The water subsisted like a rickety pane. The waves were placid when compared and as they took the falls that slouched beneath the surface it seemed that winter had truly taken the reins. Ostensibly restricted at the root as if the bare branches of the trees had scored through the water and combed back locks of the flood yawning wounds and fissures were more than evident. Whatever lie beneath the surface would remain a secret until next spring as a light film of gray glaze painted the surface of Silver Stream shrouding its depths in a mystic sort of ambiguity.

Right stand came to an angle as Monroe willed her paw before allowing it to fall. The water was bitter and as the female's mitt cut through the slight hoary film that float atop the water she found that the deeper she sunk the deeper the icy sting cut. Flinching faintly the she-wolf drew in a splintered bit of air between her teeth ridges distorting her maw for a moment as her toes sunk into arctic mud. Practically swallowed by the gunk Monroe faltered slightly higher torso plunking into the water. Regaining her footing the she-wolf slowly brought her second stand beneath herself leaving on her back runners on the bank as she pranced slowly converting to still feel sensation against the cold. No sign of them yet. Bottom lip quivering slightly Monroe managed to subdue the black line with her top cut of teeth before taking the final plunk into submersion. Bobbing slightly as her whole bodice came under water the flood licked at her sides greedily crashing into the sallow locks. Gazing intently at the waves Monroe saw no immediate result from her entrance and so the female pressed on. Willing her hind legs so that the back of her legs touched the tougher mud of the bank wall the female threw her weight back before harshly throwing it forward.

Placing a cumbersome landing Monroe was unfazed to find herself on higher ground. The she-wolf had merely been standing in a sort of gully but now as she shook her coat halfheartedly only her lower legs were lost beneath the film. Set on harder ground walking no longer took such effort as the female paced from the channel. Where are they? In truth Monroe had done this a thousand times and as she looked up at the sky she knew that it wouldn't be long before her friends came along to play their part in the custom. The sky was a washed out blue touched with gray. The sun had settled behind the clouds so that only a brittle of print of the star shone through the fat collection of puff. The bullion ring was bright but not so that Monroe couldn't stare at it for at least a minuet, and then like everyday before it the ring found a brake in ranks and shone in its entirety for a fleeting moment.

Eyes falling on queue Monroe's front stand came to an angle once more but this time it held for moment as the readied herself. For a few seconds nothing happened the calm ensued without disturbance but Monroe knew better than to doubt the sun and sure enough as rays glazed over the stream a single fleck of silver was highlighted on the pane. On the ready Monroe turned heal and scurried before the fish. Waves come up in splintered wings the pallor female careened to the center as the fish darted around a bolder. Dark eyes keen on its form the sunlight was beginning to fail. Just as a dark snatch of clouds swallowed the ball and it became only a print once more the waves came to a characteristic lull once more as Monroe stood still in focus of the flood. "Like I always say the silver lining is never out of reach" Dropping the lifeless fish into the murk Monroe smiled blissfully as it bobbed along the surface. Barking once in pure delight the female pranced after it as she celebrate in a one man game of catch.

Hyche awoke in his den with a crick in his neck and that hazy almost-headache feeling that one got when it got too warm in their sleeping area. There was a pressure around his forehead that made him feel a bit fuzzy, and the den felt way too hot. Still, in a way it was comfortable, and he just wanted to roll over and fall back asleep. However, he knew he'd just feel worse if he did, and staggered to his feet and left the den.

The air was brisk, but the sun was shining; Hyche had slept a little late. Oh well, he didn't think anything important was happening today. The fuzziness in his head cleared the more he was out in the cool air, and pretty soon he was grinning that insanely stupid-looking smile. A brand new day!

He was feeling entirely too lazy to run, so he just took up an easy trot, headed for nowhere in particular. Hyche yawned once or twice in the beginning stages of his newest adventure, but most vestiges of sleep had been banished as soon as he'd started moving.

He was within earshot of the stream when he heard a not-usual-stream-noise sort of splash, and his ears perked up as he looked in its direction. The Beta almost moved on, continuing his exercise, but curiosity took him by the ruff and threatened to kill him if he didn't go figure out what the noise was. Happily, Hyche agreed and started in the direction of the water.

He caught sight of the white pelt and had a pretty good idea of who it was when he bounded out of the trees and up to the water's edge.

"Monroeeeeeee--" came the extended cry as Hyche bounded into the water and towards his favorite wolf in the world. The name faded off into a dull shriek as he realized how freakin' freezing the water was, and then it ended abruptly as he crashed into the female, tackling her wherever she stood.

OOC: ... yeah, kind've a dumb, crappy post, but yeah. >_<

In a matter of moments Monroe's catch had become a Swiss Fish. Vacant black eyes gazed at water and sky as the she-wolf's dark lips bunged around its form. Her catch had been reduced to half a head and torso but as Monroe tossed the fish downstream once more she showed no sign in relenting with her game. Long neck craning towards the heavens Monroe watched with an exaggerated awe as the fish flew and smacked back down on the stream. The waves no longer pushed the form along as they once had now it merely bobbed and surfed atop the current for a few moments before a persistent tide pulled it under if only until Monroe retrieved it. The sun had found a falter in the clouds formation and so as the female dove for her catch once more warm sunlight rested on her back and it seemed that her good natured humor had willed the heavens to give the lands a lighter day.

Engrossed in the oh so serious task of playing Monroe was oblivious to the break in the wood as Hyche came threw, but her ears hadn't turned deaf entirely and as her name came broken from the brute's maw the she-wolf wheeled around in a daze. But instead of an immediate jubilation Monroe wrinkled her brow quizzically. Who's that? Soaking wet the fur that lined the she-wolf lay limp and sprawled across her eyes so that her vision was blurred and only the broken image of a wolf came threw. The scent of Kiskana was faint but in all truth Monroe couldn't tell if the pack name was written on herself or the male. Ugh I'm so stupid! I'm standing in the water of course I wouldn't be able to tell who's approaching me! How could I be so-. But in the time that Monroe had taken out for a little mental castigation the male had sprung from the bank and was almost upon her. Tossing her head back in one quick jerk Monroe blinked in recession trying to clear her eyes and it was just in the nick of time that brute was given a face and the face connected to a name that saved Hyche from finding himself in the midst of a tough scrap. Monroe had been training lately not for the battle with Tyjiik but to polish her skills as a hunter. As if such a thing as practice was needed.

Delight swept her form and as Hyche walloped against her the female took the blow and rebounded quickly. Sprawling her feet out before her Monroe mocked a fighting stance. Long banner skimming the water the female put on her best tough guy face. Holding the pose for only a moment Monroe couldn't hold out much longer. A soft whine vibrating her maw paws danced quickly as the she-wolf brought herself to the brute showering him in friendly and over zealous kisses. Gosh now that I'm with him again it seems like it's been such a long time since we've seen each other. Ever since I snuck off after our stay at the rendezvous I haven't seen him since. Oh gosh I guess I should apologize for leaving him like that. Wait even better he'll be the first to hear the good news! In all her time of thought Monroe had never eased the flow of kisses but as she came to the resolution to tell the male she recoiled with a hidden smile forcing herself to conform into a look of importance if not her best attempt at a snobbish stance. "Ahem. Hello Hyche." bowing lightly Monroe popped back up quickly, but as she did the sun played the devilish trick with her fur once more. Even though she was wet the outline of her frame was highlighter by a bullion ring as looked on at the male. "I simply must tell you before anything else is said whom you are speaking to. For I am no loner merely Monroe Packmember of Kiskana. I am Monroe Lead Hunter of Kiskana!" the pallor she-wolf couldn't hide her bliss and as she looked at the male with glistening eyes she waited for his response but from experience Monroe braced herself to be toppled to the ground. Before her only care in the world had been her toy fish but as soon as her Best Friend had come on the scene Monroe allowed her catch to plummet to its fate now everything was forgotten for Hyche and as she beamed at the brute she wasn't afraid to let it show.

Monroe took the pounce well, and for a few seconds they faced off, both wearing their 'I'm tough and I'll take you down' faces. Then, his best friend dropped the facade and darted forward to cover his face with kisses. He laughed into the barraged, and even got a few kisses back at her before she pulled away, putting on a mask of arrogance. Hyche watched her with good humor, knowing that the arrogance was only in jest.

The Beta's eyes widened as she spilled her news, and for a second he gaped at her. Then he leapt forward, trying to wrap his arms around her neck in a parody of a hug, his playfulness returning tenfold. "Oh, Monroe! That's the best news I've heard in forever!" he enthused, releasing the white female and dancing about her excitedly.

He struck a pose, raising his head and looking into the distance theatrically. He made his voice higher and more feminine, and then spoke. "I am Monroe, a higher rank than any can dream of! Bow down to my hunting prowess!" It was a good-natured sort of teasing, which was obvious when Hyche's face split into a grin immediately after and he attempted to tackle her into the water.

"I'm so happy for you," he said, unable to keep from saying what was essentially the same thing over and over. "This is so great! Who are your hunters?"

The Beta pulled back as he asked the question, awaiting the answer with that ever-present grin but a new glint to his eye.

((Sorry for the length, I'm being kicked off the computer. x_x))

occ::no problem ^^

Giggling without restraint the female felt her sides go tender in response to her incessant laughter. It had happened to her plenty of times before the old saying 'side splitting humor' really came into effect and as the she-wolf attempted to muffle the din she felt the sides of her mouth tightened as the laughter threatened to spill over. Allowing herself to chuckle openly once more the noise was muffled again but this time but the thick fur of Hyche as the brute pulled her in for the wolf rendition of a hug. The fur at the eyes wrinkled into crows feet as the female tried her hardest to stop it was only when a little snort rattled her throat that alarm managed to subdue her if only for a moment. Good grief I haven't laughed like that in a while. At this point it seemed that all hope was lost for Monroe even by that small notion set off a stifled spell of laughter. But while Hyche had her embraced in a hug when the she-wolf inhaled she didn't smell the fresh pine spritzed water but instead she took in the scent of Hyche. For a moment Monroe's sides continued to ripple with laughter but as she took in air once more the aroma proved to be the cure for her case of the giggles. Hmmm…wow Hyche smells pretty good actually he smells really good. It was a scent that Monroe couldn't exactly place seeing as Hyche had been to practically every place in lands. Hyche smelled of pines, the mountains, the hills, the valleys, everything in between and so much more. The she-wolf imagined that she could rest against her friend all day but as Hyche released her she was forced to release the quick reverie and smile bashfully as the brute danced before her.

Hey Monroe its just Hyche calm down of course he smells good what did you think that he would smell bad? Shaking her head softly the female duly noted her stupidity. But as hard as she tried and despite the fact that water surrounded them she couldn't get the scent out of her nose let alone her head. But the shake was enough to at least make her partially absent about its presents and as the brute took on a divine pose it pulled the rest of her conscious from the scent. Doubling over in laughter after seeing his performance Monroe's head rested against her right stand as she tried to catch her breath. "Bravo Hyche I mean you've got me down to a science." Rolling her eyes slowly as they came back to his form Monroe was aware of his 'tackle attack' just in time to skip to the side, but not before attempting to deliver a small nip to the Beta's flank in response. Standing in front of him once more only now with the positions reversed Monroe squinted in the light of the sun before dropping her head to drink. She hoped that Hyche wouldn't see it as an opportunity to attack but if he did she'd be ready and she let it show as her tail waved slowly behind keen with stealth and stopping every so often to show such.

"Thanks Hyche that means a lot to me." Raising her head though out of breath from her long drink the she-wolf smiled sweetly at the brute. "As far as my hunters go I have none yet just little old me but as we both know that means the pack already has the cream of the crop." Laughing lightly the female become serious for a moment as she-wolf remembered the pups. "But I imagine I could always double as a teacher I mean if any of the pups decide they want to become a hunter." While Monroe doubted that any of the pups would want to perform such a grueling and atrocious task at such a young age she was still up for the challenge of passing on her knowledge and besides you never know. Some pups are born with the drive to kill as scary as it may sound and as she glanced down at the stream beneath her she was directly reminded of such.

She, as always, took his miniature attacks in good humor, and although Hyche usually smiled a lot, it seemed as if around Monroe there was simply no helping it. Even if he'd wanted to stop smiling, he wasn't sure if he could.

The beautiful white female dropped her head to drink, and although normally Hyche would have taken the opportunity to attack, he just stood chest-deep in the water and watched her. She really is so pretty, he thought, cocking his head to one side as if confused. I feel awful lucky to know her.

Shaking himself from the reverie, he lifted a paw and threw a couple of water droplets at her. "Cream of the crop, indeed!" he laughed, then raised his eyebrows in a mockery of seriousness. "How can they possibly have the cream of the crop if I'm already beholden to a rank?" Hyche had never been much of an actor, however, and there was the light of laughter dancing in his eyes, belying his appearance of arrogance. It felt good to be around her, as if she were a second sun, doubly illuminating the world. Hyche felt content to bask in her presence.

"You'll be a great teacher," he replied immediately, nodding to add a double-oomph to that sentiment. And he honestly did think so; Monroe was always so gentle and patient, and playful. He couldn't imagine there was a pup in the world who couldn't like her! Likewise, he was assured that there were plenty of pups who wanted the role of hunter. Wading into shallower water, Hyche laid down so the surface was once again at his chest and shrugged.

"I think most pups would be ecstatic to hold a position so young in their lives," he said, thoughtful and mildly serious at the moment. "And the rank that provides for the pack is a very important one. When I was a pup, my biggest dream was to be a hunter." His smile turned slightly wistful. "My father was the Lead Hunter, and he wanted nothing more than for me to succeed him. Of course, the other Hunters didn't like that much." Although he punctuated the end of that sentence with a laugh, it hurt his chest and his heart to remember the jeers, the threats against both himself and his sister. Eventually the Hunters had caused Hyche to flee his pack and his life, and it was only a year ago. Sometimes the past could really hit you upside the head.

occ::wow your reply was quick!

The water that Hyche had pitched thumped the she-wolf on the tip of her nose and neck. Starting at the tear that had landed on the very tip of her nose the female supplied more comic relief as she strained to concentrate on the bead and in the process crossed her eyes risibly. Letting her tongue slide over the Monroe looked positively goofy but as the strain on her eyes sent a funny fuzzy feeling to her brain she let it go and focused on her companion once more. Distorting her face again the sallow female creased her brow and stared at her friend with mockery hate as he addressed himself as the cream of the crop. "This pack ain't big enough for the two of us." Speaking in a tarnished and raspy voice the female sounded like a backwards-southern wolf, but as she tried to correct her face into a stupid stare she looked at unavoidably looked at Hyche and lost focus. What is wrong with me today…irregular heart beat…wow I guess crossing your eyes really is bad for you. Eyes downcast the female felt her skin prickle and rise at the thought as inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly waiting for the irregular and strange flutter in her heart to die.

As the sound of the brute's voice came to her again Monroe almost felt compelled to make eye contact. Why can't I look at him? Licking her leg tenderly the she-wolf pretended to be intent on ridding her stand of the water. When she heard the water before her shift and legs of the male wade in the other direction she finally looked up and those her eyes still wouldn't meet his form she found that her feet would still obey her as she followed her lead to where the water only came to a low rise.

Hyche's serious tone surprised her it wasn't of the wolf that she had come to know and in a way since it wasn't like him she felt as if she could look at him. It was strange but it worked and as Hyche spoke of the pups Monroe found that she could rest her eyes on her chest and finally look into his eyes though out of respect her gaze soon fell and rested on some random aim. Father. The word stung and though she still rested behind Hyche Monroe wasn't completely silent as she drew in a sharp breath between her teeth at the blow. Talk of the past always brought a morose look to the female but this time the pity party wasn't just for herself but Hyche as well. Suddenly Monroe felt her skin begin to prickle again but this time with the familiar tinge of anger. Why…why am I angry because Hyche got hurt? It was a guess but it was needless Monroe knew herself to at least some small degree and she knew that was exactly why she was angry. While she couldn't look at him Monroe could will herself forward and with only the slosh of water to tell of her advance the female stood side by side with the brute before resting her head gently against his. "Well if you ask me I think things turned out for the best I mean you are the cream of the crop Beta right? Besides I bet those jerks are wishing that they'd taken up the offer to have you in their ranks now. But sorry to say they can't have you the wolves of Kiskana would simply never let you go." Beaming up at her friend Monroe hoped that her words would help but as her eyes searched his face for a small sense of happiness she met his eyes once more. Dropping her gaze with a brittle smile as quickly as she could it was already to late her heart began to flutter but this time no amount of breathing could tame its pace.

ooc;; really? xDD I hadn't noticed, just that you replied!

She sloshed forward, sensing his mood, he supposed, and that mildly surprised Hyche. He'd gotten used to not mentioning his past, because he liked being cheery and, well... likeable. But it felt good to have at least one wolf know. Monroe rested her head against his, and his heart leapt a little into his throat, but he just grinned through it, grinned at her, not showing that he felt any differently. Fur's soft. Feels good, he thought vaguely, and then realized she was speaking.

It lifted his heart some, to hear her say that, and quick as a flash he moved to wrap his front legs around her neck and roll over, pulling the white female on top of him in play. Laughter bubbled up from somewhere in his belly, calming the tiny little butterflies that appeared to be playing in there. It was a deep, comforting laugh, the kind of laugh that a wolf indulges in only every so often.

"Right, you are! And like I'd give up a pack like this, or a wolf like you!" he said, not even really thinking about what he was saying. He meant that last bit in friendship, he thought. Did he? I'm sure I do. What else could I have meant it in? Hyche had had little to no contact with females besides his mother and his sister, being that his former pack hadn't had all that many. Winter competition had gotten tough, and during his third winter he'd decided to simply stay out of it, not that that hadn't caused him a lot of frustration.

When her nose got within reach, he licked it tenderly, much like he'd done to his sister, Hyacinthe, when she'd gotten upset over the other Hunters teasing him. It was different with Monroe, he felt, but Hyche chalked that up to her not being his sister.

All at once he felt embarassed to be pressed up against the white female, felt his blood rush hot beneath his skin, and was thankful that the blush wasn't readily apparent, thanks a whole bunch to his pelt. His smile faltered a little, then re-lit, and then faltered again as he stared at the white female he'd taken to calling his best friend. The Beta felt confused, which was odd for Hyche. Well, not that he wasn't confused from time to time, but not as hopelessly as he was now. Usually he got over it, but he felt so... lost? Was that the right word? He felt like his paradigms were shifting, and he couldn't keep up with the way they moved.

Monroe didn't see Hyche as a wolf of business and while she had been gazing pensively downstream it was soon proven that anything longer than a moment of severity between them could not stick. Hyche had taken her down at least a dozen times, but that day and in that moment the feeling of those familiar paws binding around her form was set with a whole new genre of feelings. I can't…I can't do this…I can't fall in…I can't fall with him! For a greater part of her life Monroe had played it blind, deaf and dumb. She had pretended to be ignorant to Oshan's feelings, she had pretended that her parents were still alive, and she had pretended that her feelings never changed that everything with her was always the same. But today Monroe just couldn't do it. She had acted a dozen times with Hyche. She had pretended to be him, to be tough, to be angry, and to be mean, but she could not pretend that she didn't know the rhythm of her own heart and she couldn't pretend that the truth didn't scare her to death. Monroe had developed a complex in her experience love or anything like it only sprouted conflict and death she couldn't go through that again she couldn’t' be in love. She couldn't fall for Hyche or with Hyche. Ethics over interest Monroe you can't you just can't…dear god I won't hurt him and everyone else…Oshan I won't betray you.

It might've seemed like it all came in one swoop like Monroe had been consumed by emotion so suddenly but there was something about the wolf that now lay beneath her there was something about his smile and manner that made lying a burden that she simply could not bear. Monroe wasn't perfect contrast to what others might have thought and while that normally scared her to death with Hyche being herself wasn't the end of the world in fact it was the beginning of a whole new life. With Hyche she could simply play Monroe, the Monroe that had flaws and didn't always make the right choice. And though she hadn't told him about Oshan yet a part of her still hoped that she wouldn't have to. So long as he's just my friend he doesn't have to know…he doesn't have to know anything. The she-wolf's smile was beyond fragile as she looked at the male beneath her. Every fiber of her that mixed with him tingled and beyond her greatest hope she couldn't stop it from being so. Monroe was deaf to the words of the brute as he spoke all that she knew was the beat of his heart beneath her own and though the melody played loud and clear she tried her hardest to ignore it.

Come on Monroe just say that you have to go. Say that something came up say that you have to go and train god say anything just don't look him in the ey-. But before Monroe could even finish the notion she felt something soft roll over her nose. The female had been vacant for some time now almost as if she had drawn herself form the world. Paws hanging over either of the male's shoulders Monroe had had her head held high above his. The kiss however insignificant it was it was enough to break Monroe. For a few seconds the female couldn't think she couldn’t feel anything beyond Hyche and for the first time ever the name 'Oshan' held no relevance with her. Come on Monroe just get up and go just get up and….

The sky had been a washed out blue touched with gray. The sun had merely rested behind a fat collection of clouds. The bullion ring had found a break in the ranks and slid before the masses and for a moment it stayed. Resting on the back of the she-wolf the sun illuminated the moment falling on every curve of her pallor form. Monroe's neck had once sat high and regal as she tussled with her emotions. But then before the sun fell behind the clouds once more, it stole a glance of the female's betrayal as her head slowly began to tilt and her eyes flickered close before finally Monroe's tongue gently met the lips of Hyche in a kiss broke 'just friends.'

Oh dear god…dear Oshan please forgive me.

She seemed tense, and Hyche worried that he'd done something wrong, and frantically wondered what he could do to fix it. Feeling her revert to a sort of frozen pillar at his little lick, the Beta almost cursed himself into oblivion. Obviously she was uncomfortable with it, obviously he shouldn't have done that...

The sun broke through the clouds, providing a backlight illumination of the female atop him, giving her head a halo that encompassed the sky. Dazzled, Hyche could only stare at the relatively darkened features of the white female as her eyes closed and her head dipped down. Her tongue touched his lips, and the Beta inhaled raggedly, going stiff for a scant moment as he contemplated his options. Then, suddenly, contemplation was not an option. Pure feeling swept through him, and on impulse he shoved his head upwards, the side of his muzzle rubbing up hers, and licked the corner of her mouth as his own eyes closed. He wanted them closed, so that it would just be feeling, so that he could remember this moment in the darkness of his den when he was supposed to be sleeping.

Hyche had never had a mate, although like all wolves he was aware that sooner or later you were supposed to get one and breed. But he'd always been the kind of wolf that females were "just friends" with, and... funny thing was, he'd always thought he was fine with that.

Now, he was entirely certain that he didn't want it to be that way with Monroe. He wanted her to be happy, but he also wanted her to be his. Was that selfish? What if she didn't want it? Hyche would never stoop so low as to rape, or even to force the slightest bit of affection on a female, but he knew that he could be very stubbornly persistent when it came to what he wanted. Nothing sounded better right now than to spend the rest of his life with this female, to have pups with her, to watch them grow as they stood alongside each other.

Back to this moment... No, I'd never force my affection on a female, but at this point I don't think it'd be forcing, he thought, deliriously happy to find that this was so. Her weight was still atop him, and he wanted to roll her off of him and sit side by side with her, but at the same time he was afraid that any harsh movements would break the tender spell that had been cast over her, and she'd run. He wouldn't be able to bear it if she ran.

Instead, he nuzzled the corners of her mouths, underneath her chin where her throat was, the sides of her face below her ears. Hyche was all gentle probing, soft licks, nothing threatening, but all inviting. Oh, he wanted to do a lot more than he was doing, but not at the risk of ruining this moment. Not at the risk of being an object of disgust or fear for Monroe.

Monroe's eyes were still closed and yet she could see Hyche as patently as she knew his touch. When the brute's snout slipped down her maw Monroe quivered at the contact but when he kissed her she felt as if something inside of her had changed, and it had. In that moment the female's heart had been rewritten. Oshan I'm sorry…I'm so very sorry, but I…I want this…I want Hyche. As the she-wolf said her hushed defense her muzzle began to gradually glide down Hyche's the female felt overwhelmed and weak every muscle in her body ached and yet she felt bliss. So this is love? The most complicated and yet simplest thing in the world…god I can't even think I can just feel and hear our hearts. I'm in love…I'm in love. 'Just Friends' was wrecked and anything short of mates wouldn't suffice. To Monroe, Hyche was instant gratification he was everything that she had once imagined Oshan to be but now her brother no longer held a candle to the Beta, Hyche was the one and there was denying it not that Monroe had an interest to do so now.

Abiding with love and consumed with want the female continued to plant kisses about the male's form. She just couldn't stop and though her mind willed her mouth to part with of course the promise of words the she-wolf's heart wasn't in the mood for logic or even a wish that was in part her own. So what do we do now? Where do we go from here? Time had elapsed and while Monroe wasn't sure how much time had been lost but when her mind finally gained dominance over her heart the she-wolf began to drift into random thoughts. As a mix of whines, sighs, and giggles escaped her maw Monroe found herself thinking of the future. If Hyche was my mate would I take up rank with him as Beta, or could I remain the Lead Hunter? Oh my gosh what would our pups look like what would we name them? Monroe don't get ahead of yourself as of right now you're still just friends. As much as she wanted to forget that life was at hand and things had to be discussed it was quiet evident that between the two of them Monroe was well better when it came to getting down to business. With a sigh the female recoiled her neck and looked down at the brute but she couldn't resist placing one last sweet kiss on his lips before she allowed her maw to part for something other than expressing affection. "…Hyche I don't think that we're just friends anymore." dropping her gaze Monroe still found that she couldn't look him in the eyes. After all the female hadn't even come into her first heat and here she was filled with all of these new emotions that she couldn’t quite grasp but all the same didn’t want to end. The she-wolf was drunk on love it seemed and before she could go on she found herself in a fit of nervous laughter as she buried her head into the male's chest.

Breathe…just breathe. Following her own advice the female stole breath and as she did she smelled the sweet scent of Hyche once again but this time she knew that it was okay to indulge. Once again the minuets began to slip and plenty had fallen before Monroe lifted her head again dark eyes focusing on Hyche she spoke slowly and yet with a sound and unshakeable conviction. "I know that we've only known each other for so long, and that we just became 'Best Friends' but I'm ready to move on…really ready. I'm not really good at this I guess…its my first time saying anything like this, and I don't even know if the girl is suppose to say this but…I would like to be your…mate?" she said it more like a question than a statement but she truly hoped that either way it didn't matter because right now nothing beyond Hyche mattered. Dark eyes trained on his form the she-wolf waited for his responses. The water around them continued to swim and as it did Monroe felt as if the old her had floated away like her fish from earlier that day and along with her inhibitions the strong feelings she once had for Oshan also fell as love filled her form and spilled over and every ounce of it was welcome just as the female didn't hold to old but rather thought blissfully of the new.

When Monroe next spoke, Hyche's mouth was dry, and as she buried her head in his chest he swallowed over and over, trying desperately to reclaim the usual moisture his throat was typically coated with, but it eluded him. He made a few noises, agreeing noises, no, they weren't just best friends anymore, no... but he didn't know what else to say. Did he press this advantage? Ask her? Lick her beautiful face again? As Hyche fell prey to indecision, it seemed that Monroe came to his rescue as she raised her head.

The Beta almost sighed in pure relief, and chuckled, a deep, rumbling chuckle that was perhaps a little bit of a sob. "Good, because although I like to think I'm persuasive, I've never tried my persuading at this sort of thing," he managed, joking in order to lighten the seriousness of the mood. Then again, perhaps seriousness was the right mood for this.

He dug his muzzle into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent and feeling it overcome him like a disease. A beautiful, perfect, wonderful disease. "I want you to be my mate, Monroe," he whispered, and although most of it was lost in the depths of her fur, he was certain she'd heard. Slowly, he rolled to dislodge her from him, and pressed close to her, feeling uncertain but in an exciting, exhilerating way. Side by side in the shallows, he did the only thing he could think of: groomed her.

He ran his tongue across her fur, from her temples to her shoulders. All the while the same chorus of thoughts echoed in his head. Mine mine mine mine mine. The Beta wasn't usually possessive at all, but he knew that if Monroe ever decided to leave him, he might just die of a broken heart.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, he laughed, and since he was in mid-groom, the laughter landed against her fur, muffled against the white coat of his new mate. He didn't think he'd be able to stop. A few minutes passed, and then, gasping for breath, Hyche explained what he found so funny. "You realize we basically just did the most important thing of our lives in murky water and mud?" He had recently become aware of the mud coating his back, wet but rapidly drying, running along his spine like tiny waves.

Pressing his shoulder against hers, he stifled his chuckles and settled on a grin. "Let's get out of here. We should tell Aspen, shouldn't we?" Everything seemed to be happening in a rush, and even Hyche was sent spiralling into the future -- Would they have pups this winter? How many? What would their names be? More girls or more boys? The possibilities! And he hoped that Monroe would be okay with giving up her rank for that of Betess...

As the male's snout tucked into her collar Monroe fidgeted ever so slightly at the touch. It tickled and while the female tried her best to remain silent playing inert was almost impossible. Nuzzling him softly as he reveled in her scent the she-wolf slicked the fur along his neck but found herself immobile as words slipped from his lips and into her ears. Turning slightly in tune with his voice Monroe latched to every syllable her new mate breathed. Sighing heavily as a load was lifted from her chest the female soon erupted into a chorus of blissful whines as male slipped from beneath her. For a moment Monroe felt cold and she wanted nothing more than to press against his form once more. Granting her wish without her actually passing a word the brute pressed himself against side so that contact between them was anything but subtle.

Falling against him as well Monroe remained idle for a moment as Hyche groomed her fur. Rotating so that his form was in reach the she-wolf buried her snout into his fleece as well leisurely cleaning her mate's coat. Taking in the pine, the mountain scent, and fields as well the female tossed her head and ran it along his form so that now her scent could be found there as well. Now you're truly mine Hyche. Smiling almost absentmindedly Monroe soon found that she was marking him more than she was cleaning but while she tried to mix 'Hyche' into her coat as well the female came to a quick halt at his sudden strike of laughter.

Monroe felt her frame rumble slightly as Hyche kept himself buried in her hide. What's so funny? As the female wondered anxiety soon crept in as she fashioned that perhaps her scent mixing had been the cause of his laughter. Recoiling a bit the female fell silent as he spoke and though her spirits weren't truly broken by the gesture they were surly lifted by answer that Hyche gave. Joining him in jubilation once more Monroe laughed more at herself than anything. What was I thinking Hyche would never laugh at me not in a mean way anyhow…he loves me. The thought made her entire form beam and while she strained a bit to rest her head on his back Monroe managed at least until Hyche began to shift and attempted to rise.

Pulling back Monroe soon joined Hyche in his stance. Shaking her form harshly the female snuck in a smile as she realized she had splashed the brute. Hyche's right we should tell Aspen I'm sure she won't say no. Grinning endlessly at her mate the female couldn't resist the urge to have contact as she placed a soft nuzzle on his collar before giving a sharp bark of zealous delight the she-wolf shifted once more in favor of the brute. "The sooner the better winters around the corner you know." Monroe wasn't sure how Hyche would take the comment well in truth she wasn't sure what it meant. Do I really want puppies this year…I could be a mother by spring! A hot flush swelled inside of her and Monroe gave a soft whine of content as her eyes rested dreamily in a trance that prayed for the future to hasten its approach. I can't wait until spring...

Hyche caught a whiff of his own fur as he stood and nearly melted right there on the spot. Monroe. He could smell Monroe on himself, all over himself. It was as if... even if they had to part ways for a few hours, she would still be there according to his nose.

She made an offhand comment about winter, which made Hyche feel flustered. His eyebrows shot up as he coughed, because his throat had so suddenly gone dry. Not so much as the thought of puppies as the thought of what came before the puppies. Once again, the Beta was intensely thankful for the full pelt of fur he'd been blessed with that kept his blushing a secret. Smiling sheepishly at Monroe, he left the water completely and shook.

Did he want puppies? Heck yes. Hyche was four, already! He didn't want to die before he saw his own pups grown and making pups of their own! Ever since just a few moments before when he'd made that breakthrough with Monroe, he'd become rather aware of his desire for a family. He'd desired it for a long time, actually, but hadn't been able to figure out what it was, had chalked it up to feeling lonely for lack of friends. Now he knew.

Without answering the jest about winter -- no, no, he was still too embarassed -- Hyche through back his head and called for his Alphess, asking that she come. His howl told her it was important, but didn't mention that it was a mating, because... well, he didn't want it broadcast all over the pack until Aspen had sanctioned it. He still wanted it to be private, just between him and Monroe, just for a bit longer. Before he included everyone else.

His howl tapered off, and he pressed against his mate -- his almost-mate, but he was sure Aspen wouldn't deny them -- needing to feel her fur against his.

Chew chew chew....
snap snap chew lick...
lick lick bite rip yank chew chew...
bite rip yank yank YANK!!!

Ow! Aspen was cursing the fact that she was getting her long fluffy winter coat. All of these knots!!! She had knots in her fur everywhere! She had gotten almost all of them though... there was just this one left!!! And it was right in the middle of her stomach too. Aspen was laying on hre back with her paws in the air and her neck bent to gnaw at her stomach. She was very determined to get this last stubborn snarl out! What can't the Alpha roll around on her back too?

With one last yank with her teeth Aspen pulled out a matted tuft of hair. She sighed and rolled onto her stomach again, her back was kind of sore now. The darn tuft was now stuck on her lip, so she pawed at her mouth and rubbed it of and pinned it down on the ground with her paw. There, finally. She'd been at that for a while. As Aspen stood up and stretched out her back she heard two things. One was a pretty impressive series of little cracks and another was a howl from her Beta. Aspen stretched out her back legs more and then shook her fur out all over to get rid of the stiffness and then quickly sat down, scratched at a small itch behind her ear, and then got up to go talk to Hyche.

Aspen trotted amongst the many leaves covering the ground all throughout the forest and concluded that Hyche no doubt was at Silver Spring. Aspen lightly stepped over a tree root and continued toward the small river.

As Aspen approaced she smelled Hyche's scent along with that of Monroe's. She knew that the two were friends, so she wondered what they had to say to her. She had no idea what was coming. But she could tell from Hyche's howl that it wasn't any sort of bad news about Tyjiik or danger or anything. His howl sounded happy so she knew she didn't have to worry. Then again Hyche seemed to ALWAYS be happy.

After no more than a couple of moments Aspen entered the scene. She smiled and wagged her tail in its high position as she entered.

"Hey guys. Is there something you want to tell me?" Aspen asked innocently as she sat down before the two wet wovles. Her fur now looked perfect, she very much didn't want to get wet herself. In about two seconds the last thing she would be thinking about was her fur. She was about to recieve some of that happiest most exciting news since she began this pack... she had no clue.

Pastel colored tongue ran the length of her right front stand as Monroe slicked the fur along her leg. Alternating between the two it was only when a sputter of coughs came from Hyche that the female withdrew from her grooming. Russet eyes came to his form but dropped promptly as Monroe felt her lips draw into a smile. Wordlessly the female had been waiting for Hyche's reaction to her comment about winter and while coughing and the raise of an eyebrow wasn't exactly a clear-cut counter Monroe undoubtedly deducted from his manner that he didn't really have any complaints about the modest proposal. This winter would mark Monroe as a full blown adult there was no denying and while most of the time the she-wolf carried herself in a way that already illustrated restraint and self composer in part the female wasn't sure how she would take to winter or the amends it would bestow. While the she-wolf lacked the experience that came with age already Monroe knew that she was in love and seeing as love was something that really couldn't be taught by all means the female's heart was judge enough to tell her if she was indeed ready to share her love with not only Hyche but a litter of pups as well. It was a decision that couldn't be taken lightly by any means and while like everything else Monroe would weigh every pro to each con Hyche's reaction weighted heavily on her final choice as well and though his counter hadn't been as patent as hoped it had affected Monroe nonetheless and already the she-wolf found herself leaning greatly in favor of one aim to the next.

When her lips ceased to jitter with the inkling of a smile the female regained her stance beside Hyche. Dark eyes still keen on his form Monroe was conscious to the timid smile he met her with. He's so cute…having Hyche is just like having a giant puppy I imagine. He would be a wonderful father this I know for sure. Thinking back to the first time she had met the male Monroe remembered his zeal and the juvenile manner in which he'd approached her. Hyche didn't hold his rank above her and she loved that about him she always had but the female knew that she simply couldn't go off reveling over the things she loved about Hyche there wasn't enough light in the day and besides they still had to call Aspen.

Nestle up beside him Monroe remained silent as Hyche called for the Alphaess, while in a matter of moment she knew that she might hold the rank of Betess for now she felt out of place to call with the Beta. Instead the female deiced to tussle with her emotions and though it wasn't exactly how she wanted to spend the next few minuets she had no choice as Hyche's call fell over the lands she realized that now it was set and soon she would have to meet Aspen and manage to speak with not her mind but her heart. How should I stand? I'm not a Beta so do I stand below them both? Do I stand with Hyche? Oh my gosh I can't do this I just can't manage this. Why did I ever th-. Monroe had let her nerve get the best of her and for a while it seemed that old inhibitions had returned but as Hyche pressed softly against her the female felt them fade with easy. Rubbing him back the female breathed wordlessly holding onto whatever nerve she had left to speak to Aspen. I've heard that love concurs all god I hope that's true.

It seemed that in no time Aspen stood before them and question was posed. What's your purpose Monroe what do you want? Taking in breath just once more the female sighed lightly as she felt herself lightened against the weight of the moment. But again the female felt Hyche beside her and again she found herself in a place where love coincided all. "Aspen Hyche and I would like to ask your permission to become mates and possibly have…pups by this spring. I would like to stand beside him as Betess of Kiskana and I assure you as readily as my love flows for Hyche my loyalty rests with Kiskana I won't let this pack down I promise." Monroe's words were from the heart and they even came to match with the beat of the vessel as she spoke. Love is a mighty thing!

((Sorry for the wait, lovelies! D:))

Aspen arrived promptly, asking what they wanted. Hyche was immediately reduced to a stuttering mess, obviously embarassed about his news. But it was a good sort of embarassed, kind-hearted and happy underneath the stuttering and sheepish smiles. Luckily, Monroe saved him, earning her a bright smile from the Beta. His smile turned foolish as she mentioned pups, obviously his thoughts going forward to a time when he'd have his own family. It made him so joyful, so sheerly happy... he was delirious.

Swallowing as she finished, he simply nodded, underlining everything she'd said with his agreement. "I can step down if I need to," he added, in case Aspen, for whatever odd reason, didn't want Monroe to be Betess. Hyche would be offended in her stead if that was the case, but Aspen was the Alphess and he knew she would always do what she thought was right. If Monroe could not be Betess, however, then Hyche did not want to be Beta.

((Sorry, short. >_< I gotta go.))

"Aspen Hyche and I would like to ask your permission to become mates and possibly have…pups by this spring. I would like to stand beside him as Betess of Kiskana and I assure you as readily as my love flows for Hyche my loyalty rests with Kiskana I won't let this pack down I promise."

Aspen literally squealed out loud. Hyche and Monroe!!! She had no idea! Oh this was just so great!!! She bounced to her feet and her tail was on fire and she proceeded in giving the two a lick behind the ear for each of them.

"Oh you guys this is so great! Oh this is so wonderful! Of course of course you can be mates have pups anything, no worries! Monroe you'll make a wonderful Betess, you're very qualified! Oh I'm so happy this is such great news!

Aspen kind of hopped around in excitement. There woulod be puppies this year! Well puppies other than those precured from a rape... yeah. Anyway puppies!!! A family! This was the first family that would be in her pack! A realy family was going to start righ before her eyes!

Aspen looked at the happy couple and noted that they were completely soaked and rather muddy as well.

You guys are soaked! Come on let's go back to the dens and tell the others and gte you guys cleaned up! Oh everyone will be happy to know this is just so wonderful!

occ::okay i'm guessing this will be Monroe's last post here Hyche can still respond though of course

After Monroe had spoken her piece the female felt compelled to keep quiet. Her heart was somewhere in her throat as she gave her last sentence and at the end of it all the she-wolf worried that it would spill onto the ground beneath her. There were no calming thoughts or anything of the sort to easy her edginess. Of course Monroe knew that Aspen was a fair and just Alpha and yet she couldn't douse those sparks of doubt that kept playing in the back of her mind. Dark eyes stirring to and fro the female only wanted something to focus on anything to easy her heart and mind. Where are all those distracting thoughts and meaningless notions when I need them? A big time daydreamer Monroe fancied that fact that her reveries only came when she was in the middle of something where they were not needed but now when she reached for them she couldn't grasp a single meaningless thought. Everything inside of her screamed and resounded No! as Aspen's response. While the male stood right beside her Monroe imagined what it would be like if they couldn't be together at least not truly in the eyes of the pack and such. Oh her heart would simply break into pieces that no amount of time could heal or mend. Wow who knew that love could blossom so quickly? I wonded why other things don't come so fast like the seasons and such or hunting? Hey there's a random thought! Truly proud of herself for conjuring her own cure Monroe looked to the brute beside her with a brilliant smile that might had almost been mistaken for a smile of comfort to him. In this moment Hyche and Monroe were equal in their fears but that wasn't the message that the she-wolf got when the looked at the male. He wore a smile which Monroe mistook for a show of great confidence. Wow... Hyche is so brave compared to me. Looking on at the wolf with wonder Monroe's gaze was locked and she was almost completely absent of the Alphaess until the female emitted a small squeal.

Turning sharply it didn't take Monroe long to settle on the fact that Aspen was smiling. Good sign! Monroe thought her tail wagging behind her in anticipation and as Aspen spoke Monroe clung to every word replaying them in her mind for keeps until the day she passed. This is the evening that I become the mate of my one true love…this will be my fondest reverie. The promise was done and for the rest of her life Monroe would know this as her fondest memory.

So Monroe was now the Betess well in truth that part didn't really matter to her right now. She had liked her old rank and though she wasn't complaining about being a Beta it was the fact that now she really was Hyche's and Hyche really was hers the sparked the biggest smile on the female's maw. Banner swaying swiftly fueled by the jubilation of the moment Monroe got a good lick on Aspen as the Alphaess caught the back of her ear gently. Thinking over the words once more as they echoed in her mind what stood out the most was the prospect of pups. In Aspen's words the love and excitement she had placed with the word settled it for Monroe. If Hyche would have her in that sense she had high hopes of becoming a mother by spring. And though the idea of what came before pups still caused a chidish giggle to stir within her soon Monroe would be a full fledged adult and it would no longer but just a silly matter.

Tell the others!? What you mean now! Eyes bugging slightly Monroe felt herself fluster at the thought of announcing the news to the rest of the pack. Come on Monroe you're the Betess now no time to be nervous and what not! I guess…I guess I'm right...okay. Okay! Lets do this I love Hyche and I want to tell the world about it or at least the rest of the pack! With a smile laden on her face Monroe turned and kissed Hyche sweetly before turning back to Aspen. "Thank you Aspen! Come on Hyche lets go tell the others…we're in love." To Monroe it was just that simple and amidst a thousand other things in her life that weren't Hyche and that fact that she loved him was something that she knew and boy did the feel good to know that you were loved in return.Like the memory of that day Monroe would hold the truth of their love dear for the rest of her days and beyond.