It also gave her a longing that she certainly could describe if her actions were not described enough.

18:26

“Perhaps I will have you for my dessert another time my love.” She giggled sweetly at him, playful in tone and certainly meaning more than just a helping of food when speaking to him. Rom was far more than just a dessert in that respect; he would be a main course. Juliana knew it, and would settle for nothing less. Without another word from her, Juliana reluctantly released his hips from the grasp of her thighs and pulled herself gently away so she could begin the arduous task of standing, stretching and beginning their trek further south of the river. Any help that Romulus would give was surely appreciated and accepted, and once the pair were standing, she glanced down the river and into the thick brush nearby just to check that it was all clear for the pair of them to be off. @Himbo Tie

(Tie on writing hiatus - Will discuss what he'd like to do with this RP)

Feeling Juliana’s arms wrapping around him as if he were a lifeline to this realm of existence, Romulus could not help the warm smile that spread over his lips. There was an undeniable sensation of belonging when he felt her arms around him, as though everything had finally found its proper place. He lowered his head slowly, allowing his snout to rub against the side of hers before his lips found her cheek in a loving embrace. He was awkwardly aware of the way his swords were pressing up uncomfortably, but at this moment, he couldn’t care less. He needed to exist in the moment and not let himself be distracted by anything else. After all, it wasn’t a difficult ask, so he let his eyes slip closed as he enjoyed the embrace. He could feel the gentle pull on the armor of his back and the scabbard there as her claws gripped him tightly. Such a sensation was welcome, as he knew it meant she would not be letting go of him any time soon. This was an answer given directly from his unspoken prayers to Gaia, and he let his own desire to hold her show. His paws spread over Lia’s back, splaying out his fingers as if he were trying to cover and claim as much of her as possible. Hearing her voice mumbled against his chest as she held onto him, Romulus grinned and lifted his head enough to place his lips on the top of Juliana’s head. Kissing softly, he let his breath come in a warm exhale before shushing her gently with a grin playing at his lips. “Shhh, shh. Lia, listen to me and believe me when I say this. I trust you. I love you. I will always love and trust you. I have every confidence in your ability to separate secrets from everyday conversation.” -

22:42

The small giggle that fell from Lia’s lips as he teased her with the food brought a broad grin to Rom’s mouth. Yes, he was curious to see if her trust in him had survived this exchange, so seeing her take the food from his paw would speak absolute volumes. Watching her lips move over the palm of his paw, Romulus made no attempt to stop the soft moans that played at the back of his throat. He needed her to know, without a doubt, how badly he desired her touch. He trusted her with his life and secrets, but his true craving was in what they had to offer each other separately from the political. Rom watched as Lia took the morsel into her mouth, his throat tingling with a barely suppressed whine when her tongue lapped the bread from his fingers. He didn’t want the sensual display to end, but he knew that she likely wanted to eat her food. This brief reprieve would, however, serve as the perfect opportunity for him to take care of something he should have done before sitting down. Romulus lowered his left paw to Juliana’s thigh and spread his fingers slowly over the powerful flesh there. Gripping and pulling at her leg gently as he enjoyed the firmness there, he slowly slipped his paw under the back of her knee. Trailing his claws gingerly over the back of her leg, he stopped at the top of her calf muscle and gripped her lower leg gently. Pushing her leg up slightly, he did not put enough force in the movement to make it seem as if he wanted her to move any further. His fingers quickly released their hold as he lowered his paw with practiced ease to find the buckles on the frog on his belt. He released the straps that held his longsword scabbard in place and moved to then slide his scabbard free from the frog. -

22:42

Angling the sword carefully so that the crossguard did not dig into the outside of Juliana’s thigh, Rom pulled the sword and scabbard free from where it hung from his belt before setting it on the grass beside them. The position kept the handle well out of his easy reach, a clear sign that he had no intention of using it. Once he had set the blade down, Rom brought his paw back to Lia’s thigh and gently lowered her leg back to its original place. His paws then moved to his chest, finding the buckles that kept his back scabbard in place. Rom moved with familiarity to remove the two straps that held across his chest before slipping his left arm back to grab hold of the scabbard and lay his greatsword beside his longsword. These would be seen as simple gestures by any onlooker, but Romulus trusted that Juliana would see the weight in what he had just done. By disarming himself and setting his weapons to the side, Rom had made it clear that there was no threat at this moment. He would pose no danger to her, and most importantly, Rom felt that there was no threat to Lia in this area that he would have to defend her from. He was allowing himself to feel at ease here, in her presence, and he hoped that she would afford herself the same peace of mind. Romulus nodded at the mention of a good hike to burn off any extra fat that came from the food that they were eating. He had no doubt that they were both in excellent enough shape that a treat like this would have no ill effect on their health, but the prospect of walking with her and exploring the lands was intriguing. It was a simple joy of his: casually patrolling the border and taking in the views of the nature around him. To share it with her sounded like absolute perfection, and he could not stop his tail from thumping happily at the idea. -

22:43

Rom happily accepted the servings of food that Juliana offered him, smiling before every bite and giving surprised expressions at the flavor combinations. His favorite yet combined the buttery flakes of the salmon with the spicy sauce of the pork belly on a piece of bread. It combined the best of both but was quickly followed by a mouthful of salmon and pork alone. This felt the most natural to him, but he was quick to accept a slice of buttered bread that had been dipped in the pork belly sauce. Every bite served as a temptation to Romulus, allowing his mind to drift away from the present. The warmth in his mouth and on his lap quickly transformed into a warmth that coated his entire body in the graceful embrace of the sun. The sound of the river rapids down the bank transformed into a gentle trickling creek, and the grass beneath him fell into a cushioned bench. Closing his eyes and letting his head loll back as he chewed on a selection of salmon and bread, Rom allowed his face to bask in the warmth of the imaginary scene. The quiet of the scene erupted in the laughter of children, and Romulus opened his eyes to see Juliana chasing after two young pups that were a perfect mix of his dark gray and her ivory silver. She wore a floral-colored dress and a broad smile on her lips that caused Rom’s lips to spread into a smile of their own. Sighing contentedly as he lowered his gaze to match Lia’s where she sat in his lap, it would be clear that his eyes were looking both at her and through her at the same time. He cherished this moment here with her, but he could not help but fantasize about a future with her. A future that their political roles would likely make impossible to actually have, but he ignored those simple facts. His fantasy had no room for war, hunger, or sadness. He only had room for her. -

22:43

Folding the cloth in his basket over on itself once it was emptied of the pork belly, Romulus set the wicker construction to the side before sitting up slightly. He had been admiring Lia’s frame while eating and imagining their future, but upon feeling her shift forward, he moved to match her. Bringing his paws forward to settle on her hips again, Rom squeezed his fingers slightly to pull Juliana further forward, as if he was not satisfied with there being any room between them. Realistically, he wasn’t. He could not afford for there to be any separation between them that would allow for a seed of doubt to be planted. Rom could not survive if there was ever any worry like there had been at the beginning of their night together. Lia belonged in his arms, and he would not accept any other answer from the universe or Gaia herself. Rom moaned softly into the kiss, appreciating the mix of flavors that came from their meal as well as from his mate herself. There was perfection that came from their lips contacting each other, and the more he felt it, the more Rom knew it would be criminal to deny either of them this satisfaction. Pressing into the hunger of the kiss, Romulus allowed his right paw to slide up along Juliana’s spine while his left worked inwards to grab at her rear that waited tantalizingly close. Holding and pulling her forward in time with her hips rolling forward, Rom groaned deeply into the kiss as he resisted his urge to roll them over with her legs around him. The way she tightened around him drew his pulse directly down his chest to the obviously swelling member that was barely contained by his kilt. Lia would no doubt be able to feel it as he had shifted his kilt to make sitting behind her easier, but he did not think she would mind such evidence of his need for her. -

22:44

Rom gasped softly when Lia pulled back from the kiss, his right paw moving up her back to capture the back of her neck and pull her in for another. However, upon feeling her own paws stroking down his chest and sides, Romulus chuckled softly and lifted an eyebrow when she finished her move with her arms supporting her leaned-back form. Grinning as he leaned forward, Rom moved his paws to hold at Lia’s lower back before gripping with his thumbs pressed into the frontside of her hips. Holding with enough force that she could not pull back or away from him, he growled playfully as he spoke, “So, you think you can tease me and get away with no repercussions? I thought you knew better, Baby.” Lowering his snout, Romulus laid open-mouthed kisses down from Juliana’s collar and down the center of her vest. Kissing and licking along her sternum, he rested with his muzzle pressed deep between her breasts and breathed in heavily. Taking in his mate’s scent once more as if he did not have enough evidence to square away in his memory bank, Rom grinned and let his canines play at the insides of her breasts before pulling back. His eyes roamed over her frame, taking in the inviting pose and feeling his body react accordingly. He wanted nothing more than to push her back and lower his snout between her thighs that remained wrapped on either side of his torso, but he knew better. There would be plenty of time for him to taste her and punish her for these teases, but as of right now, they needed to get a move on while the night was still young. -

22:44

Rolling his eyes and shaking his head playfully at Lia’s words of having him as her dessert, Rom grinned and lifted his paws to hold the outsides of her knees when she went to draw her legs back. Kissing the front of each of her knees before resting his chin on them, he looked at her with a smirk before remarking, “Tonight will have two feasts, my Love, and I always save room for the real deal.” Licking his lips with a playful smirk, Romulus released his hold captivating Juliana’s knees before letting her pull back to stand up. His paws moved to the outsides of her thighs, bracing her legs so that she could stretch and get ready with no worry of stumbling. Besides, holding her in such a way allowed Rom free access to roam his fingers over the alluring swells that were his mate’s thighs and calves. Enjoying the fitness of the she-wolf before him, he groaned softly when she was finally ready to step back and allow him room to stand. Pulling his elbows back and twisting his shoulders back and forth, Rom released a satisfied growl when he felt his back pop and release some pressure from being still for so long. Pushing back with his feet, he rolled over his left shoulder and came up in a low crouch that he stood from. Shaking his head side to side and dislodging the couple of leaves that had stuck to the fur on the back of his head, Romulus stepped forward next to Juliana and lowered his paws to her hips again. Lowering his lips to hers in a sweet kiss, he held it for a moment before pulling back and glancing down the river. Their night would take them in that direction, but he wanted her to feel the sweetness in his gesture to know that they were in this together. -

22:44

Stepping back and retrieving his swords, he put them both back in their original position before extending his left paw to Lia. He would walk closest to the river to keep her from being able to stumble in it, but it also let her be closer to her own woods should there be conflict ahead. Smiling and nodding downstream, he started walking slowly, his tail wagging back and forth in a relaxed manner. They had a purpose to be here tonight, but he would not lose the opportunity for a relaxing stroll with his mate. @Fiory

”So you think you can tease me and get away with no repercussions?” I thought I already had. The clever little thought danced in her head and flashed across those playful cool blue eyes. At next moment, she felt his snout rest against the fur of her neck and collar, lapping and kissing wherever his muzzle could find. The sensation of him along her breasts and between them with his hot breath pushed between the fibers of her vest gave Juliana a tickling sensation. One she couldn’t help squirm a little and giggle playfully at him in his arms. Her body swayed to and fro but never far enough away to escape his grasp. Not that she ever wanted to. When he’d had his fun and relented, Lia couldn’t help feeling like they were quite the sight. A pair of love sick pups playing without a care under the moon and its gentle eerie glow. Even when she teased that he would be her dessert after their picnic the soft roll of his eyes at her was playful and mischievous. It wasn’t long after the exchange that release was given, despite Juliana preferring to remain in Romulus’ lap for as long as he would let her. Especially considering she could feel just how much he needed her there in far more ways than just one. Lia was an observant fae, with sharp eyes and a keen intellect though it didn’t take a genius to understand exactly what made his kilt tent so against her. In truth, the action had excited her too, wanting nothing more than to surrender to the primal urges that they both seemed to be holding back from one another. Perhaps it was the drug of the moonlit night, or the peaceful babbling of the river nearby, or even the sweet aromatic scents of the flora just beyond the treeline that enticed such a hormonal response for the pair. Or perhaps, it was as simple as an ancient need that their bodies had found the one they had inadvertently been searching for in silence and alone. Found the counterpart, the push to the pull that was desperately needed in order for each of them to

20:48

feel whole.

20:48

Her gaze kept away from the fit male seated on the ground near her. Those ebony ears swiveling in all directions to act as his ears while he stood and replaced the swords he had taken off for their meal. She had taken notice of him removing his weapons around her and it had given her the effect that he was looking for. It spoke volumes of his trust in her, that she would not be there as his enemy but as the mate he knew. The companion and confidant that never wanted his ire. It spoke of how the area they were in was safe enough for his guard to be let down and for him to relax. Which told her it was safe for Lia to do so as well. If Rom was comfortable without his swords, then there would be no danger to worry over. His paws over her athletically built thighs were warm to the touch and she felt herself wanting to keep him there as long as he wanted. Her own paw lightly fell against the top of his but only momentarily as he righted himself and stood with her. Standing side by side with him, Lia shook her head a bit watching him dislodge a leaf or two from his thick dark gray fur. Without asking, as she knew she would never need to, Juliana assisted him in this endeavor by quietly pulling a thick tear dropped shaped leaf from out of the tangled coat he had. Her index and middle digits pulled the dried leaf carefully, swiping it across his nose like a feather before letting it flutter to the earthy ground to become mulch for the vegetation at the riverbed. The sweet kiss he gave once he’d righted himself completely was entrancing. The light of the moon shone brilliantly over the silver and white coat while the shadows of the night played and danced over the darker gray of Lia and Rom. The water at their backs glistened with purpose, and the world around seemed to hold its collective breath to admire the romance it had been gifted. It couldn’t be more like a fairytale, except for all the fur and fangs of course. Once allow agency of herself again, Lia watched wit

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h interest as Rom replaced his swords along his belt, taking in the care that he exhibited with the weapons he had mastered. The actions just gave Juliana more confidence in the male; he knew what he was doing and would be able to protect her well. Perhaps in the future protect not just her but the family she may bare for him. The thought of a pair of pups running loose and wild and free, teasing and playing with one another without a care in the world momentarily flashed across her mind’s eye. Her arms felt heavy, as if a third perhaps was held tenderly close in them. They shared coats of silvery and coal gray, one with black tipped ears the other with a long flowing tail. It was a serene sight, perhaps one that Gaia was promising though for now Lia could only hope to see it again come true outside of her thoughts.

20:48

The extension of his paw holding hers brought her back to the present, a sense of ease falling over her as she let her fingers slip easily into his grasp. It was a beautiful night, perfectly warm without being sweltering with a gentle breeze to give some fresh air as they walked. Everything was so peaceful, and even when there were a few times that a twig or a branch would creak and disturb the quiet between them, it would only take a quick glance for whatever intrusive noise to still into the silence of the eve. Juliana kept her eyes looking out for a place where Sabelle and Rom’s brother could meet. Somewhere quiet and secluded so they wouldn’t be seen if they were followed. But it also had to be far enough south that the packs would be none the wiser. “Do you think we’ll find a place for them?” She asked in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb the quiet romance of the walk along the riverbank with the noise of her voice. The night wore on as if time had continued the further on they walked. More than once the pair of them would have to traverse a narrow portion of the river just to ensure that they weren’t leaving tracks on just the one side. Juliana made it an easy feat skipping along wet stones in the shallow water or gracefully stepping along a fallen tree that made a makeshift bridge. More than once Rom would show off like he had before, leaping over the banks in one go to grant her a cocky grin at the strength he showed. Though there were times where he waded into the water, letting it come to his knees while holding Juliana’s paw to give her something to balance with as she traveled across on a particularly wet or mossy log. As the night wore on, and the pair of them nearly danced and played beneath the moon while it continued its course across the night sky, Juliana was beginning to feel like they might not find a suitable place for Sabelle and his brother to meet. To be able to exchange information with one another so that Lia and Rom could remain

20:48

in touch. So they could be apprised of what each other were doing while Rom was off at war with the Ursine forces. Each potential place didn’t seem to work. The large boulder that looked like a raven’s head was too far onto Grayback lands for Sabelle to feel comfortable. The blackberry thicket was too troublesome for Rom’s brother to work around on Silverfang territory. Each time they seemed to find one spot or another that they thought could work, an issue popped its ugly head up and forced the pair to continue in their search. Juliana raised her muzzle to the heavens, noting that the sky would be lightening soon and they hadn’t found the right place for Sabelle and Rom’s brother to meet yet. It was beginning to feel hopeless, rounding the bend near a calm and quiet section of the river.

20:49

“Oh Romulus..” The quiet gasp on her muzzle indicated just how awestruck she was at the sight. The river opened wide across both banks, leaving it fairly shallow even in the center before coming closer together and falling further downstream. The grass that lined both banks was thick and green with jade and emerald stalks, and right in the center of the still waters, was a massive willow tree on an island nearly perfectly in the middle between both territorial sides. A few thick boulders buried in the water served as stepping stones for the Graybacks, and a small strip of grassy land connecting the little island to the Silverfang side acted as a bridge. The moon glowed behind the tree, its vine branches swaying gently in the evening breeze. It was beautiful. Far enough south that no one would think to disturb the pair, the vines would hide and disguise their meeting and it was as close as they could get to being on equal ground. Lia couldn’t have asked for a more perfect meeting spot, as Gaia had seemed to offer the best to her. “What do you think Rom?” Her voice was hopeful, her tail wagging excitedly behind her silently hoping that he saw just what she saw in this secret rendezvous. The perfect place for their liaisons to meet in secret. The Willow

SPOILER

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20:49

@Himbo Tie

Every time Romulus looked up at Juliana, it seemed he was finding something new to fall in love with. The way her ears swiveled to take in their surroundings and test for threats was incredibly attractive to the warrior. Not only did it bring his attention up to more of her attractive physical features in the form of her perfect ebony ears, but it also spoke volumes of who she was as a she-wolf. She had already proven herself not to be a dependent, reliant wolf that needed him to make every decision and protect her from everything. Seeing this display, though, let him know he could let his guard down around her. He was safe in her presence, just as she was in his. Neither of them would let a threat get close without being alerted to its presence. While others might think her too aggressive for this, Romulus saw nothing but the signs of a perfect mate and future mother to his pups. She would keep them safe, and this brought a warm smile to his lips. Rom allowed his fingers to trace over Lia’s thighs slowly, enjoying the feeling of her flesh beneath his pads, even if only through the fabric of her pants. He wanted desperately to be able to touch her directly, and not only for the purpose of allowing his excited manhood some sort of relief. He felt the most alive and ready when he was allowed to touch her, and in this place, along one of Gaia’s rivers, he felt it was the perfect setting to experience the fullness of their time together. Squeezing his fingers gently over her thighs, Romulus closed his eyes and lowered his snout as a silent prayer traced across the backs of his eyelids. Mother. Grant me the strength and wisdom to protect and cherish her. Let me see what my heart is blind to, and feel what my ears are deaf to. She is my past, my present, and my future. Allow me to keep her, and I will do all that you demand of me. -

21:06

Romulus cherished the warmth of Juliana’s paw upon his own, wanting nothing more than to allow the contact to persist through the rest of time. However, he knew that such a choice would rob him of the opportunity to truly enjoy his life at her side. Holding her captive and keeping her from the dangers, both real and perceived, would change her from the she-wolf that he adored into a creature he did not know. Not only that, but his own image in the reflections of time would stare back at him as some creature he did not recognize. No, they needed to move and experience life together. He would just have to be diligent to make sure she was safe and well taken care of. His move to stand pulled on some of the pain in his stomach and shoulder, reminding him quickly of the fact that his injuries were still present. A quick hiss of breath was disguised with him shaking the leaves from his fur, but he was careful not to overexert himself in the movements. Romulus had been confident he had dislodged all of the leaves, but he was pleasantly surprised to feel Juliana’s paw working at a small leaf on the back of his head. Flicking his left ear back playfully so that the thick gray appendage smacked her wrist, Rom glanced up to see Lia slowly moving the leaf toward his snout. Watching the movement, he raised his lip in a playful snarl as the tip of the teardrop leaf tickled at the side of his muzzle. Nipping slowly at the leaf as Lia dropped it, Rom released a soft exhale through his nose to cause the leaf to kick up a little on the wind before continuing to fall. He turned toward his mate with a grin and soft chuckle before his paws found her hips to pull her into the sweet embrace and kiss. -

21:07

The world around them seemed to slow down to accentuate every detail of the gentle embrace and the kiss that followed. Romulus swore he could smell every scent of the riverbank around them, and all at once, everything seemed to go silent. Every creature and plant in the region held their breath for the two of them as if Gaia herself had filled their lungs with an endless amount of sustenance. She did not want anything interrupting this moment, and Romulus could not agree more. Holding his paws to Lia’s hips, the warrior pressed forward into the kiss to deepen the emotions being transferred through the touch. He wanted there to be no doubt from Lia as to who he wanted to spend the rest of his days beside. As he felt his need for air growing and stepped back slowly, Rom was quickly reminded that despite these intentions, he could not stand by them yet. With the familiar weight of his swords finding their places on his waist and back, he knew that his hopes of being with her at all times were dependent on his abilities as a warrior. He would only be granted his time beside her if he was a stronger warrior than the beast he crossed blades with. If he wanted to spend the majority of his every waking moment at her side, then he would have to deny someone else such a pleasure. Tightening the strap of his back scabbard, Romulus nodded slowly before glancing over to Juliana. Seeing her standing quietly while her eyes danced over his form, he knew for a fact that he was more than willing to take that responsibility upon his shoulders. He would make it so that not a single mated pair of Ursine or Panthera alike were able to see their beloved again if it meant he could have but one more moment with Juliana at his side. There was a clear cruelness in that thought, but Rom could not care. Right now, all that mattered to him was guaranteeing his future with Lia. Bloodshed and suffering were acceptable byproducts of this goal. -

21:07

Feeling Lia take hold of his offered paw, Rom smiled and brought her paw up slowly so that he could kiss the back. He looked at her over her paw and winked playfully before his tongue lapped out to lick the back of her paw. Grinning as he lowered her arm and started to walk beside her, he muttered softly in a playful tone, “If I lick it, it now belongs to me. As such, through the law of claims and keepsies, you are mine, Juliana.” Rom rubbed his thumb along her knuckles as they walked, his arm swinging idly to paint more of an image of youthful adventurers out for a night with their lover. He enjoyed the warm breeze that blew over them, and he allowed himself the opportunity to breathe in and soak in as much of the warmth as he could. His chest swelled at the sensation of warmth filling him, but as soon as he started to feel the pained stretch in his abdomen, Romulus was reminded of the freezing cold of the northern territories. The next sound he heard was a hearty crack of a twig breaking across the river, and as he whipped his head over to look at it, Rom could not stop the snarl that played at his lips. He made no sound of warning, wanting to deny the intrusion any permanent power to ruin the air of comfort between himself and Juliana. Dropping his right paw with his fingers displaying his sharp claws, he watched in the underbrush as a young fawn froze before clambering over itself to sprint away to the safety of its mother’s embrace. Narrowing his eyes as he lifted his gaze to the doe and buck that were quickly gathering their young child, Romulus released a slow breath before turning his attention back to the beautiful she-wolf at his side and the task at hand. Remus and Lia’s sister needed somewhere to meet, and this was not it. -

21:07

The further south they traveled, the closer to the Grayback prey area they got. It was a good indication that the area would not be somewhere often visited by Graybacks, but that proved it would be more difficult for Remus to get to without good reason. Romulus had no doubt in his brother’s ability to find a good reason, and thus such an area would be a deterrent to any wolf that might be trying to track Remus and follow him to any secret rendezvous. As they continued, Rom found himself looking more and more to their west. He knew the reputation of the wardens that were tasked with protecting these lands for the prey animals, and he did not want to accidentally stumble across one of them. He did not doubt his ability to defend himself and Lia against an attack, but he did not want to deal with the backlash that could come with attacking a warden, provoked or not. How would he explain why he was walking on the border? In the company of a Silverfang she-wolf, no less. Romulus was roused from his pondering when he heard Juliana’s voice, and he turned his head to face her with a confident smile. Giving her paw a comforting squeeze, he nodded before bringing her arm up so that he could kiss her knuckles gently. Looking out over the riverbanks before them and stretching his right paw out, he chuckled softly before speaking in a confident tone, “Look out before you, my Love. You see all of this and have any doubt that we will find the perfect place for our siblings? I have no such doubts. Gaia wants us to be together, so she will deliver the necessary tools to us so that we can flourish in our love under her watch.” Rom smiled, his feet carrying him in a tight circle as he rounded to stand before Lia. Bringing his right paw up to cup the side of her cheek gently, he ran his thumb under her ear slowly before leaning forward to press his lips to hers. He held the kiss for a moment, placing his conviction and trust not only in Gaia but also in them into the kiss. -

21:08

As they continued down the river, Romulus enjoyed the opportunities to test his athleticism and show Juliana just how much he had healed. Even as he started to feel his muscles beginning to tire or protest the extravagant displays, he kept them up and would not let his smile waver. He needed Lia to trust him and see that he was worthy of her love and affection. He could not do that if he was acting crippled or lame. Rom knew he had to show her that he was capable, and so he would. However, the times that he would walk beside her, offering her a strong paw or shoulder to lean on, seemed even more rewarding. There was something precious that he wanted to cherish in the moments when he would help her ford the river on top of a slick log. More than once, Rom offered to simply carry Lia across a portion of the river that he felt confident in his footing to get across. Taking her in his arms, he could feel the strength returning to him as the water washed by just beneath his knees. It was as though Gaia had lent him a portion of her extensive strength so they could share this moment together. They passed many places that Romulus had been envisioning using, but as they got closer, Juliana would always give some reason or other as to why they wouldn’t work. He understood her reasoning every time, but the further they got, he could feel the night dragging on and becoming older and older. He could feel his frustration beginning to grow as he felt like they might never find anywhere suitable, but he made sure that these frustrations stayed silenced as best he could. Short huffs of aggravation as they passed boulder after boulder left his lips, but every time he looked at Juliana, Rom felt nothing but blessed to be in her presence. In some way, every failure in finding a place simply extended his time with her. -

21:08

Romulus could hear the river slowing ahead of them, and as he started to look closely around them for some easy way to cross it to the Grayback shore, he missed the view that Lia was awarded. However, hearing his name on her lips in such a soft gasp, he raised his head and cast his gaze slowly in the direction that they had been walking. He could tell by her voice that there was no need to be alarmed, so he allowed himself to slowly take in the details of the view before them. He stopped his mind from immediately judging the tactical advantages or disadvantages of the island before them and simply let himself enjoy the view. This was not a place to launch an attack or defend against one; this location could be paramount to keeping such an eventuality from ever coming to be. Bringing her paw up to kiss her knuckles again, Romulus brought his right paw up to hold her wrist gently. Grinning as he turned to look at her with his cheek pressed against the back of her paw, he spoke in a soft voice, “I think it pales in comparison to you, my Lia, but it is a perfect place for our siblings to meet. Gaia will provide if we will but have faith.” Smiling as he kissed the back of her paw again, Romulus lowered his hands and moved quickly and effortlessly to hook his right forearm behind Juliana’s knees while his left arm moved to take hold of her behind her shoulders. Lowering his head so that he could press his lips to hers, he started to walk slowly along the riverbank towards the path that led across the Silverfang entrance to the island. After a few steps, Romulus lifted his head and gazed up at the boughs of the tree as they extended over them and lowered their branches as if to encourage them forward. Stepping across the shallow water before his feet came in contact with the ground of the island itself, Rom smiled and looked up through the branches above them to see the moon. -

21:09

It hung in the sky as if it were being held captive to give them the longest night possible, and Rom could not help but close his eyes in a silent prayer of thanks. Kneeling slowly and turning so that his back could press against the trunk of the willow, Romulus kept his arms under Lia so that she could not get down yet. He lowered his head once more to take her lips with his and hold them in a deep, passionate embrace. His right paw slowly snaked out from beneath her legs to cup her cheek and hold their kiss for moments longer. Only when his lungs protested did he pull back, and that gave him an opportunity to lower his lips along her jaw to the pulse point on her throat. Kissing down her throat slowly, he sighed softly and rested his snout against Juliana’s collarbone before whispering, “It is perfect, Lia.” His arms relaxed their hold and would help her stand if she chose. Rom rested his back against the tree as best he could with his scabbard held at an awkward angle, but he ignored it and simply let his eyes trail over Lia and their surroundings. @Fiory

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