Looking for Life . . .

[Crispin]

Crispin knew she was pregnant; he could sense it, smell it. Her stomach bulged only slightly as he tried hard to keep her rested. He couldn't believe he had let it get that far. Now he was starting to hate himself for putting her in this position. If they didn't find a pack in Amber Moor, he was bringing her with him. He didn't like the fact of her having to travel up the Mountain in her condition, but he wasn't about to leave her alone either. Likewise, he wondered where his brothers were, how they were doing . . . Had they gone on without him? He hadn't heard a howl or anything from them. He sighed and looked over at Vithali, her tiny form making him smile. So petite but so full of life.

Now it was final. They were mates, and he would never turn her love away. He wished they had found each other sooner, before she had the responsibility of motherhood thrust upon her. He wondered how it was affecting her, how she would handle it when he left for Sun Crest. His heart gave a painful jab - he had to stay in Sun Crest, but he would visit. Besides, if she was in Amber Moor, she would be fairly close. He could see her and his offspring as often as he wanted to, or needed to. And he would be here often, looking out for her. After that big brute of a Heus came after her, he wasn't about to let her go unguarded. Some Heus didn't like their "prey" getting away from them . . . he was afraid he come looking for her. And what if there were more Heus than just the two they fought? He thought about the other female that he had seen, the black one, and wondered what had happened to her. Chic had taken her with him . . .

Who knew where Soliel had gone.

And then came the way he was going to tell his brothers that they would soon be uncles . . .

He slowed as he sniffed the air tentatively and then put his nose to the ground. There certainly a boundary line here . . . faint, but not as faint as the ones around River Wood. That gave him hope. He turned his head to look at Vithali and smiled tiredly.

"Are you okay?" he asked concernedly. "Are you hungry? Maybe you should rest . . ."

When was the last time he had eaten? He couldn't even remember . . . perhaps he should hunt for her . . .

[Vithali]

Vithali panted lightly, large paws dragging. She had never traveled this far so fast. Or at least, not with such company. Crispin seemed really distracted lately . . . could have something with her . . . current . . . state. She had never thought about motherhood and what responsibility it might entail. She had never even thought about having a mate. The need for comfort and the season had both given her those things – she was scared. But she liked this kind of scared. It was new and different, a responsibility she never thought she would have. Responsibility. She smiled – Ash would be proud of her. She would not fail this task. She would be a good pack member, a good mother, and a good mate. All these new thoughts made her giddy and lively again.

Yet her energy level had taken a drastic, odd change. She got tired quicker now, and she didn’t jump and play as she used to. And the strangest part was, having the lack of energy didn’t even seem to really bother her. Of course, it didn’t really stop her constant chatter, but she just felt too . . . heavy to leap around and play. And then came the looming thought of him leaving her, alone. What if they didn’t find a pack here? Where would she go with pups coming? She didn’t want to leave in Raven Wing. She tripped on her feet as Crispin came to a stop and awkwardly caught herself, now having gained a graceful waddle to her gait. She sighed.

She was glad they were stopping.

She watched Crispin as he sniffed around and then soon joined the procedure. It excited her to find a stronger scent here than before. Was this place he had been talking about? Her smile brightened and she looked up, the fly away hair on her ears seeming to perk up as well. She wagged her tail but before she say anything, he questioned her with a very serious tone. She smirked and rolled her eyes; such a worry wart!

“I’m fine!” she said, laughing a little while giving him a nudge. “Only a little tired. I think there is a pack here! Is this Amber Moor?”

She took a few excited steps forward, sniffing the wind, closing her eyes. She laughed and snapped out at few stray leaves, feeling alive. She looked back over her shoulder and giggled.

“Should we call out to them? Or shall we sneak up on them?” she giggled.

She knew better than to sneak attack, but she couldn’t resist adding that in there. She knew he might panic, just a little bit.

[Crispin]

Crispin shook his head at her as she nudged him, assuring him that she was okay. But he could tell she was tired; he was too. They had traveled long and hard to get out of Heus territory. He was fairly certain the rough travel wasn’t good for her. Crispin watched her quietly, grinning as she snapped at the leaves, watching as the wind played with her fur . . . she was so content and happy with life. She was so innocent and pure . . . he could just watch her and be happy. The harshness of the world had yet to break her . . . and soon his young would join her. His pups . . . he was going to be a father. He chuckled, wishing that his brothers could meet her. He wondered where they had gone off to still . . . He wondered what their reactions might be.

He flicked his ears forward when she spoke again and suddenly he trotted up to her. She wasn’t taking this seriously at all . . .

“You can’t sneak up on them!” he warned. “Amber Moor is known for the patience, but they don’t take well to pranks. Trust me . . . years ago, River Wood was a tough ally for them – annoyed them to no end. If you want to make a good first impression, its all about posture and . . .” he stopped.

Her giggle echoed through his ears and shook his head at her. Of course . . . she was only teasing. He knew that she knew better. He grinned and nuzzled her neck.

“Alright, you got me.” he rolled his eyes. “Let’s let them know we’re here, hm?”

He took a few steps back, clearing his throat. His voice hadn’t been that bad lately but his tone wouldn’t be as clear cut as other Sasriels. But he knew his brothers would recognize it; perhaps one of them would hear it and come join him, or at least respond to his call. He sniffed the air again, praying that someone was here, someone decent. He hoped the pack that occupied the territory now would be good enough for his Vithali – after all, his pups would be raised here too. He swallowed hard and threw back his head, letting his voice echo through the trees.

We come quietly, it said. Please, come. Do not fear us.

[Vithali]

Vithali giggled softly as he nuzzle her neck and stumbled to the side. As she watched him throw back his head, she let go a gentle sigh. This was beginning of their separation for a time. She knew his place was in a place called Sun Crest, with his brothers. But it still hurt that he was leaving her someplace else. A moment later, she joined him, her light, puppy like voice mingling with his gruffer one. It felt good to sing again . . . to ask if she was allowed on pack territory. It gave her some hope that she might start over again. Suddenly her light, cheery tone was cut off sharply and she sat down, glaring down at her stomach.

The pups were getting plenty big now and she was quite certain they were having wrestling matches.

“Stop beating each other up, hm? Mommy’s only got so much room in there . . .”

Finally she sat and then laid down, resting her head against the warm grasses. She stretched out, feeling her pups move and adjust to her new position. She closed her eyes and smiled, panting lightly. Though thoughts of birth and new motherhood scared her, she felt some part of her greatly excited by the fact of her new status. She just hoped that she would make a good mother . . . and that her energy would return. Not once could Vithali remember being this tired.

How long would this pregnancy thing last anyway?

[Larka]

Larka's white pelt appeared in the distance. She could see two figures on the border, one standing and one laying. She and Heron were downwind so their scent was carried to the Betess nose. "One male and a pregnant female, eh? We'd better pick up the pace Heron." she growled, bolting forward.

The wet, green grass was slippery under her paws, but by now Larka was used to it. She loved the moor. The feeling of freedom as she ran across it while chasing a rabbit. The wind in her fur as it blew across the open expanse of land. She love the way it smelled after it rained.

Larka skidded to a graceful hault infront of the pair...obiously mates. "Greetings, I'm Larka. Betess of Amber Moor. What is your buisness here?" she growled, eyes curious but stance and tone saying she wasn't going to stand for nonsence.

"What is a pregnant female and her mate doing out here...alone...without a pack to help raise the little furballs?" she thought, remembering her old pack with a pang of sadness. Thor always had had a soft spot for pups....No! Stop thinking about this! I must focus on Unalaq....does he want pups? Maybe...No! Stop thinking about this and focus! It's to late to mate now!" she thought, her claws making little divits in the ground.

These thoughts were frequent in her mind. There were claw marks everywhere in the densite by now...there had to be. She refocused on the pair infront of her, returning her stance to the way it had been before.

[Soliel]

Soliel soared low, following his nose as best as he could. Every so often he thought he caught the scent of one of his brothers but after they had run from Blood Fang, it seemed as though Chic and Crispin had gone separate ways. Soliel sighed and tucked his wings in slightly as he descended over what he thought was Amber Moor. He had been this way before, fairly certain a pack was here but not his brothers. Oh no, they had wandered way off of his radar . . . Soliel’s eyes flashed in the sunlight as he looked out over to the Mountains and he whimpered. Home . . . he just wanted to go home . . . with his brothers. And now he was alone.

With a growl of irritation, he arced to the left and changed course, peering below him. He was going to find his brothers today. There would be no if, ands, or buts about . . .

“Well, speak of the devil!” he muttered.

Below him he saw the sight of two wolves resting by the river border that surrounded the southern part of Amber Moor. A howl reached his ears; Sasriel by nature, but ragged. He knew that voice . . . he was pleasantly surprised by the sound of a lighter one joining it and he remembered the little female they had saved. He must be escorting her to her pack? He pricked his ears, watching as a white female came into his sight. He was surprised slightly as she growled at them. He sighed; probably best to descend. It wasn’t often he had to bail his brother out of trouble . . .

He tucked his wings in tighter and began a steady drop towards the ground, putting out his wings feet from landing, soaring above the grasses. He trotted as he came to a stop and then leapt towards from behind, making a playing grab for his ear.

“Oi there Crispy!” he laughed and butted his head against his brother’s, the gray sun spot ruffling into a mess. “Where in blazes did you – ”

He perked his ears as the white wolf from before came and he stood, suddenly at attention. It was a female and by the way she held herself, she lived here, and she wasn’t about to play games. He was folding his wings when he heard her growl and it took all his bite and bit to keep from snarling back.

“Excuse me, Miss, but you growl at my brother, you growl at me.” he spoke calmly, tilting his head to the side.

He looked at her oddly. From what he had seen, Crispin and the little female hardly seemed threatening.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the den this morning . . . he huffed, shaking his head.

He quieted, not sure of the situation as it was anyway. He looked at the small, red female and wagged his tail at her in greeting. She seemed okay, tired . . . was her stomach bulging? Good thing they saved her from that Heus brute, why sort of diseases made your stomach swell? At least here she might have some chance here; perhaps they could heal her. Had they stopped by that lake in River Wood? It was supposed to have healing properties after all . . . He shifted anxiously from paw to paw, looking around him. So he found brother at least, but what had happened to Chic? Another female had run from Blood Fang, a black one, so he supposed Chic would be “grounded” to until they found out where she belonged. But stars! So many places to look . . . He sniffed the wind, anxious to fly again, stretch his wings and soar along the breeze . . . He wanted to rest in the top most crevices of the Mountain, looking down amongst the warm, grassy hills of his home.

As soon as they were done here.

[Heron]

Herons sides labored as she ran, unfit for the long run that they had taken. She had been idle for far to long at the den site, running hardly any where and keeping only slow sustained gaits with the Alpha and Beta. Heron cursed her own decent into laziness, 'Tha's it girly... You aint gunna get fat and lazy this year! No way I'll be lettin' you do tha' any time soon!' She forced herself to keep moving foreword across the Moorlands, keeping pace with Larka.

"One male and a pregnant female, eh? We'd better pick up the pace Heron."

Heron started, tripping up a little as she paused to think, surprised that the Beta could tell such details from so far away. The scent had been carried and Heron could easily tell the pairs gender... She could see that one was obviously a Sasriel wolf, great wings a dead give away. The wings of a Sasriel never failed to catch Herons awe, and the wolves themselves were often very beautiful... It was a beauty that set them apart, and made them almost alien to the fae.

Larka barreled foreword, leaving Heron a little behind, unable to exert herself much more. Closing her eyes Heron pumped her legs a little harder, breathing deeply and evenly to sustain her run. The grass was slippery under her paws, spring dew and melted snow the legacy of a long winter.

"Greetings, I'm Larka. Betess of Amber Moor. What is your business here?"

Heron opened her eyes, realizing a moment to late that the Beta had stopped. Slipping Heron came to rest next to Larka with a crash, knocking her jaw against the ground with some force. Stars shone for a few moments in front of her eyes as she stood up, a sheepish grin crossing her maw. With an apologetic look at Larka, her tail tucked in for a second Heron moved behind the Beta, sitting herself down.

The three wolves.... 'Wait... Three?' Heron did a quick tally, head bobbing three times as she did a head count. Three wolves? A second Sasriel had joined the other two, another male. The third wolf was a little red female, most obviously pregnant.

“Excuse me, Miss, but you growl at my brother, you growl at me.”

Heron stood, taking a step foreword, her head now level with Larkas shoulder. She glanced apologetically at the little female, who seemed to have little to do with the new males tough attitude. Turning her head back to the white male. "Well now there mister, you best be mindin' who you be waggin' your tongue at. I don' think you rightly understan' the position your in... This be Alpha Unalaqs lan', and you be on it. Larka here is Unalaqs Beta, so you'd best be answerin' her questions yah hear?" She was relaxed, her head tilted quizzically at the new comers.

[Crispin]

Crispin jumped out of his skin when his brother landed next to him, laughing with surprise when he felt the familiar tug at his ear. He rose up onto his hind paws, nipping back with a light growl. Crispy? What sort of name was that? He would pay . . . Suddenly a growl reached his ears, as well as two new scents. He whipped around, leaping in front of Vithali, ears pricked forward. A white female came before him, and stumbling beside her a red fae, missing a paw. He stood on the alert as the white fae introduced herself. He relaxed; good, they had reached a populated Amber Moor. But before he could speak and ease the Beta, Soliel spoke up. Crispin bowed his head, counted to three and then shot his brother a “be quiet!” glare over his shoulder. He turned his back as the red fae spoke in defense. This was not how he wanted things to start out . . .

Clearing his throat, he began.

“Uhm . . . excuse my brother. Soliel has a tendency to not think before speaking . . .” he glanced at his brother once more before stepping towards the two Moorland wolves and dipped his head. “My name is Crispin. I come here asking on behalf of my mate, Vithali.”

He stepped aside hesitantly so that they might see her small form, pregnant; needing rest . . . he swallowed, hoping he was doing the right thing, leaving her here. But she could not come to Sun Crest with him. He avoided looking back at Soliel, whom he was sure would be suddenly thrust into confusion, since they last time they saw each other, Crispin was not only mateless but also not expecting offspring. They would have to talk about that later. None of this was easy – the last thing he wanted to do was leave Vithali . . . but he could not lose anymore of his brothers either. He softened his voice.

“She’s due soon; she was attacked in Heus territory and I’ve been searching for a pack for her. She is new to the land and I must return to Sun Crest.” His eyes flicked between them before landing on the Beta. “Do you think your Alpha has room for her? She’s traveled with me since Blood Fang – her stamina is . . . amazing. I can only imagine what she will be like when isn’t bearing pups.”

He swallowed hard, looking back at the innocent creature he’d fallen hopelessly for. She’d matured fast; he supposed it was her instincts taking over . . . he wished he wasn’t leaving her. Guilt stung him hard. Still avoiding looking at Soliel, he pleadingly looked at the two fae’s.

He didn’t know what he would do if they turned her down.

[Vithali]

Once her pups calmed down again, Vithali rested on the damp grass and closed her eyes, smiling slightly as she began to doze. She hoped there was a pack here, she anxious to try for a new life again, especially now since she was going to have to experience motherhood . . . without Crispin. She sighed, her smile fading. Why did he have to go back? The thought depressed her and she curled up a little tighter. She hoped the wolves that came would be accepting and friendly. She really just needed that one chance to prove herself . . . that one moment to . . . Her head jerked up suddenly as she heard laughter behind her and she turned awkwardly and saw Crispin with another winged wolf. She grinned and struggled to her feet for a moment, swaying before she trotted over to inspect the new stranger.

He was a joyful young fellow; was this one of Crispin’s brothers? She looked up at the two of them, large ears ringing with their joy. His brother had the look of a spunky miscreant, she thought, and the mark on his forehead was rather eye catching, sun shaped and all . . .

Her heart leaped and she bent low suddenly as she heard a growl behind her. Her bright amber orbs flicked upon a white fae that had arrived, introducing herself as Larka. She stepped back, her memory reflecting to the attack that had happened to her in Blood Fang. What had she done wrong this time? She tucked her tail slightly, looking over at the other Sasriel when he spoke. A red fae soon joined them, though she came to rather ungraceful halt; Vithali turned to hide a small grin. She liked the way she talked – it was different!

She watched as Crispin cautiously approached the white female and Vithali rose up to her full height which, even if she strand to stand higher, she was still much shorter than both the other faes. She wagged her tail when she heard her name mentioned, her head cocked slightly to the side. Should she introduce herself? Were they hostile? She winced when a sharp jolt bit into her side and she glared at her belly.

“What are you trying to do, fight with my kidneys? And you . . .” she turned to whisper to her other side. “Stop lying on my bladder!”

She sighed; she was definitely done being pregnant . . .

She looked up, growing anxious, large ears pricked forward waiting. Her tail twitched hopefully, eyes bright and alert. A flash of something caught her attention and she stared into the sky for a while, following the bizarre flight path of a butterfly. She snapped at playfully as it came close to her and then remembered what they were here for.

Composure . . . composure . . .

She looked back towards the white Beta and then her eyes trailed to the red female and . . . Vithali’s eyes grew wide and curious. Her oversized paws carried her forward at an awkward waddle, landing on her front legs as she knelt to peer seemingly at the red fae’s paws.

“You only have . . . three paws . . . that is so . . .” she smiled a large crooked smile and looked up at the female. “Fascinating!”

Composure forgotten, Vithali suddenly realized she was out of place and dropped her ears and gave a sheepish laugh. She struggled to stand back up and ended up falling back onto her haunches, eyes locked embarrassedly onto the ground.

“Err . . . sorry . . .”

Way to go, screwed that up!

[Larka]

Larka tried and failed to hid her grin as Heron skidded to an ungraceful hault next to her. Her fur bristled as the new male, a Sasriel, spoke with no sence of respect for her. She was about to give him a peice of her rather...colorful mind when her faithful packmate stood up for her.

She snickered slightly, shooting Heron a thankful and greatful glance before locking her eyes on the male nearest to the pregnant fae. Her gaze softened slightly as Crispin spoke, cocking her head when he said he must leave her. What kind of mate was he to leave his pregnant mate alone to go to another pack!

The sun gleamed off of Larka's snow white fur as she thought, knowing the answer but leaving the silence for a little while for affect. "I noticed. You'd better hold you're tounge or I'll make sure you do." she growled, her eyes casting an and angered, threatening glance at Crispins brother, whose name she took no intrest in.

She laughed slightly at Vithali's words about Heron's missing leg. "Yes, my dear friend here does only have three paws. Long story...trust me, i had to sit still and listen to all of it. I'm sure she would have chewed my ears off if I hadn't." she joked, her playfull gaze on the pregnant fae. "She gets around just fine though, don't ya Heron?" she said, locking her gaze back onto Crispin to answer his question.

"Of course we have room. Do you think we would be so heartless as to turn away a pregnant femme? If you don't mind me asking, why would you choose to leave your mate and your pups for Sun Crest? It doesn't sound right to me, you just leaving her with strangers like that? Do you not care for her or is there something more important that your incomming pups in Sun Crest?" she asked, slight coldness entering her voice.

Larka didn't like Crispin leaving Vithali all alone when she was to bare his pups. Did he have bees for brains?! Her eyes expressed how displeased she was without having to say anything, and those peircing, Ice blue eyes were locked on Crispin.

[Soliel]

Soliel snorted and sat down at his brother’s words and glare, giving an apologetic nod to the female that arrived. He wouldn’t argue, he spoke out of turn. One tended to lose habits after being alone for so long . . . with two brothers. He supposed he should shut his trap now . . . and not ruin anything his brother had in mind. However, looking away, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the Beta’s words of command. So instead he took interest in the female who had jumped up from where she had been lying. He grinned at her and wagged his tail, ears distantly picking up the conversation behind him. She seemed very young, not even full grown. He wondered where she had come from and still wondered what sort of disease made your stomach swell . . .

“I can only imagine what she will be like when isn’t bearing pups.”

Soliel’s eyes grew wide. She was pregnant? Well that explained a lot . . . he followed her with his eyes as she waddled over to the red fae, exclaiming her excitement over seeing a wolf with only three paws. He chuckled lightly to himself, continuing to watch her. He liked her spunk and attitude. He wondered for a moment about where her mate might be when he heard the Beta’s voice pick up again and looked over at her, mouth partially open. She was staring coldly at his brother . . .

“Do you not care for her or is there something more important that your incoming pups in Sun Crest?”

WOAH! Wait . . . his eyes grew large. His incoming pups? As in . . . Crispin and that . . . female . . . were . . . expecting? Completely unprepared for this announcement, Soliel stood in stupendous shock for a moment, eyes partially glazed, head slightly drooped, and mouth hanging open. What? His eyes flicked back and forth between Crispin and . . . the female . . . sudden comprehension coming onto his features. He blinked once, trying to clear his head and then he turned his attention towards his brother.

“Woah . . . brother . . . really?” he laughed. “You mean to tell me that, all this time that I’ve been stressing over where the heck you went, and all the while you went and – Wow! Way to go br-”

Suddenly he stopped, mid-sentence, abruptly aware that he had, quite possibly, started speaking the wrong words at the wrong time. He glanced at both the Moorland wolves and sheepishly grinned, back away.

“I mean . . . you should be ashamed of yourself . . . Uh, yeah, I’ll just go sit over here now . . .”

He went back to where he was before, slowly reaching up a hind leg to itch behind his ear, though still intently listening to the conversation . . . And here this female was questioning his brother! He sighed and lowered his leg, suddenly serious. He should have expected this problem though; but it had happened in history before – he knew of plenty of half-breeds, whose parents lived in two different places. Gray eyes growing dull, he looked at the small group again, sunlight glinting off of his sun spot on his head.

“But . . . he’s a Sasriel. He has to go back.” He looked at them each in turn, eyes on his brother’s form, hoping he was right here. “There’s been . . . others. Right?”

He couldn’t bear to lose another brother, even if it wasn’t death that took him. The three of them had made a pack. Nothing would split them up. Nothing . . . ever again.

“He has to go back . . .”

[Heron]

Herons heart felt for the Vithali, expecting and knowing that she would be loosing her mate. Crispin too seemed distressed over the idea of leaving the female, alone and with a strange pack. These breedings were not unheard of before the war, relatively common among the Amber Moor and River Wood packs, Outlands wolves rather suspicious of outsiders... Heron felt Larka was being rather hard on the poor fellow, after all he was a Sasriel. He belonged with his pack, his home. Heron remembered some instances where Sasriels were assigned as guardians to another pack; perhaps that is what Crispin was hoping for...

"It be in his nature Larka... His home is in in the mountains. I can bet we'll be seein' an awful lot o' this fellow though." Heron winked playfully at the nervous Sasriel. "Tha' is if this dearie will be allowed tah stay?" Heron turned her head to Larka, wagging her tail hopefully. She was rather fond of the idea of a connection with the Sasriels. It was a bond that would strengthen their pack. An allegiance they might need, come summer.

“You only have . . . three paws . . . that is so . . . Fascinating!”

Taking a step back Heron smiled uncomfortably, ears flicking back. Feeling perfectly awkward Heron cleared her throat, glancing at the males before returning her eyes to the tiny red frame. No one ever really commented on her paw, or at least not so directly. They challenged her ability to preform, this little wolf found it... fascinating. "Aye Missy... That paw been gone a good long while now. Given up hope of it growin' back now tho'."

Taking a precautionary step back from the little Fae, Heron focused on Crispin, serious gaze rather intense. "Do'na worry your head there Crispy sir. We'll be takin' good care of this little lady." Heron looked at Larka, waiting for the next move. If they left soon they would be able to make it back to the dens before nightfall, even moving at reduced speeds with the encumbered Vithali.

[Crispin]

Crispin sighed and dropped his head as Soliel to speak again . . . he swore he was going to find a way to muzzle that large yapper of his. When his younger brother stepped back, Crispin looked up again, stepping back as he met Larka’s piercing gaze. He flicked his ears back, his dark eyes narrowing. What in blazes was she talking about? Had she any idea of how torn he was? But her words stung him regardless and he looked over at his mate who had just made an exclamation over the red fae’s tripod nature. He swallowed hard, eyes resting on her and then he tightly closed him. He felt sick, but knew he was close to Amber Moor regardless. It was a quick flight from Sun Crest . . . and he would definitely be there for her labor. He would see the birth of his pups.

He glanced up in surprise when the red female spoke in his defense. He smiled slightly at her; at least she understood. He walked over to Vithali and placed a wing around her, nuzzling her neck before looking back at Larka.

“Do you think this is easy for me to do? Do you think I'm just so ready to leave her to strangers? If you doubt how much love I have for her, then you are sorely mistaken, Beta of Amber Moor. Vithali has become just as much of my life as my homeland and my brothers. She is my family and my love and I will never really be far from her. Heron here is right,” he said, his voice raspy. He cleared it, rubbing the back of his paw against the scars on his throat. “You’ll be seeing much more of me with Vithali in your pack. I will be the best mate I can be . . . and the best father.”

He turned and looked at his mate, guilt and sadness in his eyes. “Look at me, love, and tell me . . . Are you okay with this? I know its hard . . . and I . . . I don’t want to cause you distress.”

He needed to hear it from her. He loved her and he didn’t want to leave her, especially not now. But he would do whatever he could . . . as long as this pack took care of her. Yet he knew she was good at taking care of herself as well. He sighed and tightened his wing around her, looking guardedly at Larka. Crispin knew the fae was probably only looking out for the well being of Vithali and he appreciated that, but she didn’t know his story. She didn’t know how much he had lost during the war; watching the death of his mother and three of his brothers . . . he had duties to both his family, and his mate and his unborn pups and he knew that. Perhaps he could be a guardian for their pack – his skills lied with healing, but perhaps he could be of some benefit. Then at least, he would be closer and there more frequently – not that much could keep him from his Vithali.

“Please reconsider your view of me, Beta of Amber Moor.” He raised his head, regarding her with a quiet sternness. “This war has affected us all, changed us all, and to question my love for this fae should not be of your concern.”

[Vithali]

With a curious whine, Vithali looked at Larka and blinked. How could she say such things? Sadness made her features droop slightly and she looked over at Crispin who had bowed his head and closed his eyes; the words had obviously hit home. Before she could speak however, Heron spoke and Vithali wagged her tail. Hearing that she hadn’t been the only female in history to experience this strange relationship between his kind and hers was some comfort – she felt certain that she might find friends here. She looked up as Crispin began to speak to her and she forced a smile.

“We’ve already spoke of what had to happen . . . it doesn’t make me love you any less.” She closed her eyes and leaned his shoulder, chuckling as she felt small movements in her stomach. “I’ll be okay; this girl can handle anything!”

Her tail whipped back and forth in anxious jerks. She looked at Larka with discouragement. Crispin wouldn’t leave her for long . . . would he? She looked towards the ground, body sagging. She knew how much his brothers meant to him, as well as this place he spoke about . . . Sun Crest. He promised he’d take her there eventually. She knew she wouldn’t make the journey now; not in her state. And he’d come back . . . he promised. She thumped her tail once more and pressed closer to him.

He promised.

“Don’t you worry Larka!” she said, smiling proudly, standing, big ears flicking forward. “Crispin won’t leave me for long. He promised.”

She spoke her words with so much innocence and trust that she hardly seemed old enough to be considered mature but she did trust her mate.

Her mate . . . she smirked. The words sounded so silly!

“He loves me.” she stated.

[Larka]

Larka glared at Soliel, not liking his tendancy to outburst. She changed her gaze to Crispin and Vithali when he stepped down, her eyes dancing with amusement at Crispins words. "Shut your trap, Crispin. I never had my view of you set in stone...though I still don't like you leaving her like this. But I have no say in the matter. I just wanted to see what could possiably draw you back to the mountains with Vithali here...but Heron has a point." she growled, her eyes flickering to her packmate before turning back to the two.

As far as she was concerned, Soliel was not in this conversation. So she disreguarded the male fully, not aknologing him unless he spoke out of turn. "As I said, Vithali will always have a place at Amber Moor, and when the pups are older...should she choose so, we would ba glad to help her and your pups make the journey up to Sun Crest so your family may be united for good." she offered, wanting to do what's best for both them and the pups.

Larka's ice blue eyes were now trained on Vithali. "It's entirely in your paws but you don't have to decide now. Crispin, we will send for you as soon as Vithali goes into labor. I will personally make the trip myself, speed is one of I disagreeets." she said, her eyes shinning at the thought of the impending run to Sun Crest.

She was very fast, her short, thick fur, not taking much resistance from the wind. She loved to run too, making the moor a great place for her and the run to Sun Crest a perfect fit for her. "If we leave now we can make it to the densite by Nightfall and introduce you to the pack." she said, looking in the direction of the Densite.