With a storm a shift in the land always followed. At the outskirts weaker, older trees finally gave way to the weight of snow and ice. Trails and scents were smothered and familiar landmarks were shrouded. The sudden calm after the storm was always a bountiful time for a keen hunter as all the land's creatures took to the open once more in search grazing to uncover or unsuspecting prey to catch.
Christopher sat firmly in the second camp that day, the man motionless as he perched among an outcropping of rocks. He was silent as his eyes scanned the horizon, his body tense with even the slightest sound of shifting snow or sliding ice beneath the pristine surface of fresh powder. Not everything would be his to catch that day, but he had not yet seen any of the larger game that might be worth his energy to pursue.
The storm had kept the pack in in their den for almost two days. Now that it was over, the wolves were eager to get out, stretch their legs. But most of all, eager to hunt.
Dire wolves were distinct from their multiple cousin breeds in many ways, and one of them was the way they chose to hunt, usually splitting up into groups to take down more game rather than moving as a whole pack.
Snowfur, Graywind, and Brenna were the quickest group, and so sent out first, hopefully to grab some small game and return back to feed the others so they could track down something more substantial. The girl sat astride the alpha female, sharp eyes searching the white landscape her foster mother nearly blended into.
Up ahead, Graywind suddenly stopped. His hackles raised and a low growl rumbled in his chest and throat. He smelled something. Brenna gave a low, questioning bark.
The young male shook his head, looking back at them with glowing golden eyes. She leaped to the ground, hand going to the hunting knife strapped at her hip as she sniffed the air. Her nose wasn't as sensitive as her family's, but by their stiff stances and snapping eyes, she knew she should be on guard.
The sudden, predatory growl from the young male alerted him to their presence, but the shifter truly had no reason to suspect wolves being unhappy with his existence, though he was certain they could scent where he'd tucked himself away. His kind had shared lands with all manner of tundra creatures over the years and for all he knew the sounds he heard were meant to signal some prey creature they'd spotted.
When he heard no sounds of retreat nor chase, though, Christopher grew curious as he turned slightly on the balls of his feet to peer over the top of his hiding place. The pair of wolves did not surprise him, but the sight of the girl raised a bit of concern. To his knowledge he was far from any of the human settlements, but even stranger to him the animals did not seem bothered by her presence.
Instead of speaking out he merely observed her in silence, curious about what she could have possibly been doing. Perhaps it was just coincidence they had stopped so close and he wondered what they might have found that he had not. Truly unconcerned with any danger they might pose Christopher's bow and small quiver of arrows remained tucked against his back and his own knife safely sheathed.
Both wolves' heads suddenly snapped toward a rocky outcrop. The intensity of their growling had lessened but they were still clearly wary. They smelled something new, something strange, and they weren't quite sure what to make of it.
Brenna gave a low bark, gesturing for them to stay back. She'd go check it out- if it was dangerous, they could back her up if she needed it. Her foster mother growled her displeasure at the idea, but Graywind liked her cheek, chuffing. His pack-sister was tough, she could handle it.
Giving her brother a nod and a quick, close-lipped smile, Brenna darted across the snow toward the rocks, drawing her knife and holding it at the ready. With a powerful jump, she leaped to the top of the outcrop, landing in a defensive crouch, eyes narrowed warily and barking a challenge to whatever animal had entered their territory.
Her communication and continued familiarity with the wolves was intriguing, but the moment she was off and running he ducked to slip back down and out of view. Never in all his life had he heard a human produce such a sound and he stared up at her frozen and puzzled as he studied her knife and tried to determine if she was truly a threat to his life in any capacity.
"I don't speak dog, missy," he finally scolded her with a huff, narrowing his eyes right back at her as he stared up through the space between rocks. "Do you plan on using that?" he asked, glancing at the blade of the knife.
Her eyes widened when she saw him. Stunned, she began to lower her knife unconsciously. This animal looked like...her. Sort of, anyway.
Vague memories circled in her head and she blinked, giving a sharp growl of frustration. The sounds he made weren't like beast-speak, but they were somehow familiar. What was it?
Very, very slowly she straightened up, blade held limp at her side. Opening her mouth, she dug deep into her memories and croaked out in a voice long unaccustomed to forming such words, "What...are...you?"
He relaxed a bit in her bewilderment, no longer thinking he might get stabbed immediately with her crude weapon. Her struggle seemed odd, though. Was she not used to speaking? It seemed unusual to him for what he assumed was the "human" form of a werewolf of some sort. No sane human would have wild wolves for friends, in his opinion. Or, perhaps, the whole lot had fooled him and he was now sharing land with werewolves as well.
"What am I?" he repeated, raising a brow and looking down at himself as if that question should have been made redundant just by looking at him. "I'm like you. A shifter, yeah?" he guessed aloud.
Brenna tilted her head at him in a manner distinctly reminiscent of a wolf pup. "Shifter...?" she repeated slowly, the word unfamiliar. Her voice was hoarse, unused to human speech, and she experimentally cleared her throat.
Snowfur and Graywind seemed to have had enough of waiting for her, and in a few quick bounds they were flanking her on the outcropping. The younger dire wolf gave a questioning yip and she chuffed in response, shrugging her shoulders. She didn't know what the newcomer was, exactly- she was trying to figure that out.
Looking back to the familiar-stranger, she ventured, "Why...come here? Why you...here?"
"Yes..." Suddenly he wasn't so sure that he'd assumed correctly, but what kind of girl would freely be among wolves if she were not?
He observed her interactions with the beasts curiously, uncertain about what sort of conversation he was witnessing. Their yips, barks, and the slightest twitch or shifting posture was almost entirely lost upon him and he found himself staring dumbly between the trio.
"Why me?" he repeated, pointing to himself as he moved to step out of his hiding spot and into the snow. If he was to be cornered by a pair of wolves and a strange woman he would definitely much prefer any disagreements happen in the open if things got ugly. "I live here. This is my land." Christopher gestured out into the distance and made a rounding motion with his hand, hoping she might understand he really meant all of it. "Why are you here?"
Brenna frowned, tilting her head. "Live here," she said. Then, realizing it might seem as though she was repeating his sentiment, she gestured to herself and her foster mother and brother. "Live here," she repeated, laying a hand on her chest.
She gestured to the tundra behind her, eyes narrowing a bit. "Our...home. Pack home. We live here."
He followed her gesturing warily, uncertain if she was really referring to both herself and the wolves or just the wolves in her "pack home." Wolves were certainly across the territory but it was his first time being approached so directly by other predators. As far as he was concerned it was still his home and they merely lived in some undesirable area for his own needs.
"Your home?" he asked, hoping she might understand the clarification he sought. "You live with the pack?"
"Yes." She nodded. This forgotten language- gestures and words she was unused to- was like a muscle left unused for too long; weak and sore, but the more she used it the easier it became to do so.
"Our home," she agreed, nodding again. Then, slowly, "My home. My pack. I...live here. Pack is home."
Brenna tilted her head at him, curious. "Don't see you here. You...live here? Where?" She was confused- how could such a creature live in pack territory without her knowing it?
He thought he understood what she was telling him, but her confusion about him seemed odd. If they truly lived there and neither had ever spotted the other it was a most unusual incidence of chance and fate. Christopher shrugged, gesturing again to the tundra beyond them. "I live here. This is my home. Also my home," he corrected, not wanting her to think he had any reason to feud with wolves previously unknown to him.
"And you," he began again, pointing at her. "You are not a shifter? Not a werewolf?"
"Shifter?" She repeated the strange word again, slowly shaking her head. "Do not...understand. Were- werewolf?"
Snowfur's ears perked at that and she made a low sound in her throat. Surprised, Brenna looked to her and barked a question. The alpha female gave a quick, sharp answer that had both Graywind and Brenna blinking, heads tilted.
"No," she said after a moment, looking back to the stranger. "Not werewolf. I...me. This." She gestured to her form, two legs and fragile skin wrapped up in crude clothing. "Pack sister. Wolf...inside. Not outside."
She frowned. This was difficult to explain. "You are shifter? Werewolf?"
He flinched slightly for the sudden sound from the female wolf. His eyes studied her warily, uncertain what sort of command or information it was. The girl seemed to understand something about it, though, which he found awfully curious.
"A wolf inside still seems a werewolf to me," he commented, not quite understanding her meaning about her relationship with them. "I am a shifter. A cat. Ah, leopard?" he tried to clarify to her, uncertain if she would even understand that.
"No pack, though. Are they your only pack?" he asked, wondering if they were the only wolves but uncertain if he was being clear with his question. Her manner of speaking seemed strange to him, just a bit off, though he wasn't quite sure why yet.
"Cat..." She tilted her head, frowning. She knew that word, but she was having a hard time justifying it with the two-legged creature in front of her. Leopard was foreign, but she didn't give it much thought. "Not...not werewolf," she clarified, still frowning a bit.
At the question about her pack, she sort of sank down on her haunches, shaking her head. "Pack...one pack here. But..." She bit her lip, trying to remember the words. "More..." She started ticking wolves off on her fingers: the alphas, the pups- Graywind and his siblings- the beta, the omegas.
She held up eight fingers at him. "Wolves." Looking at her own hands, she suddenly grinned. "Eight wolves!" she exclaimed, very pleased with herself. Then, belatedly, "No...nine." She put a hand to her chest. "Nine wolves. Pack."
"Yes, cat." Christopher watched her face carefully, interested as he observed her thought process happening on her face. He wondered if she truly understood what she was or what he was asking about and he counted along with her as she held up her fingers one at a time.
"So you are a wolf?" He chuckled nervously, uncertain if he should be careful of her or not. A regular wolf might not have been much threat but if he had nine werewolves lurking on his land he had much bigger problems to worry about.
"Are they...people, too?" he tried, hoping she might understand the concept of two forms better than the names he was giving for them.
Brenna shook her head, frowning in confusion. Luckily, Snowfur seemed to understand what the stranger meant. She huffed and gave a soft bark, shaking her head.
Brow still furrowed, Brenna barked back, tilting her head from one side to the other. Eventually, she returned her attention to the...shifter. "No. Wolves." She tried very hard to remember the word for it. "Deer? No...dire wolves," she corrected herself, feeling a small flash of triumph. Deer were prey. She remembered that.
"I am..." She bit her lip again, russet eyes narrowing as she thought. "People?" That didn't seem quite right. Damnit, what was the word?
"Human!" Her eyes lit up. Grinning, she said again, "Wolf inside. Human outside." She gestured to Snowfur and Graywind. "Wolves outside and inside."
He waited patiently for her explanation, but he still had a bit of confusion about whether or not they were all a pack of werewolves. He'd yet to understand that she was a human living among wolves, his brow creasing slightly as he thought on what she was telling him.
"So... They are wolves," he began again, pointing to her furry companions. "You are...both? Human and wolf?"
Brenna nodded- that seemed right to her- but Snowfur gave a sharp bark, shaking her head.
The girl looked to her foster mother, confused, and let out a low whine. The alpha female nuzzled her neck, giving her cheek a lick and huffing.
Slowly, she looked back to the stranger. "Not...not quite," she muttered, not sure how to explain. Snowfur seemed to understand what he was asking better than she did. "Pack...family. Pack raised me." She gave the Snowfur a look, and the white wolf nodded.
Shaking her head, Brenna looked back at him, frowning. "Where is your...den?" she asked, tilting her head. It seemed strange to her that the pack had never come across it.
Despite the interactions between girl and wolf Christopher was just as puzzled as he'd been when their odd conversation had begun. He only nodded in acceptance, the idea that the pack was her family at least something he could understand. It was only a little bit concerning for him to have some unknown female living in his territory.
"My den? It's north a ways," he told her, turning his head to look in the general direction he knew it to be but being purposefully vague because he did not want them to find his home on their own. Surprises were not something he wanted, especially when she'd said there were eight wolves in total at least. If they had a mind for it he was sure they'd have no trouble running him out of his own home. "Where is your den? Close?"
Brenna nodded. They hadn't gotten too far from their home before running into him. "Close," she repeated, nodding again. "Storm kept us in...need to hunt, bring prey back."
She gave him a considering look. "You are hunter? Where is your pack?" If they were small enough, it shouldn't be too much trouble for the two packs to share territory. At least for a while, until Snowfur had another litter or something.
It was reasonable, but he was still concerned that he'd never happened upon them before. Or perhaps he had and he'd never seen the girl with them before. Or noticed.
"I hunt, yes. Mostly for myself. I don't really have a pack," he tried to explain, uncertain of what words she might understand from him. "I have a family... Parents? Ah, sisters?" Maybe sisters would help, she'd called herself a pack sister but he doubted it meant the same to her as his own siblings.
"We live far away from each other," he added, hoping they had no intentions of trying to drive them out. "It's just me around here."
She thought she understood the words themselves, but the concept was confusing. "You- you don't live with...pack?" She tried his word. "Family?"
That seemed very lonely to her, and she absently reached out to bury her hand in the ruff of fur around Graywind's neck. "You not...you don't..." She frowned, struggling for the word. Gesturing at him, she finally settled for, "Alone."
She tilted her head at him. "Alone is not- sad?" That didn't seem quite right, but it was the best she could do.
Christopher patiently watched her struggle, awkward as it felt for a self-proclaimed human to have a rusty grasp of the language. "Alone, yes," he nodded in agreement with her choice of words.
"Alone can be... peaceful, though. Not always sad. Alone is also very quiet." He had no way of knowing if it was all just the same to her, though. Or if the words he spoke even meant anything to her. "Why are you not with other humans?" he asked, furrowing his brow slightly. In his experience humans liked to be together. Families lived close, worked closely, and they rarely wandered far from the towns. This girl seemed quite comfortable where she was, though, if a little confused by their conversation.
The question made her think for a long moment. She knew there was a time before she was pack-sister, but like this...human language, it was fuzzy and the memories were hard to grasp.
Feeling a bit bolder than before, she let herself slide down the rock formation to get a little closer, head still tilted at him as she considered. Graywind gave a worried bark, but his mother licked the side of his face to calm him, eyeing her foster daughter.
"Was...once," Brenna said slowly, biting her lip as she thought. "Long- long time ago. Lived with...humans." She shrugged. "They went to sleep. Long sleep. Long winter." She frowned. That really didn't seem right, but she didn't know how else to describe it.
She'd never been taught the word "death".
The shifter eyed her, tense as she drew closer but then relaxing once he felt she was making no immediate threats to his person with her movement. He watched the wolves as he listened, thinking it a bit odd how concerned they seemed over a human.
Her mention of sleep seemed unusual, though, and his light eyes returned to study her once more. Brenna's frown seemed more telling than the words that she spoke. It didn't seem like she was trying to tell him she'd been abandoned, and he had a hunch that he could guess what she'd meant by it. "So you made...friends? With wolves instead of other humans?"
She nodded slowly, trying to remember. "Tried- I tried to go...make friends with more...humans." She closed her eyes, shivering slightly and wrapped her arms around her torso. "Cold...storm, big storm. So cold... I tried to hide, found a den..."
She glanced up at Snowfur with a small smile. "Pack den. Pups just born, she-" she gestured to the alpha female- "made me her pup. Human pup." Yeah, that seemed about right.
He looked to the alpha, studying her as the girl's story came together piece by piece. It made a bit more sense why she seemed so comfortable with them, why she considered them family. But he was wary of what had truly caused her to seek them out.
"Human pup," he repeated under his breath, uncertain why such a wild creature would take in something that might be a threat to its own young. "Do you know when that happened? When was a long time ago?" he asked, fidgeting a bit but finally relaxing and no longer feeling the need to be ready to grab any of his weapons at a moment's notice.
"How many winters?" he rephrased, hoping she might understand that better if she could at least count from her hands.
"Winters?" she repeated, tilting her head and thinking. "Um...ten?"
A sharp bark from Snowfur. She shook her head and corrected herself, "And three. Ten and three winters." There was a word for that, wasn't there? "Thirteen?" she ventured, watching his face to see if she'd gotten it right.
"Ah. That's a very long time," he sighed, shaking his head. Had she not become curious? Had she just accepted the wolves and not thought of humans again? It seemed strange to him that she would still be alone after such a long time, or as alone as he assumed she might have been with wolves.
"Why do you stay? What about other humans now? Have you been...turned away? Rejected?" he guessed.
She shook her head slowly. "Humans...afraid of us. Don't come close." She shrugged. "You...first human- shifter? First to not be scared." She shrugged.
She had to admit she'd become curious about the two-legged creatures she was born to, particularly in recent years. A little warily, she leaned toward him, cocking her head from side to side as she gave him an evaluating sort of look.
Graywind jumped down to her side, nudging his muzzle into her ribs and whining, giving the stranger a wary look. Brenna patted his head absently, whining back. "Have to go," she said, turning her attention back to the shifter. "Pack...hungry. Need to hunt."
An idea struck her and she twisted to look at Snowfur, barking sharply. Both wolves started in surprise, giving her incredulous looks. They seemed to argue for a few moments, then finally Snowfur shook her head, ears pricked forward, and gave a resigned sort of huff.
Brenna turned to the stranger excitedly. "You...come with us? Another hunter- maybe help." She was thrilled her foster mother had indulged the idea. She was curious about him, about humans, and she hoped he'd agree to come with them.
He raised a brow at her words. How could humans possibly be afraid of one of their own? Especially a female, small as she was. Perhaps she mistook their fear and wariness of the wolves as fear of herself, but it seemed an odd reason to keep away from the villages that were really not all that far from where they were.
Christopher took a step back as Graywind approached, still entirely oblivious to what the continued "talking" he witnessed between the trio meant. Her request had him thinking, though, uncertain why they would want him along at all.
"I'm not sure what help I could be to wolves, I hunt very differently. Usually," he explained, gesturing to the bow across his back. He was not against it, though, and truly it was the first interesting prospect he'd been presented with in a long time. "But if they don't mind I don't see why not. I can tag along for a day," he agreed, looking to the lighter wolf as if he still needed extra permission.
Snowfur gave a regal nod of her head, then a quick, low bark, turning and disappearing over the rocky outcrop.
Brenna smiled a bit, twining her fingers in Graywind's coat and swinging up onto his back. "She says keep up," she told the stranger.
Realizing she really should stop referring to him that way, even mentally, she asked as Graywind turned to follow his mother more sedately, "What are you called?" Once again her head tilted in that puppyish manner.
With the fresh snow upon the ground it would be a little difficult for him to keep up stride for stride with wolves in his chosen form but he would certainly try. Abandoning his human weapons in the snow didn't seem appealing, but he would do it if there came a time and a need for it. "I'll do my best," he told her, moving to follow and trail behind the slower wolf a bit.
"My given name is Christopher, but you can call me what you wish. Do you have a name? Did the wolves give you one?"
Snowfur waited for them to catch up to her, then set off in a steady trot- not too fast, setting a speed they could maintain for a good long while.
"Christopher," Brenna repeated slowly, turning the sounds over in her mouth. Then she nodded at him. "They call me Little One, or pack-sister." She furrowed her brow, thinking. She had another name, though, one the wolves rarely used. She remembered her before-family called her that.
"My name...Brenna," she said after a moment of consideration. She'd never quite forgotten that. Smiling a bit, she added, "Bryn. Sometimes they called me Bryn."
So she did have some real communication with them. Or at least she thought she did. It was a good piece of information to have regardless.
He followed along over their prints in the snow but kept quite close to Graywind's tail. Looking out he stayed alert for any potential signs of prey that the wolves might wish to pursue. "Brenna, hm? Or Bryn? Do you like one better than the other?" he asked, uncertain what he should call her. Perhaps time would tell which he should choose if they crossed paths again.
She tilted her head. She'd never really thought about that before. "I think...Bryn," she decided slowly. The pet name sparked something warm and familiar in her chest that she decided she liked. She glanced back at him, then leaned forward to murmur in Graywind's ear.
The wolf slowed long enough for her to jump down into the snow, falling easily into place alongside him. She looked at the weapon Christopher carried with interest. "To hunt?" she asked, pointing at them and raising her eyebrows curiously.
"Then I'll call you Bryn," he agreed easily enough, having no real idea why she liked it or that she had any fond memories associated with it. He was surprised when she left her seat astride the wolf to join him on the ground again.
Christopher glanced over his shoulder at the bow and quiver and gave a short grunt of affirmation as he continued to trudge along in the snow. "Yes. A bow to shoot arrows with," he explained gently, unsure if she might even know the words he used to describe it despite it being the simplest terms he could think of.
"Do you use one, too? Or just the knife?" It would not have surprised him if that was all she used. She did seem a bit wild, though it seemed odd that she might catch similar prey to himself with essentially her bare hands.
Knife? Oh, right. She looked at the weapon in her hand, then back to him, and nodded. "I don't...it's my fangs," she supplied with a small smile, gesturing with the blade.
"The- bow?" She vaguely remembered her human father carrying something like that. "It can... you can hunt from far away, yes?" She thought that was how it worked.
Suddenly Snowfur came to a halt, giving a soft bark over her shoulder. Graywind and Brenna immediately flanked her, peering over the drift she'd crouched behind. Elk, a small herd. Glancing back at Christopher, Brenna beckoned him forward.
"Stay here," she said quietly. "Watch."
"Yes. That's how it works." He could get into specifics another time, he doubted she would need a demonstration with capable wolves at her side to do the bulk of the legwork of a hunt. Or so he assumed that was what happened if she truly lived among so many.
The shifter watched her pull ahead, though, and fell silent as he observed the trio. He moved slowly once he was beckoned, nodding and remaining quiet as he settled to crouch down. He had no need to take any of the elk for himself immediately, he could always track the herd once his newfound companions had gone away with what they wanted. He was curious to observe how she might accomplish hunting with her unusual family and unconventional methods, though. In his experience humans were very noisy and clumsy hunters on foot.
He gave a nod towards the herd, watching from their distance as the beasts snorted and huffed their way through the layers of snow and ice to reach what grazing was left. He wondered if they would be bold enough to aim for the decidedly larger bull or if they would go for a smaller female among the ones that lingered. Surely the smallest and youngest would not satisfy a pack of wolves, he thought, so he took his guess and settled in watch and see what their next move would be.
This particular hunt wasn't meant to fully feed the whole pack, just get their strength up for a proper hunt later, so Snowfur singled out a middling sized female near the back of the herd and suddenly sprang forward, silent as a ghost.
Graywind took off toward the front of the herd, letting out an eerie howl that was meant to panic and scattered the animals. It worked, the elk distracted by what they perceived to be the real threat in front of them, unaware of the streak of white skimming toward them across the snow.
Brenna waited a bit, until her foster mother and brother had separated their chosen prey from the rest of the herd, then leaped from her crouch and took off, running at a diagonal to intercept the cow, knife raised to eye level.
The elk balked and tried to turn, but she was caught on both sides by the wolves. Snowfur harried her, nipping at her heels to take her down, and Graywind went for her throat. The two massive animals rolled through the snow, white staining to red beneath them. Brenna saw her opening and struck, leaping into the fray and slashing the creature's throat as quickly and deeply as she could, making the kill as painless as possible.
She and the wolves stepped back from the elk's death throws and, as she always did, Brenna lowered her head and thought a simple prayer, thanking the elk for her sacrifice. She wasn't sure who she was praying to- in fact she'd been so young when the pack took her in she didn't even fully understand that "praying" was what she was doing- but for some reason every time she performed the little ritual an image of a carved wolf her human mother had kept on their mantelpiece flashed into her mind.
Stepping back, she turned to moved toward the drift where they'd left Christopher, Snowfur and Graywind hefting their kill between them. Again unlike their other cousins, dire wolves tended to bring prey back to their den rather than trek the pack out to where the kill had been made.
Christopher was fixed upon his post as he watched the display. The sounds of their hunt and kill had his leopard surging just beneath the surface, his eyes dilating as the familiar prickling coursed through his body when the cat called but was not allowed out. He itched to be among them and participating, his focus trained upon the retreating herd instead of her prayer.
As the others lumbered toward him with their spoils he cleared his throat and forced himself to look to Brenna again to nod in his acknowledgement of what he'd witnessed. "You hunt well," he praised distractedly, his voice a bit distant as his attention was briefly drawn to the last flickering movements of the elk in the distance. Despite that he was a solitary hunter by nature he could recognize the potential of a team and he thought he was seeing how she fit.
"Do you always make the kill?" he asked once she was nearer again, gesturing at the elk as he rose to stand tall again. Her knife seemed rather crude in his eyes but the cut looked clean enough upon closer inspection.
Bending to clean her blade in the snow, Brenna nodded. "Yes. Mostly. It's easier- harder for game to kick me, too small and fast." She threw a quick smile in his direction.
Then she paused, giving him a closer look. The hunter in her sensed something odd about him, something that seemed more four-legger than two. She tilted her head, trying to place the odd sensation, but she couldn't remember ever feeling anything like it before.
Then again, she hadn't had much contact with humans other than her parents, even before she lived with the pack. She shrugged the feeling off. "Go back to den," she said, gesturing to herself, Snowfur, and Graywind. She cast a quick, questioning look at her foster mother. When the wolf nodded, she looked back to Christopher.
"Do you...want to come?"
The idea of meeting even more wolves was a little disconcerting even though he was certain he could protect himself. He knew very little of how packs worked aside from operating as a unit as he'd just witnessed. It was understood that they were still predators, though, and potential threats if they had a mind to try and challenge his claim on the land they apparently shared.
Still, it would be good to know where they lived and rested and where to find the girl again. It was only a matter of time until someone living in such a harsh and remote area would need assistance, in his opinion. "I will follow you," Christopher answered simply, moving to fall into step with her.
He was a bit tense as he followed along, though, struggling to soothe his cat. He had gone out to hunt, after all, and the inner animal remained quite miffed that he was denying it. Distraction was definitely necessary and his unlikely "guests" as he saw them would at least be a temporary one.
Graywind didn't seem to much like the idea, but Snowfur wasn't just his mother- she was an alpha. He huffed and swallowed any argument he may have made, hefting his side of the elk and trotting off slightly behind the female wolf.
Brenna fell back a bit, using the tracks they made in the snow to move more easily. She kept looking at Christopher curiously as they walked, wanting to ask questions but unsure if she should. And, honestly, not quite sure how to ask them.
The communication barrier, though not severe, was frustrating. Well, that seemed like a good starting point. "Can you-" she began, then frowned, biting her lip. A little slower, she tried again. "This...talking." She gestured between them, then put a hand to her chest. "I am...slow. Hard to remember. You can...help?"
Did that make sense? She hoped so.
Her voice got his attention, snapping him out of his daze of staring at the peculiar behavior of the wolves in front of them. He thought he understood what she was trying to say, though he did not quite grasp that her speech was rusty from such long-term disuse. "I can help, I think. I can try to, at least. What are you...trying to remember?"
"Words," she said on an exhale, brow furrowed in frustration. "Hard to remember...words." She gestured around vaguely. "Snow, sky, me-" and here she put her hand to her chest. "Easy to remember. But..." She bit her lip. Okay, take it slow. "The...others. Bigger." No, that wasn't quite right. "Deeper?"
She gave a low growl of irritation, narrowing her eyes in thought. "Feeling," she decided eventually. "Words...how they feel. It's hard to remember."
"Feeling?" he repeated, confused by her frustrated growl. Was she trying to tell him that she wasn't sure how to describe how she was feeling? Or was it more an issue of not knowing the words at all?
"How words feel... That's- Do you need help to...know words for that?" he tried, though he wasn't sure if she would even understand that. "Words for...emotion maybe?"
She nodded eagerly, trying for a small smile. The expression was usually very human, so she wasn't used to it. "Words...any words. Help me remember?"
Tilting her head, she looked up at him with puppy eyes, an instinctive mimicry of the expression she's seen her foster siblings use on their parents when they were younger.
His focus was gradually returning as they fell into the rhythm of their disjointed conversation, at least it was doing wonders to distract him from his instincts. He was uncertain how to really describe words to her, it wasn't really something he'd thought on too often for himself and he'd learned the language long ago when he was young.
"Well, then. Words. Right, um." Christopher stared at her, her curious, puppy-like expression his chosen base of his explanation. "That," he declared, lifting his hand to point at her face. "You look curious. You face is...open? No, inviting." That wasn't quite right either, his brow furrowing in frustration of his struggles.
"Patient," he decided.
Her brow was still furrowed a bit as she absorbed the new information, a small smile spread across her face. "It's hard for you too," she realized cheerfully. "Words...there's different ways, say the same thing with different words. It's hard to choose?" she guessed.
A sharp bark from up ahead drew her attention and she paused, holding out a hand to him to indicate that he should do the same. "Den is ahead," she said softly, pointing. It took a bit of thought, but eventually she translated, "Snowfur and Graywind take prey home, tell the others you're here. I'll wait, show them you- not harm. Friend?"
"Sometimes," he agreed, uncertain if his description was sufficient for her. It was difficult to choose, but at least she seemed to understand his struggle with it all.
Christopher was not so quick to stop, his steps slowing before he understood her gesture for what it was and stumbled to an abrupt halt. He at least grasped that she wanted him to wait, though he was still a little apprehensive about meeting the rest of the pack. "Should I do anything?" he asked, curious if the wolves expected any particular behavior from a newcomer.
At least his weapons might not be seen as a threat. Most of the animals he encountered simply did not know to fear his bow as a weapon, though he wondered if they would recognize his own knife as similar to the girl's. "Or just...wait?"
"Stand still," Brenna advised as they heard the happy barking of her little hunting party returning to the den. The excited noises faded to questioning, then incredulous.
Turning to Christopher, she murmured, "Don't back down, but don't- don't challenge."
The words were barely out of her mouth when Longclaw, the massive alpha male, came bounding out of their den, teeth bared and hackles raised. He stalked toward them, a line of layered brown and gray fur rising along his spine.
Brenna planted herself next to the shifter and dipped her head to her foster father, giving a low whine and looking up at him, but not making eye contact.
Longclaw growled, approaching warily. His ears lifted slightly from his skull, though, and he sniffed at Christopher with more curiosity than aggression.
"This is boss male," Brenna explained quietly. "He's...not so bad, being- protecting."
Her warning was heard but the new wolf that approached them had his cat bristling dangerously close to the surface once again. The animal roared and hissed his defiance within him as he was faced with the growling and bared teeth of the alpha male who dared show such behavior.
Christopher remained tense but did not back down, difficult as it was to not make a move to challenge the animal. He might teach him his place eventually, but he did not wish to upset the girl or lose his chance at observing the pack together over silly squabbling.
He allowed the other male to sniff him but stood motionless in the snow, refusing to make any sort of offer as they were approached. Light eyes flickered to observe her submissive behavior toward the wolf, curious about why she would do such a thing as he still did not quite understand that she saw herself as one of them.
"Hello 'boss male,'" the shifter greeted evenly, wondering if he might be accepted or if the wolf was mere seconds from taking a bite out of his hand.
Longclaw snorted by slowly relaxed, shaking his head. He swung his head to Brenna and barked. He would humor Little One's whims, but the stranger was her responsibility. Any sign of danger toward the pack, and he wouldn't hesitate to rip out his throat.
Brenna whined again, lowering her head in acknowledgement. The alpha huffed and briskly nuzzled the back of her neck in a rare show of affection, then turned to go back to the den.
Seeing his consent, the other wolves moved forward. Chaser and Icefang, Graywind's siblings, seemed the most curious and bounded forward, growling playfully and waving their plumed tails slowly.
Brenna laughed. "They say hello," she translated their behavior for Christopher with a small smile. The expression turned slightly sheepish and she added, "Longclaw...he has to protect pack. Don't...be angry with him."
Unaware of what was going on he relied upon Brenna to speak for them all, nodding to the other wolves and breathing a few short breaths to try and relax the tension from his limbs over the alpha.
"Hello wolves," Christopher spoke gently, offering a hand to the younger ones as he didn't feel nearly as threatened by their approach. Looking to her for her apology, though, he smiled briefly in acceptance. If anything he could understand the need to protect what was yours.
"Not angry. I want to protect my territory, too. We both want to protect," he explained, hoping she could see how two males in such a situation could clash.
"Do you eat with them?" he asked, gesturing to the den. "...I will wait outside," he added, not wishing to interrupt whatever rituals they had.
She cocked her head and repeated, "Eat?" confused not by the word but by the question. Then she realized and shook her head, smiling. "Oh, the kill not for us," she gestured to herself, Shade, and Broketooth. The two omega wolves were as curious as the youngsters- who were sniffing at Christopher and licking his hand experimentally- but a bit more wary. "Others will eat, get strong, and go hunt. Bring back bigger prey," she explained.
Bright-Eye seemed to have overcome whatever caution she'd had and had joined the rest of the pack- sans alphas- sniffing curiously at the newcomer. She gave a soft bark and looked him over with the bright golden gaze that had earned her her name.
"She wants to know what you are, where you come from," Brenna translated, smiling and rubbing the wolf behind her ears the way she liked. The beta's tail wagged a bit and her tongue lulled out in a wolfy grin.
He nodded, the hierarchy still a bit strange to him and leaving him wondering how it was determined who would go and who would not. "I'm from here. Tundra? The snow," Christopher decided, nodding for her bark and giving a few gentle scratches to Bright-Eye's chin and the fluff of her coat at her neck and chest.
"You can tell them I am a leopard. If they understand what that is," he added, cautiously crouching to be more at their level as he offered his other hand to the wolves in invitation. "Do they like me any better than the...Longclaw one?"
Brenna relayed the information, laughing a bit as her pack mates looked to their guest with renewed curiosity. "They...like you," she said to Christopher, chuckling. "Longclaw doesn't...not like you- just wary."
As if on cue, the alpha male barked, calling the pack to him. As a unit, the hunters moved off, brushing against Brenna affectionately as they did until she, the omegas, and Christopher were left alone.
"Cold?" she asked, looking at the shifter. She nodded toward the den. "Go in. Get warm," she offered.
He watched until they'd disappeared from view and gave the two omegas a gentle pat and scratching each before he stood up again. Her prompting had him eyeing the den opening warily but he was uncertain if he was truly welcome to it at all.
"If it's safe," he told her, glancing to Brenna warily as he moved to step in with a curious glint to his eyes. He hadn't realized just how cold he'd been out in the open but the sudden lack of buffeting wind was enough to be a considerable relief on its own.
"Thank you." The shifter nodded to her with a small smile, rubbing his hands together a bit as he looked at his new surroundings.
"So this is where you...live? This is home?" he tried.
"Home," Brenna agreed, nodding happily. Shade and Broketooth settled in on either side of her, sharing their warmth, and she snuggled into their fur.
She eyed Christopher's clothes curiously. "That is all your fur? You...have nothing else?" She frowned a bit. "How do you stay warm without your pack?"
His eyes went wide a bit at her mentioning of fur. Looking down at himself Christopher chuckled knowingly. "Not exactly. I don't really need their company, I can stay warm on my own. If it's too cold out I will stay as my leopard for as long as I need. It doesn't bother him, really. He likes it," he explained, gesturing to the wolves around her. "His fur is a lot like theirs."
Pausing to stare across at her he realized she might not have any idea what one of his kind looked like. "Have you ever seen a leopard, Bryn?"
Something in her reacted to the nicknames and she smiled. "Leopard, no I-" She frowned a bit. Shaking her head slowly, she tried the word again. "Leopard?" She pursed her lips- something in that didn't sound quite right, her inflection was a little bit off maybe.
"You said cat before," she remembered, putting it from her mind. A small smile stole across her face. "I don't think...I understand. Cat?" She held her hands up, roughly sketching the size she thought she remembered the domestic creature being. She mimicked the sound of meow, making Shade huff in amusement.
Still smiling, she tilted her head at Christopher. "No?"
"Well leopard is a kind of cat," he tried again, smiling encouragingly as he recognized the sound she was trying to mimic. "Almost. Very close," he chuckled, holding out his arms to stretch out fully and demonstrate a more proper size to her.
"Very big cat," he told her, wiggling his fingers a bit to try and indicate to her that he was not limited to just the length his arms could stretch.
"I could show you," he added, though a bit nervously as he did not wish to shift in the middle of a wolf den when the entire pack was obviously quite hungry and would likely be returning shortly. There was no need to cause them any further stress if they might not accept his other form as a friendly non-threat. "Later. After you eat," he suggested.
Brenna pouted a bit- now she was really curious- but she nodded. "Okay." She couldn't picture a cat that big. Well, she could, but it was rather comical, and she thought the image in her head must not be quite right.
Shade suddenly stood, stretching and cracking his jaws open in a massive yawn, and moved across the den to sniff at Christopher curiously. Brenna chuckled, red-gold eyes glinting. "He isn't scared anymore," she explained. "More comfortable around you now, probably gonna-"
The wolf sneezed and pawed at the shifter playfully wagging his tail. His tongue flicked out to lick the top of his head and he huffed, dropping into a play crouch.
Brenna started to laugh. "Sorry," she said, standing and moving to the omega's side, scratching his ruff. "He's always like this. Don't mind it." Her pack mate gave a mock growl and tugged at her pant leg, tail wagging. Broketooth huffed and rolled his eyes at them.
"Well he has no reason to be scared of me," he defended, his brow raised in amusement as the curious wolf approached to shower him in his playful affections. Sticking his tongue out at Shade, Christopher swiped at his mussed hair before reaching out to playfully ruffle his fur.
"I don't mind, this is actually more...normal for me," he tried to explain to her, smiling to himself as he distractedly played with the wolf by 'mouthing' him with his hands. "More like the village dogs," he mused. "They like to play, too." Looking over to Broketooth he gestured silently with his hand for the other omega to join them if he wished.
"Do you have any favorites? Ah- Any that you like best? Better than the others?" He phrased it as many ways as he could think hoping she might at least understand one of them.
Favorite. She knew that word. She shook her head at Broketooth moved toward them a little more sedately than his younger counterpart, wrapping an arm around his neck and leaning into his side.
She shook her head. "No, no favorites." She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Do you have favorites in your pack? Your family?" Was that something most humans did, pick favorites in their family? she scratched the wolf's neck distractedly as she waited, smiling a bit when Shade responded to Christopher's attention by flopping to the floor and rolling onto his back, tongue lolling.
Christopher pet at the pair distractedly, shaking his head as he smiled a little for her reaction. It seemed as though it might have been a little offensive to propose there may have been a favorite. He wasn't sure if such a thing happened very often, but it confirmed to him that she probably saw the wolves as more family than the pets he thought they might have been.
"If anyone is the favorite I am," he chuckled, though he knew how much his sisters would have protested such a thing. "But I don't think so. We are apart so often it would not make much of a difference anyway."
Letting his attention fall to her again he relaxed his play with the wolves and leaned back a bit to let them do as they wished before him. "Did you want to know any more words while we wait?" he asked, gesturing to opening of the den and its obvious emptiness, though how long that might last he did not know.
Brenna frowned a bit when he said his pack- family- was apart often. That seemed sad to her, she couldn't imagine leaving her pack for any real length of time.
Then he offered to teach her more words and her expression immediately lit up with a smile. "Yes," she said, nodding eagerly and plopping down to sit on the floor of the den, legs crossed and leaning toward him expectantly.
The omegas huffed, sensing a slight change in the playful atmosphere, and settled down a bit, watching the two-leggers curiously.
He was beginning to realize how infectious her smile was, unable to hide the small lift in his own expression as she got herself settled beside him. "Right. What else should I tell you about? Maybe the villages?" he suggested, finally shrugging out of his heavier weapons to set the bow and quiver on his other side. With it gone he could finally relax and lean against the wall of the den.
"There are roads there but they get covered in snow. You have to find them by memory a lot," he began. "There are houses. Homes. Like this place but bigger and more....human. Buildings?
"They like all sorts of things but I go to them to trade meat and furs for other supplies. Do you...ever go there?" the shifter asked.
"Villages?... Buildings?" She shook her head, eyes wide. "I-I know houses. I was in a house, before. A den above ground." She tented her arms above her head in an effort to mimic the shape of a roof, or at least what she vaguely remembered a roof to be.
Dropping her arms again, she said, "But no villages. Buildings...I remember words, but..." She shrugged helplessly, shaking her head again. The word was familiar, but she had no real meanings to attach to them.
"Never go there," she said quietly, glancing out at the white landscape stretching away from the mouth of the den. "Two-leggers- humans- afraid of us. Get angry, throw things, sometimes chase us."
"Yes, a den above ground," he agreed, nodding encouragingly as he recognized her gestures for a roof. It was concerning to him, though, if other humans truly chased her out. That had never been what he'd encountered in his lifetime. Sure, there were plenty of meaner ones same as any species but he doubted a whole community would stand against a lone woman in such a way. Maybe she meant just the wolves.
"Have you tried to go alone? Um, no wolves. Just Bryn?"
Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Just- just Bryn?" She shook her head slowly. "No. Pack stays together. I'm pack. I don't...go anywhere alone. Just Bryn."
She shivered a bit at the thought, wrapping her arms around her torso. She only had one real memory to associate with "alone" and it was cold and afraid and tired. Trudging through snowdrifts as high as her head, calling desperately for parents who wouldn't wake up, stumbling and crying as she tried to make her way to somewhere- anywhere- warm.
Brenna shuddered again, shaking her head determinedly. "I don't like alone," she decided quietly.
It was understandable if she only wanted companionship, but Christopher thought it was unusual that she didn't want to try seeing other humans on her own. In his experience they always stayed together in their own family units, though he was unfamiliar with what her exact personal experiences were. Sure they might have had a pet but animal companionship rarely went beyond that in his own experience. Living only with wolves made her quite the oddity still.
"I don't think they are afraid of you, just the pack. They know packs hunt," he explained, hoping she would understand why that might make a stranger nervous around them. "But humans can be nice. Just need to find the right humans, maybe." He didn't want to completely discourage her.
Glancing out to the snow beyond the den entrance for a moment he gave her a slightly apologetic smile. "I should go home soon," he warned her. "I need to hunt my own food. Not going to steal the pack's food." Maybe she might understand that explanation. Surely the wolves stole from each other sometimes, at least in play.
Brenna nodded, smiling to show she understood. "Longclaw will be happy," she said, lips twitching up wryly. Food supply was a major source of his irritation with having this strange predator brought to their den.
She thought over his explanation of the behavior she'd encountered from the few humans they'd come across since she'd lived with the pack. "But...humans hunt, yes? Why be scared- why would they be scared of wolves just for hunting?" She frowned a bit, drawing her knees toward her chest. "Humans are hunters. Kill wolves- but don't eat them. What's the point?" She shook her head with a sigh.
Looking back at Christopher, she gave him a small nod. "Can you..find your way back?" She wasn't sure why, but she was a little reluctant to see him go. Maybe it was just nice to talk to him, to remember what it was like before.
Her description was a little unsettling but he tried not to let it bother him too much. Hunting was just a part of life, though he hoped the pack had not suffered any losses at the hands of humans.
"I think I remember the way." Standing slowly he gathered up his things and resettled the quiver across his back as he made for the entrance. Remembering his promise to her, though, he paused and looked back inside once he was out in the snow once more.
"The cat... Will you still be here tomorrow?" he asked, uncertain if her pack might have had more than one den that they moved between. Plus, he still feared the alpha male's reaction if he dared show his cat within a stone's throw of their home while the pack was regaining its strength from the storm. "Or maybe a few days?"
"I will be here," Brenna confirmed, standing as well. She moved toward the mouth of the den and looked out over the tundra, eyes searching- there!
"Hunters coming back," she said, looking at Christopher. She pointed in the direction the wolves were returning from. "Game that way, if you need to hunt." Letting her hand drop, she simply stared at him for a moment, head tilted sightly to the side.
"Happy..." No, not quite right. "Good...to meet you?" she ventured, offering up a small smile.
Following her hand and peering out to where he saw the wolves filing back Christopher nodded. He turned his head again to hear what she had to say and smiled a little as well. "Yes. Was good to meet you, Brenna. Bryn, I mean. I'll be back another time." He reflected for a moment as he drummed his fingers along his bow in thought. "And I will bring you some human things," he added, stepping away from the den a bit more so it wouldn't feel so much like he was blocking it.
With a small wave he was off and hiking through the snow once more to resume the hunt that had been interrupted by his unusual visitors. Really it was neighbors now, he had no reason to run the pack off if they'd never been a disturbance to his life before.
Brenna blinked. "Human...things?"
But he was already gone. She found herself smiling though, shaking her head as she ducked back into the den. Only a few minutes later, the rest of the pack followed, leaving the kill just outside the opening.
Barking and growling in excitement, the wolves gathered around the massive bull elk and tucked into their meal with gusto. Brenna waited until there was a moment of clarity before diving in and cutting off her own portion with her knife, then sitting back to eat it.
Raw meat was normal to her. She'd never learned to build a fire, and probably wouldn't qite know what to do with one even if she had.
Longclaw gave a sharp bark, asking where the other two-legger had gone. She replied with a whine and a dip of her head, explaining he'd gone off to do hunting of his own, but he meant to return. The alpha male started to growl low in his throat, but his mate stopped it with a nuzzle to his neck and a lick to his cheek, telling him that the Little One needed this.
Brenna tilted her head, a bit confused by that comment, but put it from her mind. Her eyes skated out over the tundra and she found herself smiling again. Human things...
She couldn't wait.
He'd spent the rest of the day's light finally catching up to the herd that the wolves had driven far and away from the heart of his territory. It was good to be out and about, though, it gave him something to do and he enjoyed the warm sense of accomplishment that filled his belly as he carried the body of a small cow home.
Christopher spent that night finally allowing his leopard out. The cat was fidgety and restless even when he finally settled down to his meal back in his own home. He craved a good stretch and roam about his lands, the itch to bolster his border with fresh tracks a dominating thought now that he knew of his new friend and her "family." In the black of night that was exactly what he set out for.
To the west he saw his eldest sister's trail and respectfully gave it a wide berth before circling south. To the east, though, he was disappointed to still sense nothing of his middle sister's scent. She was still gone, then. For good measure he padded out along the edges of her territory as well before he returned home once more, his leopard a bit calmer for the ritual.
The next day he gathered a bundle of gifts for Brenna, if only to make things a bit more comfortable for her. At least he hoped they might. A folded blanket and the pillow from his own bed were wrapped up in his spare coat. Well, it was actually his newest, but Nevena would probably make him another if he asked nicely.
He knew it would certainly be too large for her, but he hoped she might make better use of it than he could. If she wanted none of it he certainly wouldn't care if she let the wolves have it. At least they might get some use out of makeshift toys.
The shifter approached their den slowly and with purposefully loud footfalls so that he might not startle the more protective members of her pack. He came weaponless this time, his awkwardly lumpy present enough of a burden to carry. He hoped Longclaw might appreciate the gesture of peace, at least, though whether he might even understand it remained to be seen.
"Bryn!" he called out once the den was in sight, turning his head to listen above the crunching snow below.
Brenna jerked upright, eyes blearily with sleep and hair a messy tangle around her face. She looked toward the mouth of the cave, yawning widely. Around her, the furry bodies of her foster siblings shifted as she stood, leaving their little napping pile, and she heard them grumbling in her sleep.
Soothing them with a few pats, she smiled and made her way out into the snow. "Christopher." He had come back after all. Grinning, she padded toward him over the snow.
Shade beat her to him, appearing from behind the den and bounding forward to greet their visitor, tail wagging. Broketooth hung back, but his tongue lolled and his hackles relaxed when he smelled who it was. Bright-Eye and the alphas emerged as well, more on guard than the omegas. But Snowfur dipped her head to the shifter and nuzzled her glowering mate, making him huff and grumble.
Brenna had reached him by this point, eyeing the bundle he carried curiously. She couldn't seem to stop smiling. "Welcome...back."
The sight of the wolves that were coming around to meet him gave him a moment's pause, but there was really no sense in showing hesitation after announcing himself. The wolves had every right to inspect someone so close to their home. He was pleased, though, that the omegas seemed to remember him well enough.
Setting his bundle on one hip he leaned over with his free hand extended to Shade in greeting as he watched her approach. Somehow she seemed even more wild than the previous day, but he was glad to see the recognition and warmth in her eyes once she'd reached him. "Uh, thanks." What else was there to say, really?
Glancing down at what he'd brought her, he suddenly felt a little silly and hoped she would not take offense to the multiple signs that he was concerned for how she was keeping warm in such an unforgiving climate.
"Here. For you," he finally offered, holding it out to her. "There's a coat, a blanket, and a pillow. If you want to have them."
Brenna hesitated a moment, then reached out and took the offered bundle. "For- for me?" Those words were familiar, and it took a moment for their meaning to register. When it did, her smile softened a bit at the edges. A blanket and a coat were used to keep warm.
"You...were worried?" she guessed, feeling her cheeks warm. That was strange- it was too cold out for that to be happening.
Snowfur came forward then, sniffing curiously at the bundle Brenna now held. With a few low yips and a whine, the girl explained what the gift was. Giving her an arch look, her foster mother shoved her nose into her ribs, making her stumble forward a bit.
Cheeks feeling even warmer now- seriously, what was that about?- she mumbled. "Oh...thank you."
Worried? Was that the proper word? "A little," he agreed, a slightly nervous chuckle escaping him as he watched the white wolf examining what he'd brought for her. Her communication with the alpha was observed with a good deal of anxiety as he was uncertain if she might allow her to even have a choice in keeping the gifts. When the whole thing wasn't immediately torn apart he thought he could at least hope for it, though.
"You're welcome. I thought you might need them," the shifter explained. "When it's cold and the wolves aren't with you." Well that was silly, there were always wolves with her. She didn't go anywhere alone.
Curling and uncurling loose fists as he fidgeted before her Christopher finally decided to try and change the subject. "Did you eat yesterday? Will you go hunting today?"
"I eated." She frowned. No, that wasn't right. "Ate. I ate." She nodded toward the remains of the pack's meal from the previous day. Then she shook her head in answer to his question. "No, no hunt today."
She let her eyes sweep over his frame, noting that he wasn't carrying any of the hunting tools he'd had before. "And you? Did you hunt? Eat?" She knelt as she spoke, unfolding a bit of the bundle to take a look at what he brought.
He nodded, pleased that she'd taken care of herself in his absence silly as that was considering she'd done the same every day before they'd happened upon each other. "Yes, yesterday," he answered gently, watching her with interest for her slight exploration.
"Is there anything else I can bring you?" he blurted out, uncertain if she was even missing the comforts of a human life. "For next time."
Brenna blinked, a little surprised by the question. He wanted to bring her more? Next time? she found herself suddenly very glad that there would be a next time.
Beaming, she shook her head as she got back to her feet. "No. No, I not...I don't need anything." Biting her lip, she shifted from foot to foot, wanting to ask him but not quite sure if she should. They were still pretty close to the den after all.
Glancing back at Longclaw, she took a hesitant step closer to Christopher. "Want to...walk?" she asked, gesturing to the tundra. "Move away from the den. I...want to see the cat." She offered a small smile.
Hopefully her asking meant she wouldn't be so frightened by what he had to share. It would certainly put him at ease for his newly-discovered neighbor to fully understand what he was. "We can," he agreed, following her looks towards the wolves. He studied Longclaw and Snowfur as Brenna moved closer, curious if the alphas might allow her to go without complaint.
"Follow me," Christopher prompted, turning to leave by following the tracks he'd left from his arrival. He kept going even after he couldn't see the wolves anymore, wary of how they might react to him allowing his cat out so close to their "pack sister."
"Don't be afraid," he warned her, turning to give her a slightly apologetic smile. "It's still me, just will look different." He removed his top slowly, hissing slightly for the cold air upon bare skin. His shifter blood left him running a bit warmer than a human would naturally, but it wasn't enough to be exactly comfortable in the bitter cold of their harsh home.
Kicking off his boots was quickly followed by the seamless shift from man to beast, and in an instant he was gone. The spotted creature before her clumsily stepped out of the remaining clothing to stare up at her curiously. His tail swished from side-to-side in the air as he tensed slightly, anticipating a need to flee if she in fact did not find him acceptable.
Brenna frowned when he started disrobing, confused. Wouldn't he be cold? Then he shifted and her eyes widened.
That was certainly not what she remembered from the word "cat".
For one thing, he was quite large. Easily larger than a gray wolf, though perhaps not as big as her dire wolf family. Her mouth dropped open and she just stared for a long moment, trying to process what had just happened.
Eventually, hesitantly, she took a small step toward him. "Leopard is...big...cat," she said in awe. Automatically, she reached out to touch him, as she would one of her wolves, then paused. That strange warmth was back in her cheeks and she looked at him a little sheepishly. "Can I?"
There was such relief in her acceptance. A giant sigh escaped that startled him slightly having not realized how he'd been holding his breath for her. Light eyes studied her expression curiously, wondering what she was thinking until she spoke at last. He would have laughed if he could have but gave a short chuff of amusement instead.
Pleased that her own curiosity extended so far Christopher nodded as his answer. Instead of waiting for her, though, he stretched up to nuzzle against her outstretched hand as he drew a bit closer.
She giggled a bit, petting the spotted fur with unabashed fascination. "Pretty," she told him, grinning, and reached up to scratch his ears the way the wolves always seemed to like.
Caution completely faded away now, Brenna moved around him in a circle, tilting her head this way and that. After a moment she got onto all fours for a different angle, shivering just a bit when her hands sank into the snow up to her wrist.
Sitting back on her haunches, she simply stared at him with wide, gleaming eyes. Wracking her brain, she finally found a word that seemed to adequately portray her sentiment. "Amazing," she said, gesturing to his cat form. "This is...amazing."
Christopher stood quietly for her attentions, his cat practically grinning with pride over her praise and petting. He watched as she circled him, his tail flicking and ears twitching playfully as his head swiveled to follow her every move.
Turning to face her as she spoke again he rumbled his happiness and stepped closer to headbutt and nuzzle at her shoulder in thanks. He wondered if she might prefer his cat entirely considering her close relationship with the pack, but he supposed it didn't matter so much seeing as he could take whatever form was more convenient.
His markings rippled as he made a few more sounds to signal his happiness before returning to the spot where his clothing was strewn about. Looking between her and the ground a few times he wondered if she would mind so much if he was quick about shifting and dressing again. He thought better of it, though, hesitating in case she wished to lavish him with any more of her gentle petting and sweet attention.
Brenna laughed at the attention, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her fingers in his fur in a move that was as much habit as anything else. She let go quickly though, realizing he might not be as fond of the gesture as the wolves seemed to be.
Still, when he just sort of looked at her, standing by his clothes, she shifted forward to sit in front of him, smiling a bit and petting his head and shoulders. "You want to be human-people again?" she guessed, scratching absently under his chin.
Ah, so she'd understood him after all.
Leaning into her scratches and pets he mewled his pleasure and tilted his head to give a few rough licks to her hand in thanks. He made a mental note to be sure he visited her often so he could at least get some nice scratches.
Crouching down at last he gathered up his clothes to hold gingerly in his teeth. He turned his back to her, playfully swatting at her legs with his tail before returning to his human form. The cold had him hurrying to dress, the young man before her now shivering a bit. "Sorry, can't take them with me," he explained, gesturing at himself as he faced her again while stuffing his feet back into his boots.
"You like the cat?" he asked, eyes twinkling with his amusement. "Softer than a wolf," he reminded her, as if that fact should have been enticing enough.
Brenna watched him dress curiously, not really having a sense of propriety when it came to clothing. To her, they were just used to keep warm. "Why sorry?" she asked, a little confused by the apology.
Then she grinned, nodding as she stood to be closer to his level. "Yes. Yes I...like the cat." She chuckled a bit and agreed, "Very soft." Without thinking, she reached up to touch his hair, wanting to see if if was as soft as the cat's fur. She carded her fingers through it, attention entirely focused on the pleasant texture against her skin.
Humans tended to like clothes and dislike open nakedness with strangers in his experience, and it was personally a feeling he shared. He gulped nervously. How was he supposed to explain such a thing to her? Had she truly not lived among humans in such a long time?
The way she'd reached for him distracted the shifter away from such thoughts, though. His tense jaw relaxed as he watched every move of her hand out of the corner of his eye. It was such an open and innocent display of admiration that he had trouble justifying it as any sort of true affection. He'd done the same with his sisters on occasion and they with him, it was a perfectly normal thing to do among family. But strangers?
He leaned forward slightly to allow his hair to fall forward a bit and over his shoulder, shaking it out gently to free what strands were trapped behind his ears. "Do you like my hair, too?" he finally asked, trying so hard to hide the proud smirk that twitched at his lips.
"It's soft," Brenna said with a smile, nodding in answer. "Pretty color," she added, withdrawing her hand for a moment to tug at a lock of her own, coal black hair, holding it up to compare the two, stepping closer as she did.
Catching the smile he tried to hide, she tilted her head and reached out to pet his hair again. "The cat likes this," she said, working through an idea as it came to her. "Does...do you like it?"
"Thank you, Bryn." Compliments felt good, even if they were innocent. He would take what he could get. It couldn't hurt anything anyway if she liked his hair so much. Well, he thought she did at least by her fascination with touching it and comparing theirs together.
"He does... I do like it, yes," he murmured thoughtfully, never really thinking of the two as entirely separate beings. He supposed that made him a little sensitive to such gentle attentions.
Christopher eyed her curiously, still watching her hand as though it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever witnessed. "Would you like me to...? Um, try that with you?" he offered, reaching a hand towards her. He hovered it at her shoulder to wait for permission, though. Perhaps years without humans had made her odd about things like touch and he definitely didn't want to frighten her.
She raised an eyebrow at the idea, eyeing his hand curiously. While she was hardly starved for affection- the wolves gave her plenty of that- for some reason the potential for human contact made something inside her sit up and and pay attention.
Smiling a bit, she nudged her head into his hand in a manner vaguely reminiscent of what he'd done in his cat form. She stepped even closer as she did, her concept of personal space apparently having suffered after years of sleeping in a literal wolf pile.
He smiled warmly for the way she'd done it, recognizing the animal quality. He swallowed nervously for her closeness but focused his attention on the hair he was being permitted to touch.
He buried his fingers among her much darker locks, fingertips brushing her scalp briefly with a feather light touch before he pulled his hand free. Careful of any tangles and snags along the way he focused on a particular soft section, his brow furrowing as he gently wound it around two fingers and rubbed his thumb along it with a gentle pressure. "Very soft," he praised, taking his time as he didn't particularly want to let go yet. "Do you mind?"
A soft sound that was something between a sigh and a hum escaped her and she leaned into the touch unconsciously. It was nice- was this what the wolves felt when she pet them?
"Uh-uh," she said quietly in answer to his question. "Don't mind. I like it." Curious, wanting more contact, she reached out and lightly grasped his other wrist, pulling his hand up to her hair. "More?" She tilted her head, blinking at him with wide eyes.
"Oh. Sure," he agreed, nodding some as he slowly worked his other hand through her hair in a mostly exploratory fashion. Once he'd run it all from root to tip, though, he lowered one hand to rest on her shoulder as the other settled to massage gently at the nape of her neck, fascinated by the particular softness there. "Doesn't hurt, right?" he checked, eyes flickering to her own.
That same humming sigh rose up in her throat and her eyes slid closed for a moment, relishing the contact. "No, doesn't hurt," she confirmed. "Good. Feels nice." She let her hand slide down to his shoulder and tried to mimic the kneading motions he was placing on her neck.
A coughing sort of bark suddenly drew her attention and she spun around to see Icefang giving them a very dry look. Brenna frowned and woofed, asking why her foster sister was there. The wolf barked back and nodded back in the direction of the den.
Sighing, Brenna turned back to Christopher. "Want to know where I am. Longclaw getting worried."
He hadn't expected her to try the same but it was a wholly pleasing sensation that made him want to purr. And he might have, if he'd had a bit more time with her.
The bark drew his attention, though, eyes suddenly fully open as he hadn't even realized he'd been close to closing them under her attention. "Ahh, time to go home, then?" he guessed. It wasn't a bad thing, he supposed she would need to return to the pack eventually as he'd really only stolen her away for privacy enough to reveal his leopard to her.
Still, he felt the slight and strange tugging of loss as he let his hands fall away from her. "Tomorrow?" he asked, wondering how often he could get away with seeing her.
Brenna nodded eagerly. "Tomorrow," she agreed with a smile. She started to turn to follow Icefang, then paused. Glancing back at Christopher, she asked slowly, "Could I...see your den? Home?" It may take some convincing, but she thought Longclaw would let her go.
Though curiosity was the driving force behind much of her interest in the shifter, she couldn't deny that there was a strange sort of pull that made her want to know more about him, personally, not just more about two-leggers.
"If you want to," he agreed, smiling slightly at the thought of showing her so many new things and that wonderful look of pure, innocent wonder he was growing quite fond of. "I'll take you there."
Perhaps if things went well he might be able to coax her into meeting other humans. She seemed a very naturally curious young woman, so he hoped a small taste of civilization with him might make her want to see more of it.
He stayed where he was, stuffing his hands into his pockets for warmth as he watched. There was a particular protectiveness he felt towards her. It would make him feel better if he could at least make sure she got back to her pack safely.
Beaming, Brenna nodded again and voiced a heartfelt, "Thank you." She gave him a quick wave before darted toward Icefang and falling into step beside the wolf as they made their way back to the den.
She kept looking back over her shoulder though, smiling a bit when she realized Christopher was still there. Where with another predator she may have felt a little wary under that gaze, for some reason with him it didn't bother her.
Her face felt warm again though. Huh.
The next day was filled with a deep clean his den had not seen in quite some time. There was no point in her visiting if it was messy and dirty, after all. The structure was mostly a cave with a small section outside that was protected from the elements by a proper roof and walls.
He'd made the place as human-like as possible in his time there with a proper bed and a floor of furs in all the walking areas. He had room enough for a cooking fire when he fancied it, but wood was always so troublesome to keep stocked in the winter months. Even so, he'd also gone out to get a bit in case she wanted to see it in action.
With the majority of his possessions stacked neatly or otherwise relatively organized he finally set out to return to the pack's den once more around midday. He didn't call out to her until he was nearly to the mouth of it, peering in curiously at the wolves he expected to see. "Hi Bryn."
The wolves had scented Christopher's approach, but by now they were growing used to him so it only elicited a few curious sniffs and huffs. Even Longclaw only shot a quick look at the mouth of the cave before settling down against Snowfur again.
Brenna scrambled to her feet and climbed out of the den, blinking as she stepped into the light and grinning when she saw Christopher. "Hi." She glanced back at the wolves and the gave a low, huffing whine.
Longclaw grumbled but his mate barked back, telling the Little One to go and enjoy herself. They were going on another hunt today, but they could work around her absence.
Smile firmly in place, Brenna padded up to Christopher's side. "We going to your den?"
"Hi," he greeted warmly, giving a little wave as she approached. "If you're allowed to go." He smiled, suddenly feeling a little bashful with the wolves there and listening to their conversation. There was nothing wrong with it and nothing worth hiding, but he'd liked the relative privacy with her before.
"Is...Longclaw all right with that?" he asked, glancing towards where he'd heard the grumbling wolf but careful not to make eye contact with him.
Brenna nodded happily. "Snowfur convinced him," she said with a smile, eyes glinting a bit. Carelessly, as easily as she might do to one of the wolves, she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, humming contentedly at the softness.
Dropping her hand, she practically bounced on the balls of her feet and half skipped a few paces away, then came back, her movements mimicking anxious canine pacing. "We go now?" she said eagerly, shifting from foot to foot.
"Oh," he murmured distractedly, stunned that she was already reaching out and touching his hair again. It left him a little flustered, a bit of color rising to his cheeks for the brief moment of affection. It was over quickly, though, and he watched her bounding away in her odd ritual of pacing.
"Yes, we can go," he agreed, chuckling softly as he turned to walk with her. Once they were a little ways from the den and on their way to follow his tracks back to his own home he turned to ask, "Did you use any of the...gifts?"
Falling into step beside him, Brenna nodded. "The blanket was nice," she said with a smile, both for his gift and for the ease that language was now coming. "Not real cold enough for another coat yet." She tugged on the sleeve of her ragged, hand-stitched coat. She didn't quite get the concept of exchanging one for the other, assuming she had to wear the coat he'd given her over the one she already had.
Which would certainly keep her warmer when winter really set it. The though sparked another grateful smile she turned in his direction. "You are very kind," she said slowly, carefully. "Thank you."
He was pleased to know that she'd actually used the blanket, though her words about the coat were a little confusing. "Another coat?" he mused quietly, shaking his head slightly as they walked. He could clarify another time.
Her words of such genuine thanks had his chest swelling a bit with pride. "Have to look out for our own," Christopher explained, gesturing between them. "Humans do that, and you're my neighbor now." It was a bit more than that, though he wasn't sure if he should admit what he felt privately about the situation. The last thing he wanted her to think was that people would only help her in a situation like theirs.
"Neighbor," Brenna repeated. She smiled a bit, shaking her head. "Never had those before. House was all alone..." She trailed off, frowning, as she remembered the consequences of that isolation. When her mother fell ill, her father had been planning to go for a doctor- but then he got sick, and what was she supposed to do? She'd been five years old.
She shook herself briskly, shoving the thoughts away. "Like having a neighbor," she decided, looking at Christopher while her lips twitched up on one side into a crooked sort of smile.
He really did like her smile. She seemed so genuinely happy to be talking about such a simple thing. Christopher chuckled under his breath, kicking at the snow a bit as he walked along to distract himself. "Not as close as humans keep theirs, but... Still neighbors."
The shifter pointed out ahead once they were near enough to see the entrance. "See that? It's there." He picked up the pace a bit, probably a little too eager to welcome a new acquaintance to his home. Once he reached the door he pushed it open and hung back partially in the doorway to keep it open for her. "It's not very much," he apologized in advance. "Still a good home, though."
Brenna had to exercise some will power not to race ahead when he pointed out his home, eager to get a closer look. Yet when he opened the door for her and stood aside she hesitated, not quite sure what to expect.
A little warily, she crept forward and poked her head inside. Eyes widening, she moved further in, looking around in a combination of curiosity and wonder.
Spinning to face Christopher, she darted forward and grabbed his hand, pulling him inside. "Show me," she begged, gesturing at all the newness around her with wide, sparkling eyes.
Watching the way she looked around he found himself holding his breath just waiting to hear what she thought of it all. Her request was met with a kind, understanding smile for her amazement.
Christopher let her pull him in and shut the door behind them. Where should he even start? "Well, here's where I keep my boots and coats. And there's a table. Fire. Food. Bath. And bed." He pointed to each area with his free hand. "Do you...like it?"
Did she like it? A wide grin spread across Brenna's face and she nodded. "Yes, I like it. It's..." She searched for a word. "Warm," she finally decided.
Then she frowned. "Not- not like hot warm. Heat warm. Something else..." She gritted her teeth in frustration, unable to figure out the words to convey her sentiment. "I like it," she said finally, admitting defeat to her limited vocabulary.
"Maybe...home-y?" he tried, his smile kind and brimming with amusement for how she was really trying. She seemed a bit better with her words. Did talking with him really change that?
"Do you want to sit?" the shifter offered, pointing at one of the chairs. "Are you...cold at all?" Well that was a little silly to ask when she'd just called it warm. But she had said it wasn't heat warm. He wondered if that meant too cold for her liking.
A little cautiously, Brenna took a seat. "Not cold," she assured him with a smile. "Nice in here. I like it." She looked around again curiously. "How long in this den?" she asked, looking back to him. Then she tried to correct herself: "I mean, how long...have you...lived here?"
"Just a few years. Maybe five or six years now. Um...winters? I used to live with family, my parents," he explained, taking a seat beside her. He looked around a bit, a frown setting in for what, to him, still seemed quite messy and unkempt.
"They still live close, so we see each other. Just for visits. They're neighbors, too." He glanced at her curiously, uncertain if he should suggest such a thing but not seeing what harm it could do. "Maybe you could meet them sometime. If you want to see more people."
After considering it for a moment, Brenna nodded slowly. "I think I'd..like that," she murmured. Frowning slightly, she drew her knees up toward her chest and rested her chin on them. "Didn't know we had...neighbors. Longclaw may get nervous, want to move the pack again."
Her frown deepened. It wasn't as though she was a stranger to the process, the pack moved its den every year or so, but for some reason this time the thought made her a little upset. She was enjoying this den. She liked the neighbors.
"Well... You don't have to tell him, do you? Could keep it secret. Unless you think he would find out." He furrowed his brow at the thought of the pack moving. He saw no real need to unless the alphas were really so uncomfortable with his kind. "I don't think anything else is secretly living nearby. Just us," he nodded.
She frowned a bit, a confused sort of frown. "Not...tell?" she repeated, as though the concept was completely foreign. And it sort of was; there were no secrets in the pack.
Then she shrugged, shaking her head. "Depends. He may not care. Where our land- home-" She struggled for the word for a moment, the gave up with another shrug. "If it's a small place where they...cross over, he probably won't mind."
"I'm the closest," he promised. After all, they technically were on his land. "He'd never see them unless he went looking for them." Maybe that was a good thing.
Christopher sighed, leaning forward with his forearms upon his knees in thought. "Longclaw doesn't like people, does he?"
Brenna shrugged, sliding toward the edge of her chair and mimicking his motions. "No, he's just...being alpha is hard. Has to keep the pack safe. Been doing it a long time, he's...wary."
Biting her lip, she glanced away a bit. "Before the pack found me...Snowfur's last litter hunted. Killed by humans when pack was out hunting. Snowfur still has the scars."
The news was a little surprising to him, but he supposed it was no different than the way humans hunted smaller predators for their furs. Killing innocent pups was a tragedy in his eyes, though.
"That's very sad, I'm sorry to hear that." Being childless himself he couldn't understand the loss of young ones, but he did know the bond of family. He and his sisters had been safe from any such danger being what they were. They could protect themselves, speak for themselves, but young wolves could not.
"She seems to care about you a lot," he added, smiling slightly for what he'd seen of the white wolf. "They all do."
Brenna smiled softly. "They're my pack," she said simply. "My family." She shrugged. "I love them, they love me. We...look out for each other."
Blushing slightly, she added, "That's why Longclaw...wary around you. Just trying to protect me. He'll warm up though- there's plenty of prey here for us to share land."
Christopher nodded in understanding, righting his posture a bit in the chair. It was an odd concept to him to see animals as family, but if she had truly been with them as long as she'd said he could see why they'd formed such a bond.
"Would he like it better if I stayed away? I could hunt further from the den," he suggested, though he didn't like the idea of suddenly not seeing her so much.
"No!"
She snapped her mouth closed, feeling her cheeks grow hot. "I- I mean," she stammered, "I don't think... He won't mind, just needs to get used to the idea." She looked away, brow furrowing slightly. Why had she had such a strong reaction to the idea of him not being around?
She'd only known the shifter for a few days, but it felt like there was so much he could show her, teach her. And if she was being honest, she liked him, spending time with him.
He smiled knowingly for the way she so adamantly protested. At least he had an ally on that front. "All right, I won't worry about it, then. I'm glad, though. I...don't really see too many people. It's good to know someone else it out there." It sounded off to him, though, and he frowned and found himself wishing he could take the words back.
He didn't like that she was out there but he did like having someone nearer than the human places that he could talk to aside from family.
She nodded, cheeks still feeling a little warm, but smiled. "Me too," she told him quietly. "I...like knowing someone is..out there."
Suddenly feeling a little awkward, she stood and looked around his den- house. He'd told her briefly what most of the things in it were used for, but she was still curious. "What's this?" she asked, tilting her head to look at him as she knelt next to what looked to her like a large, shiny, hollowed out rock.
She tapped it and found that it made a soft clanging sound, and was cold to the touch. She frowned, studying it closer. She vaguely remembered something like this in her before-pack-home... But in her memory it was much bigger- she didn't realize that was because she had been smaller- and usually filled with water.
Watching as she explored his space the shifter was quickly on his feet at her question. Padding over to her he crouched down to see what exactly she was looking at. "Ah, that's just a pot," he explained, chuckling softly.
"I cook with it. Soup and stew, mostly. Just when I'm tired of raw meat. Or I heat water for a bath, though that can take a while," he added distractedly, glancing up at the larger vessel. He pointed at the unlit hearth. "There with fire. Do you remember if you ever had anything like that? They're quite good."
"Fire," she repeated, nodding after a moment. "I remember fire." Then she frowned. "Bath?" Her nose wrinkled. The word summoned an image of Snowfur and Bright-Eye licking the pups clean, and she couldn't quite reconcile it with Christopher's explanation.
"Mhm. With water?" Was it really such an offensive idea? He supposed he could see how an indoor bath was a bit of an oddity to someone who lived in an actual wolf den. "It's like...a river or lake. Just smaller," he tried to explain, uncertain what she might have been familiar with in the ways of water.
"I think," she said slowly, "I remember something like that." Then she shook her head, shivering. "Why would you want to do that? Isn't it cold?" She didn't love Snowfur's baths, but at least her tongue was warm. On the rare opportunity they came across a stream when it was relatively warm she'd played in the water, but it was still pretty frigid.
Why would someone bother with that in their own house?
"Well that's what the fire is for," he explained gently. "You can make it warm enough to be pleasant. It's actually quite relaxing." Christopher thought he should offer to let her try it sometime but didn't want to think of the logistics of it if she'd never tried it before.
"Do you see anything you recognize?" he wondered, curious what she might have had before or found familiar.
Brenna looked around again, frowning in thought. "I think...this," she said, gesturing to the hearth. "I remember sitting in front of this, and there's fire, and someone was...singing..." she trailed off, then shook her head.
"Oh, and this!" She crossed to the bed, kneeling to examine it closer. "This is where you sleep, yes?"
He nodded for each that she named off and followed her gestures with his eyes. At least she had a fond memory, or he hoped singing meant it was good. "It is, yes. A bed for sleeping. Do you miss having one? Or...are the wolves good for bedding?" he wondered, amused at the thought of a giant bed of wolves all curled together.
She laughed a bit and nodded, hopping up to sit on the bed. "Wolves snuggle, we keep each other warm. And fur is soft." Experimentally, she flopped back, sprawling across the bed. "But this is nice too," she decided, turning to look at him with a small smile and sparkling eyes.
He stood to approach, though he kept what he felt was a polite distance from the girl upon his bed. "I'd hope so, you look like you've made yourself right at home," he teased, leaning to offer her a hand up. "Humans have even more than I do. Fancy stuff."
She took his hand with a quick grin and let him pull her up. "Fancy?" she asked, the word unknown to her. "More than this?"
She looked around the house. It seemed like there was a lot here to her.
"Mhm," he nodded, looking up and around them at the bare, stone walls. "Decorations. Pretty things." Christopher gestured to the simple furs that served as his floor. "Nicer things." It was difficult to describe without having anything to show her as an example.
Releasing her hand he moved across the large open space to rest a hand upon the relatively empty table. "They make things to display, things that only serve the purpose of looking nice," he tried.
Brenna listened to his explanation, expression growing more confused as he talked. Not because she didn't understand, more because...
"That seems silly," she said bluntly, crossing to stand beside him. "Why have something you don't use?" She shook her head. "Humans are...strange."
"Some are just a little vain," he chuckled in explanation. "A lot of them take a lot of pride in...appearances." It was the best way he knew to explain it. He didn't mind the odd pretty thing but he certainly didn't need any of it.
"Maybe if you saw you'd understand. Might like all that yourself," he teased. Surely she wasn't too far removed from that kind of life.
She wrinkled her nose, giggling, and shrugged. "Maybe." She supposed she really couldn't know without being put in such a situation. She still failed to see why you would want things around your den simply because they were "pretty" though.
"You don't want those things?" she questioned, tilting her head at him. While his home seemed quite lavish to her, he talked about it as though it was sparse in comparison to other human dwellings.
The shifter could only shrug, not really seeing why he'd want them at all. "I just would not go out of my way for them. Human homes are nice, but I prefer living out here. And life here is just...simpler. Perhaps if I live in a human settlement they might change my mind."
Christopher glanced to the door and then to Brenna, smiling a little anxiously. "I'm sorry, you aren't...uncomfortable being away from your pack for so long, are you? I can bring you back if you'd like," he offered.
She followed his glance to the door, her heart giving a guilty sort of lurch when she realized she actually hadn't been thinking of returning to the pack, as she perhaps should have been.
There was warmth in her cheeks and she nodded quickly. "Not...uncomfortable," she said slowly. "But I should go back." She gave him a small smile and gestured around at his home. "Thank you. For showing me."
He nodded easily enough, giving her a genuine smile. He reached to place his hand to her back to guide her towards the door and out into the bright, white hills of the tundra. "Thank you for joining me. I don't often get visitors," the shifter admitted.
"It was nice... To have you here, I mean," he fumbled, turning slightly to let his hair serve as a short curtain to shield himself enough to recover gracefully. "I like spending time with you, Bryn. I hope you don't mind if I keep visiting you."
A smile stretched across her face and she ducked her head, trying to peer through his curtain of hair. "I like it too," she said, entirely unabashed. "Like being with you. You can visit."
Her face heated a bit and, suddenly shy, she took a step back and said softly, "Please visit."
To hear her say it caused a strange tingly feeling in his chest. It was startling enough that he looked down at it accusingly and grumbled to himself, though he was quickly casting her a pleading look. The last thing he wanted was for her to think it upset him at all to know that the feeling was mutual.
"Then I will." He nodded firmly, determined despite that she'd already willingly agreed to it. "At least until you get tired of me," he teased.
Brenna grinned. "I won't," she said firmly, eyes glinting. Looking to the door, her face fell a bit and she said on a soft sigh, "Should go back though. They'll start to worry soon..."
She glanced at him and bit her lip unconsciously. She wanted to get back to her pack, but...at the same time, she didn't really want to leave.
As much as he didn't like it he had to agree for her sake. He didn't want to risk making her pack concerned when their good favor was so important.
"Probably for the best," Christopher reminded her, smiling kindly as he set a gentle pressure to her back again to try and urge her forward. "You're welcome to come back another time. Um, it's not gone forever," he added.
She nodded, jolting slightly at the touch on her back but relaxing quickly enough and allowing him to urge her back outside.
Where she hesitated, looking from him to the open tundra. It seemed silly for him to walk back with her if he was just going to return here anyway. "I say goodbye here," she said softly, giving him a small smile and shuffling her feet in the snow.
Following her out he stared at her with a stunned look of hidden hurt. He'd planned on taking her back and seeing her home safely. After what she'd told him he didn't feel right just letting her go to find her way back alone even if there were pretty obvious tracks in the snow.
"Wait," he urged her, jogging after her and trying to stop her by a gentle hand at her arm. "You said you were never alone." Christopher frowned deeply, grumpy at the thought of her asking to go on her own.
"I'll go with you, it isn't all that far."
She stopped at the touch on her arm, looking up at him in surprise. A small smile slowly worked its way across her face.
"If you're sure," she said with a small shrug. It wasn't bad if he offered to go out of his way, right?
The shifter could only nod, dropping back slightly behind her as he released her arm. She seemed so indifferent and yet...happy? It was entirely confusing to him what she actually had wanted and it left him wondering if he'd made the right choice.
If she'd wanted privacy and silence he was utterly trouncing on it now, but he supposed it was a fair price to pay to ensure she was returned home safe. "A lot can happen in the tundra when you're alone," he pointed out, as if that should have been reason enough for him to want to keep her safe.
"Longclaw would come kill me, I think, if you turned up missing," he teased.
Brenna chuckled a bit, shaking her head. "No. Just scare you, I think," she told him with a glint in her eyes. Her gaze flicked out over the tundra and she gave a small shrug. "It is nice to have someone...company," she said easily as they walked. "I just didn't want to...it seemed silly. You have to go back to your den- house- anyway, yes? Out of your way to do this."
"It's nothing, really," he tried to dismiss. That wasn't quite right either, though. He wanted it.
"I don't mind it. I mean, I'd feel better for it. I can get back quickly anyway, it's not that far. Even if it was far...always the choice of leopard." The shifter shrugged, not really seeing why she would worry herself over how far he might walk.
She tilted her head, looking up and sideways at him. "You'd...feel better for it," she repeated. Her lips twitched up a bit on one side.. "So...you're worried about me?" she ventured.
Even if she knew she could take care of herself, it was a nice thought.
Christopher flinched to hear that she'd figured him out. He looked down, flashing her a slightly guilty smile. "Yes... Is that really so bad?"
Brenna shook her head, her smile growing slightly. "No. Not bad," she said quietly. "It's nice..." There was another word, something that better fit what she was trying to express. "Sweet." Yes, that seemed right. "It's...sweet."
Sweet? Did that mean she liked it?
"Well... That's good, I think," he chuckled nervously, unable to look at her despite how much he liked seeing her smile and be happy. "Sweet is better than creepy." Maybe that wasn't a word he should have been reminding her of.
She chuckled. "Yes, it's good." He was acting...squirrely all of a sudden. Tilting her head, she asked, "Creepy?" That one was unfamiliar.
"Oh, nevermind it, I was only teasing." Good, she didn't know it. At least he could mostly retract that statement gracefully.
Christopher tried very hard to look normal again, but he knew he was failing miserably at it. "I just need to...protect you," he admitted with a sigh. "Keep you safe."
Huh. That was odd. "Why?" she asked innocently, genuinely curious. "You're not pack. Why do you want to protect me?" Putting aside that she could do that just fine on her own, thank you very much.
"Your pack is on my land. Kind of." He supposed it was more a shared territory if they were willing to co-exist with him. "I protect what's-" No he couldn't say mine. She wasn't his property just because of where she happened to be.
"I protect anything here," the shifter tried instead.
"Oh." She nodded. That made sense, at least a little. Chuckling quietly, she commented, "It's funny. You sound like Longclaw." Shrugging, she said, "Maybe that's why you make him...nervous. Another alpha male, but not one he can challenge. Fight. He doesn't know what to...make of you."
"Well I definitely don't want to fight him, that would be... Bad." And probably painful seeing as he didn't want to kill a wolf she saw as a parent. "I'd just like to, um, have you nearby. If he can tolerate that. Would he handle it better if I made a peace offering?" he wondered, smiling slightly at the idea of the wolf accepting any sort of gift from him.
Chuckling, Brenna shrugged. "Couldn't hurt," she said lightly. "But don't think you need to worry. Snowfur likes you. And he'll do anything to keep his mate happy." She frowned a bit, puzzled, and mused aloud, "She seems to want you around. Not sure, why, it's kinda strange..."
Smiling at him, she bumped his shoulder lightly. "I don't wanna...complain though."
"Does she really?" Well that got his interest. He wasn't sure why she might but he'd be grateful for any help he could get with her protective mate.
"Does she tell you anything? About why?"
She frowned a bit. "No, not really...She said something about this- being good for me. " She tried to remember the exact wording. "The Little One is growing up, not a pup anymore. Needs..." She struggled for a word. "Friend? Com-companion?"
Shrugging, she gave him a small smile. "Something like that."
"Ah, I see." Well, it was as good a reason as any. If he had the alpha female on his side he wouldn't complain either.
"Well I'm happy she thinks I can be a good friend to you. Because I am. Well, intend to be," he corrected, chuckling nervously. "If you don't mind it, of course."
Brenna shook her head quickly, smiling at him. "Don't mind. I like you. I like having a...friend."
They were approaching the den now. She could hear the wolves, heard the distinct change in their yips when they caught their scent. She stopped walking and turned to face him, giving him a slightly lopsided smile.
"Maybe should say goodbye here..." She frowned, finding that- well, she didn't want to say goodbye.
"Maybe," the shifter sighed, staring out distractedly at where he knew the den to be.
He reached out, wanting to give her a parting hug but stopping himself. Instead, he just placed his hands to the top of her arms and gave a gentle squeeze. "Can I see you again soon? If I'm not...taking up too much of your time. I'm sure you need to hunt and be with the wolves, too."
She smiled softly, nodding. "Not taking too much time. I'd like to see you again. Soon." She glanced at his hands on her arms, a little confused by the gesture but not disliking it.
"Bye Christopher," she said quietly, looking back at him. A sudden thought struck her and she tilted her head to the side. "Do you have a..." The word escaped her. Frowning, she said. "Like...shorter name. Brenna." She brought her hands together to show "short". "Bryn. Is there...that for Christopher?"
He patiently waited for her explanation, a flicker of realization in his eyes as she made her gestures. "Oh. Sure, um. I guess you can call me just...Chris, if you like. I'm sorry my name is long." He frowned slightly, shaking his head and letting his hands drop away from her.
Nobody had called him it since he'd been a boy, he'd always insisted on his full name among family because of their teasing. He didn't think he would mind it at all from her lips, though.
"Oh." She shook her head quickly. "Not too long. I just...wondering." A smile twitched at her lips though; she sorta liked the shorter version. "Bye, Chris."
Without thinking, she leaned forward and nuzzled her head under his chin, a friendly gesture she would have given the wolves without a second thought. Human customs and boundaries were still pretty fuzzy in her memory.
He froze in surprise at what she was doing, the friendly gesture causing a bit of color to rise to his cheeks. He raised one hand slowly, gently holding her hair for but a moment before he realized it was probably not a good idea to be so forward with her. He coughed and turned away quickly, certain she was just doing what she knew and not actually meaning any affection in it.
"Goodbye, Bryn," he bid her in a hurry, rushing off into the snow before he might get caught and kicked out by the protective Longclaw again.
A bit startled by his sudden retreat, Brenna watched him go for a moment, a puzzled frown etched on her face. Had she done something wrong?
She was distracted when the pack trotted down the slope to meet her with wagging tails and lolling tongues. Chucking, she let them usher her back into the den and humor we their curiosity about Christopher's den. Even Longclaw seemed vaguely interested, though he was apparently trying not to show it.
Distractedly, the girl noticed Snowfur nuzzle her mate with a soft huff and a whine. Something about "a good match". She shrugged it away, deeming it as unimportant.
Space was probably for the best. He didn't need to get overly familiar with her, much as he wanted to.
The shifter spent the next several days resuming his normal routines, even venturing into one of the human settlements to trade furs and meat for a few more essentials and replacements for the bedding he'd given away.
With distance, though, he only found himself thinking of her more and more. He wondered what she was up to, wondered what her days were like with the whole pack. There was a small thought that he wished he could have been with her to know and it scared him a bit.
He'd never cared to know any humans so well or taken the time to show them his own life, but he was clueless about why that was different with her. He assumed it was just a need to protect. After all, what kind of man would he be if he allowed any harm to come to her on his land? It was his job and his role to ensure she was comfortable and happy and felt safe. Never mind that she'd gone the majority of her life without knowing him at all.
When he finally returned to the den after a few days he brought along two parcels. One was full of fresh fish he'd caught earlier in the morning and the other contained a small cake for Brenna to try that he'd retrieved from town. As he approached, though, he felt his heart thumping annoyingly as he peered out to try and catch a glimpse of her or any of the wolves of her pack.
The next few days fell back into routine for Brenna- except she found herself glancing across the tundra in the direction of Christopher's den far too often.
But he'd said he would come back, and she believed him. So she tried not to let it bother her. It shouldn't bother her. Why was it bothering her?
It was these sorts of thoughts that Bright-Eye's warning park dragged her out of. Glancing up from what she'd been doing- digging some burs out of Icefang's fur, as it happened- Brenna's heart jumped and she leaped to her feet, practically running toward the mouth of the den.
Spotting Christopher approaching, she beamed and waved. The wolves had been lounging about in or around the den, and the omegas and the pups perked up as they caught his scent, giving welcoming barks.
He heard them first, the slightly muffled barks drawing his attention to the mouth of the den where he finally spotted Brenna. What niggling worries he'd had that they might have moved along ahead of him melted away. He couldn't keep a silly grin from his face as he moved a little quicker across the snow.
"I have gifts," he announced proudly. "Well, treats, really. For everyone." Christopher lifted the wrapped parcels in gesture before he bent to peer into the den. After catching sight of the wolves, though, his eyes returned to her.
"I'm glad you're still here. You, um, look well, Bryn." He didn't think she really looked all that different, but he wasn't sure how else to say that he'd missed seeing her.
Smiling, Brenna leaned forward a bit to sniff at his "treats". "We'll be here until the snows thaw," she assured him, tilting her head back to look at his face. There was a funny swooping feeling in her chest that made her frown for a moment and she stepped back slightly.
"You...look well too, Chris," she said quietly.
The wolves, sensitive noses catching the smell of his parcels, came crowding around. Snowfur and Longclaw hung back a bit while the others wriggled forward, pressing their noses against the shifter and yipping curiously.
The shifter laughed, happily crouching to set down what he'd brought. He tucked Brenna's gift between his feet but was eager to see how the wolves might accept their own.
Carefully unwrapping it he revealed the small stack of fish and nudged it towards them. Lifting his head, though, he noticed the larger male was not among the most eager to greet him.
"This is for you," he finally offered, unwrapping just the top so she could see inside before he held out the cake he'd brought for her. "It's a human food," he prompted.
At the smell of food, even Longclaw came forward, though warily. The rest of the pack waited respectfully for him to snap up a fish. Once he had- and offered a low rumble of gratitude- the others sprang forward eagerly. Fish wasn't something they ate often. In fact, the pups had never tried it.
Brenna accepted her own gift curiously, sniffing at it before turning it over in her hands, bringing it close to her face to scrutinize it. "Food?" she repeated, looking at him. It didn't look like food to her, but... With a mental shrug she took a bite.
And her eyes went very round. With a small moan of pleasure, she took another bite and let her eyes close as she chewed. "Good!" she exclaimed, looking at him with wide, sparkling eyes.
He was quite pleased with himself that everything seemed to be more or less accepted. He stood once the wolves were settled and eating to watch her reaction to the new food he'd brought. She seemed skeptical at best, but at least seemed willing to try it.
At first he was concerned she might reject it or have no taste for it after so long, but he was relieved that she liked it so much. "Yeah? Sweet, isn't it?" he chuckled, lifting a hand to set on her shoulder with a gentle pat. "They make those. Honestly, I'm not sure how, but... Well, it's something a little different to eat."
She cast a quick look at his hand on her shoulder, but didn't try to remove it, simply nodding with a grin. "Sweet," she repeated, nodding happily. It wasn't like anything she could remember tasting before, but it was good.
The treat was mostly gone by now, but feeling suddenly guilty, she paused. "Oh, um...you want the rest?" she offered, holding the cake out to him sheepishly. It didn't seem fair that he'd been the one to bring the treat and she was the only one enjoying it.
He wouldn't have rejected if she was insistent upon sharing, but Christopher tried to decline it as politely as possible as he gestured at her. "It's for you, you can have it," he tried to assure her, though he did find it a little adorable that she was offering to share with him.
"I can have those whenever I want. The baker. Um, she makes them," he tried to explain, uncertain if she would understand what that even was.
Brenna frowned. "Still..." she mumbled, and broke what was left of the cake in half, holding one piece out to him. "Share. As a thank you." She offered a small smile. "I don't have anything to give you, so..."
He definitely could afford to go without sharing in her treat, but the gesture was a little heartwarming coming from her. Christopher reached to pluck the small piece from her hand and pop it into his mouth with a satisfied hum as he savored it.
"Thank you. It's as good as I remembered." Letting his hand slip away from her he turned to watch the wolves with a proud look in his eye. "What do they think? Was fish a good choice?"
Watching the pack devour the last of their own treat, Brenna giggled and nodded. "Yes. We don't get it much. Fishing is harder than hunting for wolves."
As if in agreement, Graywind and Chaser pranced over to them, nuzzling Christopher gratefully- and probably in search of more food.
"I figured that would be so." He extended a hand to them as if to show he had nothing more for them, though he happily scratched at their fluffy coats instead as he looked to where he'd set their food. Of course, it was all gone.
"I'm sorry they ate it all, I should have set some aside for you," he apologized, unhappy he hadn't had the foresight to do that before. "I can get more."
Brenna shook her head with a smile. "No, that's alright. I don't really like fish anyway," she assured him.
She was curious about this "baker" he'd mentioned though, and how it seemed so easy for him to get fish even out here. "Could you...show me where you get these things? Someday?"
If it was far she didn't want to make him take her there now.
That she was asking to see for herself was a bit of a surprise, but he was grateful for it and eager to agree. "Yes, of course. Would you want to go soon? Maybe...tomorrow?" he offered, gesturing out in the general direction of the town.
"There are lots of people there, though," he warned her, uncertain if she had gathered that for herself already.
"Tomorrow?" Her eyes widened. She hadn't expected to go so soon- but she couldn't deny she was excited by the idea. "Yes!" She nodded quickly, smiling. "Tomorrow is good."
Her expression sobered slightly after a moment and she nodded again. "I can...deal with people now. I think." She gave him a small smile.
"Only if you're sure. You don't have to, but if you want to I can...be with you the whole time. And we can leave when you want to." He knew he was stumbling over his words, but it was important to him that she felt comfortable with it.
"Think about it tonight and give me a final answer when I come back," he urged her. "No need to rush, we can go another time instead."
Brenna nodded slowly. Thinking it over was probably a good idea. "Okay," she said with a soft smile. "Thank you, Chris."
The wolves, bored with listening to their human words, suddenly seemed to get a burst of energy and bounded playfully around them, pulling at sleeves and nuzzling sides in an effort to get Brenna and Christopher to interact with them.
Longclaw huffed and shook his head, but she thought it was more in fond exasperation than irritation, which was definitely a step in the right direction.
He was getting used to the pack even though he'd spent so little time with them. Brenna's ease around them was comforting, but it was still a bit difficult and unnerving for him to be the lone cat among such a pack mentality. He didn't really mind the snuffling and and playful tugs.
Crouching down again he offered his hands to them and tried his best to stay balanced and not be shoved over. "They always like this?" he laughed, looking to her with a fond smile.
She grinned, wrapping her arms around Shade's neck when he nuzzled into her side. "When they're happy," she told him, scratching under the wolf's chin. He gave a contented rumble and leaned into her.
Kneeling, she tilted her head at Christopher. "You've been helping me speak human," she said slowly. "You want to learn to...speak wolf?" She wasn't really sure if it was something she could teach, but she was willing to try.
At least he could be happy that they were happy. It was an improvement over wary and defensive of their human "sister."
"Speak wolf?" he asked, eyes widening in thought. Was such a thing even possible? He glanced over the pack, watching their subtle body language that probably spoke volumes. Maybe that wasn't so different from snow leopards but he was certain their vocalizations were.
"I mean, you can try. I have no idea where to begin, though," he confessed.
She smiled. "Well, what do you want to say? Most of wolf talk isn't talk- it's moving." she tilted her head and muse aloud, "The leopard may actually be closer to speaking wolf than a human..." True, canine and feline creatures had some distinct differences in "language", but maybe it would be possible to translate.
"It may be, but then I couldn't talk to you," he pointed out, frowning slightly. He looked over the wolves again before nodding. If he could not learn her ways he saw no point in it. There would hardly ever be a need as he saw it for him to be able to communicate with them as his leopard.
"How do I tell them 'hello'? We can start there."
"Alright, that's easy enough." She huffed to the wolves what she was trying to do and they settled a bit, watching curiously with tails waving slowly behind them. "Do what I do," she told Christopher.
Using Chaser as her example, she lowered her head and whined softly, looking up at him. When he gave a short huff of acceptance, she darted forward and bumped her head up under his chin, barking happily and using her hands to "paw" at his ruff. He responded in kind, tail wagging as he pawed her side and nuzzled his nose into her neck.
Giggling, Brenna rolled away from his attentions. "That part only sometimes," she laughed, running a hand through her hair. "If I wasn't pack, he wouldn't have done that."
He nodded, watching intently as they exchanged greetings. It was much, much more elaborate than he'd imagined, though.
"That's impressive, but... There's no small way? No one sound? Or gesture? Has to be all of that?" It was quite amazing in itself. He supposed he had a few ways of greeting his own family from the simple to elaborate so he hoped she might know the same for her wolves.
She thought about it. "Well... Um, try this." Ducking her head, Brenna looked up at him and gave a sort of huffing whine. Relaxing, she shrugged and said, "The sounds and the motions sorta go together, usually."
He watched but wasn't quite grasping the whine in it. Christopher tried to mimic her as he lowered his head to the wolves and gave a short, snuffling huff. "Like that?"
Graywind literally howled with laughter and Brenna clapped a hand to her mouth, stifling a giggle. "Um, not quite," she told him, laughing, eyes sparkling. Leaning forward to tap the center of his chest, she said, "Try again. From here."
He frowned, looking between them and wondering what he'd managed to say that seemed so silly. Looking down at where she touched he tried again but could only manage a growl this time. No, that wasn't quite right either.
"I'm sorry, Bryn," he sighed, giving her sad eyes as he tried again and again but only managing the silliest grunts and growls instead of the light, airy whine she was trying to teach him.
Brenna shook her head, smiling at him. "That's alright," she said with a shrug. "I probably can't speak cat."
It took her a moment to remember she still had her hand pressed against the center of his chest, and when she did she withdrew it quickly. Coughing slightly, she glanced away. "Anyway...long as I'm here, I can tell them what you say," she mumbled, gesturing to the wolves.
"Oh, you're giving up on me already are you?" He chuckled, turning slightly to look between her and the wolves again. "You just want to translate so I need you," he teased her, much as the thought of spending more time with her left a warm, tingly feeling in his chest.
She chuckled, shaking her head at him. "Maybe," she replied jokingly, giving him a crooked smile. Sobering a bit, she added, "If you really want to learn though, I can keep teaching you. Maybe...just needs practice."
"A lot of practice apparently," he sighed, though it didn't bother him. It would mean more excuses to be near her and spend time with her odd family.
"What's the easiest thing to say? Maybe I should start small if 'hello' is so complicated."
After giving it a moment of thought, Brenna suggested, "Maybe a howl. It can mean a lot of things, but usually it's just a "here I am!" thing." Without further ado, she tilted her head back and howled as an example.
The pups joined her, more on reflex than anything else. Longclaw huffed and rolled his eyes while Snowfur gave an affectionate if slightly exasperated yip.
The sudden sound had him backing away a little instinctively, the soft vibration of their collective howl through his body a little startling for him. As it became a little softer he tried to join in with his own, though it sounded slightly off and was a little too deep.
He tried too much and was left coughing and sputtering, his head ducking in embarrassment even though he had nowhere to hide. "Wolf is...harder than it seems."
The wolves huffed and waggled their bodies in amusement, but it wasn't mean spirited. Chaser pranced forward and bumped his shoulder lightly in an encouraging sort of way.
"He thinks you should keep trying," Brenna relayed with a grin. Shrugging, she added, "Just takes practice, I guess. I've been doing it for thirteen summers. Years." Reaching out to shuck him under the chin, she added cheekily, "That wasn't bad though. Just a weird...accent."
"Really?" He screwed up his face slightly at that, looking over the wolves with a playful accusation. "Am I not as much a local as they are? Or is it a species thing?"
She laughed. "Sp-species thing," she told him, tripping over the new word a bit. Though she didn't know the exact meaning she could figure out a general definition from what he'd said.
What he'd said about being a local intrigued her though, and she cocked her head slightly. "How long have you lived here?" she asked curiously, realizing that she'd just sort of assumed he'd been born to the tundra as she was.
"All my life," he answered easily enough as he turned his head to stare out at the snow. "A few different places, but always here. Always in the snow. Sometimes I think about moving or traveling." Christopher shrugged and turned back to look at her and the wolves. "I like it here. Probably for the same reasons you stay."
Brenna nodded, understanding. "I never wanted to leave," she said softly, looking out across the snow. "Never before. But now...sometimes..."
She shrugged, shaking her head and giving him a small smile. "It's silly. This is home. Wolves don't leave the pack."
It seemed like a good of a reason as any to stay, but he caught her look and narrowed his eyes curiously. "Well you're pack," he began gently. "But not a wolf. You're still human, it's okay to want to leave. Humans are...naturally curious, I think." At least in his experience they were.
"Wolves can always be home," he pointed out, gesturing to the furry creatures he was becoming more and more comfortable with.
He tried the greeting she'd taught him one last time, finally getting the very beginning of the whine to happen. It was a sound he'd simply never had need to train his voice for.
"I should probably get out of your hair, huh?" he sighed, though it was a sound of eagerness more than anything. He looked forward to returning to find out if she truly wanted to be shown a human town.
Chuckling and nodding approval, Brenna told him, "Getting better." The wolves huffed a few agreements, tails wagging slowly.
"Oh." She looked at him, a little disappointed. "Yes, maybe you should go. You'll be back tomorrow, right?" The disappointment was quickly replaced with hopeful excitement that was clear in her voice.
"Yes, tomorrow. I'll visit early. Just after sunrise, in case you want to go. We'll have more time that way," he explained, hoping she would not be sad to be away from her family for a day if she decided to go with him. She seemed excited, though, so he thought it was alright to be hopeful.
The shifter straightened up and stepped a little closer, but he was struggling with what he should do. He certainly didn't want to leave but their visits at the wolf den had seemed so short anyway. It would be odd if he stayed for much longer, but he doubted he would be welcome by Longclaw anyway after he'd made up his mind on what to do.
"Until then," he bid her quietly, a pronounced blush upon his cheeks as he leaned in to press a brief kiss to her forehead.
Brenna, tilting her head back to bid him goodbye, froze at the touch. She found her cheeks heating, though she really wasn't quite sure why, and her hand went absently to her forehead.
Staring at him, she murmured. "Tomorrow morning then...bye."
Snowfur gave a chuckling bark and huffed something that sounded to her human pup an awful lot like, So he's got some potential after all.
For some reason that made her face go even redder.
"Bye," he mumbled, hurrying to leave after he'd gathered up the remaining wrapping from the gifts he'd brought. Before disappearing into the snowy hills he chanced a look back at the wolf den and gave a short wave.
Christopher was restless throughout the night, though. Returning to his cave had just left him in a whirl of pacing. By morning he'd barely slept at all and it showed quite well upon his face. The shifter returned to the den with hope in his eyes, eager to show her even a little bit of the world she was missing out on.
Brenna slept fitfully, finding herself growing more excited as her anticipation for the next day built. Before most of the pack was even awake, she found herself waiting at the mouth of the den, watching for Christopher.
When she saw him, she jumped to her feet and waved, moving forward to meet him with a broad smile and- inexplicably- suddenly warm cheeks.
Well her smile was encouraging at least. He rushed forward to greet her, noting the slight swell within his chest for the sight of her so close again. He wondered if the blush he saw was for the cold or something else entirely.
"Hi Bryn," he greeted, a little breathless in his excitement. He dreaded asked her the question, though. He didn't really have much of a real excuse to stick around if she declined the trip besides just wanting to spend time with her.
Instead, he stalled. "Did, um. Did you sleep well?"
Not really. "Yes," she said with a nod, not wanting him to decide to come back another day in order to let her rest or something silly. They way he'd sort of rushed to meet her made her stomach flip happily. It was an odd feeling, and confusing, though not entirely unpleasant.
"Did you?" she asked, stepping forward a bit and reaching up to run her hands through his hair absently. She was beginning to treat him as she would a wolf, and touch was as much a part of greeting as words were.
"Kind of." The words were slow as he watched her hands, the shifter freezing in place to allow her to touch his hair as she'd done before. He leaned forward a bit so she wouldn't have to reach so much and just watched her expression with open curiosity.
"Still like my hair?" he asked, uncertain for the reason behind the contact but entirely welcoming of it.
"Mhm," she answered. Then, realizing perhaps her actions weren't appropriate by his standards, she pulled her hand back and flushed slightly. "Oh, sorry. Is that...wrong? For humans to do?"
That would be a pity. She liked they texture against her skin, it was softer than the wolves' fur. and if she was being honest she liked the contact with him, however small it was.
He only shrugged, frowning slightly when she pulled away in her hesitation. "Depends on how close they are," he answered carefully, not wanting to give her a reason to stop if she didn't want to. He hadn't minded it so far and he doubted any continued affections from her would cause him to recoil.
"You're allowed to with me," Christopher tried to clarify. "Just probably not with humans. They usually prefer words." That brought to mind his reason for going there again, even if it wasn't the only reason anymore.
"Would you like to see humans today?" he asked, looking down at the snow and digging his boot into it for a distraction. If she said no he didn't want to look as disappointed as he might have felt.
"Oh. Okay." She smiled, pleased that she would be allowed to keep touching his hair without crossing some boundary she didn't entirely understand.
At the question she bounced on her heels, nodding frantically. "Yes! Yes, can we go?" She glanced back at the den. "Told them I'd be back tonight. Longclaw a little worried, but he's letting me go."
He was a little surprised at her excitement but he couldn't fault her for it. He only worried she would be afraid once they faced it all and she did not have her pack to run to.
"Yes, it was a promise," he explained gently, as if that should have been reason enough for her to trust him. Looking to the den he smiled a little, just wondering how that conversation had happened between them.
"It's a long walk, but I'll take you." Christopher lifted his head and stepped a little closer to reach out to her. In a few seconds he'd offered his hand, then arm instead, then retracted it altogether and just gestured for her to follow him. She didn't need such careful guidance, much as he wanted more contact with her. He couldn't justify it and that made him a little sad as his arm hung at his side.
"Come on, then," he encouraged her, moving to lead her out through the unblemished snow.
Brenna watched his motions with a raised eyebrow, a little confused. But she set off after him easily enough, practically buzzing with a combination of anxiety and excitement.
"Christopher?" she said after a moment, lengthening her stride a bit to walk beside him. Not quite sure why she did it, she reached out to let her fingers brush the back of his hand, giving him a small smile. "Thank you."
"Hm?" He slowed a bit at the sound of his name and turned to look at her. He didn't really think it was something she should have been thanking him for when he was just as eager to show her as she seemed to be about going. The slight voluntary touch released some of his tension, though it also brought a bit of a blush to his cheeks again. He regretted not just taking her hand but was uncertain about how to correct it now.
"You're welcome. I know this is probably...odd. But I hope it can be fun." He gave an encouraging smile, though he was a bit nervous and jittery still about it.
"Fun," Brenna repeated with a small smile. "I am...nervous. But excited." She frowned a bit, looking up at him. "Does that make sense?" It seemed contradictory to her- perhaps she was using the wrong words again.
"Makes sense," he agreed, finally reaching out to pull her in for a gentle side hug to rub at her arm encouragingly. At least she was trying to learn still. She seemed to be getting better each day. "A longer word would be...anxious." Yes, that sounded right.
She froze up a bit when he pulled her against his side, then relaxed. It was quite nice, and his touch was oddly soothing. "Anxious," she repeated, tasting the word on her tongue. Shaking her head with a small laugh, she said, "Wolves don't get anxious. Everything is certain to a wolf. Hunt, fight, play, eat, mate- they're never nervous, they don't...doubt."
Sometimes she wished she was a little more wolf on the inside. Human emotions were confusing.
"Well wolves are lucky," he laughed, hesitant to let go of her. He didn't really want to. Would she be fine with it?
He wanted to ask. He almost asked, but he preferred to just be confident in what he was doing with her for once and kept his arm firmly hooked around her shoulders. "It's good to think outside of things you're certain about. Keeps life interesting."
It would be a few miles before Hyoite was on the horizon. As soon as his keen eyes spotted it, though, he was pointing it out. "See that? We're close now."
Brenna was content to walk tucked against his side, finding it oddly comforting. Less...anxious.
When he pointed to the town, she snapped to attention and peered in the direction his finger was pointing. "Never knew how close it was," she marveled, shaking her head. "We don't come this way often to hunt..."
"I wouldn't recommend it," he laughed, making a bit of a face. "They wander out." He pointed to the road and angled toward it.
"We can walk there. Easier ground. You sure you want to go? Not too late to go back," he reminded her with a kind smile.
She shook her head firmly, eyes determined. "No, I want to go." She followed where he led, looking at the road with interest and toeing it lightly before daring to put her weight into a step.
Christopher was patient as he let her step onto the mostly-cleared path. It was easier than stomping through snow but definitely icier. He slowed his own pace a bit so that he wouldn't make a fool of himself with slipping.
"What changed your mind? You said before you didn't go anywhere without your pack," he pointed out gently.
At the question a sudden warmth rose to her cheek. "Oh, well..." She cleared her throat and glanced away. "You- you're...kinda like pack. Part-time pack. I thought..." She shrugged, hunching in on herself a bit. "I know I'm safe with you," she mumbled.
"Part-time pack?" It was an interesting thought, one he hadn't considered at all until that point.
"Does your pack...accept me, then? Or is that just you?"
"They accept you," she said quickly, reassuringly. "The pups like you, Shade and Broketooth like you."
Flushing a bit, she ducked her head and added softly, "But...I think I might be the only one who sees you as pack." She frowned. "It's strange. I don't know why..."
He watched her closely, noticing how flustered she looked with her explanation. "Don't know why you do or don't know why they don't?" he wondered. He noted that she'd left out her foster parents from the list. Surely they were still wary of him, but he was curious to know what she thought.
"More...more me, I think," she murmured eventually. "You are...a guest. Neighbor. But you're still a hunter. It's hard for wolves to bring someone new into a pack."
She looked up at him frowning. "But...it was easy. For me. With you. I don't know why."
"Ah," he mused, looking out at the human buildings thoughtfully. It made sense that the wolves were still wary, but it was Brenna's acceptance that meant the most to him. He wasn't sure why but it made him feel quite proud to have earned her trust.
"So when you're with me you don't feel alone?" he tried to clarify. "You feel like you're still with 'pack'?"
"Yes," Brenna said slowly. "Yes, that's a good way to say it..." Her voice trailed off as her attention was drawn to the ever nearing buildings.
It was much bigger than Christopher's house. She shrank a little closer to his side, her nervousness suddenly front and center.
He smiled proudly. It was certainly an accomplishment in his eyes. The way she huddled against him shouldn't have made his heart leap as it did, but he frowned in concern for her anxiety.
Christopher slowed down a little and rubbed at her arm encouragingly, though he was still nervous about pushing her too far if it turned out she really wasn't going to be able to handle it after all. "Just a little bit further."
Shaking herself- much as a dog might- Brenna set her shoulders and nodded. "Okay. Ready." She tilted her head back a bit to smile at him. "I'm still...excited-scared. Anxious. But more excited now."
At least that's what she was choosing to focus on. Besides, she did trust him. If something went wrong, at least she knew she had him with her.
"Well, it's a big day. Don't worry, though, they'll just see you as another human. Just a normal girl," he explained. At least that's what he hoped for her. Surely at first sight nobody would know that she had lived among wolves and wilderness for so long.
"Probably won't see too many people anyway. It's cold. Humans like to stay indoors," he explained, gesturing at the buildings that were more or less sealed. As an afterthought he added, "You might like it better inside. Warm with a fire."
"Normal girl," she repeated softly, biting her lip. Okay. Normal...what was that exactly? How did she do "normal"?
"Fire," she mused, tilting her head with a small frown. "I...remember that word. But it's been so long..." she shook her head and gave him a small smile. "We can see that here?"
"I think most places have them. I'm sure you'll see quite a few," he chuckled, carefully leading her through town towards a merchant he frequently traded with. He hesitated at the door, though, uncertain if she would be comfortable enough with going inside or if she would rather look from a distance.
"We go through here," he explained gently, pressing his free hand to it to show her how it moved. "If you want to see inside."
Brenna's eyes flickered around, fascinated, as she tried to take in all the new sights at once. It was making her dizzy. Shaking herself a bit, she looked back up at Christopher and nodded with a small smile.
"I want to see," she said quietly, red-gold eyes glinting with curiosity and nerves. Automatically, she reached out to take his hand. She wasn't sure why she did it- it wasn't a wolf gesture- but it soothed her a bit.
He wasn't really surprised that she'd sought contact with him considering her actions around him and her methods of greeting he'd witnessed. The very human gesture left him a little stunned, but he certainly didn't deny her. Rubbing his thumb gently along the back of her hand he gave her a final smile of encouragement before heading inside.
With his free hand he waved to the owners, a pair of short humans that were sitting around the hearth in the back corner, but he gestured to Brenna with an apologetic smile to indicate they were going to look around a bit. "That's Ella and Marcus," he bent to whisper at her ear. "They're nice folks. You'll meet them soon, but I want to show you around."
Leading her around the edges of the shop first he gestured at a few of the more normal things she might have recognized. "Firewood- That's just chopped up trees. Fabric for sewing. Sometimes I get that for my sister if she wants to make something. Do you see anything you don't remember?"
Brenna's eyes were wide as saucers as she looked around, openly gaping. She stuck close to Christopher's side, suddenly anxious and twitchy, but still curious. She nodded when he gestured to Ella and Marcus but didn't say anything, struck dumb by her surroundings.
Some of the items for sale she recognized, at least fuzzily. Others were entirely foreign. "Wh-what's this?" she whispered, pointing to some odd metal contraption with what appeared to be a candle- she remembered those- inside. It was transparent, but when she reached out to touch the candle her fingers bumped against something solid and she recoiled quickly.
Her question drew his attention to the lantern on the shelf and he smiled kindly as he watched her. He gave a quick squeeze to her hand in reassurance. "It won't hurt you," he explained gently. "Just a lantern. You use it for light. You, um, can take it with you, see?" Christopher pointed at the small handle on the metal portion.
"This is just glass," he added, carefully knocking his knuckle against it to produce a dull sound.
"Glass?" She reached out to touch it again, less wary now that he'd proved it wasn't harmful. "What is glass?" It was smooth and cool to the touch, and she tilted her head, tapping her nails against it to elicit a clinking sound.
She giggled a bit, tapping it again in a nonsense rhythm. "Pretty."
"Glass is..." What was glass? The shifter had never had reason to think about it other than knowing it was a creation of humans. Besides a few items between his family he'd rarely seen the stuff outside of the human settlements.
"Glass is just human stuff. I don't quite know how they make it, but they do. Can be clear like that or have all kinds of colors. It is quite pretty," he agreed, pointing out to a few jars of spices that were more blue in color. "They use it to store things, too."
Further down he pointed out pieces of metal cookware. "They make that stuff too. Pots and pans and things. Like the one you saw with me."
Brenna wandered from treasure to treasure, eyes wide and fingers itching to touch everything. She was a sensory creature, and her nerves were fading in the face of her curiosity. As she wandered around the shop, she stumbled upon a carved wooden stick, holes along its length.
She stopped, staring. Her hands reached out without her conscious consent and she lifted it up, staring at it. "I know this," she whispered. Slowly, her fingers moved to cover three of the holes and she brought the narrow end to her lips, blowing gently.
A high, clear note rang out. Pulling the flute away from her lips, Brenna burst into tears.
He lagged behind a bit to just keep an eye on her as she explored. As far as he was concerned it was a safe place for her to get acquainted with human things again and satisfy some of the curiosity she'd had when visiting his home that he simply could not meet.
He watched her lifting the flute and flinched slightly at the sound that rang out from it. He'd heard human instruments before but never so close. The shifter ducked down a bit instinctively, but once it stopped he cast a quick glance towards the other humans in the shop. He smiled apologetically but hurried to her side and placed an anxious hand on her shoulder. "Brenna?" he asked, voice heavy with concern over the obvious tears wetting her cheeks.
Shoulders shaking, she clutched the instrument to her chest and sobbed, hiccuping little breaths in when she could. She turned toward Christopher instinctively, leaning into the comfort she'd come to associate with him.
Slowly, she began to calm down. Swallowing thickly, she murmured, "S-sorry, I'm sorry." She wiped at her eyes, still holding the flute. "P-papa played," she whispered, sniffling. "He was teaching me..."
Memories of her human parents had been repressed, locked away in a tiny box that she never even touched, let alone opened. But seeing the flute, playing one of the few notes she knew, brought them crashing to the surface of her mind. She gulped air desperately, shaking slightly.
To see her so distressed had him quite tense and alert, but the shifter also managed to put his arms around her when she came near. He frowned as he listened, carefully rubbing at her back in what he hoped was a reassuring manner.
Christopher brought one hand up to carefully cradle her head. "It's okay to be upset." He could at least tell her so, but he had no way of knowing how to convince her really if the sound had gotten her so unsettled. He didn't quite understand that there were other reasons it could have made her so emotional. "Music is nice, though. Is that...maybe something you'd like to bring back with you? Show the wolves? Or leave it here?" He glanced at the empty space on the shelf it had been upon.
Blinking away more tears, Brenna looked up at him. "I- I can take it with me?" She cradled the flute against her chest delicately, like it was a wounded animal.
"Please," she whispered, nodding. "Please. I'd like that."
He was relieved that she was asking for it. At least it was something he could get for her. Selfishly he wondered if she might associate such a thing with him a little bit more than with her human father.
"Yes, of course. Consider it yours," Christopher promised, lifting his head to meet eyes with Ella to assure the older woman that everything was alright and the crying girl in their shop was nothing for her to worry herself over.
"Would you like to meet them?" he whispered to her, nodding towards the counter by the fire.
Sniffling, Brenna took a few breaths to calm herself and offered a small, jerky nod. "Y-yes. Okay." Before he could usher her toward them though, she laid her palm flat on his chest and tilted her head back to meet his eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered. She rocked forward onto her toes to nuzzle her head under his chin, nose brushing against his collar. "Thank you for this..."
Such a gesture was one thing in the privacy of the open tundra, but in front of humans? The shifter stood stunned and uncertain of what to do exactly, too afraid to see if the older couple had even noticed what she was doing.
Too worried to make Brenna uncomfortable with such a thing, though, he decided to simply accept it. "You're welcome. I'm happy to help, don't worry about it," he assured her, his skin feeling quite hot near where she'd touched.
The shifter leaned from foot to foot for a moment, stalling and uncertain if he should reciprocate such a thing in the open. He opted for something a little more accepted among humans and leaned in to press a brief kiss to the top of her head. With an encouraging smile he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and moved to lead her closer towards the other humans.
"Ella. And Marcus," he reminded her again, nodding to each. "This is Brenna," he introduced, the humans smiling and entirely oblivious to the nature of the girl their shifter friend had brought to them.
"Welcome," the woman greeted, kind as she would have been to any other. She nodded at the flute with a knowing smile. "Find something you like, then?"
He'd done that thing again, pressed his lips against her head. She remembered the gesture, but as quick touched from her parents on her cheeks or forehead, or sometimes they'd exchange the touch between each other, usually on the lips.
It was nice, in an odd way. Comforting.
She easily let him lead her over to Ella and Marcus, sticking close to his side. She smiled a little at the woman and nodded, holding the flute a little closer. She wanted to speak, but she was suddenly shy, tucking herself half behind Christopher's body and sort of peering around him at the other humans.
All waited for her to speak but when nothing came out and she was instead hiding herself Christopher took that as his cue to take over for her. She could leave her shell in her own time, but it wouldn't hurt to present her with opportunities.
"Yes, she really likes it," he answered for her and gestured behind them at the door as he continued. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind us taking it today. I can bring extra tomorrow to cover the payment."
"Of course, my boy," Marcus laughed. "I know you're good for it."
Christopher nodded, smiling gratefully and turning to Brenna again. "Was there anything else you wanted while we're here? Can just point it out if there's anything you need," he offered, though he wasn't quite sure what she might have need for living among a pack that she didn't already have. Of course, that hadn't stopped him from bringing her human comforts before.
Brenna watched the exchange with interest. It seemed Christopher would have to give something to these people in order for her to be able to take the flute.
She bit her lip, looking between him and the couple, and shook her head. "No," she said softly. "I don't...need anything else. But-" She hesitated, tilting her head at him. "Are you sure I can have this?" She waved the flute slightly. "I don't want you to...give something up for me."
Ah, so she'd caught onto that bit of information. Christopher frowned slightly as he looked to the flute. He didn't want her to reject it just for that reason when she'd reacted so powerfully to it.
"It's okay, it's why I offered. Just means a little more hunting," he tried to assure her. "Nothing I wouldn't have already been doing. I would have come back tomorrow for that. It's really no trouble." He sighed and chewed at his cheek a bit.
Bending to whisper at her ear he added, "I want you to have it, Bryn. Please."
She didn't feel quite right about it, but... He was being so kind about it, and rather insistent.
"I'll go with you when you hunt then," she said firmly, decisively. "Then I can help. Not just your..." She struggled for the word. "Job? Burden?"
Frustrated, she gave a low growl and shook her head, hoping he'd know what she meant. Casting another glance down at the flute, she murmured, "Still, thank you." Her eyes flicked to Marcus and Ella and she added in a softer voice, "Um, thank you, too."
The humans observed her curiously but only thought it a little odd that she would be so insistent upon not accepting it as a gift. Many women of the north were hardy and were used to hunting at least sometimes if their families could not afford to purchase all that was needed.
"You're most welcome, dear," Ella answered for them with a gentle smile.
Christopher grumbled under his breath but decided to not fight her on it if it was what she truly wanted. Of course, her joining him didn't mean she necessarily had to work. Observing would be enough, right? "Fine. You can come with me, but... I have different methods," he tried to explain, purposefully vague as he didn't want to have to explain too much about his way of life in front of some of his clients.
"Thank you, again. I'll see you tomorrow," he bid them, turning to set an arm around her shoulders again to lead her back outside.
Well, she'd known he hunted with a bow. It would be interesting to see his "different methods".
Brenna tucked herself automatically against his side when his arm went around her, and she offered a shy little wave to Marcus and Ella.
"Where are we going now?" she asked curiously she asked as they stepped outside.
"Well, there's an inn there," he suggested, pointing at a small sign in the distance that he could barely make out himself. "If you want to see a human... Well not exactly a home, but more human than my own home. They'll probably have some of those...decorations I mentioned. Rugs and art and things like that."
"Okay." She nodded, following to where he pointed with her eyes. That would be interesting to see. "Why is it...not exactly a home?" she questioned, looking up at him.
"Well, it is. And it isn't." Christopher sighed, struggling with how to explain it. He blamed it on how close she was, how warm and nervous he felt to be mostly touching still despite how he would have struggled with it otherwise.
"It's a temporary home," he decided. "A place to stay for a night or two." He gestured out at the snow beyond the cluster of buildings as he led her down the road. "Like how your pack might move from den to den. Just depends on where the humans are going. They....migrate. Like the elk and the birds."
"Oh." She nodded in understanding. "Okay." She hadn't known that- she didn't remember her human parents migrating, but she had been very young. Perhaps they'd simply been waiting for her to grow up a bit.
"Do all humans migrate?" she asked. It suddenly struck her that if that was the case- he would eventually move on. The thought made her sad.
"No, not all. That would be a better question for one of my sisters, but... I don't think so, no. Most around here live here, I think. There will always be travelers in the world, though." He rubbed at her shoulder a bit before letting his hand drop a bit to settle at her waist instead. It felt right, but he cast a glance at her out of the corner of his eye to see if she might allow it.
"They move around for all sorts of things. Work, family, adventure- Just see the world. Not everyone likes to stay in one place forever, but I like it a lot here. Always felt like home," he explained, slowing some as they reached the taller building and he pushed his way inside where it was much warmer. A huge, roaring fire crackled and sparked at the fireplace, its warmth extending out to permeate the entire room. It sent a welcome shudder through his body to be in the warmth again. He was certainly a creature of the tundra but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate the nice things the humans had.
Brenna started a bit at the feel of his hand on her waist, but relaxed quickly, nodding along to his explanations. "You have sisters?" she commented, unable to remember if he'd told her that before. She didn't think so.
Then they were inside the inn and her eyes were drawn to the fire. She gasped, shrinking back against his side a bit in a combination of awe and instinctive fear. "It's alive," she whispered, eyes wide.
Still, it was delightfully warm. She found herself drawn toward it a bit despite her surprise.
He kept hold of her until he felt she might not bolt at the sight of it, but Christopher smiled kindly for her discovery. He stepped a bit closer to it and gestured for her to follow. "Come see. Just... Don't touch it. Just look."
Warily, Brenna crept forward. She took his advice about not touching it to heart, but leaned as close as she could before the heat became uncomfortable.
"Pretty," she said with a small smile, twisting to look up at him, flute still clutched to her chest. "How does it...move like that?"
The way she leaned in had him endlessly nervous. There were quite a few times he almost reached out to yank her back, but he waited and watched instead. "Move? It just does," he sighed, a little disappointed he didn't know how to really explain it to her accurately.
Christopher stepped closer to stand beside her and watch the fire dance. "Not all of them are so big, though. This one just has a lot of work to do." He gestured at the space around them.
Brenna nodded, looking around the large space. "It's nice in here," she said softly. "I see why humans would want to stay here."
There were much more people than she was used to dealing with though. Now that her fascination with the fire was dying down, she found her shyness returning in full force. Whimpering quietly, she shuffled closer to him, pressing back against his chest.
Christopher nodded proudly but grew a bit tense to hear her whimpering. He immediately set a hand to her shoulder and drew her in close, if only to shield her a little from people around. He felt a certain uneasiness knowing she was still quite nervous. "You're okay," he whispered, moving to guide her away from the fire's heat and nudge her towards the hall.
It wouldn't really do to explain what he wanted to a human innkeeper so he tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
She moved easily where he guided her, nodding at his words but still huddling close to him. It wasn't that she didn't trust him or thought he would intentionally lead her anywhere she wouldn't be safe- she was just nervous, a lifetime in the wild making her twitchy and on edge.
"Where are we going now?" she asked quietly.
"We'll find a spare room no one's using," he explained, though he winced a bit at how such a thing might have sounded to a more socialized woman. "Just thought you might like to see, is all."
Ushering her down the hall he listened carefully for one that seemed unoccupied. Cautiously pushing in, he peeked in to be certain no one's belongings were inside before gesturing with his head for her to follow him. "This should be safe. Private and quiet, see?"
Christopher fumbled around to light the candle on the table. It was a bit colder without the fire but at least they wouldn't have to contend with a crowd of strangers.
"Oh." Brenna looked around, cautiously stepping into the room. She could only make out basic shapes in the darkness and moved forward, reaching out to explore with touch instead of sight.
Then Christopher lit the candle and she gasped, skittering back a few steps and staring at him with wide eyes.
"You can make that? Make fire?" she whispered, awed.
"Huh?" He froze and looked down at the still-lit match in his hand. "Yes, with this." He gestured with it briefly before blowing it out entirely.
"There are other ways, but that is the easiest. Humans have a lot of convenient things," he explained gently.
She nodded slowly, still confused about how he'd done it. But after so much new information in such a short time, she wasn't sure she wanted to ask for more specifics.
Letting her attention wander, she turned in a slow circle as she took in the room. "This is...nice," she said after a moment. "Comfortable." She crossed to the bed and sat, bouncing a bit with a small smile.
He watched from his place by the door as she explored, too nervous to leave his self-appointed guard post there in case they were found out. When nobody came for them he finally moved to trail after her slowly so that she could look at her own pace.
"It is, isn't it?" He hesitated for a moment but decided to sit beside her at last. The bed was certainly more comfortable and cushy than his own, he thought, but decidedly less warm and home-y.
"I suppose this would just be...a typical bedroom for humans nowadays," he explained with a shrug. "Is it anything like you remember?"
"I think so. A little," Brenna said slowly, crinkling her head as she tried to remember, looking around again. She reached over to lay her flute on the small table beside the bed, then curled up on the mattress, pressing against it with her hand experimentally.
"Much soft than the den," she said with a smile, sitting up a bit. "Try it!" She grabbed his arm and tugged him down to lay beside her, giggling as the bed bounced at the shifting of weight.
Letting himself fall back he rolled his eyes but pressed his hand down to indulge her. Turning over onto his side he leaned to prop himself up by one elbow. "Very soft," he agreed, stroking his hand along the top again.
"If you ever moved to a human house you could have one," he suggested, though he immediately felt bad for suggesting it and frowned.
She frowned a bit at the idea. "If I lived in a human house...I'd have to leave the pack." She shook her head, burrowing a little deeper into the mattress. "I can't do that."
But suddenly she felt conflicted. The more time she spent around Christopher, in this town, the more her human memories nagged at her. She'd always been happy with the pack, but suddenly she began to wonder...what would happen if she left?
Whimpering softly, she gravitated toward the shifter, nuzzling into his side and tucking her head against his shoulder, nudging up under his chin as she had before. "I'm...confused," she mumbled.
He nodded and hummed, completely understanding of why she probably wouldn't want to do that. Still, it was strange to him that she might be so curious about a people she never planned on living among again.
He sighed and brought his hand up to rest at her arm, his thumb stroking a gentle rhythm. As much as he hated her discomfort he took pride in the fact that she seemed happy to seek refuge against him. "What's confusing?" he asked softly, face quite somber despite his curiosity.
"I- I've been pack for so long," she mumbled. "It's...who I am. What I am. But..." She sighed, curling in toward him. "I'm...starting to remember, I think. What it was like before. Is this...where I'm supposed to be? I don't understand."
Tilting her head back a bit to look at his face, she frowned in confusion. "I don't understand," she repeated, frustrated. "Wolves stay with the pack. But...I like being with you." She gave a low growl and dragged a hand down her face, rolling onto her back to stare at the ceiling.
He watched her struggle with interest but felt a little guilty for it. It was his fault for bringing such things into her life and befriending her. True, she could have rejected it all and kept on with her life but he couldn't exactly blame her for being curious either. It tickled something in his chest to hear that she liked being with him, though. At least he had that to hold onto.
"You can be wherever you want to be," he told her, letting his hand glide down along her arm a bit before lifting it away entirely.
"If the pack is your home then stay with the pack. I can always visit you," he reminded with a kind smile. "And you can always visit places like this. Just- You don't have to live with the pack if you like places like this better. Human places, human homes."
Brenna sighed, nodding. This was too much, too big to think about right now. She could go over it all later.
She found herself whining a bit when he withdrew his hand and frowned. She'd liked the touch. Grabbing his wrist, she drew his hand back to her shoulder and shuffled a little closer.
"Can you keep doing that?" She looked up at him with wide puppy eyes. "Feels nice."
"Hm? Oh! Sure, of course," he stumbled, surprised but entirely willing to indulge her. Christopher lightly gripped her shoulder before resuming the gentle touch through clothing to pet along it and her arm. It was soothing even for him to have a steady rhythm to follow, and being allowed to remain close was a plus. If she liked it it wouldn't hurt to be a little more familiar, would it?
Deciding he would try he shuffled a little closer and adjusted to rest his head on her other shoulder instead. Curling in slightly against her side he just listened to the sounds in the distance.
A soft rumble built in her chest, like the sound Chaser made when she scratched in just the right spot, and she smiled a bit. Reaching up, Brenna rested her hand on his arm in turn, snuggling closer.
"I like this," she said quietly, shifting up a bit and curving her body around him. It was different from cuddling in with the wolves, but just as comfortable. Maybe a little more so. She let her hand drift down to his chest, feeling his heart beat against her palm.
"Thank you," she murmured. "For this. For bringing me here." Even if it was confusing, she was glad she'd come.
The continued voluntary touching was a pleasant surprise and he smiled to himself and nuzzled against her shoulder a bit more as she got comfortable. His animal was perfectly content to have her so near and he would have purred if he could have.
"I like this, too," he whispered, nodding in acknowledgement of her thanks. "Just thought you might like to see the world a bit. Well, what's close at least." He smiled some and reached his free arm around her to pull her a little closer. It felt nice to just rest with her after a day on his feet, but he couldn't help the thought at the back of his mind that it wasn't right of him.
His desire to keep her safe didn't mean that they had to snuggle up together. That was on him and entirely selfish. But it was also her choice and she seemed to be perfectly eager for his attention.
"We should probably head back soon," he spoke softly to remind her but made no move to disturb their rest.
Brenna gave a little noise of surprise when he pulled her closer, but settled against him happily enough. "But you didn't have to," she murmured with a small smile, reaching up to pet his hair. She really liked doing that. "It's kind of you."
She pouted a bit when he mentioned leaving, but nodded with a sigh. "Probably," she agreed, though she too made no move to get up. Even though she hadn't really exerted herself all that much, all things considered, she was still suddenly tired.
With a huff, she pressed closer and tossed one leg over his hip, arms wrapping around his neck and shoulders. "Don't wanna move," she grumbled.
A grunt of surprise escaped him at the way she was suddenly wrapping herself around him, but the shifter certainly wasn't against it. He gave a low laugh and hugged her close before pressing another one of those light kisses to her temple. "I like stubborn Bryn. Well, all Bryns really. We can stay a little while longer. Just don't want to worry your pack."
The last thing he needed was her entire "family" hating him or worse, banishing him somehow from seeing her again. She'd made them a promise and he felt bound to it as well. "Do I need to carry you back?" he teased.
A quiet laugh rumbled in her chest and she tightened her arms around him a bit, being "stubborn Bryn".
"Told them I might not be back 'til sundown," she said easily, tilting her head a bit in puzzlement when he did that mouth-touch thing again. "They won't start worrying until then." Hopefully. Shaking her head and wrinkling her nose at him, she protested, "I can walk!" still laughing a bit.
Shifting a bit so she could look at his face, her expression sobered and she asked, "What do you call that- that thing?" She leaned forward to press her lips to his temple as he'd done to her. "That. What is it? Why do you do it?"
"Yes, but I think you forget how much time it takes to hike in the snow." He would prefer to ere on the side of caution anyway. He was already thinking towards the future and thought he might have better success at earning the pack's trust if he showed he could return her quickly and unharmed.
The attention she drew to his kiss, however, distracted him completely from that and had the shifter blushing and turning his head in a vain attempt at hiding. "It's... Just a kiss," he mumbled, startled that she would do the same. He was feeling guilty that he'd been doing it all along without her even knowing what to call it. Maybe she didn't even understand it.
"It's a...symbol? Sign? Of affection," he muttered, wary of explaining much further than that. "I'm sorry I thought you might know what that was."
"Kiss?" She nodded slowly. "I...sort of remember that. I guess I forgot what it was called. I remember Mama and Papa kissing my forehead." Her brow furrowed a bit. "It didn't...feel the same. It was warm, like when you do it. But yours are- tingly." That was the best description she could come up with.
Sitting up a bit so she was arched over him, Brenna tilted her head and gave him a considering sort of look. "They did it to each other, too," she mused, still frowning in thought. "But like this." She dipped down and pressed her lips to his.
Tingly was definitely the right word. It started in her belly and traveled up to her chest, much stronger than when he'd just kissed her forehead. She pulled back sharply, eyes widening and squeaking out, "Oh."
Tingly? His family had always been a little unconventional by human standards, but they'd certainly shared a fairly loving home when they'd all been together. Never once would he have ever described any of their affections as tingly. With Brenna? Definitely. Leave it to the peculiar wolf girl to get the butterflies going.
Christopher frowned some, watching as she got up and leaning to lay a bit more on his back instead. Well, at least she knew there were different kinds and reasons, she wasn't completely oblivious.
Her sudden kiss left him speechless and still, wide-eyed and staring dumbly at the wild girl who had gotten up the courage before he had. Somehow he doubted it was courage that drove her, though.
His lips remained firm but undemanding until the moment she pulled away, wary of considering it a conscious effort on her part. It was more peck than proper kiss anyhow, but his eyes darkened slightly as he tried to gauge whether her surprise was good or bad.
"That was tingly," he pointed out, sitting up and leaning in close to study her wide-eyed innocence. He still wanted more and it felt almost too wrong to press her for anything further. Almost.
His hand reached up to twist a lock of her hair around his finger, studying the texture briefly before letting it fall away. Instead, he lowered it to cup gently against the nape of her neck. For a moment he simply pet at the softness there as a smile played at his lips. "I like tingly with you," he whispered, leaning forward to press his lips to her own, this time with full awareness.
Her eyes widened further when he leaned in to kiss her again, but she made no move to push him away or lean back. In fact, for a moment or two she made no move at all.
Then tingly drove her forward, pressing closer and tilting her head cautiously, more a curious instinct than a conscious decision to deepen the kiss. Her lips parted in a small gasp at the swooping sensation in her stomach and she pulled away to look at him for a moment.
Slowly, she nodded. "I like tingly with you, too," she murmured with a tiny smile. She leaned in to kiss him again with more confidence, more understanding. Her hand moved to rest at the back of his neck, mimicking him.
A soft sound that was almost a whine escaped her and she shifted closer. She was suddenly warm- hot, even- almost uncomfortably so. But she still wanted more heat, somehow. She didn't entirely understand it, moving mostly on instinct, but her other hand came up to twine her fingers through his hair and she tilted her head again experimentally.
A low growl rumbled in his chest for her attention and the spoken confirmation. It was clear enough to him now that she wanted whatever it was that they'd stumbled into. His hand moved up to tangle within her hair instead as he leaned to join them again, her squirming a bit too much to resist.
The shifter's lips were suddenly lacking in the earlier softness of hesitation. They became hungry as he grew more and more desperate to draw forth more of those sweet sounds of hers that sent shivers through his body and sparked flashes of fire in his belly.
His free hand rose to brush up along her thigh, fingertips painting a trail to her hip and eventually her waist where they settled to spur her forward, closer. He didn't quite know what he was asking or even really how to ask. Christopher only knew that he wanted her kiss and touch, wanted to feel the warmth of her in a way that was more familiar than their innocent play.
Brenna drew in a sharp breath at his touch on her leg, his fingers leaving a trail of heat across her skin. She found herself growling right back at him, the sound not angry but still somehow far from playful.
Not sure why she did it, she nipped at his bottom lip, arms slipping down to wrap around his shoulders as she arched up against him.
"Chris..." Her voice trailed off in a confused little huff of a whine. "I- I want..." She didn't know what she wanted, but his hand on her waist was certainly a start. She dropped one hand to cover his, sliding it up to her ribs and back down. That was closer.
A light hiss escaped him for the slight sting of her bite but he was hardly fazed by it. In fact, it only encouraged him. "Brenna," he growled in warning, easily moving his hand along with hers.
Her silent permission left him to wander up and down along her side, fingers dragging lazily as he went. It was a rare treat for him to be permitted to explore in such a way even through clothing. The hand in her hair retreated to tug her against him instead. Already he felt so warm but he needed to feel her.
Eyes flickered to meet her own briefly before he bent to press a few kisses along the side of her neck, his thumb rising to graze against her breast as he pulled her in closer. She was too sweet for this in his opinion but that didn't stop him from wanting. "This?" he guessed.
She sucked in a sharp breath, surprised by the rush of heat elicited by that touch. "Yes," she whispered, nodding quickly. Her hand went to the back of his head as he kissed her neck and she let her head fall back with a little whimper.
"Hot," she murmured, eyes fluttering. "I'm so hot. Why-?" She arched against him, shifting and wriggling in an effort to get as much contact as possible. Her fingers trailed down his back and dug in, nails catching at skin.
"Because these are different," he said simply, kissing his way back up to her jaw where he lingered. Christopher breathed a heavy, shuddering sigh for the pleasant sting of her nails against his back. Somehow one kiss had led to all of this and yet she seemed to have less restraint than he did.
"We should stop here," he warned her, frowning in thought even as he made no move to release her or stop the sweeping of his hand against her side.
The word "stop" actually made her whine- though she really had no idea what going on would entail, she knew she didn't want stop.
But if he said they should... She forced herself to sit back a bit, skin flushed and breath coming in quick little pants. "Why?" she demanded, pouting a bit. Drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, she asked with a furrowed brow, "Is this...wrong? Not a human thing?"
She really didn't know what to think. He'd seemed to like it as much as she had, but perhaps he was simply humoring her "wild girl" tendencies.
It pained him to hear her ask such things. How could he explain it delicately and not offend her? Or scare her?
"No, not wrong. It's definitely human it's just..." Christopher sighed and leaned back a bit to really look at her, eyes roaming over her freely. As much as he wanted her he wasn't exactly desperate for something quick and casual.
"This is...the kind of thing mates do," he answered carefully, trying a word he'd heard her use before and hoping she might understand the context. "Like Longclaw and Snowfur but...for people."
"Oh." Her eyes widened and she blushed. "Oh."
Feeling suddenly awkward, she drew away from him and curled in on herself a bit. "Um...sorry," she mumbled, another very human emotion that she wasn't used to bubbling up in her chest- embarrassment.
Well, it's not like she'd known. It had felt nice, she just wanted... Her blush deepened as she realized she didn't know what she'd wanted, exactly. She'd just been reacting to the tingly feeling he sparked in her.
Christopher smiled sadly as she withdrew. It seemed clear enough to him that she hadn't realized it at all before. That only solidified it for him that he'd made the right choice for her sake.
"Don't apologize. I shouldn't have done all that. Not without you knowing," he sighed, sitting back and running a hand through his hair in frustration. He didn't regret explaining it to her but he felt awkward and unsettled to know she'd reacted so powerfully to the news.
"I'm sorry, Bryn. I won't do that if it makes you that uncomfortable. Or the...other ones." He gestured vaguely at her, meaning the little pecks he'd gotten into the habit of.
Brenna shook her head slowly. "Don't be sorry," she murmured, still very red. "I...wanted to." She still wanted to, if she was being honest, even knowing there was more meaning behind their actions.
That just confused her even more. Glancing at him sidelong, she said quietly, "You don't...have to stop. The other ones." She offered a tiny smile; she liked his little kisses and touches, and those seemed to not be specific to human mates.
He raised a brow questioningly, uncertain if she was only saying that to appease him. Time would tell, he supposed.
"I did, too... It's just easy to be like that around you," he admitted, looking away briefly before offering her an encouraging smile. Perhaps he'd been a little too harsh, but at least she wasn't entirely against it after all.
He moved to stand up and offered her his hand once he'd smoothed out his clothes. "Let's go somewhere else," he urged her, not wanting them to get caught where they shouldn't have been anyway.
She gave him a small smile of her own and let him help her to her feet. "Alright," she said quietly, snatching up her flute again and holding it protectively to her chest. "Where should we go?"
She didn't want to go back to the pack just yet. She was still...thinking. Working things out. All the kissing and touching had left her even more confused than before.
He held onto her hand even once she was on her feet. Of course, he had no good reason for it other than that he wanted to. "That depends," he mused, leaning to blow out the candle before leading her back out into the hall. "Do you want quiet or crowded? Do you want to see more people or just have me around? I have a couple things in mind, but... Don't want to overwhelm you."
Brenna considered that for a minute. She was feeling a little overwhelmed, and the idea of it just being the two of them was safe and inviting. However, it seemed that now, every time she looked at him her skin got warm and tingly and she had to drop her eyes.
So maybe not the best idea. "I'm fine. What did you...have in mind?" she asked, letting him keep a hold of her hand without protest as he led her along.
Christopher was secretly pleased she was willing to try something else quite new. "Well... Remember the fish? You've never seen the big ones, have you? Like really huge ones." He gestured to a height far greater than his own short stature.
"The fishermen bring their catches to the docks. A lot of the big ones come from the ocean," he explained. "Would you like to see, maybe?"
Fish? That big? Her eyes went wide and she nodded, speechless.
Another unfamiliar word. "Ocean?" she repeated as they walked. "What's that?"
"An ocean is...big water?" He shook his head and frowned. That wasn't quite right.
"The lakes and rivers are in the land, but...the land is in the ocean." That was a better comparison. At least he thought so. "Does that...make sense? We're on a big island, really. Water is all around us if you travel far enough."
Brenna stopped walking. "Really?" she whispered, eyes very wide. Her grip on his hand tightened a bit in her surprise as though needing something to anchor herself.
Shaking her head, she tried to refocus. It was hard to digest this new information though. "O-okay. And the- the big fish...are in the ocean?"
He eyed her reaction out of the corner of his eye, pausing with her in their walk. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to explain it in such a way. "Yeah, in the ocean. Um... I think they get bigger because they have more space out there." He nodded confidently. That made sense.
Brenna nodded thoughtfully as she considered that. "I guess...that makes sense." Moving up to walk closer beside him, she tipped her head back a bit to study his face. "Have you ever seen the- the ocean?"
Resuming their lazy pace he hummed and turned his head some to smile down at her. "Yeah. Not often, but I've seen it. Just prefer the snow and the rocks and the mountains. I like my water frozen." He chuckled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"It's big and just... Endless, I think." He wasn't really sure, but it was probably near enough endless. He didn't plan on bothering to spend much time at sea to check. "Somehow the boats find their way back, though. It's very pretty, though. Kind of shiny sometimes. Well, I guess all water can be shiny."
She stared at him with wide eyes and rapt attention, smiling a little vaguely. "Sounds pretty," she murmured, trying to picture what he described. "Like- like the tundra, but water?" And apparently endless.
Though she'd never really left the frozen land she'd been born to, she knew it must end somewhere. It was a concept the wolves had never really seemed to understand, but listening to him talk about the ocean...she thought she might be starting to get why they couldn't wrap their heads around the idea. It was all they knew.
It suddenly struck her just how very small her world was. She let out a heavy sort of breath and unconsciously leaned against Christopher's arm, brow furrowed in thought.
"I...think so. The tundra isn't really endless, exactly, but close enough." He looked to her again to check if she might seem like she was understanding him but instead caught her odd look and that heavy little huff. "Is everything alright? Am I...talking too much?"
"Hm? Oh, no. No, of course not." She gave him a quick smile, but her expression quickly fell back into somber territory. "I just... There's so much I don't know. Or don't remember." With a bitter little chuckle, she shrugged and added, "Can't even talk right half the time."
"Well you didn't have anyone to talk to really, did you? I don't think anyone expects you to practice with wolves." He shook his head at the thought. If she'd truly lived among them as long as she'd told him he surely wouldn't blame a little girl for not training her speech skills with her adoptive animal family.
"I don't think anyone knows everything, though. I don't know everything. You'll have time to learn. If you want to learn, of course."
Brenna nodded determinedly. "I do." She still wasn't sure what to do with the information she already had- was she more human or wolf?- but she knew she wanted to learn as much as she could.
The smell of fish was strong in the air now as they drew closer to the docks and she sniffed curiously, then sneezed, shaking her head and wrinkling her nose.
He gave her hand a small squeeze, happy enough with her answer. As they approached, though, he startled slightly for her sneezing. "What-? Why...?" Christopher tilted his head in confusion, uncertain what it meant as he was pretty well desensitized to the smell. "Is it that bad?"
"Fish," Brenna said by way of explanation, looking up at him with wide eyes for a moment before sneezing again. "Smells like- like fish. Lots of fish." She held a hand to her rather sensitive nose, shaking her head and blinking to clear the tears the sneezes had brought to her eyes.
"Well yes..." Had she not understood what he was taking her to? Christopher looked around at the crates and piles of the scaley creatures and the rows that hung further down the way. He saw nothing other than what he had expected.
"We are around a lot of fish," he agreed, pursing his lips slightly in confusion. "Is it not- Do you, um- Should we not be here?"
She shook her head quickly. "No, it's alright," she hastened to assure him. "Just- it's just a lot. Wasn't expecting it." She looked around curiously, resisting the urge to sniff now that she knew what would come of it.
He tilted his head at her, a little confused still about her aversion to it. It was normal for what he'd expected of the docks and didn't understand why it might have been shocking to her. Surely she'd smelled the fish he'd brought for the wolves well enough.
"Well come look at this," he urged her, pointing out towards some of the larger fish strung up by their tails awaiting their turns to be chopped down. He recognized a few sharks in the mix and gestured at their teeth. "Be careful not to touch there. They're pointy and sharp. Like a...splinter of wood. But bigger." The last thing he wanted was to scare her if she got cut up for his negligence to warn her.
Brenna blinked in sheer amazement at the size of the fish. Some of them were bigger than her! "Big fish. You weren't kidding," she muttered, shaking her head as she edged closer for a better look.
Casting him a wry look, she added, "I know better than to touch their teeth." At least she assumed that the large fish had teeth. "What if they woke up and tried to bite me?"
Christopher blushed some for her correction, clearing his throat and turning his head away as the sight of her smile started up that odd drumming of his heart again.
Of course she knew, that made sense if she'd grown up with wolves. Surely there had been a few incidents with sharp teeth in her past with them. "Woke up? Well... They won't wake up," he told her gently, poking at the ridge of a fin to demonstrate a dead animal wouldn't react.
"Oh." She blushed, realizing her mistake. "They've been...hunted?" The wolves didn't hunt for fish much- it was too difficult. "How do you do that?" Embarrassment was replaced with curiosity as she looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes.
"Mmm," he hummed, frowning some. It didn't bother him really, life and death was just a natural part of life for him, but he didn't like pointing it out anymore than anything else unpleasant in the world.
"With lines and hooks. You put them in the water as...bait. With some sort of food on it. And then when the fish tries to eat it you can pull them out," he explained, gesturing at some of the tackle near where some human men were gathered. "Just human tools. I use it too when I fish, but I only "hunt" the smaller kinds."
Her eyebrows arched. "Hunting would be a lot easier if we could catch elk and caribou like that," she noted mildly.
Talk of hunting- of the "we" of her pack- had her glancing at the sun. Her eyes widened a bit. "Sun's setting," she murmured, a hint of worry creeping into her tone. "I- I should get back. Need to go home."
Brenna threw Christopher an apologetic, pitiful look. "I'm sorry..." She would have liked to stay longer, really, but she didn't want to worry the wolves.
He looked out to the horizon with a sigh, nodding and stepping away to lead them away from the outer reaches of the docks so they might head back through town. Their day together was over already and yet he wasn't feeling tired of her presence at all. "Don't be sorry, we don't want them to think I've stolen you, right?"
Christopher gestured at the instrument with a warm smile. "I think they'll like your flute anyway. Let's get you home."
Following him, Brenna held the flute a little closer to her chest and nodded, smiling. "Yeah. I think they will."
Stepping up to his side, she tugged lightly on his sleeve to bring him closer and let her shoulder bump his gently. "Thank you. For this. For all of this." She smiled at him and started to nuzzle into his arm.
Then she remembered the kissing- something only mates did, according to him- and she flushed and leaned away, letting her hand drop so she was just walking beside him. She suddenly didn't know what was an okay sign of affection and what wasn't.
There was a particular leap in his chest for the way she sought closeness with him again. He looked down in time to see her pull away, though, and somehow it was over before it had even truly begun. He was a little saddened by it, but he tried not to let his disappointment show over his surprise. Maybe she hadn't meant to do it.
"You're very welcome, I don't mind it at all," he finally answered. "This was fun. Well, I have fun with you, I mean." The shifter lifted his arm cautiously to rest a hand upon her shoulder again and pull her into his side.
"I hope we can do more like this in the future," he admitted, smiling shyly before looking down at his feet as they walked.
She started slightly when he pulled her against him, but she didn't protest. She liked the closeness, and if he was the one initiating it, then it had to be okay, right?
Brenna nodded and grinned at him, ducking her head a bit to put herself in his line of sight while he stared at his feet. "Me too," she told him happily. "I want to go more places, see more things, learn. With you. I like doing it with you."
His eyes flickered to her, catching that happy, genuine look about her again. He couldn't help but smile back and rub at her shoulder reassuringly. "Well I'm glad. Can't say I deserve it, but I'm glad. Very glad." In reality he was a little shocked she wasn't pushing him away or running back home for him being so familiar with her after what they'd done. Perhaps she didn't see it as such a big deal, though the memory of how flustered and embarrassed she'd seemed was firmly ingrained.
"What would you like to see next, you think? Anything in particular? You know... So I can plan."
Brenna went quiet, considering the question. A thought suddenly struck her. "Could I-" She paused, frowning, then continued slowly. "There's a- a place is like to see. I'm not sure if it's even still there, but...I want to look."
She'd never tried to return to her old home before, but she was fairly confident that she could find it, if they left from the town. Looking up at Christopher, she asked, "Would you come with me?"
"A place, huh?" He shrugged, uncertain of her plans but confident there was nothing truly that unordinary that she could possibly ask for.
"I guess I could, yeah. Would you...want to go tomorrow? Or some other time? I don't want to interfere if you have, uh, hunting or anything else planned," he admitted.
"We can go tomorrow," Brenna said quickly, eagerly.
She really should run something like that by the pack, but she figured she could convince Longclaw to let her go. Even if it was two days in a row.
"Thanks," she said to the shifter, nudging her head against his arm briefly.
He hummed, though he was feeling a bit bad to cram everything into a single day. "I suppose we'll have to go hunting very early then, if it's far away. What place did you want to go?" he asked curiously.
"Old home," Brenna answered thoughtfully. "I don't think it's very far from the big-people-den...I mean town." She flushed a bit. "Maybe half a day's walk?" Still, that probably meant if they went they'd have to stay overnight...
She'd talk to Longclaw, surely he'd understand her desire to see the place where she'd been born. Especially now that she felt she might have a better understanding of what she may actually find.
"Ah, we can definitely go. As long as your wolves don't mind, of course." He frowned slightly, still finding it a little odd they needed their approval, but it wouldn't feel right to him without it. "Will be a long day, but if you don't mind it... Could be fun to see it all, yeah?"
"Yes!" She nodded happily. "Will talk to Longclaw tonight. He'll let me go, I know he will."
She returned her attention to the path in front of them, their surroundings growing more wild the further they got from the village. She began to relax, tension she hadn't even realized she'd been carrying leaving her shoulders.
"Let's hope so," he encouraged, rubbing at her shoulder some as they continued along. Human towns were nice but he had always preferred the peace and quiet of the wilds.
The area around the wolf den was familiar enough even in the dim light. Still, Christopher slowed his pace a bit. He didn't exactly want to be parted from her even though it was inevitable. "I really did enjoy today," he said again, knowing it was probably stupid to remind her of it again but feeling the need to anyway.
Brenna paused, swinging around in front of him so they stood face to face. "Me too," she said quietly with a small smile, taking his hand and squeezing gently. That was a human gesture, right?
The pack had scented her. She could hear them shifting in the den and knew they only had a few seconds left to be alone. She was happy to see her family, of course, but it seemed like every time she said goodbye to the shifter it got harder.
Quick and impulsive, she stretched up onto her toes to press a rather clumsy kiss to his cheek. "Thank you," she murmured when she pulled away, just as Icefang and Chaser were loping in their direction.
He squeezed back, holding on to her probably much longer than he should have. Even as he saw the wolves approaching he tugged her back closer and bent to press a quick kiss to the corner of her lips. He was wary of being overly forward after their earlier problems but it felt wrong just to return her simple cheek kiss.
"Good night. I'll see you in the morning," he promised her, smiling and squeezing her hand one last time before he turned to hike out towards the open tundra once more.
Mute, Brenna nodded and simply stood there as she watched him go, raising a hand in farewell that somehow found itself gravitating toward the corner of her mouth.
A rather silly little smile lit up her face and she turned to greet her foster siblings, letting them sniff her new flute and explaining what it was. She greeted the rest of the pack as she was ushered into the den, breathing in the familiar scent of earth and wolves with a contented sigh.
Of course, once the concept was explained, they all wanted to hear the flute. She did her best, but she only remembered a few notes. Still, the pups enjoyed themselves, howling along in an odd, wild harmony to the nonsense notes she played. Even Longclaw admitted, albeit reluctantly, that maybe the Little One connecting with her human heritage may be a good thing after all.
By morning he'd hardly been able to shake the jitters Brenna had left him with. He was a ball of nerves over the girl and he was truly oblivious as to why. He could hardly think of much else besides seeing her again, curious what she might think of hunting with him and wondering if they might be able to find her old home.
When he returned it was just barely after the sun had begun peeking up on the horizon. Quiver slung across his back and bow in hand he wasted no time crossing the snow once more to appear before the den.
She was already awake, sitting at the mouth of the den and playing softly on her flute, willing her fingers to remember notes she'd learned when she had chubby child's hands. The wolves were in and out, Bright-Eye having taken the pups on a hunting trip while the others milled about around the den.
Snowfur, curled up at Brenna's feet, raised her head when she caught Christopher's scent and woofed softly. The girl looked up and smiled, raising a hand to hail him as she stood.
"Good morning," he greeted brightly, cracking a stupid grin as he moved closer to the den.
"Figuring it out?" he guessed, gesturing to the flute in her hand. "I guess they like it if they haven't run you out for it yet." He laughed and raised his bow slightly to show Snowfur. "What do they think about today?"
The dire wolf huffed a laugh and Brenna wrinkled her nose at him, chuckling. "It's fine. Snowfur knows I want to see...where I came from." She let her hand rest on the alpha's head for a moment and the wolf leaned against her.
With a grin she gave Snowfur the flute- the animal holding it delicately between her teeth- and moved toward the shifter, adding, "And it will be good to see other ways of hunting. Might be useful." She stopped in front of him, her heart giving a little flip that she didn't really understand. Suddenly shy, she ducked her head a bit and mumbled, "Let's go then?"
His eyes flickered to Snowfur and he flashed her a grateful smile, uncertain if the wolf might understand that it meant a lot to him as well for Brenna to be "allowed" to go.
"Yeah... Let's go," he agreed, reaching automatically for her hand but then stopping himself and settling his arm back to his side. He shouldn't just assume she would be alright with it because of how familiar they'd been so far.
Putting his bow over his shoulder he gestured for her to follow him as he set back out towards the town. "It's closer to town than here," he explained quietly. "Easier to not have to carry everything so far."
"I see." She fell into step beside him, frowning a bit when he reached for her then withdrew his arm. Biting her lip, she hesitated a moment before reaching out and taking his hand herself, glancing up as she did questioningly, as though asking Is this okay?
Christopher was a little startled to feel her taking up his own hand but was quick to finally grasp hers and give it a quick squeeze as his eyes flickered to her with shyness and uncertainty. He was feeling quite silly and embarrassed for losing out on so many opportunities to initiate some sort of contact with her, much as he was sabotaging himself.
He kept hold of her, though, the joining of their hands keeping a particular warmth coursing through him as he hardly felt the chill and wind around them. "Almost there," he muttered, pointing out with his free hand to an area in the distance surrounded by a rocky hill on one side and a sparse treeline on the other.
Between it a larger herd of elk speckled the land. He aimed to circle around to hide them better among the rocks to approach from where they might not be seen or scented by them. It was only once it was absolutely necessary that he let go of her hand in favor of getting his bow settled and testing the tension as he scanned the herd to choose his prey.
Brenna kept pace with him easily, pleased that he hadn't pulled away from her. When she spotted the herd, she shifted automatically into the stance of a hunter, following Christopher's lead as he brought them in an arc to the rocks.
She stepped back a bit to give him space when he began to handle his bow, watching with curiosity. She'd seen the weapons before, from a distance, and she understood vaguely how they worked. But seeing one so close was intriguing.
She kept quiet and settled herself in to observe.
He notched an arrow lazily as he at last decided. "The old cow," he whispered to her, gesturing at the female milling about slightly separated from the rest. She had no young beside her and didn't look pregnant so he thought her loss would be the most minimal for the herd.
Climbing out a bit he inched his way around slowly to get a little closer, anything to make it as quick and painless as possible. Lifting his bow and drawing back, he held the tension for just a few moments to take his aim before he sent the arrow whistling through the air to strike his target.
The animal fell with a short cry that startled the rest of the herd and sent them running, but he was relieved on his approach to see that he'd managed a clean shot. "That's all there is to it," he called to Brenna, face serious as he inspected his kill.
The girl followed him to his kill, quite impressed. "It doesn't look as simple as you make it sound." There seemed to be some real skill involved.
Looking up at him, she asked eagerly, "Do you think you could teach me how to use that?" She pointed at his bow, eyes wide and pleading.
Pulling his arrow from the felled beast he cleaned it thoughtfully before nodding. He couldn't really see the harm in her knowing how to use a bow.
"Here," he offered, holding it out to her. "See if you can hold it first, I'll help you."
"Okay." She took the bow and tried to mimic the stance she'd seen him take. It felt a little off and she frowned slightly, trying to adjust her feet. "I don't think I'm doing this right..."
Christopher watched her closely, smiling to himself as she tried. "Close," he praised, circling around to stand behind her and bring his arms up to guide her own.
He tapped at the wood gently, grasping her forearm carefully to try and lift her arm up straighter. "Breathe and relax," he encouraged gently at her ear, eyeing the angle over her shoulder.
"Practice aim first. Look just over that there," he explained, gesturing at the small shelf poking out along the curve. "That's where the arrow should fly." The shifter turned them carefully towards the trees and took a fresh arrow from his quiver for her.
"Sharp end goes away. Hold the tail with the bow string," he explained as he slipped it into place for her and held along the stem to keep it steady so she could practice holding it herself.
Brenna's heart jumped erratically at his touch and she frowned, confused by the reaction. She took a breath and tried to follow his instructions though, drawing the string back to her chin and narrowing her eyes at her target.
Holding her breath, she shot. The arrow went wide, striking a few feet too far to the right, and she pouted, brow furrowing.
The shifter was pleased enough that she'd managed to fire one at all, though he noticed her pout and pat her shoulder in encouragement. "That was good. You're quite the natural. Want to try another?" he offered, reaching to get one for her.
"Okay." She nodded determinedly, giving him a quick smile at the praise. She really wanted to try again though, taking the arrow and aiming a second time, she managed to get a little closer to her intended target.
With a soft growl, she twisted to look at Christopher, forgetting for a moment how close they were standing. "This is hard."
He chuckled softly under his breath, amused that she thought to say such a thing out loud. "Yes, it takes practice. You can do it, though. Another?" He offered her a third arrow and rested his free hand on her shoulder to try and turn her back the right way.
"Try some more breaths. Don't think about the arrow or aiming right. Just look at your target and breathe...and then let go."
Brenna took the third arrow with a frown of determination and turned to face her target. Okay. Breathe. Breathe...let go.
Not a bull's eye by any means, but definitely much closer than before. She beamed, turning quickly to face Christopher with an excited, "I did it!" eyes sparkling happily.
"Very good," he praised, unable to hide a genuine smile to see her so happy. He rubbed at her shoulder and gave her a short, parting pat before he stepped around her to go retrieve the arrows. Though, he swooped in at the last moment to press a kiss to the top of her head.
"We should head to town," he called over his shoulder. "Get that to the butcher and then we can head out. Sound good?"
"Okay!" She hurried after him, still grinning, and handed over the bow with an almost bubbly, "Thank you."
Feeling flushed and quite pleased with herself, she spontaneously threw her arms around his neck and pressed a quick, clumsy kiss to the corner of his mouth as he had when he was bidding her farewell the night before.
This was okay, right? After all, he had done it, so it couldn't be too inappropriate.
He took the bow back, a bit surprised that she was following him for such a small task but happy to have the company. She caught him off guard, though, the shifter quite stunned by the kiss that had him stopping to just stare at her. It wasn't in disgust, though, and slowly a sad and rather pained smile took to his lips instead.
"Bryn you don't have to do that to thank me," he explained gently, setting his free arm around her waist automatically. He didn't want her thinking she had to do anything like that out of obligation or thankfulness. "Unless you just...happened to want to. That's alright if you did."
"Oh." She felt her cheeks heat for some reason and ducked her head, but she couldn't helpt he happy little flutter her heart gave when he called her Bryn. "I- I wasn't. I mean I did. I wanted to. I got happy and..." She shrugged, voice dropping to a mumble, "I wanted to."
Glancing up at him, Brenna bit her lip and asked quietly, "Is that bad? You said it, wh-what we did before, was something mates did, but I thought-" She dropped her eyes again, feeling warm. "Sorry, I thought that one was okay."
"It's alright," he rushed to assure her, blushing and fumbling with his thoughts on what to do in such a situation. With a frustrated huff he dropped his bow and brought his other arm around her to hug her close.
"It's not bad, I probably shouldn't have said it like that. I meant more that what could have happened is more something that only mates do. For the most part." At least in his world that was how it was. He knew humans were not so strict about such things. Christopher was quite the hypocrite, though, having had a few encounters with human women in the past that he'd not been against. Somehow with Brenna it just felt like something he shouldn't do when she so clearly didn't understand the magnitude of it all.
"This. Kisses are alright. Kissing, touching, and hugs are all okay." He gave a shuddering sigh of frustration and frowned, his eyes quite troubled as he struggled to explain what he meant. "It's what those things can lead to that makes me worry." The last thing he wanted was to scare her off and leave her afraid of reaching out to people again. As he saw it, what kind of example was he setting for the rest she might meet if he took advantage of her inexperience?
Brenna squeaked, eyes widening in surprise, and stiffened for a moment. The she burrowed instinctively into the hug, turning her face into his chest and letting herself lean into him.
"What can it...what does it lead to that's so bad?" she asked softly, tilting her head back to look at him with a combination of confusion and curiosity.
She may not have much knowledge of humans and human customs, but she wasn't totally naive. she knew enough to know that what they'd done wouldn't have been considered a mating act, at least not by the pack's standards. So him telling her it was something that "mates" did translated to her as a breach of etiquette more than anything else.
And in a wolf pack, "etiquette" could get you in trouble as easily as challenging an alpha.
Christopher sighed and squeezed her close again, entirely flustered that she was going to make him go through with explaining it after all he'd done to try and avoid it over the past day. "That kind of kissing and touching... That can lead to sex. Or mating. Most pairs are not so...familiar with each other unless that is their goal," he explained gently. "There are exceptions, just not very many."
"Oh." She was still blushing, but now she nodded. Okay, this was starting to make more sense. It was more personal thing than a breach of human custom. Sort of. "And that's...not what you...wanted," she said slowly. "Mating." Or whatever that word he'd used was.
Well that was certainly quite the loaded question. He flinched slightly to hear her using the word, his arms briefly squeezing her yet again as he thought on how exactly to address such a delicate topic. At least he thought it was delicate.
"At the time it wasn't the right thing to do," he decided, though it was entirely his own opinion of course. "I think you deserve the opportunity to get comfortable with humans. You might find someone you like in the towns, someone you might like to have with you for that sort of thing." It would be complicated if that happened, if he became too attached to help her realize such a thing or became jealous of any human she might develop feelings for.
Trouble was, he didn't know enough to see that he was already in quite a bit of trouble in that regard. He didn't know enough to realize that what he was really saying was that he didn't want to go through with it unless she was sure she wanted to keep him around.
Brenna frowned at him. "But..." She reached up to touch his face almost absently, letting her fingers drift over his cheek to play gently with a few strands of hair. "But I like you," she said softly.
It was so much simpler for wolves, and she thought she was starting to realize why Snowfur had been pushing for "Little One" to spend time with the shifter: he was strong, capable, of an age with her, and she seemed to find him appealing. In a wolf's mind, they were a perfect match.
And in Brenna's mind, that didn't really seem like such a bad thing. She tilted her head at him. "Do you not...like me?" She frowned. No, that wasn't right. She knew he liked her, they were friends, of a sort. "I mean...I'm not like other human females- girls. Is that not..." She searched for a word. "Appealing?" Not exactly what she wanted, but it would do.
His expression softened considerably to hear her say such a thing, his lips twitching in a sad smile before finally settling into something rather troubled instead. "I like you very much, Brenna," he assured her, lifting a hand to cup her cheek tenderly. "And I do find you appealing. Very appealing, but-" It wasn't right for her, was all his mind kept telling him.
"You're not...curious? About human men?" he asked skeptically, confused about how she could possibly want to connect with her past and not seek an eventual partner among her own kind.
She leaned into his touch automatically. Her stomach gave a giddy little flip that she tried to put out of her mind. "Curious," she repeated, nodding slowly. "I am, I guess. I'm...curious about most human things."
Closing her eyes, she sighed and turned her head slightly to brush her nose against his palm lightly. "Snowfur thinks I should have a mate," she murmured, not quite sure why she was telling him but finding the words spilling from her mouth anyway. "Is that what you mean by curious? I should- should find a human mate?"
He nodded slowly, not liking the thought at all but knowing it was the truth. "It might be for the best," he suggested, running his thumb gently along her cheekbone despite it.
"A human could teach you a lot more than I ever could about their way of life," he noted, frowning in thought as he realized he was bargaining against himself as her chosen partner. He hadn't even realized he'd been offering himself before and yet the thought was somehow not off-putting at all. "You also don't have to choose now. Or even soon. A lot of humans take their time to pick. You still seem young."
Brenna bit her lip, just staring at him for a long moment. "But I like the way you live," she said softly. "I- like you." What if she didn't want to live with humans? She doubted others would be as accepting of her pack-family as Christopher had been.
He seemed to think she should find a human though. For some reason the notion made her chest ache slightly. "You're young," she pointed out, maybe a little petulantly. "Aren't you trying to find a mate?"
Christopher sighed, his lips drawing into a line in thought as he looked over her head at the trees beyond. He didn't really think it was as simple as that. He wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for, but he'd always assumed that a human wouldn't be happy to live the way he lived. With Brenna he felt it was best to just be cautious. Somehow he felt there was an entirely different person within her that might come alive once she'd been properly re-established with humans. Yet what else he could possibly be looking for was a mystery to him, he already knew quite well that humans seemed quite the majority especially in the tundra.
She seemed a very passionate woman who latched onto anything dear to her heart: the wolves, her flute. He couldn't get it out of his mind how excited she'd been to see human creations and even walk among them herself. In fact, he was still waiting for her to latch onto them, he supposed.
"I guess I'm trying, yeah," he agreed at last, giving another troubled sigh as he didn't really know what to make of their situation. Of course he'd only thought of her as a friend at first but now things were different, very different.
He bent to kiss the top of her head again, his thumb rubbing along her cheek in a gentle touch before he tried to draw away from her. This wasn't a good idea. They had places to go and things to do besides debate their preferences on such a delicate topic. The thought of losing her and losing her attention to someone else made him grumpy and he didn't want to think about what he saw as inevitable anymore. "We should go," he reminded her.
"Oh." She didn't want to argue with him. But she did, a little. Gah, this was confusing! "Okay. Let's go," she murmured, shivering when he started to pull away from her.
"Chris-" She caught his wrist and held it for a moment, just staring at him. Then, with a sigh, she let her hand drop. She didn't know what she was trying to say, what she wanted to tell him, but she knew she wanted to say something.
He paused, watching her curiously and looking down at her hand. It seemed wrong just to leave it at that. She seemed frustrated, somehow. Reaching to offer his hand he looked at her expectantly. "Yes?"
"I don't-" Brenna growled in frustration, holding his hand tightly for a moment before dropping it and reaching up to cup his face. "I want to... I can't figure out how to say it!" She glowered, letting her head thump forward onto his chest with a little whine of irritation.
Christopher frowned, bringing a hand up to her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture for her. "Take your time," he encouraged, completely going against what he'd just thought about not having the time to deal with it all.
"Try with what you know?" he offered.
She shook her head, almost trying to burrow further into him. Then after a moment she muttered, "Tingly."
Letting out a sharp breath she continued, refusing to raise her head, "I liked the- the tingly. Whatever it was. And you're warm, and nice. And it makes me sad, when you pull away. Not like leaving the pack, more- scary? No. Anxious?"
She gritted her teeth and growled. Why was this so hard to explain? "Don't want you to pull away," she mumbled eventually.
Looking down at her sparked that odd thumping in his chest again while he listened to her explanation. He was a little shocked that his sadness over their separations might have been shared. There was just something about her, something that kept drawing him back and left him eager for when they might be able to meet again.
"So you liked what we did?" he repeated, more for himself than as a question as he was a little stunned to hear that now that they'd had some time away from it. It wasn't exactly new, but to hear it again left him with a warm, fuzzy buzz.
"You'll never meet people if I don't leave sometimes," he pointed out, frowning in thought even as he hugged her loosely again.
Brenna nodded, feeling her face heat. She leaned into the hug and tilted her head back to look up at him.
"I met people yesterday," she pointed out, frowning slightly. "I only met Ella and Marcus because you were with me."
He nodded, seeing the logic in it but really not liking it at all. "I suppose," he agreed slowly, flashing her an amused smile. Brenna was extremely perceptive, he had to give her that.
"But, see, you'll only ever meet people like them with me," he pointed out. "Couples." Much as he thought she would be better off with a human he certainly wasn't willing to sabotage himself to the point of introducing her to any potential partners. He would stick with who he knew, who he trusted, anyone older and mostly out of any realm of possibility for her.
"Because if I could... I would keep you all to myself," he admitted with a blush.
She found her lips twitching up into a lopsided smile. "Keep me?" Her head tilted playfully. "What makes you think you could keep me if I wanted to go?"
Sobering, Brenna reached up to run her fingers absently through his hair. "I don't want to go," she told him quietly. "I...wouldn't mind...you keeping me to yourself." For now, at least, it actually seemed like a nice idea.
The shifter sighed and smiled, feeling both a lightness and heaviness in his chest to hear her say such things. At least she was receptive. But it was that receptiveness he worried would get them in trouble eventually. He'd offered his help to get her better acquainted with the world and yet here he was wanting something quite the opposite.
Leaning in towards her hand he laughed under his breath, studying her in silence for a moment. He'd come to quite like it, no matter the reason. It was just something very Brenna.
"Then I may just do it. Of course I couldn't really stop you if you wanted to go, but... That doesn't really matter when you tell me you don't want to. Will just make me try harder to get you to stay," he teased, reaching up to pet her hair for a moment before casting a look towards the arrows and then behind them to the elk.
Flashing a smile he bent to press a brief kiss to her lips, lingering only for a moment as he worried they might never actually finish their day's plans if they waited much longer. "Let's get going, then, yeah?"
Her heart jumped into her throat and she responded to the kiss to the best of her ability for the brief moment that she could, but let him pull away. Tingly. Definitely tingly.
"Yeah," she agreed quietly, nodding and smiling softly. "Okay, let's go." Giving herself a mental shake, she looked down at his kill and furrowed her brow. "How can I help with this?" Usually the wolves were the one who dragged prey back to the den.
Turning to face her again after retrieving the arrows he tilted his head in confusion. Wasn't it obvious? "You don't," he snorted. At least, her helping would probably make the task harder than doing it all himself as he normally would.
"I can carry it, but-" He scooped up the bow and tapped it thoughtfully against his leg before he reached to pull the quiver over his shoulder and hold both out to her. "Could you carry those? I can handle the animal," he promised.
She frowned, not liking the idea of him doing all the word, but relented with a shrug and a nod. "Alright." She took the bow and quiver and tried to carry them the way she'd seen him do, the quiver across his back. After a moment or two of wrestling with the strap, she seemed to have managed and gave him a triumphant grin. "Ready."
"Thanks," he chuckled, watching her get settled with it as he bent to lift the elk. He tossed the animal effortlessly over his shoulder, the weight certainly not a bother to him.
He took a moment to reorient himself before pointing out in the distance and moving forward. "Think you'll want one of those for yourself some day?" he asked conversationally, gesturing at the bow.
Brenna considered it for a moment. "Maybe," she mused, following after him. "Might be nice if I ever have to hunt without the pack..."
But that thought made her frown, stomach lurching, and she steered her mind away from it. "Maybe," she said again with a small shrug, falling into step beside him.
Christopher misinterpreted her lack of a firm answer as hesitation regarding her own ability and frowned a bit in thought as they moved along. "You'd probably feel better about it with more practice," he reminded gently, thinking she thought herself as a failure for the few arrows she'd shot with him. Even that he'd been impressed with, though. "Could teach you more about it."
It was a little impractical, though, he had to admit. She had no need for such a thing with her wolves to help her. He didn't even need it himself, really. He hunted just fine as his leopard, but his kills for trade were much cleaner when he used human tools.
She nodded vaguely, but perked up at his offer to teach her more. "Yes! I'd like that." And it had the added benefit of being an excuse to spend time with him, since he seemed to have some sort of hang-up about that.
"Where are we taking the elk?" she asked curiously. He'd used a word before, but she couldn't quite remember if she knew it. "What's a...butcher?"
"Oh, to town," he answered simply. Her additional question left him uncertain with how to describe it. Certainly there was no wolf equivalent that she might understand. "A butcher, yes. That's... Someone who carves an animal. Er, cuts it up? Into smaller pieces?" That sounded right.
"It just makes it easier to share with other people," he explained. "They have special tools and things. I could certainly do it myself but would take longer and I'd have nowhere to store the meat. Just makes it easier for the people I trade with, really."
"O...kay," Brenna murmured, trying to imagine what that was like. Well, she supposed humans wouldn't just tear chunks of meat off with their teeth. Would they? "Do all humans eat like that? In small pieces?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. I think most do. Makes it easier to cook. Whole animals take an awfully long time," he chuckled, smiling obliviously as he'd assumed such a thing was a fairly normal concept even to her. Of course, he'd never witnessed her partaking in a meal with her family but he'd assumed she'd be like most people and cook her share.
"Cook?" She looked at him curiously. "I don't know- or I don't remember that word. What is it?"
"Oh, it's-" What was it? Shaking his head and furrowing his brow in thought the shifter fell silent for a few moments before resuming his explanation. "It's just a process. Slow one, usually. If you heat meat a certain way with fire it just...changes? Becomes something better for humans to eat, I think. I can eat it any way, but it definitely changes the flavor."
He looked to her thoughtfully. "Do you cook your food with the wolves?" Somehow he doubted it with her lack of experience with fire before him.
Brenna shook her head. "No. You use fire to do it?" She tilted her head. "Like...that stuff back at the inn?" It had certainly been hot, but something about that bothered her. "How do you...control it?"
"Yeah, like that." It wasn't a concept he'd thought much about, honestly, and the shifter struggling with how to word it for her. "Just smaller? You can keep it small by just not...letting it burn so much? Use less firewood. It won't burn unless it has something to...eat."
"It eats wood?" She seemed to be entirely fascinated by the concept. "And humans- make it. I mean, it doesn't just...appear, does it? I would have seen it before if it did, right?"
"I guess you could say, that, yeah. Eats wood." Although it was certainly capable of consuming other things if one wasn't careful. "They make it with, um, sparks? Striking flint with metal, mostly. Or even just with wood if there's nothing else. Some can make it with magic, though." Christopher flinched at that. He didn't want to make her world any more complicated with magic.
"It's easy to keep going once you start one, though. Just have to keep feeding it."
Brenna listened to the explanation with interest, hardly paying attention to their surroundings as they walked. "Magic?" She tilted her head, thinking. "I...think I remember that word. But I thought...it was in Mama's stories, I didn't know it was real."
"Real? Yeah it's quite real," he assured her, brow furrowing as he thought of just how to explain that.
"There are all kinds," he finally decided as they approached the outskirts of town again. "But it's something you really have to see for yourself, I think."
It all looked the same as the previous day, yet somehow he breathed much easier to not have the potential anxiety of a startled Brenna to contend with. He didn't realize until then that it was something he'd worried about before, but he was glad that things had gone smoothly then and hoped they wouldn't have any further upsets so they could be on their way as quickly as they'd arrived.
Leading her down to the butcher's shop he circled around to the back where he was happy to see the familiar face of the owner through the door that rested ajar. "This'll only take a moment," he murmured.
Instinctively nervous, Brenna stuck closer and closer to his side as they neared town. Logically she knew nothing bad was going to happen, but there was still that bit of "wildness" in her that made her wary.
She nodded at Chrisopher and forced a quick smile. "I'm not going anywhere," she assured him, attmepting to joke a little.
He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring pat on the back, uncertain what else to do to quell her obvious nerves besides get it over with as quickly as possible.
After exchanging pleasantries with the older man inside Christopher opened the door more to let them pass. "This is Brenna." He nodded to her before turning to set the elk down on the empty table nearest the door. "Um, the girl, not the animal," he clarified with a sheepish grin.
"Gregor," the butcher chuckled in greeting, nodding to her with a curious look for the way she carried the bow before turning his attention back to the shifter. They made quick work of settling a trade price for his services before Christopher explained how much needed to go to whom and what cuts and who got the hide. With that done he knew his promise to Ella and Marcus would be fulfilled before sundown, but he doubted he would want to spend anymore precious daylight hours there.
"Ready to go?" Chris asked her, probably a little too eager to get going as he glanced around at the room and all its familiar tools and knives.
Keeping herself tucked behind Christopher as much as she could, Brenna gave a small nod to the butcher before ducking her head shyly and shifting her weight from foot to foot as she waited for the shifter to be done with his business.
The smell of blood was quite strong in this place, and while it didn't bother her exactly it did heighten her hunter's instinct and put her on edge. She nodded at his question, glancing a little anxiously toward the door. "Ready."
Nodding his head one last time to the other man Christopher turned to lead her back out into the chill, unforgiving air. Somehow he much preferred it, though. A butcher's shop wasn't exactly a very comfortable place.
"Is there somewhere in particular we go from here?" he asked, looking around as he took her back to the main road. She'd mentioned half a day's walk but not anything more specific than that. "Any landmarks you remember, maybe?"
Pausing to get her bearings, Brenna turned in a small circle until she was facing northwest. "This way," she said with more confidence than she really felt, setting off in that directions.
There was no road here, not even a small path, so they were mostly trekking through snow. Though their surroundings didn't have many distinct landmarks, the shape of the landscape itself was familiar to her in a vague way.
She was pretty sure her old home was a straight shot from the town. If they just kept walking in this direction, they should come to it eventually.
He followed, letting her lead just slightly as he truly had no idea where they were going. He didn't recall any remote human dwellings he'd ever noticed, but his wanderings away from his southern home were few and far between. Of course, his family also didn't claim every scrap of open tundra as their own so he thought it entirely possibly this place she wanted to go was simply in an area he'd never visited before.
After following her for a while, though, he realized she was still carrying his things. Reaching out suddenly, he tried to take the bow back with a mumbled, "Sorry."
Brenna herself had forgotten she was still carrying the bow and quiver, having grown accustomed to the weight, and she started slightly. "Oh! Sorry." With a sheepish smile she handed the bow over and slipped the quiver off her back, holding it out to him.
"Got used to it," she said with a shrug by way of explanation. As she set off walking again, she cast around for something to say. It wasn't that the silence was uncomfortable exactly, she just felt like she should be saying something.
"Tell me about your pack- family," she said abruptly, looking over at him. A small smile curved her lips and she added, "You know mine, but I don't really know anything about yours. Are you all cats? Shifters?"
Strapping the quiver across his back again he slipped the bow over his head as well to free up his hands. Her questions surprised him, though after a moment of reflection he supposed he agreed it was normal for her to be curious when he already knew so much about hers.
"Yeah, all shifters. Snow leopards like me. My parents live together north of my land. Uh, I suppose you'd want to know their names, huh?" He blushed a bit and shook out his hair as he looked to the seemingly endless, undisturbed snow before them.
"My father found my mother here. Wendal and Faline," he told her fondly. "I have two older sisters ahead of me, too. Nevena and Sophie. Nevena lives here, but... Sophie prefers to travel." He furrowed his brow slightly at that, knowing she was away more often than she was ever home. It'd given him quite a bit of anxiety over her in their years even being her baby brother.
"I don't think I ever told you our family name, I'm sorry," he apologized, shaking his head. This sort of thing really should have been done much sooner. He felt a little embarrassed for not properly introducing himself before. "We're all Brunelle. Our mother took our father's name so...we got it too," he explained with a shrug, uncertain if she even knew or remembered such a thing about herself.
Brenna listened intently, a small smile gracing her face as he talked. "That sounds nice," she murmured, despite his small frown when he mentioned his sister Sophie. She wondered if he even realized the concerned look he got speaking her name- it rather reminded her of Icefang's constant worry over her brothers.
"Family name?" she repeated, frowning a bit. "I sort of remember...the pack is Ice Valley," she mused, tilting her head. "There used to be others, the Long Mountain pack, Cold Lake- they left though, years ago. Too many humans, there wasn't enough room for all of us." She looked up at him. "Is that a family name?"
"That sounds more like wolves," he said gently, uncertain if that's what she also considered her name to be now. "Did your parents- Your human parents, do you remember their names?"
She frowned, trying to remember. "I don't...no," she whispered, shoulders slumping a bit in disappointment. Shaking her head, she murmured, "They were- Mama and Papa. I don't remember..." Her voice trailed off and a very small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "He called her Star, sometimes. Or Starshine. I don't think that was her name though..."
Looking up at him, she smiled a little wistfully and shook her head again. "I wish I could remember more, but that's it."
"Hey, that's alright," he encouraged. "It was a long time ago, I'm sure. Star...Starshine just sounds like a pet name." Although he supposed it could have been someone's given name. Somehow he doubted the simple people of the north would choose it, though.
"Uh, a nickname? Like Bryn or Chris," he added with a gentle smile, a particular fondness there that he couldn't really hide. "But just Brenna is fine, too. Ice Valley... Is that a name your wolf parents chose?"
She waggled her head back and forth vaguely. "Sort of. Packs are called after where they live, usually. The Ice Valley pack has been here since Snowfur's great-grandsire- er, grandfather. I think it was his generation that decided the name."
Glancing around, her eyes suddenly lit up. "I know this place," she said, voice growing quick with excitement as she grabbed for his hand. "We're getting close, I think."
It made sense, but it got him wondering how long the wolves had been around. Certainly long enough to raise her and still be a healthy pack. He'd never really paid much attention to such things before.
Her excitement got his attention, though, perking up as he clutched her hand. Scanning the area ahead he saw nothing that stuck out to strike him as an obvious human dwelling, though. Perhaps he just didn't see, he didn't quite know what he was looking for. "Not too far from town, you weren't kidding," he observed pleasantly, smiling some. It definitely seemed a reasonable distance, one she could travel in about a day if she ever wanted to venture out again.
Brenna nodded happily, beaming at him. "Just over that hill," she said, pulling him after her as she scaled the slope.
A very small frown stole over her face for a moment and she murmured, "It seemed so much further when I was small..." Then the roof of an abandoned cottage- more of a shack now, really- came into view and she stopped at the top of the hill.
She was suddenly nervous, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth as she stared at the rather dilapidated building.
Following after her easily enough, Christopher's eyes widened in disbelief as the lone dwelling finally came into view. Looking to Brenna with sudden excitement and pride over her finding it, though, his face fell quite quickly for her troubled look. Something seemed wrong.
"Is it...what you remember? Is this the right place?" he asked softly, giving her hand a squeeze. He was willing to entertain the thought that she'd managed to stumble upon a different place entirely, but he wouldn't doubt her memory.
Jerking back to herself suddenly, Brenna gave a shaky sort of nod. "Yes. Yes, it's right. It's just..." She let out a small sigh, leaning toward him a bit. "Looks so much smaller than I remember," she murmured. "Smaller and...lonely."
Shaking her head, she straightened her shoulders and started down the hill toward the little house. She'd come all the way here, no point in going back now.
He flashed an understanding smile but was happy to see that she still seemed interested to see the rest. Heading down with her, he frowned a little as the details became more clear. The place had obviously weathered many, many winters alone and without upkeep. Somehow it wasn't off-putting, though. "Do you want to go inside?"
She nodded slowly, then took a breath and pushed open the little door. It was a miracle the thing didn't fall off its hinges right there, really.
The house was only three rooms- well, two, really, the main room that she'd opened the door on divided into a large space and a smaller one with a ratty, mostly decayed curtain in the back corner. There was a small heath set into one wall, and a door in the wall adjacent to it.
That led to Mama and Papa's room. She remembered that. Cautiously, she took a step inside, sniffing the air like a hunted animal.
Christopher peered over her shoulder before stepping inside, feeling a little silly for the way he expected something to be using the place as a den after so long. When nothing jumped out at them, though, his shoulders relaxed and he turned from side to side to take in the look of the small home. "Is it...like you remember?" he asked slowly, uncertain if it had always been so sparse or if it had been ransacked at some point in her absence.
She crept a little further in, turning in a small circle. Eventually, Brenna murmured, "I think so...mostly." Older, falling apart, and missing a few pieces, but definitely familiar.
She crossed to the heart and knelt gliding one hand up along the side. There were little notches in the wood, and squiggled that she knew meant something, but she wasn't sure what.
"Chris?" she called softly. "There's...words that stay, here. Writing!" That's what it was called. She looked back at him. "Can you tell me what it says?" she asked quietly, eyes wide. Her fingers hovered over the words Brenna, 3 years etched next to one of the notches in the wood.
He crouched down behind her to peer over her shoulder, eyes squinting to try and make out what was written. "I don't read very much," he apologized, though he still was able to make it out after a few moments.
Interested in what he found, though, he reached a hand out to feel along the wood at a few more etchings further down. With a sad smile he lifted his other hand to pat at her shoulder. "I think these are... growth marks," he decided. "This one says 'Brenna' and then 'three years.'" He pointed at each word to show her so she might know how it read. "Probably how tall you were at that age."
"Oh..." She blinked, staring at the little marks. Her eyes felt hot and itchy. Turning into him, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and his her face against his shoulder, sniffling.
This was ridiculous. In the last ten winters she could count on one hand how many times she'd cried, and now twice in two days. But she couldn't seem to help it, dissolving into quiet sobs as she clung to the shifter.
His eyes widened in surprise, startled at the sudden little heaves as she pressed against him. He raised his arms to hug her tightly, firmly, uncertain what else to do to help the tears he felt seeping through his top. Briefly he wondered if he should have lied, but she did deserve to know the truth of it.
Carefully leaning back to sit down on the floor he gathered her up and rubbed a hand along her shoulders, mixing a few gentle pats in as he went. "It's alright," he murmured gently at her ear, unsure of what else he could possibly say to help her.
Shifting as he moved so she was practically in his lap, Brenna curled against him and just cried. It took a few minutes, but eventually she seemed to have cried herself out, tears replaced with sharp little breaths. She didn't move away though, instead holding onto him tighter.
"Sorry," she mumbled when she found her voice again. "I don't know why- it just... It was so much, like I couldn't keep it in..."
He remained tense while she cried it out, his instincts both telling him to remain exactly where and how he was for her and yet also to take to his cat to curl around her. With the way that she clung to him, though, he decided on the former and just waited quietly with his arms wrapped around her.
When she spoke at last he hummed and shook his head. "Don't apologize. I can't even begin to imagine," he admitted, smiling sadly as one hand trailed up to rub at her shoulders before nestling in her hair. "Are you...going to be okay? Can I help?"
She sniffed and gave a jerky little nod. "I- I'm okay." Silence for a moment, then she nestled even closer to him. "Just...can we just stay like this for a bit?" She just needed a few minutes, and it was so nice to let him hold her for a while.
"Yes, of course." Who was he to deny her that? He didn't mind it, of course. Honestly it was a relief to be able to have some excuse to hold onto her, sad as it was.
Christopher took the opportunity to lift her gently and place her properly on his lap instead before settling his arms around her again. He nestled his nose against her hair, ignoring the soft tickling as he took a moment to just breathe her calming, earthy scent.
Brenna buried her nose against the crook of his neck and just held onto him for several long moments, letting her breathing even out and the threat of more tears fade from behind her eyes.
"Thanks," she murmured eventually, letting him know she felt a bit better but not making any move to pull away from him. "Wasn't all bad," she mumbled after a moment, trying to figure out a way to describe how she was feeling. "There was...good things. Good memories. Happy-sad."
Was there even a word for that?
He patted at her back in acknowledgment but also made no move to release her. Her explanation left him a little more relaxed, the worry of her being truly upset by something fading with it. "Happy tears," he mused, nuzzling against her a bit more. "That's alright. It's normal...I think."
He couldn't really remember the last time he'd done so himself, perhaps some reunion with his family during a particularly emotional time. "What do you remember?" he coaxed gently, curious about what might have sparked it or if it was simply the reminder of the obvious care of her parents.
She shrugged. "Just...flashes. I- I was complaining about Papa making me hold still for that." She gestured to the notches on the hearth to indicate "that".
"Then...I sort of remember him playing, and putting a flute in my hands..." A small smile curved her lips. "My fingers were too little to cover the right holes. And- and Mama was humming, I think it was a sleep-song. Lullaby."
Tilting her head back a bit to see his face, she leaned into him with a small sigh. "We were happy here," she murmured, closing her eyes for a moment.
He smiled and chuckled for her explanation, trying to imagine her as a girl but failing pretty miserably as he tried to picture her but only smaller. "You all liked music," he mused, brushing a gentle hand over her hair and pressing a brief kiss to her forehead. "Sounds like a happy family."
Christopher didn't want to let go of her but did loosen his arms around her a bit, wary of making her feel awkward at all for the way he'd sort of just grabbed her now that things had calmed down. He wanted to give her an out in case she wanted to take it instead of just assume she was alright with how they were.
"I'm glad it was still here for you. All of this," he sighed. "Shame it's so far from the wolves, huh? Or maybe you could come visit it more often."
"Yeah." She looked around the room again. "Shame..." Maybe when Longclaw next decided to move the den she could convince him to head up this way a bit.
"I'm a little surprised it's still here. Mostly," she murmured with a small smile. She let out a long breath, then looked back at him. "Thank you for coming here," Brenna said softly, reaching up to pet at his hair absently. "I'm glad you're with me."
It would have been too hard to do this alone. Another look around, then her eyes flicked to the door. "We should probably go soon," she sighed. "Don't want to worry the pack."
"Glad to be here." He tilted his head against her hand with a playful smile, quite used to the wolf girl's gesture of affection. His eyes followed hers to the door but as much as he didn't want the pack to worry he still wanted to keep her with him.
Pouting some and sighing his eyes lingered on her instead. "Do I have to give you back?"
Brenna chuckled softly, nuzzling her head up under his chin. "Does that mean you want to keep me?" she teased lightly, remembering what he'd said earlier.
"It might," he chuckled, giving her a quick squeeze. "Probably not nice, though, huh?" He sighed and moved to lift her off of his lap so they could stand.
Letting him move her so they could get to their feet, Brenna's smile turned a little wicked. "I don't know," she mused, keeping her arms loosely around his neck. "Depends on what keeping me means, I guess..."
The shifter's eyes flickered darkly to glance down at her lips for the briefest moment, very aware of the way she kept herself attached to him. "Maybe," he began slowly, meeting her eyes with a playful challenge. With all the effort he'd gone through to keep her at arm's length he really had no business making any such proposition, but he was going to anyway. "Spending a night away from your pack."
For some reason a little shiver went through her when she caught the change in his eyes and the way they flicked down to look at her mouth. She licked her lips unconsciously.
A night away?
Brenna tilted her head, considering it. "Would we be back in the morning?" she asked quietly, meeting his eyes. She knew she shouldn't even really be considering it, but...for some reason the proposition was exciting.
"Only if you wanted to be," he teased, lifting his hands to press lightly at her waist. No, he really shouldn't have been doing that. She'd just been crying. Happy crying, but still crying. That had to fall under some sort of emotional manipulation or taking advantage of weaknesses somewhere.
Christopher cast a brief look around the small house again before looking between her and the door meaningfully. "Could just be us," he offered.
"Just us?" Okay, that was strange- tingly was happening again, and he wasn't even really touching her.
Maybe it was the tingles, maybe it was because he'd been so kind to her, maybe it was some combination, or maybe it was something else entirely, but she found herself nodding and smiling at him. "I think...I like that idea."
Without realizing it, she'd been leaning into him. "I mean, it's just one night. Where's the harm?" Right?
He gave a satisfied, rumbling sigh to hear her agree. Trying to remember the words she'd used before he leaned down and tilted his head to press a kiss to her cheek. "Hopefully no harm. Just lots of tingly."
A shiver ran from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. "I definitely like that idea," she murmured. Twisting her head before he could really pull away from kissing her cheek, she pressed her lips to his.
It was a little rushed, a little clumsy, but she couldn't seem to help herself. Her arms wound around his neck and she rocked up onto her toes, leaning into him.
Pleasantly surprised by her boldness he was frozen in place for only a moment, the proper kiss something he'd wanted but thought inappropriate for the moment. Thankfully she'd felt otherwise.
He gathered her in quickly, his arms caging her firmly against his chest as he leaned in to return her affections. Christopher was firm but gentle, trembling slightly as he fought the urge to nip or otherwise be rough with Brenna. His Brenna as he was beginning to think of her.
A soft rumble rose up in her chest when his arms came around her; she could feel him shaking lightly and somehow that set tingly running up and down her spine.
With a small, reluctant whine she pulled away after a very long moment. "I don't-" Her breathing was a little sharper than normal and it took her a moment to murmur, "Not here." She looked up at him, biting her lip.
"I'm sorry. I want- just...not here."
The shifter growled softly but released her without any further hesitation, his dark eyes sweeping over her with a lust he didn't voice. Wouldn't do either of them any good if he was stubborn about it anyway.
"Don't be sorry," he grumbled, clearing his throat sharply in surprise to try and cut the unwanted ice from his tone. "Really. That's fine."
With a shaky sigh he let his arms fall, one hand lingering for only a moment along her waist before he turned to press a parting kiss to her hair and head for the door. "We should try to get back before sundown anyway."
Moving with him to the door, Brenna waited until they were outside again before turning to him and grabbing his wrist. Pulling lightly, she brought him down for another kiss, quick and light but definitely with the potential for tingly.
"I said not here," she murmured when she pulled away, eyes practically glowing at him from under dark, half-lowered lashes. "I never said I wanted to go back." She assumed he meant to the pack.
Her lips curved in a small smile. "No harm in one night, remember?"
Christopher chuckled knowingly, twisting his hand to hold her own instead. "What, you want to freeze out here instead? I thought my home might be a little more comfortable, but it's your choice." He shrugged, leaning down to steal one more kiss as the look in her eye was a little too tempting to ignore.
"Oh." Her eyes widened a bit, then she broke into a grin. Pecking his lips again, she nodded quickly and squeezed his hand. "Right. Yes, let's go."
That idea was currently much more appealing to her than going back to the pack just yet. And it had the added benefit of being closer, at least a little.
He smiled proudly, easily leading her away after orienting himself with the sun. He wondered if she would miss her pack too much, but he tried not to dwell on it. It was her choice and suggesting any more options might have nudged her towards a change of heart he certainly didn't want.
"Tell me if there's anything I can do to make you feel more at home once we're there," he finally urged her instead, uncertain if she would even remember what his den looked like.
Her eyes flicked over him and a teasing smile twitched at her lips. Tucking herself against his side, she looked up at him sidelong and mused coyly, "I can probably think of some things you could do. Maybe not to make it home, but more...comfortable."
Brenna wasn't entirely sure where the playfulness had come from- maybe seeing her old home had brought a sort of closure- but she wasn't about to question it.
He draped an arm around her to pull her closer, the feeling almost automatic now he realized happily. The playfulness was surprising, but he only shook his head and snickered beneath his breath. "Let me guess," he teased. "Tingly? Warm?"
"Maybe." Her eyes glinted at him and she reached over to wrap an arm around his middle as he pulled her closer.
There was an almost anxious energy running through her now, and she found her steps felt lighter than usual. She almost felt as though she could float over the top of the snow. Maybe a strange reaction to seeing what was left of her childhood home, but somehow she just felt...better.
Christopher continued along at a happy clip, eager to return home with her. He felt a small pang of guilt as he veered away the familiar area of the wolf den to cut out towards his home instead, but the decision was made and he definitely didn't want to go back.
"Almost there." He glanced at her with a small smile, pointing out with his free hand to the familiar rock face in the distance.
Brenna glanced in the direction of the den when they drew closer to pack territory but quickly looked away, tightening her arm around Christopher almost reflexively.
She smiled up at him when he pointed out his approaching home and nodded with a small "Mhm" kind of noise. Her pace picked up a little without her quite making the conscious decision to do so, that anxious energy bubbling up in her chest.
The shifter kept his arm firmly around her right up until he needed it to wrestle with the door that was sticking a bit for the snow built up at the bottom. Stomping down the area around the doorway with an annoyed mutter he finally opened it and was relieved to find that nothing seemed amiss after his absence.
There was still a sliver of light from the sunset but he figured a fire and a few candles would serve them better. "Give me a moment to get this going," he murmured, crossing the living space after removing his weapon and toeing off his boots to coax light from the two on the table before taking one to use as a starter for the hearth fire. "Should start warming up in here soon, sorry."
She shook her head and smiled at him as she moved into the little house, looking around to re-familiarize herself. "Don't be sorry," she said lightly, turning in a small circle before deciding to just sit on the floor, pulling her knees in to her chest. "I'm used to cold."
With a contented little sigh, she watched him move about with interest. "I like it here," she said quietly, almost more to herself than him. It was like a strange combination of a den and a human home, and it made her feel very at ease.
"Doesn't mean you have to be cold here," he chuckled, moving away from the slowly-rising flame to just watch it for a few moments. Once he was satisfied with it he stepped away to sit beside her, glancing at the chair pointedly.
"You're allowed to sit on the furniture, you know," he reminded her gently, frowning slightly in concern.
She glanced at the chair too, then back to him with a small smile and a shrug. "Just not used to it, I guess," she murmured.
Leaning against him, she tucked her head into the slope of his neck and shoulder and gave a contented little sigh, watching the fire he'd started. "It's like it dances," she said quietly, smiling slightly.
He wanted to complain, but he was trying hard to keep in mind that it was all pretty "new" to her still. Letting her get settled against him he reached an arm out to hug her close against his side and tilted his head to watch the fire with her.
"Yeah... I guess it kind of does," he agreed thoughtfully. "Too bad you can't take it back with you. I don't think your wolves would be very happy with me letting you bring fire to the den." He winced slightly at the thought but chuckled and shook his head.
Brenna chuckled in turn and agreed, "Probably not." The warmth was starting to seep into her fingers and toes now. She leaned away from the shifter long enough to strip out of the coat he'd given her before settling back against him.
"Been a long time since I've been warm enough to take off fur- clothes," she said with a quiet laugh, nuzzling against his side. As she tilted her head up to look at him, an odd urge overcame him and experimentally she pressed a quick kiss to the curve of his neck.
Hm. A little tingly, but not like before. Interesting.
The thought was a little concerning for him, but he tried to be mindful that she didn't run quite as warm as he did. "Then your home isn't warm enough," he grumbled softly, unhappy that she even needed to stay bundled up so much. That irritation was quickly calmed by the sudden touch of lips to his neck, though.
He shuddered, swallowing hard against the knot threatening to rise up from his chest and gave her an accusing look out of the corner of his eye. "Brenna," he sighed, uncertain what he even meant by uttering her name. Perhaps it was a warning, but he certainly didn't mean anything unkind by it.
Squeezing her close against him he rubbed at her arm distractedly. "Be careful," he finally added with a teasing smile.
A sly smile spread across her face. "Careful of what?" she asked quietly, teasingly. Feeling playful, she repeated the gesture, letting her lips linger against his skin for a moment before pulling away again.
"Careful of what you're doing," he answered plainly, another little shiver running through him for it. It almost tickled, but that wasn't what made him squirm.
"Be nice," he chastised playfully, turning slightly to slip his hand away from her shoulder and run gently over her hair, fingertips grazing lightly at the softness of her hairline.
Brenna gave a little hum and leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering closed. "This isn't nice?" She reached up to comb her fingers through his hair, letting her hand come to rest on his shoulder and tugging lightly to pull him toward her. "I thought you liked it."
"I do like it, that's why you should be careful," he explained gently. Leaning in to humor her, Christopher took the opportunity to just rest his forehead to hers for a little while. His own eyes mostly closing, he continued the self-soothing rhythm of petting her hair, just relishing in the texture compared to the familiarity of his own.
"So soft," he murmured, sighing lightly and tilting his head to press a kiss to her temple.
She frowned slightly. "I don't understand," she complained, nudging back against him when he leaned his forehead against hers. "If you like it why do I have to be careful?"
She let her hand drift down his arm as she talked until their fingers touched. Eyes flicking down, she smiled a bit as she spread her hand over his, looking at the contrast in size and reveling in the fact that despite that they were really the same. Not paws, hands.
He didn't really want to answer that. It wasn't that she was in any real danger, of course, but he didn't want to have to explain himself. Instead he stayed quiet, looking down at what she was doing and just observed and hoped that she might forget the question entirely.
Turning his palm over slowly he wiggled his fingers at her hand to try and tickle her for her curiosity.
Brenna giggled, snatching her hand back at the ticklish sensation and wrinkling her nose at him. "Are you trying to distract me?" she accused lightly, butting her head gently against his shoulders like a playful puppy.
"Maybe I am. Would you be mad if I was?" he chuckled, giving her a gentle pat for the bumping. A little more relaxed, the shifter unfolded his legs to stretch out towards the hearth.
Giving a little noise of frustration, she rolled her eyes at him and muttered, "I'm still not sure what you're trying to distract me from."
She huffed and let herself flop down, her head in his lap, legs bent so her feet were flat on the floor as she looked up at him.
Blinking, he craned his neck to look down at her for a moment. "Not much, really," he mumbled, leaning back on his hands with a sigh.
"I just... I've never done this before," he admitted, glancing at the door. "Never had...someone like you here."
"Someone like me?" A line formed between her brows and she twisted a bit to prop herself up with one hand on the other side of his legs and the rest of her body sort of sprawled across him. "You mean...like a wolf-girl?"
She arched an eyebrow and smirked a bit. "Doesn't seem that surprising you've never had someone like me here."
"Well, yes, a wolf-girl. But more than that." He was uncertain how to word it, what exactly had he even meant by it?
He gave her an appraising look, his eyes sweeping over her quickly. "Different, though. Someone that's not my parents or sisters. Someone special."
Her heart jumped, skipped a bit, then started again a little faster than before. "I'm special?" she murmured, lips curving up. She leaned forward a bit, tilting her head at him.
She liked that he thought she was special. It made her feel tingly in a whole new way.
"Of course you are." There was a hidden fondness in his eyes, a smile playing at his lips as he leaned forward to press his lips to her forehead. It was too tempting to resist, but he did try not to linger too long. "Very special to me."
Brenna's cheeks got warm. "Special, like..." She tilted her head and leaned forward a bit. "I'm allowed to do this?" She pressed a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth, wanting to keep that heart-skipping, tingly feeling as long as she could.
"Mhmm." He sighed happily, sitting up some to free an arm to snatch her closer with. "As long as you don't mind getting them back," he added with a brow raised at her in challenge, his own lips hovering just barely before her own.
A low rumbling sound that wasn't quite a growl rose up in her throat. "That a promise?" she teased back, though for some reason her voice sounded a little different than normal, maybe a little lower and breathier.
"Definitely a promise," he murmured, leaning forward for an airy brush of lips before tilting his head away to plant a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth instead. "Just like that, right?"
Her breath hitched as his lips barely brushed hers, then she let out a soft whine as he angled to kiss the corner of his mouth.
Eyes flaring, she twisted her head sharply to catch his lips in a real kiss, one arm going around his neck as she unconsciously gave a low growl and pressed closer to him despite the sort of awkward angle her body was at.
It surprised him that she was bold enough to just rope him in like that and take what she wanted. Christopher gave a low rumble and gripped her firmly by her hip despite that she was barely halfway on his lap to begin with.
"Feisty, aren't you?" he purred, chuckling darkly as he leaned in to press in with a firm kiss and a few teasing nibbles. The gentleness was gone for a moment as he gave in to what he wanted and what she seemed to demand.
A delighted sort of shiver ran up her spine when he responded and Brenna drew in a sharp breath. She let his hand on her hip guide her, moving so she was on her knees beside him rather than twisted across his lap.
Feisty. A word she didn't recognize, but if it made him purr like that, kiss her like that, then she was more than willing to be feisty. "Yes," she murmured, trailing her lips to his jaw, then his neck, egged on by a strange sort of instinct. Her hands tangled in his hair and she pressed herself closer as though trying to escape the heat of the fire at her back.
His breath came in short little gasps, the odd sensation of both chills and heat sparking anywhere she touched. He allowed her to explore, a low, pleased growl humming in his throat. After a few moments, though, he was impatiently lifting her up to his lap instead despite how she glued herself to him.
"Hiding from me now?" he teased, running one hand up and down along her warm back and using the other to press lightly under her chin to try and coax her back up for a proper kiss.
Brenna gave a little purr of her own, wrapping her arms around his neck and tilting her chin easily into another kiss.
"I know better than to hide from a hunter," she breathed when she pulled away for a moment for air. She arched her back into his touch, humming in the back of her throat. "Chris..." She reached for his wrist, tugging lightly to bring his hand to her side.
"Before," she murmured, leaning in to press a few pecks to his lips. "Can you- do what you did before?" She was chasing the heat, the sparks lighting up in her chest, and the tingling she'd felt when he touched her at the inn.
His eyes flickered darkly at her request, a rumble of pleasure sounding in his throat as he leaned forward against her to press a few hungry kisses along her jaw. "I'll do you one better," he promised.
Trailing his hand slowly up higher and higher from her hip was a test of his fortitude. He allowed the other to join it, both hands working in agonizing slowness to make a mental map of her over clothing. It wasn't long until he grew impatient even with that, though, and slipped one hand beneath at last to touch his hand to bare flesh.
Christopher let off a low, possessive growl, his hand pausing to squeeze firmly at her waist before continuing up again.
She gasped, eyes going wide as he touched her skin. She would have expected to feel a chill from the gap in her clothing, but instead a flash of heat raced across her skin. A soft whimper escaped her and she arched up into him.
"Christopher." She didn't know what else to say, another shiver running through her as he growled. Leaning in for another kiss, she let her hand trail down his chest. "Can I-?" She let her fingers hover at the hem of his shirt, wanting to return the touch.
That she didn't shy away only encouraged him. The shifter trailed firm fingers up to settle along her ribs, his thumb swirling gently against her belly to marvel at the softness. He gave a shaky sigh at her question, smiling against her neck and leaving a few gentle nips along the column of her throat.
"Yes," he crooned. "You can do what you like."
Breath coming in little pants, Brenna let her head tilt back to offer better access to her neck and let her hands slip under his shirt, shuddering at his touch and smoothing her fingers over the planes of his stomach in an attempt to mimic it.
"What I like?" she whispered. Her hands slid to his hips and she pressed herself closer, not realizing that her nails were starting to bite into his skin.
Well he had given her permission.
He hissed lightly for the slight sting of her nails but made no move to remove her hands. It was definitely more pleasant than not, a little shiver running up his back and goose flesh following her touch despite the growing heat by the fire.
"Whatever you like," he whispered against her throat, a lazy trail of kisses following his words. He took the opportunity to try what she'd seemed to like so much before, fingers gliding up to brush the barest touch along her breast.
Brenna drew in a sharp breath and froze at the touch. Tingly didn't even begin to describe it, it was somehow so much more intense on her bare skin.
"Chris." She practically pounced on him, hands running up over his ribs as her lips came crashing back to his, a little whine rising up in her throat. "Hot," she whimpered, forcing herself to reel back slightly, chest rising and falling rapidly. "Too hot."
She pulled at the hem of her shirt, whining in frustration as she fumbled around his hands. She was so warm, she wanted the damn thing off.
He would have been lying if he'd said he didn't like that little note of desperation in her voice. He growled through their frantic kisses, bending again to cover her throat with love bites even as she fought to free herself from clothing. His hand never left her and instead moved even higher to cup against her tender flesh.
"I know," he murmured, chuckling knowingly, "That's why you should be careful sometimes." Christopher finally allowed his unoccupied hand to help her here and there with it. His own clothing felt quite restrictive but he wasn't going to complain with her on his lap.
One hand tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck while the other wrestled her shirt off. "Don't wanna be careful," she growled, the sound turning into a little moan as she leaned into his touch. She wriggled around on his lap, trying to figure out how she could get the most contact.
Panting lightly, Brenna dipped her head to press a kiss that turned into a little nip to the slope of his shoulder, her free hand dragging down his back as she tried to press him closer.
He gave a short grunt of discomfort as she squirmed around, his hands twitching reflexively as he fought the urge to buck against her. The fire illuminated what he could see of her, the orange glow against her skin a little mesmerizing as he fought to press kisses anywhere he could reach.
With a sudden raking of his hands along her sides he reached to lift her again, curling his own legs in as he tried to guide her own to fold around him. "You're soft, Bryn," he purred, one hand biting firmly into her hip while the other trailed back up along her naked back.
Following his lead, Brenna fumbled a bit before managing to get her knees on either side of his hips so she was more straddling him than sitting on his lap. "Soft?" That wasn't a word she'd ever thought to describe herself with. She didn't really have the mind space to dwell on that though, his kisses and touches effectively distracting her.
She arched up to kiss him again and suddenly froze. Something had happened, and it sent fire snapping through her whole body. Hazily watching the way the fire made shadows dance across his face, she shifted her hips again experimentally, trying to repeat the feeling.
A sound that was half gasp and half whine slipped out of her lips and her head fell forward, pressing frantic kisses along his neck. "Chris," she whimpered, a plea for something she couldn't find the words to express.
Shivering at the sound, he wasn't quite able to bite back a groan for the way she rocked her hips. Christopher tangled a hand in her hair and lifted the other to wrestle with his own top, suddenly desperate to touch skin to skin. "I know," he answered in a low voice, no longer willing to waste time with teasing her.
He leaned away for only a moment to pull off the offending piece of clothing. Gray eyes lifted with a meaningful look towards the bed. With a ragged sigh he clutched her to him again, involuntarily shaking his head in answer to his own silent question.
With the barrier of clothing gone Brenna eagerly traced her hands over his chest and shoulders to his back, tilting her head to nip and kiss along his neck. She wriggled her hips again and gasped, clinging to him while her head fell forward against his shoulder.
"I-I want-" she panted out, growling softly when she couldn't find the words to describe what she was feeling. "Help me," she pleaded softly, shivering against him.
Arching against her, he gave a shuddering sigh for the pleasant trails of heat her hands left upon him. His own hips rolled up automatically for all her breathy little gasps and growls. He wasn't even sure she knew what she was asking for, but his resolve wasn't strong enough to resist her desperate pleas any longer.
With a low rumble he rolled them to dump her unceremoniously against the pile of furs. Eyes flashed by the firelight as he knelt down to press a possessive, hungry kiss to her lips. Keeping a hand braced against her thigh, he nipped her lower lip before he moved along, lowering himself to kiss down from her neck to her chest.
A little squeak of surprise escaped her when he rolled them over, but it was quickly muffled into the kiss. She whimpered softly and her head fell back as his mouth trailed lower and she grasped desperately at his shoulders.
"What do I do?" she whispered, a quiet whine embedded in her tone. She shifted and arched up under him, breathing ragged. "I don't know what to do, Christopher." Hot, she was so hot, she couldn't think straight.
"Trust me," he murmured, glancing up to her face briefly before trailing a few final kisses down to her belly to stop just below her navel. A little shiver of anticipation rolled through his shoulders. Leaning back, his brow furrowed in frustration as he reached to tug at her remaining clothing. "Could help with these," he added, trying not to think of how he demanded it of her instead of asking.
Pleasant little tingles raced through her with every kiss and she nodded. "Okay." She trusted him.
There was a moment of confusion when he tugged at her clothes, then she realized what he wanted. She wasn't really about to argue, in fact getting her breeches off seemed like a great idea just then. She wriggled around until she could slip them off and looked up at him, suddenly unsure.
Being naked had never really been a problem for her- she'd never learned human modesty. Clothes were for warm and offered a thin layer of protection, not much else. But for some reason she felt suddenly shy, flushing and automatically trying to draw her knees up to her chest to curl in on herself.
Once they were free and he could slip them away Christopher sat back to just take in the sight of her. Even as she curled up he didn't look away at the obvious, if sudden sign of shyness from the wolf girl. Brushing aside their rumpled clothing he reached out to run a hand along her naked thigh, conscious of the biting constriction of his own troublesome trousers.
Of course she'd had the opportunity to see his naked body before, yet somehow it still felt like something he should keep hidden until that was no longer an option. "I thought you didn't hide from hunters," he whispered, smirking as his hand trailed down from her thigh to her calf, eventually stopping to give a gentle tug at her ankle.
Oh. Right. She had said something like that, hadn't she? "I'm not hiding," Brenna murmured, letting his touch guide her to unfold herself a bit. Tilting her head, she slowly propped herself up on one arm and let her free hand trace over his shoulder and down his side to rest on his hip.
Eyes flaring with a sudden challenge, she breathed, "Are you hiding from me?" She leaned up to kiss him, trying to pull him closer with the hand on his hip and pushing herself up to meet him.
He was surprised that she'd even noticed, eyes widening slightly at her challenge. "Of course I am," he sputtered, automatically leaning towards her and slipping a hand around to the small of her back to help support her.
Something about it seemed so final, like they wouldn't be able to turn back if they -literally- laid everything bare before each other. And yet his eyes continued to sweep over her with open hunger as he leaned down to meet her for another kiss.
Taking advantage of the support he was giving her, Brenna wrapped both arms around his neck and arched up into the kiss, a low rumbling sound that was rather like the canine version of a purr rising up in her chest.
"Don't have to hide," she murmured when she pulled away for a moment, trailing kisses down his neck to his collar. "I'm not going to hurt you. I want..." She gave a quick growl of frustration when she realized she still didn't know how to voice it and settled for nipping at his collar, fingers digging into his shoulders as she clung to him.
"It's not you hurting me that I'm worried about," he chuckled, humming in pleasure as he held her against his chest. At her growl though he was leaning down to lower them back to the floor again, shivering and gasping for her shameless little bites.
She'd kept saying things like that but he hadn't realized she truly didn't know how to ask for what she wanted. "You want me?" he guessed, running his free hand down along her side again.
She shivered, fingers flexing and then curling up again. "Yes," she whispered. "With me. Want you with me."
Brenna buried her face against the crook of his neck, giving whimpering little sighs at his touch. "Please, Chris..." She rocked her hips up again instinctively, one of her knees hooking over his hip.
Her answer caused another shudder to coarse through him, a pleased little rumble sounding in his chest. Bowing his head to her shoulder he gave a few more distracted kisses to her tender skin, mixing in the occasional nip to keep her red. Lowering himself down for the pressure at his hip he knelt over her more fully, brushing chest to chest as he allowed his hand to wander down from her waist to her hip and finally rest atop her raised thigh.
Giving it a gentle squeeze he made small circles with his thumb along her inner thigh, trailing up higher and higher experimentally. "Are you sure you want me?" he asked again, brow furrowing in concern despite his own frustration that left him growling and trembling slightly in her arms and his answer already being all around him.
His touch sent a new spark of heat racing through her and she hitched in a breath, arms tightening around him. "Oh." A low moan came from the back of her throat and she clenched her eyes shut as another wave of heat rocked through her.
"Yes," she breathed after a moment, wriggling around in an attempt to angle her hips into his touch. "Yes. Want you."
"Mmm. Good." He sighed, smiling against her throat and running his hand up at last to brush cautiously between her legs. He groaned for the heat he felt there, trousers uncomfortably tight as he squirmed and leaned against her. "I've wanted you," he admitted in a whisper against her skin as he kissed his way back up to her lips and fumbled with his remaining clothing.
Brenna yelped at the touch, not surprised- she'd practically been begging him- but taken aback by the sheer intensity of the sensation it brought.
"You- you have?" she panted, eyes falling closed as her back arched and she clung tighter around his neck. She didn't really give him time to respond though, crushing her lips to his and whimpering demandingly against his mouth.
The sweet sounds singing in the air only encouraged him, his lips firm and demanding once more now that the matter was settled and he knew he could have her. Even more, she seemed just as eager for him instinct or not.
He let his hands do the talking, fingers exploring all that he dared with his limited patience. Once he'd kicked off the last of his clothes he leaned in to press his length against her thigh.
Pulling away from her lips with a gasp he studied her face, silent pleading and need glowing in his eyes. Hitching a hand beneath her knee he at last leaned to sink into her with a shudder and groan.
Her eyes flew wide open and a sound Brenna didn't even know she was capable of making escaped her, some mix between a yelp and a moan. There was a moment of pain and she stiffened, eyes clenched shut, whimpering.
But it was more than just want now, it was need, a powerful force that had her curving her legs around his waist before she'd even made the conscious decision to do so. Shudders wracked her frame and she clung to him desperately, whispering his name over and over into the crook of his neck.
His heart was gripped by a pang of guilt for her whimper but the moment her legs encircled him he was surging forward again. Hands desperately sought her hips to lift her, holding her tight against him as he gradually found a rhythm.
The shifter bowed his head to her shoulder, nipping lazily again while her murmured about her being "his Brenna."
A gasp tore out of her as he started to move, and her nails bit into his back hard enough that she was almost sure she drew blood.
There was a flash of guilt about that, but then coherent thought was out of the question. All she seemed to really be able to comprehend was the feeling of touch, of him everywhere, and vaguely she could hear Christopher calling her "his".
She liked that. To a wolf, possessiveness was a two way street. Drawing in ragged breaths, she gave an experimental buck of her hips and pressed her lips to his neck, whispering, "Mine."
He barely felt the sting of her nails, focus lost in a haze of pleasure that a small trickle of blood surely wasn't about to break. In that, though, he was certainly attuned to her voice, the verbal branding sending a little shiver of pride through his body.
"Mine," he repeated a little louder than his mutterings, rolling his hips against hers with the word while a purr practically hummed through him.
Christopher cast another glance at the shadowed bed on the other side of the room, a small regret reminding him that that was the proper place for her. "Hold on to me," he urged her, clutching her to him tightly as he leaned back on his heels to try to stand.
"What-?" The hazy question was cut off in a sharp breath as he rocked back and she realized what he was trying to do.
Normally Brenna would have complained that she could stand on her own. As it was though, she just wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tightened her legs around his waist.
"Don't stop," she managed to plead quietly, unsure if the change in position meant he'd lost interest. Her mouth latched onto his neck, nipping and kissing intermittently.
"I won't," he promised, carefully crossing the space to press her back against the much cushier bed. Perfectly happy to sink into it with her the shifter resumed his efforts anew. A low growl of appreciation rumbled in his throat as he marveled at the feel of her all around, clouding his senses of pretty much everything else.
A soft mewling sort of sound escaped her and for a moment she simply arched up against him as she adjusted to the new sensation at her back. Then his growl seemed to spark a response in her, a rumbling in her chest that softened to a moan by the time it escaped her lips.
Feeling a little bolder than before, she bucked her hips up again, learning to fall in sync with his rhythm. "Chris," she panted, hands sliding up his arms and gripping tightly. There was just so much- the heat, the feel of something tightening in her core, him. She wasn't sure how she didn't just break apart from the sensation.
The shifter smirked, proud that she was responding to him. A gasp escaped him for the sudden gentleness of her hand. He looked to it and leaned close to press a tender kiss to her fingers. Dropping his arms to frame around her he pressed in to grind his hips against her own at a slower pace. The heat building between them was almost unbearable, eating him alive from the inside out.
In the moment he could only think of her, of trying to draw out more of her sweet sounds while the pressure built. Searing kisses pressed to every inch of skin, a few puffs of tortured panting escaping him between.
His seed was spilled at last with a throaty groan, arms gathering her up once more to hold close to his chest. Heart pounding in his ears he buried his face against her, incoherent whispers of affection escaping him. There was a sense of connection and ownership building that he wasn't going to question. He was as much hers as she was his and it just seemed fact.
Brenna threw her head back into the bed and writhed up under him, whimpering and moaning between harsh, panting breaths. Something was building between them, a heat and pressure that she was amazed wasn't just burning her up from the inside out.
Then he clutched her against his chest and that something snapped. Her nails dug into his shoulders and a sound that was some mix of a wolf's howl and a passionate cry ripped out of her.
All strength left her and she went limp in his arms, shaking and panting. She managed to slide her hands up to bury her fingers in his hair, unable to speak but pressing him closer, basking in the loving little nothings he whispered against her.
Automatically he leaned into her touch, humming softly for the pleasant little buzz against his scalp where her fingers rested. He stayed that way for a while, just nuzzled against her. When he finally felt the urge to move again he rose up first to press a kiss to her cheek, a lazy smile playing at his lips. "Bryn," he sighed happily, rolling away to tuck against her side instead to continue his soft little murmurings.
Giving a soft, contented hum she snuggled into his side, hooking her leg over one of his. "Chris," she murmured, letting her eyes drift closed and nuzzling into his shoulder.
"That...you..." A small sigh escaped her and she whispered, "Wish I could talk better." She wanted to tell him, how amazing she felt, how much she never wanted to move from his side, but she couldn't find the right words.
Arms reached out to pull her into a close hug again. He'd been a little concerned, not really knowing what was going on in her head. Her limited speech didn't help, of course, but her body language spoke a great deal more than she seemed able to. Peeking an eye open at her the shifter frowned in thought. She looked comfortable, he'd even venture to say happy.
"Try," he asked quietly. "Tell me what you know."
"...Happy," Brenna decided quietly after a few moments. "But more than happy. Warm. And..." She smiled softly at him, reaching up to card her fingers through his hair. "I want to stay here. With you. Like this." She gestured at them, curled together on the bed.
Shaking her head, she laughed quietly and turned her face into his neck. "Doesn't make sense- we can't just stay here forever, but..." She shrugged.
A silly little thumping started in his heart to hear her say things like that. Simple as they were they still implied a lot.
Nuzzling against her hair he rubbed a hand lazily up and down her arm. "Probably not, but... I'm glad that you're happy. I'm happy, too," he told her honestly.
After a moment of pondering, though, he was just itching to clear something up with her that had been bothering him. "You're not hurting are you? I should have asked before, but," he trailed off, suddenly feeling a little bashful as he'd remembered what had been on his mind in the heat of the moment.
She frowned. "A little sore," she said after a momemt. "But... It only hurt for a second before." She hadn't been expecting that. Of course, she hadn't really been expecting any of what just happened.
Smiling softly, Brenna pressed a quick kiss to the shifter's shoulder. "Felt good," she murmured. An understatement, but she really didn't have the words to describe that.
Well at least sore wasn't pain. And good was...well, good.
"Just good?" he teased, pressing a few kisses to her hair. He could think of quite a few ways to describe it, though he was sure many were beyond her grasp at present. "Thank you. For trusting me."
"Better than good," she hurriedly assured him, not quite realizing that he was teasing. "I just...don't have the words."
Smiling softly, she sighed and tilted her head back so one of his kissed fell on her forehead instead of her hair. "Wasn't hard," she murmured, eyes sparkling. "Wanted to trust you." Snuggling closer to him, she added quietly, "Thank you for- that. Making me feel..."
Again words escaped her and she shrugged, ducking her head against his shoulder.
"Good?" he tried to finish, chuckling softly and squeezing her close. He quite liked her honesty. It wasn't really something he was used to about something so intimate. He supposed the wilds did her a lot of good in that at least. "Doesn't need to be any more than that. Maybe you'll trust me again sometime, eh?" He certainly felt he was pushing his luck.
Brenna nodded eagerly, stretching her neck up to press a kiss to his cheek. "Yes," she said softly, cheeks feeling a little warm. "Definitely want to do that again."
Resting one hand on his chest, she pushed herself up a bit so she could better see his face and asked suddenly, "Is it... I mean, you liked that too, right?" He'd certainly seemed to, although honestly she'd been feeling too fuzzy and lightheaded and hot to know if she'd been reading his responses correctly.
Another thought struck her and she tilted her head, puppyish. "Before...you said what we were doing was something mates did..." Her brow furrowed slightly. Did that mean- was the act enough to qualify them as "mates"?
"Yes." He answered firmly and automatically as he didn't want her to misunderstand something as important to him as that. "Ohhh yes, Brenna," he chuckled knowingly, taking the opportunity to let his eyes sweep over her appreciatively. Her next words gave him pause, though, eyes widening slightly. Yes, he'd certainly told her that.
It seemed she was pointing it out out of curiosity and not worry, though, so he wasn't certain he needed to worry about it just yet. "Ah. Well, it can be but it doesn't have to be," he began to explain, careful to keep his voice calm and kind as he feared she thought herself tied to him automatically by what they'd done. It would be bad to assume she just understood, especially with something that was not all that clear even to him.
In his world a mate was simply someone he would eventually take as his partner and devote himself to. There was no law or formality to it, no need of any other exchange or trade besides those of mutual respect, companionship, and love. He supposed love wasn't necessarily a requirement but he'd certainly never intended to tie himself to someone he felt nothing for.
An odd sense of pride accompanied the thought of claiming her as his mate. A little involuntary shiver ran down his spine at the memory of calling her "his" and the way she'd responded to it. He couldn't deny to himself that it was certainly something he could imagine getting comfortable with.
His own parents were shapeshifters so it made sense to him that they were together, and quite a perfect pair at that. But humans married, at least that he'd seen. In his sheltered tundra home he was simply ignorant to what his brethren in more temperate climates did to find partners. It seemed natural that he would seek one among the humans, but he wasn't sure if that necessarily meant it was correct.
Shaking his head to try and clear his mind of such things he smiled apologetically for his distractedness. "I guess... A mate would be the only person you choose to do things like that with." That seemed the simplest explanation he could give her of it.
"Oh." She nodded thoughtfully and slowly lowered herself to curl back against his side. A small frown stole over her face and she muttered her sudden realization aloud. "I don't want you to do that with anyone else."
There was an undercurrent of possessiveness in her tone that actually surprised her a bit, but it was the truth. Pouting a little, she hid her face against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, hook her leg over one of his for good measure.
In a way it was oddly like how Snowfur and Longclaw would curl up together slightly away from the rest of the pack, so tangled up in each other it was hard to tell where one alpha ended and the other began. Brenna brushed the thought away quickly enough, but it lingered in the back of her mind.
Christopher flinched slightly to hear that, though he felt it was a little more out of shame than anything. He'd unintentionally made her think about such a thing and how it might concern him. It was certainly fair that she wanted to keep him to herself. Privately he was content with that seeing as he wanted the same. They'd already formed quite a bond in their short time together and he couldn't really see himself wanting to give that up anytime soon. What that might lead to he would leave to chance, or as much chance as he was willing.
Easily tangling his legs with hers he nodded against her in answer at first, uncertain of what to say. Hands trailed up to press firmly against her back, still impressed by the warmth such a small human could produce. She did fit quite nicely against him, though. "I'll stay," he decided. "I'll stay as long as you want me to."
A small smile curved at Brenna's lips and she sighed contentedly, tucking her head up under his chin. "Okay. Thank you." A yawn overcame her and she nestled even closer, though at this point it was rather hard to do.
"Sleepy," she mumbled, eyes drifting closed. It had been a long, rather emotional day.
"Then sleep," he murmured, closing his eyes and lifting a hand to nestle in her hair. It was so easy to just be, to just let himself get comfortable with her.
He didn't want to think about giving her back in the morning. Surely the pack would be a little disgruntled that they hadn't returned, at least he thought they might. For one night, though, he knew he would sleep well.
With a happy little "hmm"ing sound she tilted her head into his hand and reached one arm up to splay her hand on his chest, drifting easily off to sleep.
Christopher had managed to fully curl himself against her, resting peaceful and silent through the night. By morning he was still clinging to her quite firmly, unconsciously trying to will her to stay despite how she'd said she wanted to.
When sunlight finally peaked through a few cracks between the rocks to wake him he lifted his head for just a moment to check that things still seemed right in their little bubble before simply burying his face against Brenna with a sleepy, grumbly growl.
Brenna shifted sleepily and cuddled into the warm body next to her, still half asleep and not quite registering that she was sharing a bed- a real bed- with a two-legger, not a wolf.
Then she woke up a bit more,'blinking her eyes open and suddenly remembering where she was. A smile spread across her face and she curled happily against Christopher's chest, a quiet laugh rumbling in her chest at the little growl he gave.
One hand reached up to run her fingers through his hair absently, lazily. "Hi," she whispered, perfectly content to just lay there for the foreseeable future.
The sudden touch of her hand soothed the shifter. The growl calmed to a hum and then almost a purr of pure pleasure. His lips curled into a smile as he nuzzled against the crook of her shoulder to press a few kisses in acknowledgement of her greeting, not quite ready to speak.
After a few moments of just basking in their shared warmth and breathing in her scent he arched against her slightly to roll his shoulders and give his back a few good cracks. Shivering, he cleared his throat to speak at last, though the morning left his voice a bit deeper than normal, "'Morning. Did you sleep well?"
She smiled and nodded, letting her hands drift down to wrap around his neck. "Good. Warm." She giggled and leaned up to press a quick peck to his lips. "Not like sleeping with the wolves."
He smiled sadly, feeling a little bad that she'd missed such a sensation before. Then again he was happy, too, that he'd gotten to share the experience with her first. "Well warm is good," he murmured.
After a few more moments of lounging with her he carefully untangled their legs and rolled to just barely sit up. The air above their little "nest" was cold. Christopher looked to the hearth accusingly and sighed to see that the fire had indeed been spent, the glow smoldering on what few charred pieces of wood remained not nearly enough to warm even the small space of his home.
Flopping back down to huddle close to her instead he pressed a kiss to her forehead in apology, assuming she would cold. "I'll get that in a minute, just- Want to stay here a little bit longer," he admitted with a smug little smile.
Brenna whine when he distanced himself, even a little, missing the warmth he provided already. Then she smiled when he nestled back down and snuggled in against him. "Stay here," she agreed happily. The cold hadn't bothered her until he'd moved away.
"For now," he teased, reaching a hand up to pet gentle fingers along her hair and neck. "I should take you home soon."
She pouted, then nodded with a small sigh. "I know," she murmured, laying her hand on his cheek and letting her thumb stroke back and forth over his skin.
"I wish you could come with me," she sighed after a few moments. "Or that the pack could come here..."
He smiled sadly, realizing that what she was trying to say was that she didn't want to be apart. "I think it would be a bit crowded in here with all the wolves," he chuckled, leaning in for a moment to press a kiss to her jaw.
"I wish you could stay here instead," he murmured. "Just you." It was probably a little cruel to want to take her away from her family, but it was the truth and he didn't regret saying it. He'd done his best to show her a little bit of what she was missing from "civilization" but there was a lot he still wanted to show her of his own world.
Brenna stiffened a bit at that. "Just...me?" No pack?
What would that even be like? She had been pack for almost as long as she could remember. "I don't..." She bit her lip and turned her face into his chest, curling against him. "I'm sorry," she whispered, throat suddenly feeling scratchy and tight. "I don't- I don't think I can."
A soft whimper rose up in her throat and she clung to him, suddenly terrified that he would be angry with that response.
He was disappointed, sure, but definitely not angry. It was a stretch to even ask her for such a thing and he certainly hadn't expected her to agree. "I guess that was more of a joke, I'm sorry. Not the asking. I'd like it, but... I didn't think you'd even consider it," he explained, letting his arms slip around her to hug her close as she burrowed against him.
"Your wolves are important," he pointed out. "I'm sure we'll figure something out if...this is what you decide you want." He wasn't sure if he meant himself or a home with more human possessions or both.
She relaxed a bit, returning the hug by wrapping her arms around his neck and tucking her head up under his chin. "I- I want you," she said softly. Flushing a bit, she added, "Not just- more than the mating. I just...want to be around you."
There was confusion in her tone, and maybe a little regret that she felt she couldn't just abandon her family. But also a pure, innocent sincerity.
The shifter tilted his head slightly to rest his cheek to her head as he pondered her words. Her honesty was heartwarming but he also knew this wild wolf girl was pulling him into something much bigger and more important than he would have ever imagined. He'd convinced himself before that she would be better off with a human. Hearing that she was so against leaving her wolves and simply couldn't do that left him thinking he'd been wrong for once. Two thoughts rang clear in his mind: keep her safe and keep her happy.
"I want to be around you, too. We'll figure something out. I want to figure something out," he promised and gave her a squeeze. Even if the short trek to the wolf den became a regular trip he didn't think he would mind it at all. That was a slightly scary thought for him, though. Before he'd assumed their one night would really just be one and not the first of many. Now he couldn't really see himself letting go of the girl that had been hiding right under his nose.
Smiling slightly, Brenna let her arms slip down to wrap around his middle and huffed happily. "Thanks, Chris," she murmured. "I- I'm sorry this isn't easy. I just..."
Words failing her, she let out a sharp breath and pressed a quick kiss to the hollow of his throat, nuzzling into his neck with a soft little whine.
A soft hum rose up for her affections and he closed his eyes to just enjoy their closeness for as long as she would let him. It was difficult and he desperately wanted to milk that and guilt her but he knew it wasn't nice or fair. "Don't be sorry," he finally sighed. "You do what you need to and I'll try to figure out the rest. Just- When can I see you again?" There was a certain sadness to the question that he tried to mask.
She looked up at him with a sad little smile. "I haven't gone on a hunt in days," she murmured. "I need to held the pack... I'll be gone for a day, probably." She sighed and snuggled closer against him. "Two days, maybe?"
Saying it aloud made her heart ache. She didn't want to spend that long apart.
Two days. He could handle two days. He'd handled more than that already. It wasn't ideal, but it was reasonable. "Two days," he whispered thoughtfully. "If we must."
Rather abruptly he shimmied his way down to greedily nuzzle himself against her chest instead. It was nice to hear her heartbeat for once. "Can I take you somewhere after? I'd like you to meet someone... But it might need to be an overnight trip so we aren't caught out in the snow."
Brenna gave a small squeak of surprise when he suddenly nuzzled into her chest, but she smiled and wrapped her arms around him, burying her fingers in his hair.
"I'll convince Longclaw," she answered determinedly. After two days apart, she had a feeling she'd be all to eager to spend the extra time with him. "Where are we going?"
He liked that it seemed a definite thing to her and not just a "maybe." At least she seemed honest. "I'd like you to meet my parents, if you might go," he explained, sighing happily and gathering her in closer. "They live in the North. I'm sure they'll be wondering why I've been away so much lately. I usually see them a few times a week." Since they'd met he'd had little time for that between his work and Brenna, though he was sure they'd be happy to see why and know he hadn't just been avoiding them.
"Oh." Her stomach suddenly flipped nervously. "Christopher," she said slowly, craning her neck to look down at the top of his head. "What if...what if they don't like me?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "What if they think I'm...too strange?"
Longclaw may be standoffish, but for the most part her family seemed to like the shifter well enough. Brenna knew if they hadn't, they would have chased him off their territory. His parents were his pack, his family. What would they do to her if they didn't like her?
"Too strange...?" He was confused by that. What could possibly make her too strange for them?
Leaning back slightly to look up at her he just blinked and wondered how he might be able to convince her it would be okay. "We're all shapeshifters. We live in the tundra. What could be strange about you to them? If anything... I think you fit in a little better."
She was still rather irrationally nervous, but she nodded and turned her head into a pillow in an effort to hide her expression. "Okay," she mumbled, arms tightening around him a little bit.
She was starting to feel the cold now, just a little. A quick shiver ran through her and she pressed closer to him, hooking one of her legs over his hip in an effort to have as much contact- share as much warmth- as possible.
"Not used to not having fur on," she mumbled, shivering again. Then she blushed and corrected herself. "Clothes. I meant clothes."
He gave her an encouraging smile but definitely noticed her shiver. Lifting his head to look out he saw their clothes beyond the bed were still exactly where they'd left them. "My fault for no fire," he apologized, nuzzling her arm and giving it a brief kiss.
"Want me to get them for you? Or just the blanket maybe?" He pat the cushy covering they were curled up on.
Brenna tilted her head, then shifted a bit against him. "Blanket," she decided. Her hand traced up over his shoulder to his back and she added with a shy smile, "I like this." She waved her other hand at the way they were pressed together, skin to skin.
She wasn't quite ready to lose that contact yet.
He shivered slightly for the gentle touch of her hand and a soft, involuntary sigh escaped him. "Come here, then."
Christopher scooped her up in his arms and rolled them to sit up so he could pull back the covers. It was still a little warm at least and he wasted no time in setting her back down. He hesitated a moment to just admire her body in open appreciation by what light filtered in before draping it over her. "That better?" he asked, scooting himself back in beside her and throwing a lazy arm around her waist.
Humming a little affirmative, Brenna nodded and smiled at him. "Much." She wriggled against him a bit to get as close as she could, then settled. She let her fingers trace absently over his chest and stomach, trying to commit the feeling to memory.
The shifter let his eyes fall to half-lids. He was very aware of how she touched, where she touched. It was soothing more than anything but also endlessly arousing. "Be careful, Brenna," he sighed lightly in warning, a lazy smile playing at his lips as he let his hand drift down to her hip.
"Don't tempt me," he teased. He certainly wasn't against her being curious but he was certain the hands trailing down his body were only that.
She paused, looking at his face, then suddenly smiled. Her eyes glinting mischievously, she said with perfect innocence, "You mean don't do this?" and ran one finger down the center of his chest and stomach to stop just above his hips.
Her head tilted to one side, the cold suddenly not bothering her at all.
Christopher eyed her with a playfully pointed look, sucking in his stomach a bit as the touch sent another shiver through him. "Yes, that," he grumbled, convinced she was just doing it to tease him despite how genuine her question seemed.
"You're making it difficult for me to think about taking you home." His hand stayed firmly in place, fingers splaying out to give her rear a quick squeeze.
"Mm..." Tingles raced through her at the touch and she nuzzled her head up under his chin, nipping playfully at his collar. "Don't have to leave right away," she mused, letting her hand trail down again to curve her fingers over his hip and drawing him closer.
Christopher sighed and chuckled softly, tilting his head away slightly but giving up on it pretty quickly. It seemed useless to hide from her. Giving in to her touch he leaned closer and pressed a few quick kisses to her hair and let his hand wander lower to brush against her thigh. "If only it could be that simple."
He didn't really have a good reason for why it couldn't just be that simple, though. They obviously enjoyed each other's company. A lot.
Brenna frowned, pressing a quick trail of kisses along his neck to his shoulder. "Why not?" she asked, a little petulantly.
His hand on her thigh sent a little flash of heat through her and she shifted her hips closer unconsciously, breath hitching slightly as she did.
With a little grumble of frustration he leaned away just enough to be able to look her in the eye. "Because I want you," he said with a huff, as if that should have been reason enough for her to avoid him.
It felt a little strange to him to want one woman so much. It was a new sensation but definitely not unpleasant, he was just concerned he might scare her off. Still, that didn't stop him from giving her thigh a testing little squeeze for the obvious reaction his touch had drawn out.
She leaned into him with a soft, amused huff, pressing every inch of her body that she could against his. "You say that like it's a bad thing," she murmured, nipping lightly at his neck.
She nudged her hips forward again experimentally, tilting her head back to watch his face as she did. A small, needy whine rose up in her throat and she blinked wide, shining eyes at him.
“No, not a bad thing,” he hurried to assure her. A happy but quite tortured sigh escaped him as she squirmed against him. He was convinced she knew exactly what she was doing to him but still not entirely certain of what he was implying.
With a low growl he bucked his own hips against her and looked down to meet her eyes. There was excitement there but a good deal of uncertainty as well for not understanding her receptiveness to the idea.
“I don’t think you understand,” he warned, practically begging her to take the out he was giving her. His hand slipped down further to brush between her thighs experimentally. “I want you like before. Yesterday.”
Brenna smiled softly at him. She may not understand much of the nuances of human communication, but she had understood what he meant. "I know," she whispered, hooking one leg over his hip.
A soft moan escaped her as his hand traveled south and she drew in a sharp breath at his touch, digging her fingers into his back and pressing a kiss to the spot just under his ear.
"I want you. Like that, again."
The tender little kiss made him shiver and draw in a sharp, hissing breath. All it took was those words. "Then you're mine." He took it as his invitation, fingers reaching clumsily to explore just barely inside her.
With a low chuckle he leaned his head against her own before he turned it entirely to press a few feverish kisses to her lips. "You're going to make me crazy," he growled playfully, trembling slightly in anticipation. He slipped his hand away to roll her onto her back instead where he promptly pounced her for more kisses.
She gasped at the touch, bucking her hips against his hand. She kissed him back eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck and clutching him close.
Yelping softly when he rolled them over, she grinned up at him in the brief moments she had between kisses. "Good crazy?" she teased, arching her back to rub against him and letting her head fall back, groaning at the sensation.
A ragged groan escaped him, eyes flashing darkly as he watched her writhe beneath him. "Very good," he murmured, bowing his head to her exposed throat to pepper kisses and nips across her skin.
He wasn't shy about laying himself against her, comfortable enough that she knew what she was getting herself into. Hands lifted to brace against her waist as he nuzzled into her shoulder to purr, "You're so beautiful."
Brenna was growing quite fond of his apparent fascination with her neck, loving the way lips and teeth felt against the sensitive skin there. The compliment made her flush and smile at him softly, and she twisted her head to nip at his ear, then kiss the skin just below it.
"You too," she whispered, voice becoming a little hoarse. "Beautiful." She didn't have any other words for him, so she settled for taking his.
Her hand drifteds down to cover his and she bucked her hips up against him, whining quietly and clenching her eyes shut as shivery heat shot though her.
It filled him with an odd sense of pride that she was willing to be so assertive and open about her desires with him. Barely flinching for the nip he lifted his head slightly to press a few tender kisses to her cheek, a soft smile there briefly for her borrowed compliment.
Her needy whining drew his attention back to where it should have been, though. He was careful to line them up and gave a bit of testing pressure against her entrance but still kept a focused assault on her throat and shoulder. Despite her desperation he was determined to be take things slower with her the second time around. "So eager for me," he teased, lowering his head to trail kisses down her chest.
She sucked in a breath, then let it out in a low groan. "Yes," she whimpered, rolling her hips up to meet him in an effort to get the friction she wanted, needed. "Yes, want you. S-stop teasing," she begged, dragging her nails down his back, not hard enough to really hurt but just over the edge of gentle.
He gave a low rumble in his throat for the light bite of her nails but kept up the teasing for a few moments more. Squeezing her waist firmly he finally pushed in at a slow pace that was agonizing even for him. It was bliss, though, the same fuzzy warmth as before engulfing him body and soul as he gradually worked up to a gentle rhythm.
"Brenna," he groaned hoarsely, lowering himself again to enjoy the rather intense heat between their chests.
Brenna breathed his name in reply, lashes fluttering as she slowly started to learn his rhythm and rocked her hips to meet him.
She could feel his heartbeat against hers and arched her back to deepen that contact, drawing in a sharp breath at what that did to the way they were connected. "Chris," she whined again, tangling her fingers in his hair and pulling him down into a kiss.
He gave a few sharp bucks for that, humming in pleasure as he pressed his lips to hers. A hand lowered to her hip to help hold her up and keep her close as he broke their kiss in favor of a few teasing nips to her lower lip. "My sweet Brenna," the shifter purred, open admiration twinkling in his eyes as he watched her.
"Chris," she sighed against his lips, throwing one leg around his waist and giving a low, throaty moan. "My Christopher..."
She needed to move.
Her frame may have been slight, but it hid a lot of lean muscle. With a soft growl, she rolled them over to put him on his back, crouching over him to press fevered kisses over his neck and collar. She gave a cautious roll of her hips and drew in a sharp breath, shuddering against him.
There was a moment of silent panic as she flipped them, completely surprised that she'd even managed it, but that was quickly soothed by the trail of kisses she left upon his skin.
Christopher groaned and arched his hips against her for the slight movement, hands reaching out eagerly to hold her hips as he gave a few bucks for good measure. A short huff of frustration escaped him as he realized how much she held the power, but he wasn't going to challenge her just yet.
"Tricked me," he growled playfully, leaning up slightly to kiss and nip along her jaw instead.
Brenna smirked, then gasped as he bucked against her. "I think...you'll forgive me," she teased back, panting lightly and tilting her head so he could have better access to her neck and jaw.
The same instinct that had made her roll him over urged her to rock her hips against him and she mewled, clenching her eyes shut. Growing bolder, she moved again, rising up and sinking back down instead of just rocking against him.
Her hands fell to his sides, gripping tightly for an anchor as she leaned over him, breathing ragged.
He gasped for her movements, a low moan escaping him as he squeezed her close. Shaky hands slid up the curve of her hips to grasp her waist instead as she moved again, impressed with her strength but hoping to support her still.
"You feel so good," he praised with a growl of appreciation, hips rocking gently in time with her movements but careful to let her keep control.
She was grateful for the support he provided as it allowed her to focus more on the movements of her hips than on keeping herself from collapsing against him. "Good," she panted out between soft groans. "You...so good."
It seemed words were even more difficult for her than usual. Her movements became more frantic, almost erratic as she felt that tension from the night before building in her again.
Leaning forward he continued pressing distracted kisses to her burning skin. Her frantic wriggling only encouraged him to jerk up against her. Eager to have her fall apart atop him he slung one arm around her waist instead to pin her against him and let the other trail up to the nape of her neck. He held her tenderly, fingers pressing in gentle strokes as he drew her down in another heated kiss between heavy pants.
Brenna returned his kisses and touches eagerly, heat building until it seemed to be filling her entirely so she felt she was going to burst apart at the seams.
Another rock forward, pressing her hips flush against his, and the coil of tension snapped. She cried out and buried her face in his shoulder, biting down to muffle the series of panting moans that tore out of her. Shuddering against him, she went limp.
Feeling her release was enough to send him over the edge a few moments later with a short, gasping cry and a jerk of his hips to spill inside of her once more. Hugging her close he pet gently at the back of her head. Panting for breath the shifter closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the bed, completely spent.
It was different from before. Somehow he didn't feel like he had the energy to even speak for a while. When he at last managed to part his lips he only muttered, "You're magic."
She simply lay there for a few moments, feeling whatever had happened to her happen to him beneath her and pressing her lips against the bite mark she'd left on his shoulder as she rode it out. His petting made her lips curve tiredly against his skin and she nuzzled into his neck, still panting lightly.
Magic. He called her magic. Brenna shook her head slightly and pressed herself closer, paying no mind to the way they were still connected. "Christopher," she murmured. Once again words failed her and she simply settled for saying, "My Chris," and pressed a soft kiss to his throat.
Only as the buzz of pleasure abated did he finally feel the slight sting of the mark her bite had left. It would surely fade soon enough but he was quite pleased that his new lover had been impassioned enough to bestow him with it.
Chuckling softly as she laid claim to him he tilted his head to press a tired kiss to the shell of her ear. "My Brenna," he answered softly, the words automatic and faultlessly confident as he basked in the warm glow of their love-making and pressed tired kisses to her shoulder. Things were far from perfect and probably wouldn't get any easier, but he wasn't quite ready to think about any of that with her still in his arms.
She almost purred at that, though the sound was a bit more canine than feline. "Yours," she agreed quietly, kissing the edge of his jaw. She allowed herself a few more moments to get her breath back, then rolled off him to tuck herself against his side, not wanting her weight to make him uncomfortable.
The angle of the shafts of sunlight peeking into his den had changed and she glanced up, sighing. The morning was ticking away. Her pack would be worried. Brenna gave a soft, complaining sort of whine and nuzzled against his shoulder, unwilling to move though she knew they had to.
He stubbornly kept his arm firmly around her, squeezing her close against his side. Tilting his head and opening one eye to look at her he frowned for the little whining sound she made, mistaking it for pain. "Brenna? Are you hurt?" he asked hurriedly, body tensing and poised to sit up in a hurry if she told him it was so.
"What? No! No, I'm fine." She smiled reassuringly and reached up to lay her hand against his cheek. "Just...sort of wish I didn't have to go back, that's all," she murmured after a moment, letting her thumb rub back and forth over his cheek.
While it was quite a relief to hear, his heart still thudded loudly for the fright he'd given himself. "Thank goodness." Rolling his eyes and turning slightly to face her better he blinked a few times and just stared at her face.
"I was thinking that, too," he admitted, leaning forward to brush noses with her briefly. "You're so... So lovely, Brenna, I-" The shifter fumbled for words, cheeks flushing as he realized what he'd been about to say. "But we should probably get you home soon."
Christopher felt a bit bad that he'd failed at truly providing for her. The least he could have done was hunted her breakfast and stoked the fire after their night together and he'd done neither of those things. "Next time things will be better," he promised her instead, leaning in again to press a tender kiss to her cheek. After their morning he was sure there would at least be a next time.
Brenna giggled a bit when he brushed their noses together, the gesture reminding her of her wolves. Or maybe his cat. Then she found herself leaning in a bit more as he spoke, frowning a bit when he cut himself off. What had he been trying to say?
Deciding if it was really important he would get around to telling her in his own time, she smiled softly for the compliment and hummed in the back of her throat. "Better?" She tilted her head at him, still smiling. "Chris...this was- it was-" There was a word. She knew it. "Perfect," she said after a moment, pleased with herself.
Then her expression softened slightly and she kissed him gently. "You're perfect." A sigh and she sat up, bringing the blanket with her in an effort to keep warm. She really did need to get home.
He smiled kindly, proud that she'd found her own way of complimenting him even though he disagreed and thought he could show her a much more comfortable time.
Letting his arm fall away as she sat up he watched her back with a pout, still not quite ready to return to normal life even though she seemed eager to be on her way. Forcing himself up he stretched and crossed the much colder floor to scoop up their clothes, turning to hand Brenna her own before he got dressed again.
"Probably really cold today... Do you need an extra coat?" he asked with concern.
Brenna watched him move with a small sigh, just as reluctant as he was to leave their little bubble. She took her clothes and wriggled into them without really moving off the bed, wriggling around and giving soft little huffs of complaint at the necessity of covering up.
"I'll be okay," she reassured him with a quick smile when she was mostly dressed. "Don't get cold easy." She stood, meaning to cross to him, and suddenly hissed in a breath, frowning.
She was sore. Everywhere. Brow furrowed, she cautiously moved her arms and legs. Oh. Yep, definitely sore- not in any debilitating sort of way, but definitely enough to notice.
Well she was a woman of the tundra, he probably should have expected that answer. Once he'd dressed he'd moved to stuff into his boots again, but her sudden hiss stopped him again. The shifter tensed, eyes dilating severely as his cat threatened to surface for, at best, the sound of her discomfort.
"Brenna?" He watched her curiously, very still and uncertain of what it was exactly that she was doing. "What's...wrong?" The question came in a softer tone, certain there was something she wasn't telling him that she needed.
She shook her head with a low growl, frustrated that she seemed to keep making him worry. "Just- sore," she said by way of explanation, waving a hand to indicate pretty much anything below her waist. Giving him as reassuring a smile as she could manage, she added quickly, "I'm fine, wasn't expecting it, that's all."
He looked her over with wide eyes, calming as her explanation slowly sank in. Clearing his throat he nodded and resumed his shuffling around to finish getting ready. "I'm sorry," he apologized, feeling quite guilty for it but not knowing what, if anything, he could do for that besides be patient with her. "Take your time, we'll go once you're ready."
Brenna crossed the small space between them- a little hitch to her step, admittedly, but otherwise perfectly functional- and put her hand on his arm.
"Stop saying sorry," she ordered softly, her tone only half teasing as she looked up at him and then rocked onto her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. "That was...amazing. Don't say "sorry" for it." She moved to slip her arms around his middle and let her head rest against his chest for a moment.
Christopher chuckled at her teasing, as he saw it at least, and wrapped her up in a hug. It was going to be difficult to not see her for a while after all they'd done and bonded over.
He bent to press a kiss to her hair, eyes closing briefly as he breathed in her scent again. "You're very kind, Brenna. Thank you." He squeezed her close, hands rubbing gently at her back but reluctant to release her. "I'm...going to miss you," he whispered softly, almost hoping she wouldn't hear it.
A quiet rumble of contentment rose up in her chest when his arms came around her and she pressed closer. Part of her wanted to say that she wasn't being kind, she was being honest, but a larger part wanted to simply enjoy the closeness for a moment.
Her heart squeezed at his quiet whisper and she turned her face into his chest, tightening her arms around him. "Miss you too," she murmured, clenching her eyes shut.
He stayed with her like that for while, arms tightening around her again as hers did for him. Even though they would be separated soon it was good, he thought, that they'd formed an attachment. There was nothing else like it he'd ever felt and he knew he would honor his word to her, didn't even question it.
Taking a step back and letting his hands fall away from her at last, Christopher bent to press a tender kiss to her forehead and offered her a hand as he looked to the door. "Ready then?"
Brenna took his hand and laced her fingers through his, unconsciously rocking onto the balls of her feet as he drew away from kissing her forehead, following after the touch.
"Let's go," she said softly, giving a small smile.
He gave her hand a squeeze and cast a final glance around his home before opening the door to lead her back outside. The sudden blast of cold made him wince, feeling rather guilty for how it might feel to her considering it gave him a chill.
"Let me know if you need a rest. I could always carry you," he offered, heading out along the familiar route back to the wolf den.
She wrinkled her nose at him, shivering a bit at the cold and tucking herself closer to his side. "I'm fine," she assured him with a quick smile. The idea of him holding her was appealing, but she could handle herself. And she didn't want to make him exert himself.
He walked along at a leisurely pace through the snow, in no real rush to get her home and make the return trek alone. He noticed the rocks in the distance that he recognized as the place they'd first met but only smiled to himself and didn't point them out to her.
"Think it would do me any good to bring them a gift when I come back?" he asked suddenly, smirking playfully. "Or am I already dead to them for making them worry over you so much?"
Chuckling quietly, she mused, "Gifts never hurt. Longclaw will be mad no matter what, but I'll...talk him down."
Pressing a little closer against his side, Brenna said with a small smile, "The others will get over it." They'd have to, because she wasn't about to apologize, or suddenly stop spending time with him.
"I hope he listens." He chuckled and shook his head. The last thing he needed was an angry alpha at his throat every time he came around. "Maybe with enough fish he'll forgive me some day."
Carefully releasing her hand, Christopher brought his arm up to pull her closer by her waist. "Not cold, right?"
She gave another little laugh at that, then smiled up at him. "No," she said with utter sincerity. "Not when I'm with you." The land around them was growing more familiar and she knew they'd reach the den soon, and she unconsciously slowed her pace a bit, wanting to prolong the time they had before saying goodbye.
There was a happy little rumbling in his throat for that, quite proud of himself whether it was entirely true or not. He noticed the way she slowed down but chose to just trust it and mimic her instead of questioning.
It took him longer to realize they were so close to the den, but his arm around her tightened slightly once he recognized it and picked up the faint scents of her pack. "Not ready," he pouted, grumbling slightly.
Knowing that this close it wouldn't be too long before the pack would pick up their scent, Brenna stopped and turned around to stand in front of him, taking his hands in hers and leaning up to press a kiss to the side of his neck.
"Me neither," she sighed, nuzzling against his collar with a soft, regretful whine.
As endearing as the sound had become to him in other forms he hated what caused it now. It still felt so wrong to give her back.
He squeezed her hands and held on for a few moments before he was able to kick himself into doing the right thing by her. All he wanted was to drag her back home with him, but he knew he couldn't yet.
"Come on, then," he whispered with a frustrated hiss, turning his head to press a kiss to her ear. "Sooner we go the better." He didn't actually believe that, but it felt easier to handle that way.
Brenna nodded with a soft sigh and slipped away from him, taking his hand and moving toward the den.
They'd barely taken three steps when the whole pack was bounding over the snow, yipping and whining worriedly as they surrounded her. Guilt prickled in her chest and she knelt to assure them that she was fine and apologize for being away so long.
Longclaw, hackles raised, gave a snarling, roaring bark and glared at Christopher. Both Brenna and Snowfur moved to him in an effort to sooth, whining and ducking their heads submissively, his mate repeating that the Little One was growing up, she was allowed to make her own decisions.
Though he didn't attack, he didn't stand down either, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
Christopher watched their reunion with quite a bit of guilt himself, the obvious cries of concern over their pack sister reminding him of the true bond of family she shared with these creatures.
His somber eyes turned vigilant at the sound of Longclaw's barking and growling. He turned to watch Brenna, a twinge of fear in his heart to see her approach such an aggressive display. At first he didn't move to follow her, just listening to the sounds of the wolves around them and waiting for things to calm down so that they could say a proper goodbye.
But Longclaw didn't move and the shifter was growing increasingly desperate as he stared him down. "Brenna," he whispered to try and get her attention.
Reaching out to touch her arm he tried his best not to look at Longclaw again. "Can we say goodbye?"
She glanced over her shoulder at him, then looked to Snowfur and nodded at the alpha female's mate, standing slowly. "Probably a good idea," she murmured, turning to give him an apologetic look.
Longclaw growled again, but he was cut off by Snowfur nuzzling soothingly under his chin. Biting her lip, Brenna whispered, "I'm sorry. It'll be better when you come back, promise."
She rocked up to wrap her arms around his neck and kissed him, quick but fierce. "Bye," she said quietly when she pulled away, meeting his eyes sadly. "Gonna miss you..."
Christopher grit his teeth against the growling. He wanted to snarl right back at him but thankfully Snowfur placated the alpha male enough for the shifter to focus on Brenna without thinking about him possibly taking his arm off.
"Don't be sorry," he grumbled, returning the kiss as quickly as he could and giving her a quick hug around her waist before letting her go. A sad smile tugged one corner of his lips up and he bent again to kiss her cheek before pulling away entirely.
"I'll miss you, too. See you in a few days," he bid her.
He turned to head back out into the open tundra, nodding to Snowfur and Longclaw briefly before giving an apologetic little wave to the rest of the pack.
The younger wolves watched him go, giving soft huffs and whines of confusion. Why had Little One been gone so long? Where was the cat going? Would he be back? Why did she smell so much like him?
Flustered and blushing a bit, Brenna did her best to explain what had happened as she moved with the wolves back toward the den: that they had visited their old home, and by the time they'd returned it was getting dark and made more sense for her to stay in the cat's den with him for the night.
The alphas and Bright-Eye gave her shrewd looks. They certainly seemed to know what exactly had happened, the blending of Christopher-Brenna scent all over her speaking volumes.
The girl sighed. This was going to take some explaining.
The shifter was quick to distance himself from the pack's territory. He wanted to get home quickly, but that was almost worse. Her scent was still everywhere and in everything, it seemed. He didn't stay long and was back outside quickly to take to his cat instead.
It had been a few days and after everything that had changed with her he desperately needed the time to be free and attempt to return to a sense of normalcy and resume his habits. If nothing else, he just needed to stay occupied.
He spent the rest of the day hunting for himself to just get it out of the way. He could only imagine trouble if he ran into her and her pack on their own hunts and wanted to put as much distance as possible between them all until he was allowed to see her again.
Longclaw called for a hunt, and they left within the hour. Brenna fell easily into the old habits of tracking and traveling with the pack, but she found she felt...strange. It was harder to get her mind off Christopher than she would have thought, and more than once she almost made very simple mistakes that earned her sharp snarls and glares from the wolves.
They managed a successful hunt though, and returned to the den the next day, her pack well fed and in a considerably better mood. Even her foster father seemed to have calmed down a bit, romping about with the pups and nuzzling her sides of hands affectionately every so often.
She had a feeling she had Snowfur to thank for the change in his attitude. The two alphas had gone off from the pack for a while before, the female saying something breifly about "talking some sense into him about Little One's situation".
Returning to his own home was still difficult, but he was slowly realizing that it wasn't so bad to at least have reminders of her when she wasn't around. By morning her scent had mostly faded anyway, to his dismay.
The next day he kept himself as busy as possible, both with his work and preparing for their trip. He had a few things he needed to deliver to his parents anyway, though he did feel a little guilty over that for interrupting the steady rhythm of their visits. He was confident, though, that they wouldn't mind his absence once they learned the reason behind it.
He was careful to wait a full two days before he set out for her pack again. A couple of bags were carried on his back, the smaller of the two filled with more fish for the wolves. The shifter moved very slowly once he was upon "their" land. He still saw it as part of his territory, but he was certain he'd never have a reason to challenge their claim to their own home.
While Christopher was quite determined to see her, anxiety set into his heart the nearer he got. Bracing himself against what he could only assume would be a wave of agitated wolves and the snapping barks of the alpha male seemed the logical thing to do.
The wolves caught Christopher's scent before Brenna realized he was approaching. Everyone looked to Longclaw.
The alpha stood slowly with a low bark to Little One, ordering her to come with him. Wolf and girl left the den and moved toward the figure coming closer. Brenna's heart skipped a beat and she had to stop herself from running to meet him, matching her pace to her foster father's.
"Chris..." She offered a small smile and a tiny wave when they were within hearing distance.
Christopher noticed the male wolf immediately and stopped his approach even though Brenna was with him. He didn't want to encroach any further if he was about to be shooed away.
With a wary little smile he raised a hand at her to wave back. "It's good to see you're well," he greeted, sighing quietly in relief. He wasn't sure what he'd expected, certainly not that they would have hurt her, but he was glad she was at least permitted to see him again.
Her smile grew a little bit and she nodded at him. "And you."
Longclaw stalked forward, not growling this time but very much conveying his authority through body language. He gave a low, sharp bark and looked the shifter up and down.
Brenna moved closer, murmuring to Christopher, "He, um... He wants you to promise to protect me." she felt silly conveying the message, but she knew Longclaw would just get more irritated if she didn't.
Christopher stood tense, waiting and confused as he didn't quite know what Longclaw was doing until Brenna translated for him. He really did need to learn their language at some point.
"Protect you? Of course I will, I'll be with you the whole way there and back," he explained, looking down to the wolf as if that shouldn't have been a concern at all. He didn't quite realize that he might have meant a bit more than just escorting her.
Brenna translated that, and the dire wolf could hear the sincerity in Christopher's tone, even if he didn't understand human speech. He huffed, nodded his head at the shifter once, then turned to Brenna.
She knelt in front of him and let him sniff her face, then nuzzle her neck affectionately before he turned and loped back toward the den. With a small breath, she stood and turned to face Christopher with a smile.
"Hi."
He couldn't help but remain tense as he watched her put her face in front of her foster father, almost expecting him to snap at her. When he didn't, though, the shifter watched him go with wide-eyed surprise. Seeing his departure as permission enough, he hurried forward to wrap her up in a hug despite the awkward, bulky bags on his back.
"Hello, my sweet," he crooned, burying his face against the crook of her shoulder and nuzzling. It was so much easier to relax with her right there, tension he hadn't even realized he'd had quickly leaving him.
A delighted laugh bubbled out of her and she threw her arms around his neck, returning the hug eagerly. "I like that," she decided softly, twisting her head to press kisses to his temple and the edge of his ear.
A happy glow had taken up residence in her chest and she tightened her arms around him, relaxing a bit as she breathed in his scent. "Missed you."
Sighing happily, the shifter pressed a few quick kisses to her neck. It was such a relief to hear she felt that way despite not liking that he'd had to subject her to it. "I missed you, too."
Now he could relax. She was safe and she seemed happy. He couldn't really ask for more than that.
After a quick squeeze he leaned back slightly to look at her face to face. "Are the rest of them okay?" he asked with concern.
Crooning happily at the little touches, Brenna nodded quickly. "They're alright. They were a little worried, but it's okay now."
She let her hand slip down his arm to lace her fingers through his. "Told them I'd be gone for the night again. It's okay."
Christopher nodded as he listened, unable to hide a smile to know that they could go without any resistance from her pack. "Good... Very good." He gave a heavy but happy sigh and ducked his head to her shoulder again as he pulled her in for a last squeeze.
"I did bring more gifts for them. Do you think they'd want me to give them over? Or should I just leave it all here so we can leave?"
"Maybe we can go over?" Brenna murmured, leaning into him with a soft, contented sigh. "The pups and Shade may want to say hello. And I didn't say a proper goodbye to Snowfur..." She bit her lip and turned her head slightly to get a proper look at him. "Do you mind?"
He smiled kindly, humming in agreement as he leaned away and gave her hand a squeeze. He looked down at that, studying their joined hands briefly. It felt a lot better than he wanted to admit to be with her again. Not only had he missed her, he realized it simply felt like a piece of him was missing without her.
"I don't mind at all. I'd like to see them." He gestured at the smaller bag on his back. "Especially if they're hungry," he teased.
Her eyes sparkled up at him as she turned and started tugging him along toward the den. "More fish?" she guessed happily, walking close enough to his side that it was almost hampering her gait.
He moved along eagerly with her, not needing to be told twice. "Yes," he answered proudly, chuckling and peeking over his shoulder at it. "Lots and lots of fish. Plenty for everyone... I'm probably spoiling them a bit, huh?"
"Maybe a little." She giggled and leaned up to kiss his cheek, seemingly unable to help herself. "But that's okay. Even wolves aren't above bribery."
As if her words had summoned them, the pack came sniffing and trotting out of the den, moving toward the two-leggers with tails waving and tongues lolling.
He smiled broadly in greeting, not knowing how else to look happy to see them other than how he naturally knew how. "Hello," he greeted eagerly, slowing before he stopped entirely to kneel before them and offer a palm out for them to sniff.
"I have presents," he explained, gesturing with his chin as he slipped the bag off his shoulder to carefully open for them so they wouldn't struggle with tearing into it.
Yipping happily, the younger wolves bounded around him and play pounced on the bag before tearing off in random directions only to circle back and shove wet, sniffing noses against his sides or hands.
Brenna laughed, kneeling next to him and nudging her head against his shoulder, rather wolf-like. "I think they like the presents," she said with a chuckle.
He tried to remain steady against their play-assault, but eventually he settled to just sit on the ground and watch the youngsters' romp for a little bit.
"Really? I couldn't tell," he teased, leaning to set his head against her own briefly before he finished fussing with the bag and dumped the fish out onto the ground for them.
Licking any part of the shifter they could reach and barking happily, the wolves set about devouring the fish, Chaser and Graywind play fighting over one while Icefang snuck away with it.
Brenna laughed and smiled at Christopher before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek and standing. She let her hand rest on Snowfur's head for a moment, meeting the wolf's eyes, then nodded and bent to let the alpha female nuzzle her face.
"We can go now," she told Christopher quietly, turning to him with a small smile and an outstretched hand.
He was pleased everything was so well-received. He hadn't thought the morning would go so well for them, and honestly expected it to be much more of an uphill battle.
With a grateful look to Snowfur he told her a quick "thank you" hoping she at least understood the sentiment in his tone. Taking Brenna's hand he stood quickly and swooped in to give her a brief kiss on the cheek before lacing their fingers together again.
"Let's get going, yeah? Should be able to make it before sundown," he told her, leaning to guide her away and on their way north.
"Okay." Brenna waved over her shoulder at the pack for a few paces before she turned back around to walk properly beside Christopher.
"Before sundown... It's not too far then?" She looked up at him curiously
"Well..." Maybe that had been a little ambitious.
"If we're lucky. Depends on the weather. Might have to walk in the dark a bit, but I promise it's worth it." He flashed an encouraging smile and swung their hands gently between them. "Their home is nicer than mine. More...human."
"I like your home," Brenna protested, giving his hand a soft squeeze and smiling up at him. "I'm sure your parents' is nice...but I like yours."
Christopher chuckled and returned the squeeze with his own, thankful for her continued honesty. "I'm glad you do, but... Well their home is just different nice, I suppose. You'll see. They just live a little better than I do. My family is...kind of strange. We're all different." He laughed a little nervously at that, worried she might not like it.
"Different how?" Brenna asked curiously, tilting her head. "They're like you, right? Cats- er, shapeshifters?"
That wasn't so different to her, at least not after meeting Christopher.
"Oh, yes! Yes, still cats. Still shapeshifters. Um... It's just that we all live a little differently. You know- Between wild and human." He thought she might understand that concept at least. "Everyone lives a little differently. I suppose I'm kind of in the middle. They're much more human in their own lives, I guess."
"Oh." She nodded, thinking she was starting to understand what he meant. She squeezed his hand gently and rocked up onto her toes to press a kiss to his cheek.
"They're your pack," she said simply, smiling. "I'm sure I'll like them." Whether they'd like her remained to be seen...
He raised their hands slightly to press a kiss to the back of hers, eyes twinkling proudly for her saying that. "I really hope so. They're good people and they mean a lot to me." He really wanted them to all get along, of course there was no reason he saw for his parents to not like her. He was proud of what he had with Brenna, new as it was.
"You're not...nervous, are you?"
Brenna blinked at him. Was she that obvious? "Um... Maybe a little," she admitted quietly, ducking her head and feeling her cheeks flush just a little. "What if they don't like me?" she mumbled, unconsciously tightening her grip on his hand.
So that's what she was worried about. "Bryn," he spoke gently, squeezing her hand again for the pressure. "My parents are very tolerant people. My father lived a very...human life before he met my mother. They have nothing against humans. We trade with them all the time." He gestured to the bag that remained on his back before releasing her hand and slipping his arm around her waist instead to draw her in.
"They'll respect that you're...special to me." They'd rarely challenged his choices in the past, at least. Christopher saw no reason why they might not like her, she was a charmingly honest person. Who couldn't like that?
"I'm actually more worried that they'll be too presumptuous and make you uncomfortable," he admitted, chuckling nervously. "Ah, that's...assuming things about us."
Though still a little nervous, his assurances were doing a good deal to calm her down. Glancing up at him curiously, Brenna asked, "Assuming what things?" What could they assume about her? Them? And how could it make her uncomfortable?
"Well... They might see us together and assume that we're- Well, you know." Christopher was fumbling badly, his cheeks turned bright red and his hand around her twitched nervously as he tilted his head away from her.
"More than just friends?" That wasn't quite right, they definitely were more than that. "And I don't want them to pester you with questions. I mean, this is so new, it's not like we've decided anything yet." He honestly wasn't sure what to call what they were to each other.
That brought a considering sort of frown to her face. "But we are...more than just friends...aren't we?" Brenna queried. She didn't think "friends" did what they had done together, but then she still didn't really know all that much about human customs.
But Christopher had said it was something you'd only do with a mate. The furrow between her brows deepened as she tried to puzzle through that.
"Yes." It was quick and decisive, but he didn't know what else to say beyond that. He saw Brenna as his. Did that make her his mate? It wasn't ever something he'd learned from his parents, but he knew he felt something with her that he'd never felt before in his life.
He squeezed her close against his side, jaw tense and too afraid to look at her all of a sudden. "If...you agree, of course."
"Course I do," Brenna said simply, a little confused about why he seemed tense all of the sudden. His quick response had clarified things for her, and she was feeling much better about the whole thing, less confused.
She tilted her head up and pressed a kiss to the edge of his jaw, giving his hand a light squeeze.
Christopher gave a heavy sigh, struggling to relax even with her gentle touches. "Sorry," he mumbled, knowing he wasn't quite being fair to her to discuss such a thing on the way to meet his parents. He was certain any other human would have clobbered him for it.
"Just forget it, I guess. I'm...nervous and I'm being silly," he admitted, smiling sadly but refusing to look at her in his embarrassment to admit that there was something a little wrong with him.
Leaning against his arm for a moment, Brenna gave him a quick, soft smile and asked, "Can I help?" Anxiety wasn't really something she was used to, at least not before he'd taken her to the human town, but she knew it wasn't a nice feeling.
She knew what she would have done with the wolves, but she wasn't sure instigating a play fight or some sort of chase game was really appropriate for the situation.
He finally gave her a thoughtful look, surprised by her offer. There were many things he could have asked for, but he settled on something he knew she could understand. "Distract me? Tell me what you've been up to since I left, maybe."
"Oh. Okay." She shrugged, worrying her bottom lip. "It's...kinda boring, really. We went for a hunt. Went pretty far from the den, so we slept outside. Snowfur kept teasing me about-" Her voice cut off and she glanced at him, cheeks flushing slightly. "Um, well...you, actually. And me." She cleared her throat and glanced away.
Well distraction was definitely working, but now he could only feel a bit like a failure for knowing he'd brought her back just to sleep outside with no shelter. Her mention of Snowfur's teasing got his attention, though, noticing the way she looked a little shy.
"What did she say?" he asked curiously, uncertain what her foster mother could have possibly teased her about concerning himself. It got him thinking, though. He remembered what Brenna had told him before, that Snowfur thought she should have a mate. He frowned, wondering if the wolf might not have approved of him after all for such a thing.
"Just, um..." She flushed darker and ducked her head, looking at the snow beneath their feet. "She- knew what- I mean she could tell that we-"
Perhaps it was her reintroduction to humans or some inborn sense of bashfulness, but she found it was suddenly impossible to look at him. "I smelled like you," Brenna muttered eventually. "A lot like you. She was just...teasing me about it."
Grey eyes remained watching her curious little episode, but once realization dawned on him he was feeling just as shy. Of course the wolves would have known, they had a much better sense of smell than he ever would in his human form.
"Oh... I-I'm sorry. I should have offered you a bath." It wasn't like it was a secret, but he hated that he'd put her in such a situation if she might not have been ready to tell her family such a thing. "She didn't give you any trouble, did she? Or the others?"
"No, that's okay," she hastened to assure him, giving a quick smile. "No trouble, just...lots of teasing." She tilted her head at him and casually, "It's not so strange for there to be a couple mated pairs in a pack. Shade and Bright-Eye are. It's just only the alphas who are allowed to have pups."
To her at least, it seemed that's what they were: a pair, a match. The complications that might create didn't really register for her.
Christopher nodded, hanging his head slightly and not looking at her directly for hearing that. It seemed a strange thing to point out so nonchalantly, but she was doing it. He supposed he should have just expected it as something very "Brenna" by that point.
"Right..." Suddenly he was no longer distracted and realized he might cause them a very real problem if they continued doing what they'd done. He wasn't ignorant to how a woman could fall pregnant even though he'd put it out of his mind in favor of what they'd both needed before.
He was curious, though, if what she'd said meant she considered them to be a mated pair now. He had promised her fidelity. Honestly at the surface he couldn't think of any way to distinguish their relationship from that of his parents aside from time, a home together, and children. "Is that...what you want with me?"
"Yes." She didn't even have to think about.
Realizing how quick her answer had been, she glanced up at him with a worried little frown, suddenly nervous. "Do you...not?"
He met her eyes with a look of concern, a little worried that she was making up her mind too quickly. It was far from unappealing, though. He hugged her close and slowed their pace a bit.
"I mean, it's a commitment, Brenna. Mates are for life," he reminded her. Everything about it seemed unfair for her, yet any way he thought about it he knew he didn't want to give her up. "And I'm not anything like your wolves either."
She stopped walking and turned to face him, meeting his eyes. "I know," she said quietly, seriously. "I know, Chris."
But she was like her pack, and wolves didn't do anything half-speed. They fought, played, hunted, and loved with everything they had, falling hard and falling fast. Maybe it was that animal instinct talking, but she knew she wanted the shifter, wanted him in her life for as long as she could keep him there.
His eyes softened some as he stopped and just stared at her, a sadness lingering even after hearing her say it so seriously. "I can't honestly tell you I don't want you, Brenna. Cause I do-" He looked away nervously, not really knowing how to address a situation like theirs in his inexperience.
"I hope you know you don't have to choose me. We could just be..." Friends? He had no idea what else they could reasonably hope for, but it was very important to him that she know he wouldn't just leave if she changed her mind. Yet, it seemed the choice had already been made and they were simply realizing it.
Leaning in suddenly, he reached to gather her up in a hug. "Don't have to," he muttered stubbornly, determined to give another chance at turning him away. "Only if you need to."
Brenna gave a little squeak of surprise at the sudden embrace, then melted against him. She smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder and reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck. "I know I don't have to," she told him quietly. "I want to, Christopher. I like being with you. I missed you, before. I-"
She remembered the words, but she was suddenly unsure if she should say them. They felt true, but then again, maybe she should let it be for a while? Give herself a chance to really figure things out.
He nodded eagerly in agreement, squeezing her close. It felt odd, to suddenly declare such an attachment, but he knew he wanted her and knew he didn't want to give her up. "I missed you," he agreed, sighing happily and nuzzling against her hair. "I...want that, too."
She smiled and murmured, "Good," nuzzling her nose into the curve of his neck and letting out a slightly relieved sort of breath.
Her acceptance was liberating, a weight lifting off his shoulders that he hadn't even realized he'd been carrying with him. Holding her close for as long as he dared, the shifter just breathed and relaxed in the presence of his newly-accepted mate.
A gust of wind sent a slight shiver through him and he consciously shuffled them around so that he could shield her from it at least a little. "We should keep moving," he sighed, grumbling into her shoulder but not really doing anything to suggest he physically was ready to move along.
Shivering a little herself, Brenna gave a soft, affectionate rumble in her chest when he shuffled around to try to block the wind. "We should," she agreed, sighing reluctantly.
Then, because she knew if she didn't now they weren't actually going to move, she pulled away a bit and let her fingers lace through his again, turning to continue on their way. "Lead the way," she said with a small smile, eyes glimmering up at him.
His eyes widened as she pulled away, staring at her with his mouth drawn in a tight line and attempting to be stubborn and get a few more moments with her. At her prompting, though, he hung his head in defeat and nodded. "If I have to."
He gave her hand a firm squeeze and leaned down to kiss her cheek before moving along at a leisurely pace again. There was no rush aside from getting her there before it got too cold outside, but he wanted her to be able to actually see where they were going if he could help it.
"Have you ever been north? On a hunt maybe?"
She gave a vague sort of nod. "Once or twice. Mostly stick close to the mountains though." Though the land around her was still tundra, it wasn't quite as familiar as she was used to.
Christopher smiled knowingly. "Most do. Well, anything that can find shelter there. Including my parents."
He walked in silence for a bit before blurting out another anxious question, "You don't...mind staying the night, do you? I know it might be strange being in a new place, but- Well, I promise it's safe."
Brenna shook her head at him, chuckling quietly at how anxious he seemed about it. "I don't mind," she assured him. "Told the pack I'd be gone for the night again, its okay." She pressed a little closer against his side. "And I'll be with you. I know it's safe."
Of course she had. They seemed protective enough that they probably wouldn't have let her go away with him again if they didn't know what was going on with her after the last time.
He looked down at her, though, for her confident answer. "Yeah? Well, yeah, you are. I'm glad you know that, though." It was very important to him, for some reason.
"I guess I thought you might be nervous," he admitted. "Won't be just us like before, but- Well, you'll see." He turned his head to the sky, watching with a frown as the light around them was fading fast.
Her brow furrowed a bit and she pressed closer against his side, mumbling, "Never said I'm not nervous."
Brenna followed his glanced up and bit her lip. It was starting to get late. "Is is much further?"
He stared ahead, squinting by what little light remained. The shadows along the mountains made it that much harder to see by. "Just a couple of miles, I think," he murmured pointing out with his free hand.
Frowning and looking down at her again, he asked, "Are you tired? Cold?"
Brenna chuckled quietly, shaking her head. "I'm fine," she said, craning her neck up to kiss his shoulder through his clothes. "You worry too much, Chris."
He gave a short huff at that. He didn't think he could fuss and worry enough over her, personally. "I wasn't sure why you asked," he protested defensively with a playful grumble.
"It's just a bit further, though," he insisted, staring out at the blur in the distance and watching it slowly come into focus.
"I just wanted to know how close we were," Brenna chuckled. Eyes glinting, she nudged her head affectionately up under his chin for a moment, trying to soothe his defensiveness with a murmured, "It's okay. It's kinda sweet when you worry."
He perked up slightly at that, humming happily for the affectionate little touches. "Well... Get used to it. I have land to protect and now you, so-" He could see tensions rising a little, even though it certainly was a good problem to have.
Clearing his throat he continued, "Don't laugh? If I want to make sure you're okay."
Her expression softened and she slowed and stretched up to kiss his cheek. "I won't," she promised quietly, tucking herself back against his side.
Christopher smiled some, glad she seemed to be even more openly affectionate with him if that was even possible. "You can laugh at anything else, though," he teased. "I like hearing it."
Suddenly he noticed something distorting the snow drift up ahead. As they approached he realized his mother had noticed them and had come out to meet them. Instinctively pulling Brenna closer, he nodded to the leopard as they passed, watching warily as she circled them at a distance.
The animal finally fell in to follow them but made no move to stop them or get any closer, instead just herding them at a distance towards her home hidden in the mountains.
Tensing as her senses told her there was another predator around, Brenna allowed Christopher to pull her against him and looked between the large cat and her mate a few times. He seemed pretty unperturbed.
Oh. Shifters. The animal must be one of his parents. Cautiously, she held her hand up and gave the cat a little wave.
"Almost there," he spoke softly, glancing down at her and pointing ahead to an opening in the rocks. He hadn't even thought to let her know exactly who was following them. The snow leopard chuffed quietly for the greeting and wandered a little closer.
As they reached it, he ducked slightly out of habit to lead her inside the short tunnel that curved out into a larger cave. His mother loped forward suddenly, slipping between them in a playful brush as she hurried inside to warn her mate of their visitors.
"Sorry," he chuckled, watching her shadow along the wall as she disappeared around the corner. He heard a few cries before the muffled, but obviously excited voices in the distance. After stepping into the main corridor they would barely have a moment before his parents -now both human and blessedly clothed- swarmed them to wrap their son up in a hug.
"We were getting worried about you! So this is what you've been up to," his father spoke rather bluntly, studying Brenna curiously once he drew away. He was barely taller than his own son, but his hair was more a muted blonde with a few streaks of gray instead of the pure white of his son's. Christopher certainly got most of his features from his mother, though, their hair an almost identical shade and his own eyes only a little darker than her own.
"Well I told him you would turn up." Faline laughed, pulling Christopher down by his cheeks to look him over before giving him a parting little pat. "You look well. We've been rotating a watch, just in case you didn't- You know," she dismissed, gesturing behind them before turning excited eyes upon the newcomer he'd brought to them.
Both realized very quickly that she was certainly not one of their kind. "Are you human?" she gasped, glancing to her son briefly before leaning close to study Brenna's darker hair with probably a little too much familiarity.
She tried to be good, she really did. But it was an awful lot of talking and touching and closeness all and once, and Brenna shrank back behind Christopher, whimpering like a nervous pup. It was quite embarrassing, but she couldn't seem to help herself.
She did manage to respond to his mother though, nodding jerkily and muttering, "Yes. Human," as she peered around at the woman from behind her son.
Almost in unison the pair leaned around one side to study her odd display of shyness, which Christopher promptly turned to shield her from with a low growl once he heard her whimpering. "Human," he confirmed for them with a nod.
"Well she's an awfully shy one, isn't she?" his father chuckled, not quite respecting his son's protective display and stepping around him to study the girl again.
His mother at least remained back, even taking a few steps away to give the obviously anxious girl some space. "Well she's beautiful!" she decided, smiling fondly at her son who could only blush and mumble his agreement.
"Did you come all this way just to show her to us?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"No, um. Got stuff from town, too," he muttered, shrugging his bag off and setting it down to nudge towards her. "Could we maybe...sit down? It's been...quite a day." He glanced at the room behind her before giving his father a warning look and shuffling a bit to cut him off from his nosiness.
"Of course, of course!" Faline grabbed her mate by his arm and dragged him away towards their haphazard arrangement of furniture. Christopher breathed a heavy sigh and gave Brenna an apologetic look of concern as he reached for her hand. "Did you come from town, then?"
"Is that okay?" he asked, ignoring the question and uncertain if she even wanted to try having a conversation with them just yet.
Though she stepped back from Christopher's father, Brenna offered a shy smile and a tiny wave as she pressed against the shifter's back. she couldn't help breathing a small sigh of relief when they got some space, and she managed to move herself up against Christopher's side rather than hiding behind him.
She laced her fingers through his automatically and gave him a small smile and a nod, murmuring, "Sorry. I'm okay, just- anxious." Clearing her throat, she spoke a little louder. "I'm not from town. I live...in the snow. Tundra. With my pack."
Her eyes flicked up to Christopher, suddenly worried she may have said something wrong.
Well, there was no easing into it now. Christopher gave a nervous little chuckle and avoided looking at his parents directly, knowing exactly the odd looks they would be getting for that. They weren't judgmental, though, simply curious.
Wendal turned with curious, but hard eyes to stare at Brenna. "The tundra? Is...pack what they call family now?" he asked, casting a confused glance to their son.
"No, um... It's a real pack. You know, with wolves?"
Faline hissed softly at that, causing Christopher to wince. He hadn't realized his mother had anything against wolves. "Well you saved her, didn't you?" she insisted.
Chris stared at his mother with wide eyes, not understanding what he could possibly have to save Brenna from. He'd seen how they interacted and knew them to be quite the close family unit. "I don't- There's nothing to save her from, she lives out there. With them."
His parents looked at each other, confused even more by that clarification. "Do you mind explaining..."
"Brenna," Christopher prompted confidently.
"Brenna, right." He smiled, albeit cautiously for his tense mate at his side. "Could you tell us more about that?" He gestured to the little couch as he moved to sit Faline down in a chair before pulling one up himself.
Frowning a bit at that- save her?- Brenna looked between Christopher and his parents. "Well... They're my family," she said softly. "When I was a pup, my human parents got sick... I tried to get to town, but-" She shrugged.
"It was storming. Cold. I don't remember much beside the cold. I found the den and it was just warm, so I curled up. But Snowfur had the pups in there, and she...she saved me."
Feeling uncomfortable under interested gazes, she fidgeted and tucked herself closer against Christopher's side with a small shrug.
Carefully getting them seated as she spoke, Christopher just frowned and nodded at the details he already knew.
Faline stared at Brenna in interest, leaning forward slightly. "A mother wolf? And you...just stayed with them?" She sounded a little concerned now, glancing to her mate in confusion that a human could be raised in such a way. She tried to fill in the holes herself, not realizing how rude her assumptions were. "And...Chris found you? And brought you back to your family?"
Brenna frowned, shaking her head. "No. Pack is my family. The others, my parents before, they died."
Glancing at Christopher, her expression softened and she added, "Chris started teaching me human things after we met."
Faline shrunk back slightly at that, blinking in open sadness for the girl's plight. She looked to her son at the mention of his name, intrigued at the idea of a human that did not know the ways of her own kind.
"She lives like the wolves mostly," Christopher supplied, bowing his head sheepishly. He was normally much more confident in front of his parents, but he was wary of giving them enough information for them to be satisfied with her. "I would appreciate it if you welcomed her regardless of her background. She's my...mate."
That certainly got their attention, eyes snapping to look between them as if that had not been so obvious when they'd first walked in.
"Well," his father finally spoke up. "Of course! I'm sorry. We were just excited and curious, not something you hear about very often. Or ever." He chuckled and then scooted his chair a little closer to offer Brenna a hand in greeting.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sure he's told you about us if he wanted to bring you here, but it's nice to meet you. You can just call me Wendal." He then nodded to his mate who was staring at her son like the proudest mother alive. "And that's Faline."
She started, looking at his offered hand with wide eyes for a moment, then extended her own and carefully shook. "It- it's good to meet you. You can call me Bryn, if you like," she said quietly, lips curving in a very small smile. "Chris does."
As if that was somehow embarrassing, she found herself releasing his hand she shrinking back against her mate's side, turning her head to hide her face against his shoulder.
The younger shifter blushed fiercely for that, turning to look at the way she hid from his father so suddenly. Twisting slightly, he tried to coax her head away from him so he could slip an arm around her instead.
His parents looked to each other, confused about it for a moment until they realized it might have been a pet name. "Unless you prefer Bryn, we can just call you Brenna," Faline insisted, offering her best look of encouragement to the obviously shy wolf girl.
"Might be better," Christopher huffed, glancing at them with a warning look in his eye. "Whatever she wants."
Brenna allowed Christopher to coax her out from behind him and put his arm around her, though she was pressed so close to his side she was surprised he didn't protest being uncomfortable.
She nodded quickly and gave a small smile, hoping to convey that they could call her whatever they liked. She didn't quite have the same urge to hide, but she was still nervous they wouldn't like her and anxious to please.
Glancing up at the younger shifter, she laid her hand on his leg and huffed reassuringly, trying to tell him silently that she was alright.
Not quite understanding what she meant by it, Christopher looked between her face and her hand for a few moments. He didn't quite understand why, but having his parents so close and there to watch their unusual interactions left him more than a little flustered.
"What?" he whispered to her, eyes wide in open cluelessness.
Without thinking, Brenna leaned forward and pecked his lips softly, pulling back with a small smile. "You're worrying again," she said quietly, momentarily forgetting that the reason he was worrying was because they had an audience.
He really didn't mean to but he jerked slightly at her kiss, lifting his head away sharply and looking to his parents with another warning look for the gentle laughter he could see his mother desperately trying to hide.
"They're adorable," she whispered to her mate.
"Hush," he commanded. Ducking his head he gave Brenna a slight squeeze of apology and added, "Wasn't that much. Just want you to be able to choose."
His quick withdraw made her realize that probably wasn't the most appropriate thing she could have done and she bushed, ducking her head, again trying to hide against him. "Sorry," she mumbled, glancing up sheepishly at Christopher's parents.
"No, no. Don't apologize," he insisted, feeling a slight pang of guilt over her obvious shyness. "Just...more things for you to learn." Though he wasn't sure how to explain that what she'd done honestly hadn't been a bad thing. Smaller public displays of affection seemed acceptable as far as he could tell. He'd seen his fair share of kissing and hand-holding in human towns. Perhaps it was just that it was right in front of his own parents who seemed so eager to meet her.
"Well... Brenna." Faline decided that was what she would call her. "How many wolves are in your, uh, pack? Where do they live?" She was a bit anxious, uncertain if perhaps the wolves were hostile towards either the girl or her son.
"Eight," Brenna replied softly, uncurling from Christopher's side just a bit. "Nine, with me. Snowfur, Longclaw, Bright-Eye, Shade, Broketooth, and the pups. We live a bit closer to the mountains."
She trailed off, not sure how to give an exact location of the den. Not sure if she wanted to. it wasn't a lack of trust, per say, more an instinctive wariness.
His mother nodded, glancing warily to her son. She knew he lived quite close to the lower mountains. "That's a big family," she admired genuinely. "But I guess that's their way."
Christopher rubbed her shoulder encouragingly, proud that she'd managed to answer her question.
"You said Chris is teaching you human things? Are you planning on moving to a town?" he asked curiously. He knew most of her kind lived there in such a cold place, but it didn't sound like she'd ever really lived in such a place judging by her story.
That was a rather difficult question to answer. Brenna looked up at Christopher, then at his parents, then back again. "I- I don't..." She bit her lip. "I can't leave my pack," she said eventually, dropping her eyes.
Again, his parents looked at each other in confusion. They didn't understand why she would want to know if she didn't plan on living among them. Faline then turned concerned eyes upon Christopher, thinking she understood something about their relationship.
"Your mate isn't living with you?" Her eyes were full of sorrow and confusion. She didn't know that was such a newly-accepted term for them as a pair but it still broke her heart to think that her son might be living his life without his chosen partner at his side.
Chris looked to Brenna nervously, uncertain how to answer such a thing when they hadn't even discussed it themselves. "Not... Not right now. We haven't decided what to do about that," he admitted.
That only seemed to make his mother angry, though, for she assumed that meant Brenna had been drawing the issue out and stringing her son along instead of the reality of their very new relationship. "Well why not?"
Christopher flinched, lifting his head to stare at his mother incredulously.
Eyes going wide, Brenna gave an involuntary little whine and shrank back against Christopher. "I- I'm sorry," she stammered out, not sure what she was apologizing for but not sure what else to say.
Narrowing his eyes at Faline, Christopher hugged Brenna close and gave a few gentle strokes to her shoulder in an effort to soothe. "Don't be," he whispered to her, leaning in to press a kiss to the top of her head.
"She needs her family," he explained simply, glancing to his mother and then glaring at his father as if admonishing him for not stepping in to prevent her from lashing out with her words.
Wendal just narrowed his eyes in confusion, studying the human girl in a new light. He personally couldn't imagine not having the constant companionship of his mate. "Does your family not like him?" he guessed.
Christopher shook his head, growling slightly under his breath in frustration at the continued invasions on her privacy. "They like me just fine. I think. They're wolves, but- Doesn't matter. Brenna is my mate and she will do what she needs to do," he told them decisively.
Relaxing slightly under his affections, Brenna gave a hurried nod. "They like Chris. The pups and the- the-" She couldn't think of a human word that translated to her concept of the omega wolves, so she shrugged and settled for, "Shade and Broketooth. They like him. It's just..."
She shrank back again, dropping her eyes. "I can't just leave..."
Christopher nodded in agreement, smiling warmly and hugging her close even as he noticed his parents giving each other skeptical looks. For them, leaving family was just what happened to be with one's mate, though it had been a mutual sacrifice for them to have their children.
"A-As long as you're both happy, I guess," his mother apologized, giving her son a look of concern.
He just rolled his eyes, tense and worried all over again to know that Brenna's peace had been disturbed for their intrusive questions. "I just wanted you to meet her and say hello," he sighed.
"Well, of course! We're glad you came for a visit," Wendal tried, hoping to smooth over their bumpy start. "And congratulations."
Christopher blushed some for that, not really understanding what there was to congratulate them for. Deciding to stay together didn't seem like such a monumental change in their relationship.
Brenna tried for another small smile. "It's...good to meet you. I'm glad," she said softly. She didn't quite understand the congratulations either, but she didn't want to ask questions here. She was still a little too nervous.
Christopher looked to her, a small little smile of pride twitching at his lips. He understood from the way she'd reacted before with the humans and how she'd been when they first walked in that it really wasn't easy for her to speak with them, yet she was doing it anyway.
He noticed an odd look on his mother's face, though, and looked up to study her with a questioning look. Faline was practically bouncing in her seat all of a sudden and even her mate turned to look at her. "Mom...?"
"So...this means we'll be grandparents soon, right?" Both males flinched at that and Christopher growled and ducked his head to give Brenna an apologetic look.
"Honey, let's not bother them with that-"
"But won't we?!"
"I mean, maybe." Wendal reached for her hand to try and stay her excitement. They didn't even know how long their son had had a partner, after all. Though, both of them accepted it as an inevitable fact. "Don't rush our first chance at this," he teased her.
Faline pouted but looked to Brenna expectantly, eyes sparkling with silent prayers for the young human to tell her that she was, in fact, correct.
"Grand-"
Brenna looked from Faline to Christopher in confusion. She'd never really known her own grandparents, and the meaning behind the relationship was fuzzy to her.
Then it clicked. "Oh." Her eyes widened. "Oh." She gaped, again looking back and forth between the shifters. "You- you mean pups?" Her voice squeaked out on the last word.
"Pups?" Faline's face screwed up in confusion for a moment, but Christopher understood what she'd meant.
He hummed, rubbing a gentle hand at her shoulder and trying to think of a kinder way of phrasing it. He wasn't really having much luck. "Yeah. Pups."
Christopher frowned, though, remembering what she'd said about only Snowfur and Longclaw being allowed to have them. "I don't know that we even could," he admitted, trying desperately not to meet the obvious sadness in his mother's eyes.
"Well why not?" she demanded of her son, automatically assuming it was his problem. "Nothing wrong with you, is there?"
He hissed, shooting her a warning look before pulling Brenna a little closer. "I don't- know. I don't think so, but... We haven't, um, exactly-"
Both of his parents stared at them with wide eyes for that, assuming he meant they hadn't exactly consummated their relationship. "Oh dear," his mother whispered sadly. He wasn't exactly sure why he was drawing their sympathies now, but it was better than them pressing for more information.
Confused and still rather stunned, Brenna looked up at him with wide eyes.
Pups? She hadn't even really considered that. That is, logically she knew mating could produce pups, but she hadn't given that much- or any- thought before...
Oh no. What if...?
Whimpering quietly, she ducked her head and bit her lip, thoughts racing. She didn't think her foster parents would ostracize her for having pups- it wasn't exactly common, but then she was a fairly unique case.
Still. What would that even be like?
Mistaking her whimpering for discomfort with the situation Christopher just sighed and shot his parents another glare of warning. Bending to her ear he whispered, "I'm sorry. Don't worry about them, they're too curious for their own good."
She glanced up at him, taking a moment to organize her thoughts and realize what he was talking about. "Oh. Oh no, it's okay. Just...hadn't thought about it, that's all." She tried to smile reassuringly, but she had a feeling the expression was a little shaky.
Rumbling softly he pressed a quick kiss to her temple, glad that she seemed alright at least on the surface. "Don't have to think about it anymore," he tried to assure her, meaning entirely well by that as he just assumed no good would come of it.
His mother seemed entirely disappointed to hear that, though, whispering something to her mate about her concern for them.
Christopher, desperate to change the topic, gave Brenna a parting pat and moved to stand so he could go retrieve the bag he'd left at the entrance. "Let me put these away for you. Then if you don't mind I think we'll take my old bed for the night."
Wendal nodded, gesturing towards one of the branching sections of their home. "Of course. Unless... Brenna you could take one of the girls' beds if you'd like."
Chris frowned at that, pausing to stare at his father. "I said we. She stays with me," he insisted stubbornly, not even regretting that he'd answered for her.
Nodding as he stood, Brenna couldn't help biting back a small whimper at his absence.
She panicked a bit when his father suggested that she could take a separate bed, then relaxed when Christopher cut in. "I, um...wanna stay with Chris. If that's okay," she murmured quietly.
"Sure it's okay," Wendal agreed, smiling a little sheepishly. "Just wasn't sure if that was...something you were comfortable with."
Christopher rolled his eyes as he moved away at last, snatching up the bag and poking through it to make sure everything was still there as he moved towards their kitchen beyond the main room after draping a blanket on the back of the couch behind Brenna.
Faline watched him warily, careful to make sure he was out of earshot before she leaned in to whisper to Brenna with concern, "Has he been good to you? I know he can be a bit bossy, but-"
Brenna did her best not to flinch back instinctively from Faline. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, smiling quickly. "No, no. Not bossy. Christopher is very good to me," she assured her, eyes softening a bit as she said his name.
She nodded, though she wasn't entirely trusting that Brenna could even know what bossy was with the way she admitted to being raised. "That's good, that's good... And how did you two meet?" she asked excitedly.
"Hunting," Brenna replied. "I was hunting with Snowfur and Graywind. Chris was out hunting too, we just sort of..." She shrugged. "Bumped into each other?"
Her voice faded as she talked until it was almost a whisper, her already meager confidence shrinking now that she was facing them alone.
She didn't quite remember if she'd already named them or not, looking to her mate for confirmation but realizing immediately he was just as clueless. "You...hunt with wolves?" She tilted her head slightly in confusion at that, noticing the subtle change in her and not knowing what it was for. "Is something wrong?"
"I- yes, I do?" She blinked at them. "Is that...bad."
Realizing she was curling in on herself, Brenna shook her head and added quickly, "No, nothing wrong. Sorry." She made an effort to sit up straighter.
They looked to each other again, not really knowing what the right or wrong answer was to that. "We don't know," Wendal admitted, chuckling softly. "We've never heard of a human who lives with wolves. My mate is...very curious."
Faline watched Brenna with concern, though, not understanding why the girl would seem so uncomfortable with them when she was obviously quite comfortable with their son. She wondered if they seemed scary to her, perhaps too different from their son with their limited human interaction.
Christopher returned to sit beside Brenna after setting the bag aside and flashed her an encouraging smile. He leaned to set an arm around her shoulders with a mumbled, "Sorry about that."
She shook her head quickly, relaxing just a bit against him. "Don't be sorry. Just talking." She offered another smile for Christopher's parents, this one a little easier.
The younger shifter relaxed a little for that, concerned that she might have been wanting to hide like before and had nowhere to go with him gone.
Faline, encouraged by the girl's smile, nodded eagerly to her son. "Yes, just talking! But-" She flushed slightly, looking to her mate again as if unsure if she should even ask. "Forgive me, but you speak so well. Do you...practice? With the wolves?" Then another thought struck her and she grinned broadly and guessed, "Are there other humans in your pack?"
Brenna blushed again with a small, pleased smile. She wouldn't have thought she spoke very well, and it was rather encouraging to hear otherwise. "No, just me." Glancing up at her mate, she added, "Been practicing with Chris."
There was an odd swell of pride in his chest for that, a low chuckle rising in his throat as he leaned to press a kiss to the top of her head. "She picked it up so fast, just needed to hear it again," he praised.
Faline nodded eagerly, genuinely fascinated. "I...never knew humans lived like that. I thought it was just with other humans," she admitted sheepishly, truly admiring the young woman that had captured her son's attention, "You're quite special."
"She is," Christopher agreed, unable to hide a smile as he rubbed at her arm.
Her blush deepened and Brenna ducked her head again, though this time it was more from embarrassment at the praise than discomfort, and she was smiling just a little.
"Not special," she mumbled, cheeks warm. "I'm just...me."
"Well sure you are." Wendal chuckled, smiling kindly at her. "Never heard of someone like you before. And you must be special for Christopher to, um, take an interest."
"More than an interest," he muttered.
She smiled up at her mate and got up the courage to press a quick peck to the edge of his jaw, then shrank back against his side.
"I'm just...different," she murmured to his parents with a small smile. "Not so much special. Just different."
They both just gave her a curious look, uncertain why she felt it was one way and not the other. "Well maybe you're both," Faline mused, smiling fondly at her son in a way that made him blush a bit and fidget anxiously. He didn't quite like all of the attention on them, much as he was happy with their choice.
"You'll know why now if I take a while to get out here. Don't come looking for me or anything."
His father laughed at that, shaking his head and casting a look behind them towards the kitchen. "Well I'm sure that'll last us a while anyway. We aren't entirely helpless. But thank you, Chris."
Nodding, he cast a pointed look off to the side before turning to look at her, "Bryn... You tired?"
Brenna smiled softly as she watched them talk. It wasn't like the relationships in her pack, but it was still nice. Still family.
She snapped back to herself at the question, looking up at Christopher. "Um, yeah, a little," she admitted sheepishly, nodding.
Nodding, he looked to his parents with a little shrug and, "We walked." As if that might not have been obvious.
"Of course." His mother smiled fondly, studying Brenna again with such fascination. "Well, please make yourself at home. You're always welcome here."
Christopher hummed, squeezing Brenna close briefly before he moved to stand up. "Let's go get settled in, okay?"
"Okay." She nodded and stood with him, then turned to smile at his parents. "Thank you," she murmured.
Well, it seemed she had been overly anxious after all.
Wendal nodded, looking between them with an admiration similar to his mate's as Christopher reached to take her hand and lead her away deeper into the caves.
"Don't worry," he whispered, chuckling softly and rolling his eyes, "They were about to kick us out anyway. They sleep early. Both of them. Sometimes when the sun's still out."
"Oh." Brenna glanced up at him. "Is that a cat thing?" she asked, half teasing. "You didn't seem to want to get up, before."
Of course, she'd been quite content to laze about in bed with him herself, but she didn't mention that.
"Other end of that," he corrected gently, though he quite liked her teasing little jab. "They're early risers, just retire for the night pretty early usually. I would say it's just because they're older now, but... They've always been like that."
He pulled aside the thin curtain that served as the door to his room. The whole section of the cave was honestly bigger than his entire home in the south region. It still didn't feel quite like "home" despite it being where he'd slept until the day he'd left home to better establish himself.
Lighting a few candles and the lantern resting on the trunk at the end of the bed, he gestured around once the room was a little more illuminated. "Most human homes are like this. Well, not in a cave but with all this stuff," he explaining, pointing out the wardrobe in the far corner and all the little knick knacks along the top of the bureau.
Stepping around the bed, he bent over near the wardrobe to pull out the mirror that had been wedged against the wall and turned it around for her. "Ever seen one of these?"
Brenna was so absorbed in looking around the room that when she turned to him, meaning to tell him that she liked the place, she was entirely taken aback by the mirror.
She yelped and jumped back, eyes going wide. Immediately a growl rose up in her throat and she snarled at the girl in the glass, flicking her eyes from her to Christopher.
Then realization dawned and she slowly relaxed. "Is- is that...me?"
His eyes went wide in surprise but he tried not to laugh, really he did. A soft chuckle still escaped and he hummed, grinning broadly as he moved to pull her closer to it to look in at the pair of them. "Yes, that's you. It's a mirror. More of that...glass stuff," he explained, reaching out to poke at it to show it was sturdy.
Brenna blinked, looking from their reflections to her mate at her side. She frowned. "I'm...skinny." Thinner than she'd thought she was, at any rate.
Skinny? That was all she noticed? "Mmm, a little," he murmured, studying her like the mirror let him see a different side of her entirely.
"You live in the wilds," he mused, shrugging some. It seemed obvious that she would be such a lithe and compact hunter.
Smiling fondly, he reached to run a hand through her hair, watching the reflection of it in the mirror as he met her eyes there. "But aren't you beautiful, hm?"
She flushed, tilting her head into the touch. "Am I?" she murmured, studying her reflection. She supposed she looked...interesting. Compelling, maybe. But beautiful?
Brenna smiled softly and looked up at him. "I think that's just how you see me," she murmured, leaning up to peck his lips.
"I see you how you are," he answered, stubborn about his view and not willing to budge on it. Instead of letting her slip away, though, he let his hand catch her by her chin and bent to give her a proper kiss.
"Thank you. I'm really proud of you for... Well, you know." His confidence faded quickly and he left it at that with a bashful little laugh.
She melted easily into the kiss, reaching up to cup his face in her hands.
"Don't thank me," she murmured, smiling at him. "I didn't do anything." Her face scrunched up and she added, "I didn't even really talk to them. Sorry, I just- I was nervous."
"But you did...?" Christopher furrowed his brow, unsure what she meant exactly by that.
"You talked with them, I heard you," he insisted.
"Well, yeah. But not a lot." She bit her lip, eyes flicking down. "I couldn't think of what to say. I just answered questions."
"Little steps," he tried to encourage her, reaching out to wrap her up in a warm hug. "Maybe try to think of something to ask before we leave. I think they'd like to get to know you."
She nodded, nuzzling into the hug with a contented sigh. "I...want them to know me. They seem nice."
Not to mention it would make life a whole lot easier if she was on good terms with her mate's parents.
Another small breath and she tilted her head back to look up at him, smiling softly. "Tired. Can you go to sleep now?"
"Of course." He rumbled happily, rubbing his hands along her back before turning to pad over to the bed and flop down. It was definitely softer and more comfortable than his own, but it still didn't feel as much like home.
Brenna followed him to the bed and curled up beside him, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzling into his side with a few happy little noises.
"Glad you brought me here," she murmured sleepily. "Glad I got to meet them." It made her feel like what Faline had called her- special.
Christopher watched her get settled, another one of those new prideful swells filling his chest. Leaning forward slightly he snatched a blanket up from the foot of the bed to drape over them after tucking her close with an arm around her. He was happy to just lay like that if she was, much as he wanted to offer her pillows or warmer blankets.
"Goodnight," he yawned, entirely ready to just let himself fall asleep after their day of walking and all the anxiety over making introductions.
"Night," Brenna mumbled, stretching up to place a sleepy kiss on his cheek. She absently let her hand drift up to rest against the center of his chest, nudging her head up onto his shoulder as she made herself more comfortable.
It had been a long day, and weariness dragged at her. She started to drift off quickly.
It was still odd for him to share a bed, though not unpleasant at all. In his sleep the shifter had managed to curl himself around Brenna again, legs tangled and arms loosely holding her against him.
Even as the sounds of a waking household were all around he refused to truly "face it" and buried his face against Brenna like he was going to be able to keep them hidden away all day.
The soft morning noises managed to wake Brenna, but she was so warm and comfortable cuddled against Christopher that she just gave a soft, complaining whine and curled further into him, drawing the blanket up to almost cover their heads.
Christopher shivered pleasantly for the feel of it mostly covering them. He just tried to hide beneath it, scooting down and pressing a sleepy kiss to her shoulder. As much as possible, he tried to pretend to still be asleep and remain as silent as possible.
Brenna smiled and tilted her head to press a kiss to his temple, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his head to hold him against her.
"Morning," she whispered, smiling sleepily.
He couldn't help the gentle rumble through his chest for the sudden affection, smiling faintly and nuzzling against her even more. He mumbled quiet nonsense with a happy sigh and slight shifting of limbs to hug her closer.
Giggling quietly, she pressed a kiss to the top of his head and carded her fingers through his hair, as always marveling at the softness. "Sleepy kitty," she teased, cuddling closer.
Leaning into her hands, he tilted his head and opened one eye to study her. First in quiet, but finally he turned his head to press a kiss to her palm. "Not too sleepy, am I?" he protested lightly.
Brenna gave another quiet chuckle and let her hand stroke over his face after he kissed her palm. "No, you're perfect," she said easily, wriggling down to press a kiss to his forehead, then his nose, cheek, and finally a peck to his lips.
He laughed quietly, closing his eyes against her rain of kisses. "Well aren't you sweet this morning," he praised, refusing to give up his hold on her still. "Did you sleep well? Not too scary right? Not too new?"
"Nope." She beamed, brushing her nose against his. "Too tired to be scared at first. I sorta woke up once, but I was with you, so I knew it was okay."
Brenna ducked down a bit more and nudged her head up under his chin as had become her habit, huffing contentedly.
Well that was one way to avoid fear. The gesture was comforting to him rather than foreign and strange as it had been initially.
"I'm glad." He sighed happily, lifting a hand to rest at the nape of her neck, petting gently at the soft hair there. "I'm going to miss this," he admitted.
Humming happily at his little pets, Brenna suddenly frowned and snuggled closer to him. "What do you mean?" she murmured, a quiet whine embedded underneath her tone. "Why do you have to miss it?"
She certainly didn't want to be away from him any time soon. She was so caught up in their happy little bubble that she actually forgot about the real world for a moment.
Christopher settled his chin against her head, mulling over how to word things gently without sounding too bitter. The last thing he needed was to upset her when they likely had so little time anyway. "Well... Don't you want to go back to your pack?"
She jolted, realizing she'd actually forgotten about that. "Oh. Right." Her face fell a bit and she nuzzled into his neck, whining quietly.
It felt like her heart was being torn in two. Not fast or harsh, but a steady, persistent pull. "My chest hurts," she whimpered, not sure what was happening and not liking the confusion.
The whine was a little concerning. He thought he was beginning to be able to distinguish between a few of her sounds. Some were happy and only made in rest, some were playful, but others were more anxious or uncomfortable, and it seemed like one of those times was upon them.
"Hurts?" He froze at that, pulling away quickly and sitting up to pull the covers down away from her. There were certain things he knew how to do, wounds he knew how to mend or bones to set, but something like that... Christopher had no clue how to deal with something in her heart.
"Brenna," he murmured with concern, reaching out to rub at her arm tenderly and not knowing how else he could offer her comfort.
"Try to relax, try to breathe," he urged her.
Oh no. She hadn't wanted to make him worry. "Not hurts hurts," she tried to assure him quickly, sitting up and leaning against his side. "Not- not my body. Inside. It hurts inside."
Brenna laid a hand over her heart, frowning as she tried to think of the right words to explain what she meant. "Want to be with the pack. But I want to be with you. And when I think about it..." She trailed off with another quiet whimper and turned her face into his chest, mumbling, "It hurts."
Inside hurt? He stared at her, wide-eyed and incredulous. It would be just like her to try and brush aside something she wasn't comfortable with sharing so he remained skeptical until she finished explaining.
"Well you don't have to leave your pack to be with me," he explained gently, concerned she might have forgotten that as he didn't understand what she'd actually meant by that.
Brenna gave a little growl of frustration. She couldn't figure out how to say it! "I know," she muttered, hiding her face in her hands. "But- but when I think about being apart, even for a little, it hurts. And then I think I could live with you in your home- but then I'd be away from the pack, and that makes it hurt too!"
She looked up at him with wide eyes, confusion written all over her face.
Finally beginning to understand what she was talking about Christopher began to relax again despite how it pained him to hear her speak of such things again. "Brenna... It's alright, don't worry about that. Be with your pack and I'll visit as often as I need to. Every day if you'd like. You could be happy like that, couldn't you?"
Slowly, she nodded. Yes, maybe she could be happy like that for a while at least. But...
"But that's not fair for you," she mumbled, turning to hide her face against his shoulder with a sigh.
He was a little taken aback by that. Christopher had just assumed he would do what he needed to for his mate and everything would be alright. Why was she worried about fairness?
"Fair isn't really... That's not what I care about. I want you to be happy," he explained gently, giving her a small smile as he began to calm down from his little scare.
Brenna blinked at him for a moment in silence. Then she let out a quiet breath and started peppering a trail of kisses up his throat until she reached his mouth.
"I got so lucky," she murmured between little pecks. She still figured it was only a temporary solution, but the fact that he was doing so much for her sparked a warm glow in her chest.
Lucky? He didn't understand why she would say that but he wasn't about to toss her affections aside. He took advantage of it instead, reaching out to pull her in close to hold and brush her lips in a gentle kiss once she'd worked her way up.
"Why lucky?" he asked with genuine curiosity, a hand trailing up to carefully stroke over her hair.
"For you," Brenna told him plainly, blinking up at him. "Lucky I met you." She snuggled against him, tilting her head back into his hand with a happy little hum.
He just stared for a moment, smiling warmly to hear her say it even though he wasn't really sure he could just accept that. "I wouldn't really call that lucky. Maybe just...a nice accident, " he mused, bending to press a kiss to her forehead.
"Lucky," she replied firmly, squeezing her arms lightly around his waist. "Best accident ever." She returned the kiss to her forehead with one to the tip of his nose, then drifted down to his lips an lingered.
Christopher sighed happily against her lips, the opportunity far too enticing. Leaning in slightly he claimed her in a brief but proper kiss. "Fine. You win. Lucky."
Slipping his hand into her hair he let the other loop easily around her waist to hold her closer. "Now would you stop tempting me?" he teased.
Brenna giggled, wiggling against him with a wicked glint in her eyes. "I like tempting you," she protested, pecking his lips again, then trailing down to kiss his neck.
He gave a slightly pained groan for that, clutching her even tighter to try and stay her squirming. "Little snake," he grumbled even as he bowed his head for her little kisses, lifting her slightly so he could get his revenge at her own throat.
Huffing in mock indignation, Brenna protested, "Wolf, not snake!" Her voice turned into a little yelp at his attentions to her throat though, gradually softening into a low, sighing sort of moan. she reached up to tangle her fingers in his hair.
He chuckled between little kisses and nips down along her neck, noting what seemed to cause each of her little sounds that he was quite fond of. Dipping the hand at her waist beneath her top he sighed against her shoulder for the warmth of touching skin to skin if only briefly. "Still so tempting," he growled softly.
She whined quietly, arching eagerly into his touch. "Chris," she murmured, tilting her head to kiss his temple, then his cheek. "My Chris." She just loved saying that.
He breathed a pained sigh, shutting his eyes against the sound of her voice and pressing more kisses to her shoulder as he struggled with himself over it. "You have no idea what you do to me," he mumbled, unsure if it was an actual complaint or not.
Brenna smirked a bit, lips skimming down to latch onto his neck, first with kisses then with a playful nip. "Is that bad?" she murmured, wriggling against him again to settle herself onto his lap.
Christopher winced, adjusting awkwardly against the sudden tightness of his trousers. "No. I think it's better if you don't. Makes things simpler." But it was so far from simple.
He slipped his hand up along her back, marveling in the gentle curves along it all the way up to the slope of her shoulder where he stopped to rest again with a little grumble of frustration and a few distracted kisses to the side of her neck.
"Hmm..." She gave him a rather unconvinced look but let it go, arching her back into his touch with a happy little whine. When his hand stopped on her shoulder, she twisted her head to press a light kiss to his fingers, keeping her gaze on his face out of the corner of her eye.
"More?" She shifted against him again, reaching for his other hand and laying it on her hip, sighing happily at the contact.
He sighed happily, conflicted about indulging but wanting it just as much as she seemed to. "Who am I to tell you no?" He let her guide him easily enough, squeezing her hip lightly before he let his hand slip up to her waist where it settled.
He couldn't quite stop his mischief, though, the hand at her shoulder impatiently tugging at her collar to try and pull the offending clothing over her head.
Brenna smiled coyly at him and, remembering something he'd said before, teased quietly, "So eager for me?" She raised her arms slowly, languidly, allowing him to pull her shirt off with just a little bit of a show, wiggling her hips again and leaning slightly into the hand at her waist.
Christopher lifted his head at that, leaning in to press a few hungry kisses to her cheek and jaw once he'd managed to free her from the shirt. "Very," he growled, slipping both hands to her hips to pull her closer by while he bent again to press more kisses down along her neck.
The growl made her shiver agreeably and she let her head fall back to bare the length of her throat, hands dropping to his shoulders and then trailing down to his upper arms and back up again in light, teasing strokes.
She shifted her hips, not quite bucking against him but definitely nudging, giving a soft whimper as a spark flared to life in her core.
A happy rumble resonated in his throat, pleased at a rather primal level that his mate was baring her throat to him. Christopher definitely took advantage, trailing a mess of hungry kisses and nips across her skin. He was pleased to see the slight change of color, a reaction that only encouraged him further.
Another growl escaped him for the slight movement of her hips. It wasn't much, but it was definitely enough to remind him why he was so eager for her. He moved greedy hands down to grab her rear through clothing and pull her up again, trying to get her to repeat the motion.
Brenna sucked in a sharp breath as he grabbed her, then gave a low, throaty laugh and rocked her hips again.
"Mm..." She tilted her head back up to look at him, lips slightly parted and eyes starting to go hazy. "Good?" She certainly felt it.
He leaned his head back some to meet her gaze for a moment with a lazy, predatory smile and eyes flashing with dark purpose. Humming and rocking his hips against her slightly, Christopher brought one hand up to cup her breast and bent to nibble lightly along her collarbone. "Better," he decided.
She whined again, arching up against him. One hand came up to tangle her fingers in his hair while the other tugged insistently at his clothes.
"Chris," she begged quietly, squirming around on his lap and tilting her head to press a kiss to his temple.
"What is it?" he asked teasingly, continuing his assault and giving her a bit of a squeeze. Curious and paying no mind to her needy tugging, the shifter swept a thumb up to brush across her nipple.
"A-ah!" Brenna yelped at the sensation, eyes going wide and pupils dilating. "Oh...again?" she breathed out, pressing closer against him and digging her fingers into his shoulders as she clutched him to her.
"Mmm," he hummed, pleased at the react he'd elicited. Trailing kisses across her shoulder he nipped lightly at her neck and complied with her wishes, sweeping it down rather quickly before rising again to linger and brush against her repeatedly.
"How's that?" he purred, his other hand brushing lazily to pet at the small of her back.
A hum buzzed in the back of her throat and her eyes fell half closed as she let her head fall back. "G-good," she murmured. Her tugs at his clothing grew more insistent and she whined quietly, eyes pleading.
Her sweet little noises were getting to be a bit much for him to handle. The shifter grumbled quietly, giving a few final kisses to her throat before he leaned away and finally wrestled his shirt off over his head.
Grey eyes flickered, drinking in what was already exposed to him with a little growl of gratification. He could hear muffled voices beyond but paid no mind to them, entirely fixated on his mate. All at once his hands were flying to her waist and he swooped in again to claim her lips in a fierce kiss.
Brenna kissed him back with everything she had, throwing her arms around his neck and clinging tightly. She shifted around to curl her legs around his waist. Her fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck and tugged lightly, tilting his head back so she could trail her lips heatedly over his neck.
Christopher gave a low growl at the insistent little tugging but finally obliged her, tilting his head to the side a bit. Once she was more firmly settled on his lap he reached greedy hands to rub along her back, bracing her against his chest.
"Wish we had a little more privacy," he murmured, pressing a few quick kisses to her temple. "Would be very different."
"Mm?" She practically purred against his skin, letting one hand trail down so her nails lightly traced over his back. "Different how?" she murmured, nipping playfully at his neck.
A light hiss escaped him for the feel of her nails. It didn't hurt at all, but it was sensitive and made him jump a bit when he realized how aware he was of her touch.
One hand wandered down, settling to rest against her thigh as he rolled his hips against her. Leaning his head against her own he bent to nip at her ear and whispered, "You, my sweet, would be naked and dancing on my lap. For a few reasons." He chuckled darkly, nosing at her hair.
Brenna hummed again, lips curving up in a smirk. "I could do that now," she suggested, eyes glinting as she ground down lightly, hands trailing to the hem of his breeches.
"Not in the way that I want," he protested, growling softly and giving a sharp buck against her as he watched her hand slip down. "Don't be a tease, Brenna."
She chuckled quietly, leaning in to press a series of heated kisses over his collar to the center of his chest. "It's fun teasing," she murmured, tugging lightly at the hem of his clothes.
A low growl escaped her and she added, low and rough, "But not as much fun as this." Almost impulsively, she slipped her hand inside his breeches and wrapped her fingers around him rather experimentally.
Christopher jumped slightly, not really expecting his mate to go that far in her curiosity. "Brenna." His eyes flashed dark for a moment and he breathed a ragged sigh. It wasn't really any use trying to pretend he wasn't as affected as he was.
Leaning back he let his head roll back and his eyes close to half-lids. Silently trying to will her to continue he shifted against her slightly, shuddering at the feeling that elicited.
Hm. Seemed she'd done something right. Cautiously at first, but with growing boldness, Brenna began to stroke her hand up and down, leaning in to kiss his exposed neck, then nipping lightly at his throat.
"Good?" she murmured against his skin, falling into a gentle rhythm and rocking her hips against him every so often even as her hand worked.
Trying to stay relatively quiet Christopher breathed in low, panting groans. Nearly every little brush of teeth or rock of her hips sparked a flash of warmth through his chest that had him fidgeting to try and escape.
He gave her a brief squeeze, rolling his head forward again and opening his eyes to look at her in pleading, hazy desperation as he struggled to form an answer for her. "Good," he finally agreed, leaning forward slightly to brush a distracted kiss to her lips.
"Want more, though," he growled, unashamed of being greedy.
"More," Brenna repeated, panting lightly herself as heat built in her core. "Like...this?" She withdrew her hand to tug at her own breeches, rising up on her knees a bit to pull the fabric down over her hips and then sinking back to rub against him.
A hundred little tingles shot up her spine and she gave a moaning whine, eyes fluttering half closed.
"Yes, that," he purred, closing his eyes briefly with a pleased groan. His hands fumbled with the rest of their clothing, tugging desperately and trying to pull her up again to free her from her own. "Don't tease me Brenna, I warned you," he hissed.
Brenna allowed him to pull her up, wriggling around in an attempt to get out of her breeches an whining desperately.
"No teasing," she panted, leaning her forehead against his. "Please, Chris. Want you..."
The shifter just laid there, hands coming back up to hold her close once he'd shoved everything aside. He leaned up to pepper kisses across her cheek to her ear, just panting and trying to gather himself enough to speak. It probably wasn't the best choice considering where they were and who they were guests of, but he didn't care if she was going to encourage him.
Carefully rolling them and dropping her back against the bed he knelt down to kiss her forehead. "So honest," he praised quietly, bending to kiss down along her throat and chest.
She squirmed underneath him, enjoying the kisses and attention to her throat and chest but wanting more. "You- like that?" she ventured, arching her back slightly and trailing her hands up and down his sides. "That I'm...honest?"
"Mhmm." He rumbled proudly, catching her by her waist as she rose up, holding her close as he trailed lower across her belly with his kisses. "Easier than trying to figure out what you want," he explained, chuckling softly and giving a few experimental nips.
"Oh. Good." She was having trouble focusing on what he was actually saying, a sharp breath leaving her as she felt teeth graze skin. She whined softly and tangled her fingers in his hair, not sure if she wanted to pull him up so she could kiss him properly or urge him lower.
Christopher stopped at the feel of her hands, lifting his head slightly to look up at her. "Something wrong?" he guessed, thumbs rubbing little soothing circles across her skin.
"No. No." Brenna shook her head, trying to calm her breathing and failing miserably. "Just... Warm. Hot. I'm so hot, Chris." She tugged lightly at his hair, looking down at him and giving another little whine.
His eyes widened slightly at that, grip tightening a bit as he moved back up. Trailing hungry little kisses the whole way he stopped at her throat to just listen to her little sounds of desperation. "It only gets worse with me," he reminded her gently.
"Don't care," she groaned, arching up against him and digging her fingers into his back. Her knees bent to hook over his hips, doing her best to pull him closer against her. "It's good with you. Good hot. Please, Christopher."
He gave a pleased hum, closing his eyes for a moment and continuing little kisses at her neck even as he allowed himself to be pulled down flush against her, just barely keeping his weight off of her. "You are warm," he agreed, running one hand down along her side to hold her by her hip.
The shifter cast a single glance towards the curtain that served as a makeshift wall, but at that point it really wasn't enough to convince him it was a bad idea. "Maybe not yet," he mused, smirking to himself. "You squirm so beautifully."
Brenna whimpered, frowning at him. "You said no teasing," she complained, wriggling underneath him again, quite unable to help herself. She bucked her hips up in an effort to encourage him, nails scratching lightly at his skin as her fingers dug into his back.
"I don't remember saying anything about teasing you." He gave a grunting huff for the familiar bite of her nails, though. It was a little too tempting to resist her when she asked with her body like that.
He pressed into her without much more warning than a squeeze at her hip, peppering distracted kisses at her chest and groaning for the familiar tightness.
A sharp, quiet moan escaped her at the feeling that was slowly becoming familiar but no less incredible. Brenna bent to kiss the top of his head, rocking her hips against his and tightening her arms around him.
"Christopher," she murmured blissfully, using one hand to urge him up for a kiss.
The shifter groaned for the sudden movement, shuddering slightly as he gradually tried to find a rhythm with her. He rose up at her signal, hungry to meet her lips in a kiss that was much more tender than the others before it.
Sighing blissfully against his lips, Brenna twined her fingers in his hair as she rained kisses over his face and neck and started to roll her hips up to meet him in a slow, languid sort of rhythm. "So good, Chris," she breathed, lashes fluttering against her cheeks. "This feels...so good."
Shivering at the sound of her voice, Christopher watched her through dark, hazy eyes. For a moment it was almost all he could do to clutch her to him, holding her up and meeting her movements with a slow but purposeful roll of his hips each time.
"This is what you wanted." It wasn't a question, but his voice was lower yet still almost a purr. Curious and almost uncaring for how much was heard from their room he ran a hand up to test his earlier experiment again and cautiously tweaked a nipple. Dipping his head he kissed down from her jaw and neck to her shoulder between little pants in an effort to soothe.
"O-Oh!" Brenna clenched her eyes shut and drew in a ragged gasp, mewling and wriggling at the touch. She'd never realized she was so sensitive there, but his lips and fingers working in time with his hips had her head falling back as her fingers scrabbled at his back as she panted desperately between little whimpering moans.
He hummed, impressed that he'd managed to draw such sounds from her as he adjusted slightly for the pressure at his back. "Good?" he asked teasingly, nipping lightly at her exposed throat and continuing his exploratory touching in his eagerness to please his mate.
She let out a long breath, whispering, "Good." She hooked one of her legs around his and bucked her hips up almost involuntarily at his continued touches, giving a keening little sound as she opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on his face, panting lightly.
Gasping for the sudden movement and gripping her tightly, Christopher lifted his head to meet her eyes again. There was a particular wildness there but also open admiration. "God, Brenna... You're so-" He couldn't quite get the words out, though.
The shifter just gave a low, growling groan instead for the heat building in his chest, leaning in to press his forehead to her own. It was practically all he could do to just focus on what was happening between their bodies, to feel her and how well they fit together.
Brenna nudged her head against his, then tilted to catch his lips in a kiss, whimpering softly into the touch as they moved together. She could feel tension coiling ever tighter in her core and the little rolls of her hips became a bit more desperate and erratic.
"Christopher," she breathed, voice low and almost rasping. She was so close to that feeling, and her hips gave another stuttering buck forward. "Love you," she gasped out, suddenly remembering the words, remembering what they meant. "I-I love you."
For every bit she grew desperate he became more focused, staying steady and holding her close. He leaned down to press a quick kiss to her lips again, shivering for the way she said his name. It did something odd to him, something he was beginning to recognize only seemed to happen with her.
He faltered badly in his rhythm to hear her say that she loved him. Bewildered and wide eyed, he briefly wondered if she was just saying that she loved what they were doing but she cleared that up rather quickly. There was an odd tingly in his chest, heart thumping loudly even as his eyes softened. She loved him. Of course, it didn't seem odd or scary. She was his mate. But it was new and it was a first and he hadn't even thought she knew what love was in name.
"I love you, Brenna," he whispered, voice low and honestly a little shy in the moment to confess something so intimate. He dipped his head to her neck again in an effort to hide it, pressing heated kisses to her skin and letting his hair serve as a flimsy barrier between them.
Her heart jumped up into her throat and she felt a glow that wasn't quite like anything she'd ever felt before light up in her chest. She tightened her arms around him and bent her head to press fevered kisses to his shoulder.
"I love you, Chris," she whispered, a little thrill going through her as she said it again. Brenna liked the feeling, so she repeated a little louder, "I love you..."
They were pressed so close together that she could feel his heartbeat, and for a few moments it was perfectly in sync with hers. Somehow that sent her other the edge and she cried out, nails digging into his back as she tightened around him, biting down lightly on his shoulder.
As she repeated it an odd tugging in his chest sparked that grew a little stronger every time. He nuzzled against her, panting for breath between kisses and trying to stay with her still.
He tensed for the feel of her nails and her bite, wincing slightly as he felt her break skin a bit. It wasn't painful, though, and actually filled him with a sense of pride. She was marking him, claiming him in a way. Suddenly he felt an overwhelming need to do the same to her. Christopher stayed locked with her, groaning long and low as he followed her over the edge, pressing in to bite firmly at the bend of her shoulder while his hands gripped her tight to his chest.
Brenna gave a quiet yelp at the feeling of his teeth, then a low growl. There was something primal about it that sparked a small fire in her chest even as she clung to him and panted, trying to get her breath back.
Content and sated, she turned to nuzzle her nose against his neck and peppered light kisses over his skin.
It was like waking up from a dream once he realized what he'd done, unaware of why exactly he'd done that as he slowly came back to himself.
With a grunt he lifted his head slightly, licking the spot once before pressing a few light kisses to her skin. "Sorry," he mumbled, grumpy with himself that he might have hurt her.
She shook her head, trailing tired little kisses up his neck to just behind his ear. "Don't be sorry," she whispered, smiling against his skin. "Too many sorrys. Besides, I liked it."
Christopher shivered again for that, groaning softly at the unfairness of it all but not quite having the energy to fight her. "You're too forgiving," he accused lightly, rubbing a hand along her arm and nuzzling against her collarbone.
"Not forgiving," Brenna protested, carding her fingers through his hair and tilting her head slightly to rest her cheek against the top of his head. "I did like it. And I did the same to you," she noted, tracing her free hand over where she'd bitten his shoulder. "So. Fair, right?"
He hissed slightly at the sore reminder. It would heal easily enough in a couple of days, but he felt guilty that Brenna likely would not. "Almost fair," he agreed, reluctant to let it lie.
"You, um... You meant that, didn't you?" Christopher was a little too wary to actually repeat it again, cheeks feeling hot as he buried his face against her. "What you said?"
She rubbed her hand over his back gently, letting her head fall back onto the bed and twisting her neck a bit to look at his face.
"That I love you?" she murmured, carding her fingers through his hair again. "I did." Suddenly nervous why he was asking, she whispered, "Did- did you?"
The shifter hummed happily at that, but he lifted his head slightly at the softer way she asked her question. "Yes," he mumbled, licking his lips nervously and leaning up to kiss her nose. He'd never said something like that to anyone besides family before, but it was different even from that kind of love.
"You're...special. And you're mine. And I love you," he said simply, walking himself through it aloud to untangle a bit of his feelings about it now that his head was clearing.
Brenna beamed at him, crinkling her nose when he kissed it. "Good." She kissed his nose in return, then his lips, letting the touch linger for several long moments before she pulled away and murmured. "Goes two ways. You're mine too. Love you."
She was really starting to like saying that.
He liked hearing her say it. Really liked it. "I think I'm the lucky one, Bryn," he sighed happily, leaning in to brush lips with her again.
She hummed happily into the kiss, inordinately pleased by the use of her nickname. "Both lucky then," she said by way of a compromise, red-gold eyes glinting at him like twin embers.
"If it must be both," he laughed, taking in the sight of her again in the afterglow.
"You're so beautiful," he quietly admired again, reaching a hand up to lightly caress her cheek.
Brenna felt her cheeks flush and she ducked her eyes, smiling almost shyly. "Thanks," she mumbled, nuzzling into him slightly.
Trying to think of the right words, she added slowly. "You're..." Though she'd stolen his compliment before, "beautiful" really didn't seem like quite the right fit. "Like the tundra," she decided eventually. "Pretty, but- powerful."
Still not perfect, but it was the best she could do.
He smiled encouragingly as he waited patiently for her to finish with it, nuzzling against her and continuing a gentle stroking at her cheek. "I think I like that," he decided. It was a simple decision seeing as it was in her own words.
Carefully rolling away to lay beside her, Christopher tucked himself against her side and lazily slung his arm around her waist instead. He was still just basking in the bliss of the moment, eyes struggling to stay open even with her right in his arms. "But hopefully you like me a bit better than the real one," he chuckled.
"Much better," she agreed with a small laugh, snuggling in against him with a happy little sigh. "You're warmer, for one thing," she teased lightly.
"Well I'd hope so," he laughed, pulling her close and leaning in to press a kiss to her temple. He stayed quiet for a few moments in reflection, just holding her and letting his eyes close in content. It was a shame every morning couldn't have been like that for them, that he likely wouldn't even spend every night sleeping beside her. It seemed a little strange considering how close his parents had always been.
"Hungry?" he finally murmured, nuzzling against her hair. "I'm sure there's breakfast by now." He gave a guilty little chuckle for that.
Brenna nudged her head up under his chin and wrapped her arms around his middle, keeping as close as possible.
"A little hungry," she murmured in response, but she made no move to get out of the bed. She was too comfortable just nestled up against him.
He hummed in agreement but also made no immediate move to disturb the peace of their little bubble. Twisting around a bit, he leaned to pull the blanket back up to nearly cover her head and carefully tucked it around her. "Maybe we could wait a little," he whispered, voice low and almost a purr in quality.
She agreed to that far to quickly, almost chirping, "Okay," as she snuggled in between him and the warmth of the blanket.
"Maybe not too long though," she mumbled reluctantly after a moment. She didn't want his parents to blame her for their son spending too much time holed up.
"No? Why not?" he pressed, gently rubbing little circles along her side with his fingertips as he listened for what he could hear from beyond the room. More muffled voices, so his parents were still hanging around inside, but somehow he doubted they were strictly waiting on them.
Brenna bit her lip and was silent for a moment, just looking at him, then admitted in a mutter, "Don't want your parents to be mad."
Christopher frowned at that, not liking that it was even a worry for her. "I don't think they'll be mad, but... Why do you think they would be?"
She shrugged. "Well...you're in here. With me. Maybe they want you to be out there faster, but I'm...distracting."
"Not distracting," he tried to assure her. He pressed a quick kiss to her hair and rubbed at her side a little, uncertain how helpful that might have been or not.
"They see me all the time," he explained, chuckling. "And it was a long way to travel on foot. I usually go long distances as my cat, so I'm sure they don't mind us needing...a bit of extra time."
"Oh. Okay." Satisfied with that answer, she burrowed back under the covers and snuggled against him, eyes closing with a soft, contented sigh. "Love you, Chris," she murmured, not quite sure why she felt the need to repeat that so often but doing it anyway.
He still liked it, it didn't really seem to get strange with time and repeating. It actually seemed to get better, a warm, tingling glow in his chest for hearing her. "Don't worry about it," he chuckled, nuzzling her again and squeezing her close as a blush flooded his cheeks.
"...love you," he mumbled shyly.
Brenna beamed and sighed happily, holding him a little tighter for that. "Never knew I wanted this," she whispered. "But...now I can't imagine not knowing you."
He nodded eagerly in agreement, sighing happily as he focused on just remaining close as they lounged together. "I know...feel the same way. I mean- I knew it could happen, that it was possible, but I never thought I could want one person as much as you," he admitted, voice quiet and suddenly feeling incredibly bashful.
"I didn't even think I could learn to be around another two-legger again," she laughed softly. Turning her face into his chest, she mumbled happily, "Glad it was you."
He gave an amused huff at that. "Brenna your standards are too low," he teased. "But I'm glad it was me, too."
"No," Brenna protested, shaking her head firmly. "Not low standards. You're...special."
Okay, maybe it was another word she'd borrowed from him, but it just seemed to fit.
"Hmm," he hummed thoughtfully, rubbing at her back as he stared off at the room beyond them and wondering aloud, "Did we just...happen to be in the right place at the right time?"
"Maybe." She gave a quiet thrum of happiness as his hand stroked up and down his back. "Snowfur would probably say it was Old White, though."
"Old White... Who is that, a wolf?" he guessed, shifting around a little before turning to roll onto his back.
Brenna nodded. "First wolf. Well, that's what the old stories say." She snuggled against him and added sleepily, "He leads the Star Pack, him and his mate. He's supposed to watch out for all the wolves on earth until they take the long sleep."
Christopher pondered that in silence, trying to imagine such a wolf before he realized it must have been whatever "god" her kind -no, her family- recognized. "Old White," he muttered again, rubbing at her shoulder and struggling to get it straight. "And Star... Star like your mother? Or...maybe the sky?"
"Sky," Brenna said after a moment of silence, considering. "Stars are...what we become after the long sleep, when whatever makes you wolf- or, er, human or whatever- leaves your body. They're Nightblack's children. She's Old White's mate."
The shifter was fascinated, never having heard such a story before from either of his parents. His father had talked of the god of his homeland before but not much in the way of true religion or even what happened to a person after death had been discussed with the Brunelle children.
"I thought...stars were so high up. Can't touch them," he mumbled, furrowing his brow in thought. "Are stars just...spirits?" he asked curiously, uncertain if she might know but wondering all the same what his mate might be able to tell him.
She nodded eagerly, glad that he'd given her the word. "Mhm. Snowfur used to tell me and the pups stories about them- you ever tried to find pictures in the night sky? Each one has a story that goes with it, and each star is a spirit that makes up a piece of the story."
That sounded more familiar, his eyes shining with realization as he turned to press a kiss to the top of her head. "I didn't know wolves did that, too," he admitted. "But...maybe they have different pictures." It seemed plausible, seeing as they were entirely animal after all.
"If the sky's clear tonight can you show me some?" he asked.
Brenna beamed at him and nodded excitedly. "Uh-huh! I may not remember many, but I'll show you the ones I do."
For some reason she was incredibly happy he seemed so interested in what she'd previously thought of as a rather quirky and occasionally boring pass time.
Squeezing her a little closer, he couldn't help but smile for her infectious, obvious happiness. "Are they...just wolves?" he asked. "There are some animals in the ones I know but people too. Important ones I guess. Or symbolic ones."
"More than wolves," she said, shaking her head. "There's other animals too. Bears and hawks and elk and things. Some humans, not many- and I think a shifter, actually."
Christopher nodded in recognition, pleased that there now seemed to be something she could teach him. "Really? I've never heard of that." It was exciting, though. He was curious what shifter might be up there.
"Can't wait to see," he sighed, turning slightly to nuzzle into her again with a chuckle, "But it's so far away."
"What? Night?" She giggled quietly and wriggled happily when he nuzzled into her. "Or the sky?"
"Well both," he chuckled, amused that she'd even asked. "But I meant night. So we can look together. I'd...really like that." It meant plans and plans meant more time with her. It meant he wouldn't have to wonder when he'd be able to see her next. More than anything, he wouldn't have to miss her.
"Do you think maybe... Would your pack be alright if I stayed with you today? After we get back?"
She considered that for a moment, then nodded. "I think so. I don't see why not, anyway."
Shifting a bit to snuggle closer against him, she added in a quiet murmur, "I'd certainly like it if you did."
"Well, I do wonder if they'll get sick of me. Want the shifter off 'their land,'" he explained, frowning slightly. "It's one thing to let us see each other... Kind of another to be so accepting of me, don't you think?"
"They might see it that way, at first," Brenna admitted. "But I think...you're my mate, so you're sort of pack already. Almost."
It was a strange situation, but it might work.
"It's the 'almost' that worries me." He chuckled, reaching up to pet at her hair. "We'll see, though," he sighed, knowing he would do what it took to keep the peace with her pack but tense for the thought of any restrictions on being with her.
She nodded, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "It will be okay," she murmured, for once completely sure. "Maybe take a few days for them to get used to the idea, but everything will be okay..."
"Well at least one of us thinks so," he teased, leaning in for a final kiss before he finally, reluctantly sat up and gave her gentle a little nudge before moving to stand up. "We should probably get going."
Brenna sighed slightly at that but she knew he was right. She sat up and stretched her arms over her head, rolling her neck to work out a few kinks.
She stood, then suddenly shivered and vaguely remembered that she was still naked. "Where's my fur?" she mumbled distractedly, looking around.
Fur? He gave her a strange look before remembering it had been her word for clothing. Digging around he quickly found their pants tucked half-under the bed and threw hers on top before pulling his on. "There's that," he murmured thoughtfully, turning to search for her shirt as he assumed she was merely cold and not just wanting to cover herself out of a sense of propriety.
It was just as cold as the air in the room, though, and he flashed an apologetic smile as he held it out to her. "I'm sure they've got a fire going out there," he offered, though he wished they had enough time for a bath in the hot spring before seeing his parents again. Somehow he doubted that would be a quick stop for them, though.
"Thanks." She took the clothing with a smile and pulled it on, wrinkling her nose just a bit at the chill and the texture after having him pressed against her skin to skin.
She'd never realized she rather enjoyed being unclothed- well, she'd never really had the chance to take her "fur" off and not freeze to death.
"Fire would be good," Brenna chuckled, moving up next to him and taking his hand, lifting it to press a kiss to the back of it spontaneously.
It still felt a little odd to suddenly have someone so openly affectionate with him, but it really was growing on him. Brenna was sweet and he liked how easy it was to feel so connected with her. "Then fire you shall have."
Giving her hand a squeeze he pulled back the curtain and ducked back out to lead her into the main chamber of the cave where his parents were huddled together by the fire. As soon as Christopher shuffled into view Faline lifted her head and beamed as she looked between them. Wendal kept her seated though with a firm arm around her shoulders so his mate didn't run to them and bombard the pair with her affectionate greetings.
"Good morning!" she chirped, head tilting at a curious angle as they drew closer. They smelled different. It was fainter than she would have sensed as her cat, but she figured out why pretty quickly anyway. For her son's sake she chose not to bring it up.
"Morning," Chris offered, pulling Brenna close and leading her over to sit near them.
"Did you sleep well, dear?" Faline asked, eyes flicking to the curious human girl.
Brenna was feeling shy again, but not as much as before. Smiling slightly, she nodded to Christopher's parents and tucked herself against his side when they sat.
"Slept...well," she said softly, nodding. It wasn't a question she was really used to.
Christopher did his best to not shield her from them as he wanted to. It would probably be for the best if she had a chance to interact with his parents again and leave on good terms with his mother's curiosity about her satisfied.
"Wonderful!" Faline beamed, excited that, at least to her knowledge, the girl had nothing unpleasant to say so far about their home. "And Christopher?"
"Fine, fine." He waved her off, rolling his eyes and trying to will the fire to be a little bit warmer for Brenna's sake. "We'll be heading out in a bit," he warned her, immediately earning a pout from his mother that only made his father laugh.
"You never stay long enough," she whined.
Ducking her head slightly in an automatic, submissive gesture, Brenna murmured, "I'm sorry. Have to get back, my pack will be worried..."
Faline's face fell to hear that, recognizing the gesture immediately. "Oh, honey, no! Don't be sorry, it's not your fault. He just doesn't visit enough!"
Christopher growled slightly, shooting his mother a firm glare as he tucked Brenna closer and rubbed at her shoulder. "Leave her alone, please."
Wendal sighed, patting his mate to try and keep her from shooting back some snippy reply, but it didn't quite work. "I didn't do anything to her, I just- We hardly see you and we miss you," she whined quietly, hanging her head slightly.
"I'll come when I can visit. I see you just about every week," he sighed, rolling his eyes and hugging Brenna close to whisper to her, "Sorry about her."
"No, don't be sorry!" Brenna protested, looking between Christopher and his parents. "I didn't mean to- you should come visit when you want." She looked to her mate, biting her lip. "I mean, you don't have to worry about me. You should...be a family."
She was starting to feel guilty, that it was her fault they were arguing.
Christopher frowned at that, rolling his eyes as his mate encouraged his mother's behavior. At Brenna's blessing, though, Faline's eyes lit up with joyful gratitude. "Yes, come visit more. Your sisters are terribly cold to us, you know that."
"They just have their own lives," he chuckled, shaking his head. "We'll see. No promises." He gave Brenna a quick squeeze and gently pet her hair. "Think of anything for them?" he asked, desperate to move on so they might be rid of his mother's pouting.
Brenna shook her head slowly, looking up at him with a small smile. Then she started and turned to look at his parents with a bright little smile. "Thank you...very much. It was good to meet you."
"Of course. Was a pleasure having you." Wendal bowed his head slightly. "It's not often we get any real guests."
"Please don't stay away too long," his mother begged with pleading eyes. Christopher flinched slightly, hating that he could tell his mother was sad.
"I'm sure we'll be back soon enough," he said in an attempt to soothe her. "For more supplies if nothing else."
His mother just nodded at that, still frowning as she knew her son quite well and understood that his priorities were shifting. "At least promise you'll let us know when there's going to be a babe, alright?"
"Mother," he hissed in warning, glaring at her out of the corner of his eye as he grumbled his embarrassment.
"I'm sure he won't stay away that long," Wendal tried to assure his mate, though it seemed nothing could soothe Faline now knowing her youngest was going to be gone indefinitely despite how he didn't even live with them.
"We should be going soon," Christopher whispered, smiling apologetically to Brenna.
Brenna stayed quiet, tucked against her mate's side, until the mention of a "babe". Then her eyes widened and she gave a surprised, coughing little whine.
She still hadn't really given that much thought, and the idea was remotely terrifying. But...not necessarily bad? That was confusing.
Christopher watched her with growing concern, eyes narrowing slightly. He leaned in to whisper at her ear, "Let's steal some breakfast and get out of here, yeah? You ready to go home?"
Nodding slowly, Brenna smiled at him softly. "Home," she agreed quietly. "Food, then home." She was hungry.
If that was what she wanted then that was what she'd get. Christopher hummed in agreement and moved to stand, carefully untangling them as he went so he wouldn't drag her along with him. He ignored continued pleading look from his mother as he stepped around them to head to the kitchen.
The only thing he knew of that she ate was meat, though. Well that and the little cake he'd brought her before. "What are you, uh, hungry for?"
She gave him a careless shrug and a quick smile. "Anything. Not picky about food." She couldn't really afford to be, with the way she lived.
"Really?" He tilted his head at that, somehow surprised she wasn't going to demand something freshly killed. He eyed what remained on the counter from his father's cooking, the two small meat pies obviously left for them.
He wasn't quite sure how she'd handle cooked meat and hoped she might not completely scoff at it in their presence, but he reached out to pick one up to offer to her, the pastry quite small in his own hand. "Try this," he urged her.
"Okay." Brenna accepted the food easily and sniffed at it. "What is it? Another cake?" It sort of looked like one.
"Sort of," he answered distractedly, picking up his own to judge how he might explain it. "Made of a lot of the same stuff but it doesn't go all the way through. It's a pie and has...filling. There's cooked meat there, can you smell it?" He took a careful bite that ended in a soft moan of satisfaction, his lips curling as he fought to keep himself from laughing at showing such pleasure over food.
"Oh." She sniffed again, nodding as she smelled the meat. Cautiously, she took a bite.
Her eyes widened a bit and then fluttered half closed. "Oh..." She nodded happily, eyes glinting at him. "Really good!"
"Different, right?" he grinned, taking another bite and shifting slightly to lean against the counter. It kind of seemed too late to try and eat properly at the table, but he doubted Brenna would even notice his slip in manners. "Guess what's in it," he challenged her.
Taking another bite, Brenna tilted her head and furrowed her brow as she thought. "Um...deer maybe? Elk?" she guessed after a few moments, looking at him.
"Rabbit," he chuckled, amused by her guesses. "Your wolves ever have that?"
Her head tilted further and she shook it slightly. "Don't think so. Maybe once or twice, but..." She shrugged. "Dire wolves are big. Rabbit is only a few mouthfuls."
"Yes, that's why I figured they wouldn't," he chuckled, explaining, "But my father is a fan of it for small meals. It's not too bad, yeah?"
Brenna nodded quickly, saying around another mouthful, "Good." She turned the little pie over in her hands. "Humans are...clever," she murmured, rather amazed still by the combination of flavors. Then her eyes flicked up to him and she amended, "Or, well, shifters."
He smiled kindly, nodding in agreement as he took another bite. "It's both, but he learned it from humans so it's fair to say that. Do you remember anything your, um, human parents cooked? Anything like these?"
She shook her head slowly, brow furrowing. "There was- not like this, but something Mama made that was sorta like the outside, just not as sweet. And, um..." She cast around for the word, then exclaimed triumphantly, "Stew! Lots of stew."
Christopher hummed in acknowledgement, casting a glance towards his parents by the fire. "We had that, too. It's a little hard for me to make but we had it plenty when I was growing up. Still have it sometimes when I visit." He smiled thoughtfully and settled his eyes upon her again to whisper, "I bet he'd make it for you next time we come if you ask."
He was suddenly a little flustered by that, though, eyes going wide as he realized he was speaking with the assumption that she'd even want to visit again. "That is, if you want to come out this way."
Brenna smiled softly as she saw him start to fumble and reached up to lay one hand on the side of his face.
"I'd really like to come visit again some time," she said quietly, letting her thumb stroke almost soothingly over his skin.
He smiled gratefully, leaning into her touch slightly before turning his head to kiss her palm and slowly up along her fingers. "Careful with that. I might purr," he teased, leaning away to finish his breakfast quickly.
Casting a look around he didn't really see anything he needed to bring back with them that he could use to keep himself busy. Even so, he was a little hesitant to leave even though he knew they needed to. Leaving seemed too permanent. It meant returning to the pack and dealing with -at least in his mind- the awkwardness of trying to explain their situation to her family.
"Still hungry?" he asked distractedly, looking for any reason to stay just a little bit longer.
A quick smile flashed across her face at that and Brenna protested quietly, "I like it when you purr."
She watched him look around, head tilted to one side, and finished the last few bites of her breakfast, shaking her head. "No, I'm alright." Her eyes flicked to his parents and she murmured, "Should we..say goodbye properly?" She wasn't quite sure what that might entail in his family's customs.
"Mmm," he grumbled in agreement, frowning as his eyes landed on the back of his mother's head. He really didn't want any dramatics but he had a feeling she wasn't going to just let them go peacefully.
Pushing away from the counter, he reached to take her hand and moved to cross through the main room again. "...we're heading out," he whispered, knowing it most certainly was not a proper goodbye. Not looking to his parents, he froze in place once he heard his mother's voice and the shuffling feet as they moved to approach them.
"What?! Already? Well let me see you out at least!" He hated the disappointment he heard there but smiled faintly as he turned to give each of them a quick side hug. Uncertain how comfortable Brenna might be with physical contact he tried to place himself between the three.
"It was really nice to meet you, Brenna." Faline was not taking the hint, sidestepping her son to offer outstretched arms at her as she added a teasing, "Don't let Christopher be a stranger to us."
A little startled by the gesture, Brenna hesitated a moment before accepting the hug, a little awkwardly but trying her best.
"I- I won't," she promised in a whisper, offering a small smile. "Thank you again."
Faline seized the opportunity, squeezing the girl close and twisting slightly to rock her in her arms. Her mate finally pulled her back gently by the arm once she started nuzzling against her, though, clearing his throat and offering Brenna a hand to shake instead of trying to smother her.
"No thanks needed," he insisted, smiling warmly. "It was a treat to have someone so special to our son visit us. We're humbled, really."
Christopher blushed and ducked his head slightly to try and hide behind his hair. "We'll be back, I'm sure," he mumbled. "Any special requests for next time?"
Wendal gave his mate a thoughtful look before they both shrugged and shook their heads. "Whatever you can bring."
Both pleased and a little confused by the affectionate gesture, Brenna just sort of waited it out and smiled when Faline was pulled away.
"Happy to meet you," she murmured, eyes shining with sincerity.
Faline grinned, her nose crinkling in glee to hear that from her again. "Of course, dear," she sighed happily, glancing to Christopher to warn him playfully, "Take care of your Brenna. Take care of each other."
"I'm sure we'll be fine," he mumbled. Wrapping his arm around his mate's waist to lead her back towards the entrance he scooped up the empty bag. He gave another grumble as he suddenly heard a thundering of paws and his parents, now leopards, squeezed ahead through the narrower tunnel leading to the outside with almost taunting gleams in their eyes. A series of chirping chuffs were shot back at them and he just rolled his eyes.
"Sorry, they want...to see us out," he translated, pointing out towards the open tundra and grumpy that they wouldn't have any privacy until they'd left his parents' territory.
Brenna chuckled, suddenly strongly reminded of her own pack. "Stop apologizing," she laughed, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "It's okay. It's...nice."
"Nice?" Christopher grumbled again and gave an exasperated sigh despite how close his parents still lingered as he stepped out to lead her back the way they'd originally come. "More like annoying. They know exactly what they're doing."
"They care about you," she murmured, leaning against him slightly. "It's sweet."
"Sweet?" Christopher huffed, rolling his eyes again at that. Of course she would see their interference as "sweet."
"They care about being nosy is all," he complained, drawing her closer. Even through his grumpiness, though, the shifter cast a faint smile towards the pair of snow leopards huddled further up along the path, not truly caring about their little cycle of trailing, running ahead, then waiting for the pair to pass them again. It was annoying, sure, but they were still family and it was nice that others were looking out for them at least.
"Yes, sweet," Brenna laughed, easily nuzzling into his side when he pulled her closer. "I think...I mean, it's nice to think maybe my parents would have done the same thing," she noted with a small smile, giving the snow leopard she recognized as female a small wave.
"What, follow us around everywhere?" he teased, eyes drawn to his mother for the waving.
She perked her ears forward and gave low meow, sitting back on her haunches to watch with the larger Wendal at her side as they finally passed the relative border between their land and Christopher's.
"Probably not that," Brenna conceded with a laugh. "But, you know... The hugging, and wanting to see us off, and always wanting visits. I think they'd probably do that."
He pondered that for a moment, trying to remember what sorts of human farewells he'd seen before. "I suppose it's just...something we do. 'Two-leggers' as you call them," he explained. "Doesn't make it any less annoying for the children, but- Well, I suppose it's how they show that they care. I'm sure your wolves show that in their own ways."
She nodded. "They do. Sometimes it's annoying too, but...you know they care." She smiled at him softly, bumping his shoulder lightly.
He glanced down at her with a playful, questioning look. "Now what was that for?" he teased, bumping her back just as lightly. "Still got too much energy, I think. Probably should have worn you out more, hm?"
Brenna grinned at that, blushing. "Maybe," she said coyly, looking up at him through her lashes. "Depends. That a promise for later?"
Christopher chuckled and smiled, shaking his head at that. "Probably a bit dangerous around your wolves, don't you think?" he teased lightly, purposefully choosing to neither confirm nor deny it.
She pouted at him dramatically and murmured, "We could get creative..." She let the suggestion trail off and gave him a lopsided smile before rocking up on her toes to peck his cheek.
"Love you, Christopher." She squeezed his hand lightly.
He rolled his eyes, uncertain how "creative" he wanted to get with giant wolves lingering around. Shifter or not they were big and powerful and could probably still do a number on him.
His face blanked at the little kiss, though, and he looked down at their joined hands. "You like saying that, huh?" he accused lightly, cheeks flushed as he leaned down to press a kiss to her temple. Somehow it seemed much less private in the tundra. There were always ears around to hear even if they weren't of a human or shifter.
Brenna grinned, nodding at him. "Mhm. I do." She liked hearing it too, but she didn't feel the need to mention that, it felt like begging.
"Been a long time since I've had the chance to say it," she noted instead, shrugging. "It's nice."
"Couldn't you have told the wolves? Or is that not something they...do?" he wondered, entirely oblivious that he probably should have answered her sentiment.
"Well, we do tell it, sort of. Just not with words." She frowned slightly, trying to think of how to explain it. "It's... It's in little touches, or how Longclaw is always protecting us, or the way Shade acts silly to cheer us up after a bad hunt."
"Ah. Probably not the same meaning, either. Least I would hope so," he muttered, squeezing her hand lightly as they walked. "That just seems like family love."
"Well, yeah." She nodded. "Pack is family. Like you and your parents. That love."
For some reason she didn't even question there being different kinds of love. She knew what she felt for her mate wasn't the same as the affection she held for her family, but no less strong.
He nodded in agreement, knowing he shared a love of family for each of his parents and siblings, though still in a way that was much different from the connection he felt with Brenna. "I suppose I used it the wrong way," he murmured. "Love is...well, love. But you have something extra that my other family doesn't. Well, I mean... You are. Kind of. Family? Different family."
Christopher furrowed his brow, certain he wasn't making any sense at all in his fumbling.
Brenna laughed quietly and swung around in front of him, laying her hands on his chest to pause him for a moment.
"I know," she said softly, eyes glinting. "I love you too, Chris. I...I'm in love with you."
That was the difference, right? Or at least it was the best she could articulate it. Shrugging mentally, Brenna stretched up to kiss him softly.
Ah, that was the word. He flushed, a little embarrassed yet also proud she'd found the proper way of saying it before he'd managed to.
"Yes, in love," he agreed, bending down some to meet her for a quick kiss as his hands went to her waist. "...I don't really know how I got in it but I did. You did something to me, I think," he accused playfully.
"Good." She grinned at him, eyes sparkling happily. "Don't know what I did, but I'm glad." Brenna wrapped her arms around him and leaned into the embrace for a moment, allowing herself to just enjoy the closeness.
Happy to hold her, Christopher hummed as he pulled her in close and stroked a hand along her back. He considered what he'd said, uncertain still what he'd meant exactly. He wasn't quite sure when his thoughts had changed about her or the moment she'd gone from the neighbor he was showing kindness to to a woman he needed.
"Just don't do it to anyone else," he teased, chuckling against her shoulder and turning to press a quick kiss to her neck before he stood up straight again.
With a quiet laugh, Brenna nodded and reluctantly allowed him to pull away, keeping her hand in his as she tucked herself against his side and started walking again.
He was happy to follow her lead, settling into a walk of contemplative silence. As his mind wandered, though, he grew a bit tense as he remembered something of their meeting with his parents.
"Brenna... You didn't- You weren't offended by my mother, were you? Um, mad? I know she kind of speaks her mind," he apologized, gulping nervously and giving her hand a brief squeeze as he thought about all of the rather uncomfortable topics she'd asked about during their stay.
She shook her head quickly, smiling at him. "No. I liked her. I just...I didn't really know what to say most of the time," she mumbled, blushing.
"That's alright," he sighed, shaking his head as he thought on it. "She talks way too much anyway. I just...didn't want you to be stressed about the wolves or, um, anything else she said. You know. Me and home and...other stuff." He couldn't quite get himself to mention babies again, almost skittish of the word.
"Other stuff..." Glancing up at him, Brenna suddenly found herself flushing. "Y-you mean, um- pups?" The last word sort of squeaked out.
Christopher glanced at her with concern for the way she said it, curious why her voice had gone so high. "Pups, yeah. Pups. Cubs. Babies... She's, uh, a little crazy for them, I wouldn't let her get to you. There's a reason I have two siblings," he pointed out in jest, bumping her arm gently.
"R-right." Brenna swallowed and shook her head. Telling herself not to let Faline get to her and actually doing it seemed to be two different things. "But, um...isn't that- what it's for, usually? Mating, I mean," she mumbled, looking up at him sidelong.
Well that was a rather sensitive question. "Usually it is," he decided, sighing heavily and hurrying to add, "It's not the only reason, though. It's okay if the mood is just...you know, there."
"Oh. Okay." Brow furrowed as she puzzled through that, she cast an uncertainly glance his way again. "Did you- I mean, what your mother was saying- do you...want...other things?"
For some reason she felt like her face was on fire now and she ducked her head.
The shifter coughed, turning his head slightly look to the other side so he might not have to look her in the eye for that. "I...didn't really give it much thought before you," he admitted quietly. "I guess I assumed it would happen once I'd found a mate and 'settled down' as they say, but-"
Christopher tilted his head slightly to glance at her, breathing a heavy sigh as he tried to sort out his feelings about it. "I wouldn't be mad, but I wonder about our situation. Not exactly ideal for that sort of thing," he told her gently.
Brenna bit her lip, nodding. "Would be...hard. Pups- human pups can't travel so much." She frowned as another thought occurred. "And it's too cold with the pack. They don't have fur..."
"Yes," he agreed, frowning slightly in thought. He'd seen young humans before but he seriously doubted their hardiness in infancy even if they did have Brenna as a mother. He blushed hotly at that, realizing he'd thought about it for a moment: her -his mate for a day and lover for only a few more than that- as a mother.
"I'll just...be more careful," he mumbled, realizing how horribly irresponsible they'd been at preventing such a thing. Even then he really only had himself to blame.
"You- careful?" She blinked at him, thoroughly confused. "What do you mean?"
Christopher gestured at her vaguely with his free hand, embarrassed but not knowing how he was supposed to explain it. "I just won't...do that with you anymore," he told her, not realizing how unclear he was being. "Um, mating like that?"
Brenna frowned at that. "But- I like doing that!" she protested, then blushed deeply. "I mean, um...if- if we have to, I guess..."
"I like it, too," he groaned, sighing heavily as he struggled with how to deal with putting something they both wanted on the shelf.
"We don't have to but it would take a lot of risk out of it," he explained, thinking he was being quite clear. "We could still, you know, have sex."
She stopped walking, frowning and tilting her head at him. "I don't understand," she finally sighed, frustrated and blunt. "We can't do it because we don't want pups- but we can do it because we both like it?"
With a confused little growl, Brenna shook her head sharply and looked at him pleadingly.
He could feel the heat spreading to his ears just knowing he'd have to explain it to her with a little more detail. Even with no other people around to hear it he felt embarrassed for that as he stopped beside her.
"Yes... Sorry, I know that sounds weird, but- Well, we can just I can't, or shouldn't, um...inside of you," he finally mumbled.
That really didn't clear things up for her, but she could tell talking about this was making him uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, Chris, I still don't- how else are we supposed to do it?" She'd been under the impression that him being inside of her was a pretty crucial part of the process.
He just shook his head, seeing he wasn't actually getting his point across very well. "I'll...show you sometime, don't worry about it." Chris sighed, leaning to press a kiss to her head with his best attempt at an encouraging smile before giving her hand a light tug to try continuing ahead on their walk.
"Um. Okay..." Though she was still pretty confused, Brenna didn't want to push him when it was obviously something he didn't really want to talk about. She allowed him to pull her along, falling into step beside him as they continued on their way.
Thanks to their long morning it was almost sundown by the time they came upon the much more familiar area of the wolf den. Christopher tensed, tugging her closer and slowing his pace slightly as he shuffled along.
Things had changed since they'd left and he wasn't particularly looking forward to being growled at again by her pack's Alpha male. "Promise you won't let them eat me," he muttered playfully.
Brenna chuckled and rolled her eyes at him. "They won't," she murmured with a smile, tugging his hand to pull him with her as she moved closer to the den. "I'll bite if they try," she added, smirking.
Christopher shot her a playfully skeptical look for that, snorting at the idea of a human's teeth being enough to stop a dire wolf bent on tearing him apart. "It's a reasonable point. I don't have any gifts to hide behind this time," he teased.
She shook her head at him, but before she could say anything else a massive white blur came bounding down the slope to meet them, tail wagging like a banner.
Grinning and yipping happily, Brenna easily allowed Snowfur to sniff her over and give her a few excited licks before the alpha female moved to Christopher, giving his hip a brief but affectionate nudge as the rest of the pack came trotting out to meet them.
The shifter was tense as he watched her foster mother barreling towards them. It took him a moment to realize she was just greeting them, though, the yips still quite foreign to him even though he knew what the sound was.
"Hello," he murmured sheepishly, reaching out to Snowfur to pet her coat as he watched the others approach. He smiled in recognition as his eyes settled on each of the pups and the omegas. Crouching down, he offer them an outstretched palm in greeting, still feeling too self-conscious to try mimicking any of their sounds like Brenna could.
Shade greeted him enthusiastically, Brokefang evidently just as happy but a bit more sedate. The pups bounded around them, barking and whining.
Longfang hung back, only giving Brenna a quick jerk of his head and a huff of acknowledgement before sitting and simply observing the greetings.
Christopher relaxed a bit more once he was able to reach out to the others, soothed by the contact and by how easily they seemed to accept his return. Perhaps they were being friendly for Brenna's sake, but he silently hoped that they really were warming up to him.
Realizing who was missing, though, he tilted his head up to look at Longclaw. He didn't seem aggressive, just watchful, but the shifter cast a nervous look Brenna's way. "Why isn't he...joining?"
Following his gaze, Brenna frowned slightly at her foster father and gave a plaintive little whimper. The dire wolf just huffed, giving her a very dry look.
Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, she looked back to her mate. "Being watchful," she said, shrugging. "He's not...doesn't really, ah- bond as well as the rest do," she mumbled.
He watched their exchange, eyeing the wolf at the top of the slope warily even as it was explained to him. "If he's happy," he finally mumbled, plopping himself down to sit with open arms for the other wolves.
The pack gathered happily around them, Snowfur and Brokefang plopping down on either side of Christopher and Brenna while the others sort of romped playfully around them, kicking up drifts of snow. Even Longclaw came a little closer, though he still kept a wary eye out.
Laughing, Brenna leaned into her mate's side and translated a few barks as, "They want to know where you took me."
"Ah, my parents," he announced, looking around to them all as if they'd understand him anyway despite already knowing they definitely wouldn't. At least not as easily as Brenna. "More cats. Snow leopards. In the mountains in the north. They really like Brenna." He smirked proudly at the last, feeling the need to add that bit of information about them.
Brenna, blushing lightly, relayed his message to the pack, which of course set them off with more huffs and barks, tails wagging as they leaped around the two-leggers.
Chuckling, she nuzzled closer against Christopher and looked up at him. "They're, um, proud, I think is the best way to say it. Glad that I made a good impression."
He laughed lightly, reaching out to put an arm around her shoulders. He realized pretty quickly that they might not take too kindly to their more open displays of affection, though. Not wanting to agitate them, he tried to let it slip back down to his side instead.
"They should be proud, they raised a nice person." He flushed slightly, clearing his throat and looking to Snowfur and Longclaw briefly before his eyes settled on Brenna again. "Is, uh, the news something you want to tell them privately?" he mumbled quietly.
It took her a moment to realize what he was talking about. Once she did, she fell silent, thinking. "I- I don't really know," she murmured, leaning a little closer to him even as she rubbed Chaser's ears as her foster brother collapsed and flopped his head into her lap.
"I think- Snowfur already knows. Or thinks she knows. I guess there's really not much point in...dancing around it." She bit her lip, considering.
Christopher watched the younger wolf, amused by how comfortable he was to just lay on her like that. Cautiously, he reached out to pat at his shoulder. "You can wait. Maybe tell them when I'm not around," he suggested, shrugging slightly.
"Okay," Brenna said slowly, leaning her head on his shoulder. "If- if that's what you want."
He winced, shaking his head. "I don't really have a preference, just- Tell them when you're comfortable." The shifter didn't quite realize that it was really just a bigger thing to him than it would be for wolves.
She shrugged. "Well- alright."
Honestly, she wasn't really sure she would have to tell the wolves anything. Snowfur had definitely figured them out, for the most part, and Brenna had a hard time believing the pack wouldn't have been gossiping about it while she was away.
Flopping down so her head was in Christopher's lap- much like Chaser's was in hers- she looked up at him with a small frown. "I don't want you to go," she muttered, knowing it was getting late and he'd probably say that he had to leave soon.
Craning his neck slightly to look down at her, he frowned at what he heard and glanced to the horizon. It was getting late, sunset fast-approaching and the day feeling far too short, but that didn't make the thought of leaving any easier.
"I'll stay a bit longer," he muttered, settling a hand to her hair, petting gently at the hairline of her temple. "If you don't mind. And if they don't mind."
"Don't mind." She beamed at him, reaching up to card her fingers through his hair in turn. "Stay."
Brenna slipped her hand around to the back of his head so she could pull him down for a kiss.
He felt that odd, melty feeling in his chest again that he'd begun associating with Brenna. God, he loved seeing her so happy. It was such a silly, simple thing but it was like a drug for the shifter.
Leaning down at her encouragement he pressed a sweet peck to her lips and then lifted his head slightly to press another to her nose. "Bryn... If staying means more of this I'll stay all night," he teased lightly.
Her eyes brightened a bit. She knew he was teasing, but... "Could you?" Brenna asked quietly. "It- it'd be nice to spend the night with you again..."
Christopher felt his heart clench at that, face falling a bit as he considered it. It honestly didn't seem particularly safe. Sure he'd spent a bit of time in the den with her before but that was only with two of the wolves. He couldn't imagine feeling very safe with all of them so near.
"Wouldn't that be really...cramped and uncomfortable?" he tried to point out, desperate to evade turning her down directly.
"Oh." Her face fell a bit. It was usually pretty cramped even with just her and the rest of the pack. "Yeah, maybe," she admitted with a sigh, twisting to wrap her arms around his waist and turn her face into his stomach.
She didn't want him to go, but she didn't want to force him to stay either.
He watched her with sad eyes, gently stroking along her arm. "I don't want to make them uncomfortable in their own home," he explained quietly, much as he didn't like the idea of being considerate. "But I'll come back tomorrow."
"Okay," she agreed with a small sigh, sitting up a bit so she could better nuzzle against his chest. "Promise?"
"Of course," he mumbled, adjusting them slightly so he could hug her close. "Unless... Maybe I could stay with you a little while. Just until you fall asleep."
Brenna smiled softly at him. "Don't think anyone would mind that," she murmured, reaching up to stroke his face lightly, then run her fingers through his hair again.
He hummed in pleasure for her gentle touch, tilting his head to her hand slightly as he met her eyes. "Then... I'll stay. At least that long so you don't miss me." Christopher smiled faintly at that, a bit of color rising to his cheeks that he hoped the fast-approaching sunset would hide well enough. "That way I'll only have to miss you a little bit."
She amiled at him again, though it was a little smaller, wistful. "I'm gonna turn in then," she murmured, looking to the mouth of the den and standing, reaching for his hand. "That way you won't walk home in the dark." Well, hopefully.
"What?" He watched her, wide-eyed but not exactly trying to stop her. "I don't mind the dark, you don't have to."
The shifter frowned up at her but did take her hand and stand up. "You aren't tired," he accused lightly.
"So?" She smiled and kissed him, leading him into the den. Snowfur gave a knowing little huff and shook her head at Graywind when the younger wolf tried to follow them.
Grateful for some time alone with her mate, Brenna sat and pulled him down beside her, snuggling into his side with a happy little sigh and closing her eyes.
He pouted, glancing out towards the glowing orange of the sky even as he allowed her to lead him away, watching as the sun dipped to hide for the night.
Christopher was surprised that the wolves weren't following them after the swarming they'd gotten upon their arrival. He pondered the thought that they were simply creatures of greeting and not purely companionship, but he would need more time around them to know anything more.
He stared at her with wide, pleading eyes as he sat, content to hold her close in the relative privacy of the den but still a million thoughts racing on his mind. "And the stars," he reminded her, pouting slightly again.
"Oh, right!" She'd almost forgotten that promise. Looking at the mouth of the den, Brenna offered, "Maybe...maybe if you stayed here... I could go home with you tomorrow, show you then?" She didn't even realize she was bargaining until the words were out of her mouth.
He opened his mouth to immediately say no but he couldn't quite find the words. Slowly, the young shifter's face creased with confusion. "B-but you're not tired," he pointed out, not seeing yet that her way would allow them more time together. "Think tonight will be too cloudy for it?"
Brenna shrugged an answered honestly, "I don't know." She nuzzled a little closer into his side. "But...I want you to stay. Please?"
Again it hurt his heart a little to hear her ask for such things, as if she wasn't already entitled to his attention by default. "I can stay," he answered quickly, previous plans quickly thrown out as he tried to think of a way to do so without offending her foster family in the way he assumed that they would.
"We'll...do that tomorrow," he repeated, staring off and distracted before he brought his attention back to her, eyes silently asking for confirmation as he hugged her close against his side.
"Yes!" Brenna immediately perked up, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tight. She turned her face and just enjoyed the contact, relaxing as she let his scent envelope her. "Love you, Chris," she murmured, smiling and kissing his cheek.
Her joy was so infectious, a warm smile there as he caught her and held her tight against his chest. "I love you, too, my sweet," he mumbled, blushing a bit as he ducked his head to press a kiss to her cheek. "My mate.
"Thought that would be harder," he admitted, chuckling softly.
Beaming and twisting her head to kiss his cheek in turn, Brenna asked with one eyebrow arched, "Thought what would be harder?"
"Staying," he said, smiling sheepishly. "Thought it would be...difficult. Thought I wouldn't be able to. Or allowed."
She smiled softly at him and nudged her head up under his chin. "Always allowed," she murmured quietly. "I'll make sure. Always."
Christopher was slightly torn, hearing that. It was so easy to just go along with what she wanted, but he wondered if two days would just turn into three and four and five, indefinitely expanding. The thought of never being parted from her, of being afforded the time to properly bond with his mate, was surprisingly pleasing to the young shifter. Still, he couldn't help but wonder when one or both of them might snap if they had no unified home except within each other.
"As long as it doesn't cause trouble for you," he decided, holding her close and stroking a hand along the back of her hair. "I'll do what I can to stay."
"No trouble," Brenna insisted, very much focused on immediate rewards and completely oblivious to the long term.
She leaned away from him for a moment to give a soft woof toward the mouth of the den, informing the pack that her mate was staying so they didn't have to hover outside anymore.
"As long as it stays that way." He watched the still, to him, unusual communication, feeling a little shy for not knowing what she'd told them.
"What was that for?"
"Letting them know they could come in," Brenna replied, settling back against him as Bright-Eye led the pack back into the den. Furry bodies pressed around them, panting and sniffing and whining softly.
"Oh..." He watched, suddenly a little uncomfortable to be surrounded by so many in an enclosed space. Eyeing the entrance warily, he sat stiffly and leaned to press himself against Brenna in a vain attempt to put distance between himself and the wolves.
"Um...it feels so much smaller with them here," he chuckled nervously, looking around but careful not to make eye contact with any of them.
Sensing his tension, Brenna absently pushed Icefang's head away and tilted her head at him, brow furrowed. "You...don't like it?" she guessed, not wanting him to be uncomfortable.
Snowfur and Longclaw were already curled nose to tail near the mouth of the den, signalling to the rest of the pack that it was time to bed down.
"I don't know," he mumbled, turning to flash her a quick but anxious smile. "Not used to being, um, surrounded like this. Don't worry, I'll get used to it." At least he hoped he would. He would need to learn fast if he was going to keep his cat in check in situations like that. He could still feel him bristling at the surface, begging to be out to curl around his mate despite there being no true threat to her among her family.
Givign a quick huff to her family, asking for some space, Brenna hesitantly laid down and tugged on Christopher's hand, pulling him with her.
"You don't have to stay," she murmured, forcing a little smile. "Don't want you to be uncomfortable."
Setting the bag down to serve as a pillow of sorts for them Christopher reluctantly followed her down, arms reaching out to wrap around her and pull her tight to his chest in a way that was much more protective than it normally was.
"I told you I'd stay. Not going to break a promise to you," he grumbled, nuzzling into her shoulder and feathering a few kisses to her neck. "Not uncomfortable, just...new. I slept alone until you."
Twisting to peck his cheek, she murmured, "Does it bother you to not sleep alone? Even if it's just me?"
After a moment to think about that he firmly shook his head. "No, just not used to it," he decided, "But I like when it's just you a lot better."
Smiling gently, Brenna nestled herself in against him and promised quietly, "Tomorrow night. After I show you the star pictures..."
She vaguely felt Chaser and Brokefang settling in sort-of-but-not-quite near her other side, giving her and Christopher as much space as the den would allow. She reached out absently to stroke gray and brown fur in thanks.
He felt a small sense of relief to hear her remind him of it, to know he had something else to look forward to if he could bring himself to "suffer" through a night with her pack. Christopher still felt quite on edge, but the urge to shift was fading slowly as he forced himself to lie back and settle his arms around his mate.
"Tomorrow," he mumbled in agreement, nuzzling against her and breathing a heavy sigh of contentment as he took a few moments to just inhale her calming scent. "I think I can stay."
"Only if you're sure," she murmured, absently petting his hair. Brenna had to admit that she desperately wanted him to stay, but she didn't want him to be uncomfortable for it.
"I'm...s-sure." Great, that sounded confident.
Christopher frowned, nodding against her as he tried again, "I'm fine, I'm sure. Try to get some sleep, been a long day."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, throwing one leg over his hip and pressing as close as she could manage.
"It's okay," Brenna said softly. "I'm here." She wasn't quite sure how good that was in terms of assurances, but it was all her tired brain could come up with as her eyes drifted closed.
He rumbled happily in his chest for that, holding her close and burying his face against her as he tried to use her scent to drown out the wolves around them. It took a little longer than it normally would have, but the shifter eventually drifted off to sleep amidst the soft sounds of the den.
Perfectly content, surrounded by her pack and nestled against her mate, Brenna huffed happily and easily drifted to sleep, the stress of the last few days leaving her shoulders and back as she relaxed in Christopher's arms.
In his sleep Christopher had once again curled around her, at least as best as he could. The den of dire wolves while not something he was entirely comfortable with was at least tolerable enough with Brenna at his side.
As he woke before the rest he lifted his head to look out over the furry bodies towards the mouth of the den and the limited light of the tundra morning he could see from where they were. Surprisingly he wasn't all that uncomfortable after their night, no knots in his back or stiffness in his shoulders like he would have expected for sleeping in such a place.
He settled back down, though, nuzzling against Brenna and doing his best not to cause a disturbance for her or the wolves.
Brenna felt even the tiniest shifts around her, and though she was a light sleeper she at first dismissed the movement as the wolves and settled down again.
Then she remembered, registering the feeling of arms around her, and turned a bit to look at her mate's face. "Chris?" she whispered, brow furrowing a bit. "You alright?"
Dammit. He'd thought he'd been so careful, too, but apparently not careful enough around such an observant person.
"I'm alright," he mumbled, pressing a kiss to her neck and squeezing her against him a little closer for a brief moment before urging her, "Go back to sleep. If you're tired."
She shook her head, smiling softly. "Not tired, really." She tilted her head at him, brow furrowing in concern. "Sleep okay?"
Christopher grumbled quietly at that but let it go. "Slept good," he said, careful to keep his voice low still for fear of disturbing the wolves, "just wanted to make sure everything was alright." That was the best way he knew to describe his feelings, at least, though he really didn't expect her to understand that.
Brenna opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Graywind rolling over and cracking his jaws in a massive yawn, paws scrabbling at the dirt as he ran in his sleep.
She sort of smiled at her foster brother, then looked back to Christopher. "If you...want to go home soon," she murmured quietly, "we just have to tell the alphas." She nodded toward where they slept at the mouth of the den.
The sudden movement startled the shifter, the sight of any canine doing such a thing in its sleep something completely unknown to him. He watched the curious twitching of paws distractedly before casting a glance towards Snowfur and Longclaw.
"That's all? Well, we don't have to rush off," he hurried to answer, hoping she didn't sense his discomfort and think he wanted to whisk her away. Well, he did want to but for far less noble reasons.
She smiled, reaching up to stroke his cheek lightly. "It's okay. If you want to go, we can go." She highly doubted Snowfur would make any sort of fuss about it.
Christopher narrowed his eyes questioningly at that, skeptical as he glanced between the alpha pair and his mate. "Do you want to leave already? I don't want to steal you from your family," he admitted quietly.
Brenna shook her head, still smiling gently. "It's alright. I'll be back tomorrow at the latest, right?" She leaned forward to kiss the bridge of his nose.
"Well, yes," he admitted, wincing slightly for he'd been trying to think of a way to coax her to stay a bit longer than that. He tried not to show how relieved he was that she was willing to go with him already. "As long as you're okay with that. I, um, I...love you and just want to see you happy," he tried to explain.
Her smile widened and she wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his forehead. "I know. I love you too." She pressed another kiss to his cheek, then sat up a bit, carefully so as not to disturb the wolves around her.
"C'mon, I'll tell Longclaw and Snowfur we're leaving."
He hummed in agreement, smiling slightly for her sweet gestures as he moved to sit up and then climb to his feet in a careful crouch. Picking his way through the wolves and careful not to step on any tails or paws he stopped before the pair at the mouth of the den and looked to Brenna anxiously, curious what gestures the wolves might understand for such a thing.
Slipping between the furry bodies with the ease of long practice, Brenna knelt beside Snowfur and gently touched her shoulder. The alpha female stirred and lifted her head, blinking at her with a soft, questioning whine.
Brenna huffed in reply and nodded toward Christopher, then the mouth of the den. Longclaw was stirring slightly, so Snowfur just nodded at her and gave her neck an affectionate nuzzle.
Standing, the young woman took her mate's arm and nodded with a smile. "Let's go."
Christopher watched the exchange with interest, noting the affection between them before Brenna spoke to him again. Nodding, he reached out to give Snowfur a gentle pat of thanks before moving to step out into the sunlight with her at last.
He slipped his hand down to join their hands instead and looked down at her after casting a final glance to the den. "Last chance," he warned playfully.
Brenna chuckled and leaned up to kiss him, giving his hand a soft squeeze. "Fine by me. I'll see them tomorrow."
She started down the slope, tugging him along with a grin. "Let's go."
The shifter grinned, following her down and out into the now rather familiar surrounding area. "That went a lot better than I expected," he admitted sheepishly.
"What were you expecting then?" she laughed lightly, pressing against his side for a moment.
"A bit of a...standoff, honestly." He shook out his hair a bit, glancing up the slope as he drew her in for a quick hug. "Thought they would be a bit more protective of you. Do they trust me that much with you? Or am I not a threat?"
"I think...they trust you, mostly." She gave him a crooked, sheepish grin and added, "Well, it's more like they trust me to make decent choices. And I chose you. So." She shrugged.
"Well maybe that makes me at least halfway decent," he teased, leaning in to press a quick kiss to her temple. "But I'm glad... I don't know what I would do with myself if they didn't let me spend time with you."
Brenna smiled softly, pressing against him as much as she could while they walked. "Me either," she admitted quietly. "I- I love my pack. But I think...I would have had to figure something out. Make sure I could still be with you."
"Well luckily we won't need to worry about that, hm?" He was in much better spirits now, the tension leaving him the further away they were from her pack. It wasn't that he feared them or didn't trust them, but his cat was rather uncomfortable with being surrounded by so many other creatures and feeling cornered in any way.
Turning his head to look at her -really look at her- Christopher smiled faintly and held her close by her shoulders. "You know you really are so special," he murmured.
She blushed, shaking her head and ducking her eyes. "I'm not," she mumbled, but she was smiling a little bit.
"No? Well why not?" he challenged, confident she wouldn't be able to give him any valid reason.
"I'm- well, I'm just me," Brenna mumbled, eyes fixed on her feet.
"And you are special," he reminded her again, chuckling and not seeing her winning with that argument.
"Not as much as you," she countered. If he was going to use that sort of logic, then so could she.
Christopher blinked at that, frowning slightly. "No, no, I'm just ordinary. You're very special," he argued, not seeing that they were doing the exact same thing to one another.
"You just think I'm special because of what I am," he accused lightly.
"Could say the same thing to you," Brenna shot back, grinning triumphantly. "You're special to me. That's all I care about."
He frowned, not seeing her point and feeling like he was losing somehow. "And you're special to me," he grumbled, "just don't think you realize how much."
Still smiling, she nuzzled against his shoulder. "Don't need to. Long as you want to stay with me, I'm happy," she said honestly.
Christopher huffed at that, pleased that she was happy enough but still wanting her to know how much she meant to him. "I'll get through to you," he warned her playfully, bending to sneak a quick kiss to her cheek.
Brenna grinned, a little bounce slipping into her step. "You're welcome to try," she said brightly, grinning at the little kiss.
"Try?" He growled playfully at that, squeezing her close. "What makes you think I can't?"
Brenna just gave a playful little little bark and leaned up to peck the tip of his nose, then scampered ahead of him, eyes glinting. She was feeling incredibly energetic all of the sudden.
His eyes flashed darkly as she moved ahead. He didn't hesitate at all as he lunged after her, playfully grabbing for her waist.
Yipping, Brenna wriggle in his grip and twisted to nip playfully at his neck, eyes sparkling. She gave a little growl and twisted out of his hold, dancing back a few steps and daring him to come after her with a huff and a little wink.
He normally wasn't so energetic or playful but Brenna definitely brought it out of him. He inched his way closer a step at a time before lunging for her again, encouraged by her playful taunts and growling low in his throat as he tried to pull her against him.
With a playfully dramatic yelp, Brenna wriggled around again, not enough to really break his hold on her but enough to make it difficult to keep her against him.
Growling, eyes glinting, she gave a mock frown and huffed at him. "You caught me. What'll you do with me, hunter?"
He let her struggle, only fighting her wriggling enough to keep her from escaping him again. Eyes flaring for her taunts Christopher yanked her close for a fierce kiss.
"Keep you," he growled smugly, nipping at her lip lightly before puffing a soft laugh at her neck. "And make you see- Didn't I warn you?"
Brenna returned the kiss eagerly, a low rumble building in her chest. Breath coming a little sharper than normal when he broke away, she smirked at him and tilted her head just slightly to offer better access to her neck.
"It's hard to keep a wolf," she murmured, reaching up to card her fingers through his hair. "But I think I'll stay." Her eyes glinted mischievously. "I like the kisses."
Taking advantage, he eagerly pressed a rain of kisses along her neck and shoulder, arms coiling around her in a firm grasp.
"That the only reason?" He huffed, nipping her lightly for that. "I'll find a way."
"Mmm." She arched against him slightly, curling her arms around his neck. "Maybe...not just the kisses," she admitted quietly. "But- they're definitely nice."
"Nice," he mused, nipping lightly at her throat again. "Glad you think so, I'll remember that for later."
Christopher lifted his head to press another kiss to her lips, flashing a predatory grin as he finally released her. "I think my wolf will stay on her own anyway."
"Maybe she will," Brenna teased quietly, eyes softening slightly. She pecked his cheek, then his nose, then his lips.
Letting her arms slip down around his waist, she nudged her head under his chin briefly with a murmured, "Come on. If we get to your den quickly, we'll have some time before the stars come out."
Christopher hummed softly, the sound almost a purr as he tilted his head to nuzzle against her hair. "Wish it wasn't so far," he lamented with a pout, looking out across the tundra as he slipped a hand around her waist so they could continue their journey. "All we ever do is walk."
"Well..." She gave him a crooked grin, leaning into his side. "That's not all we do." Her voice dropped to a low rumble and she leaned up to nuzzle against him, kissing his neck.
"Well and talk," he added, completely missing her point. "But I do like talking to you. Not that I don't like walking with you, just- Takes so much time." He sighed.
Brenna rolled her eyes, huffing a laugh. Seemed like that had been too subtle.
She wrapped her arm through his and tugged him along, picking up her pace slightly. She'd just have to show him then. "Come on. We can make it shorter if we hurry."
Christopher was surprised she was in such a hurry after all their traveling, but he couldn't say he wasn't relieved as well that they might be able to take a rest soon. He stumbled after her, falling into step at her new pace and shooting her a playful look as he mused, "I wonder if I could carry you. Would be even shorter that way."
She laughed and scrunched her face up at him. "You could try," she teased lightly, bumping his shoulder. "But I think the extra weight might slow you down."
"Weight," he huffed, glowering at her for that. "You're nothing, trust me." He didn't want to admit that carrying anyone through the snow might be a little tough, though.
"No confidence in me," he teased lightly. "It's always try with you, isn't it?"
She furrowed her brow at him, giving an indignant little huff. "I have confidence, I just...don't want you to hurt yourself," she protested in a mumble.
"Oh please," he chuckled softly, moving to slip away from her and quickly shuck his clothing. The shift to his leopard was quick and it wasn't long before he was dropping to his paws and shaking out his fur with a pleased yowl.
He knew he was smaller than her dire wolves but he was no less confident in his ability. Staring up at her with wide, questioning eyes he circled her once, then twice as he brushed his side along her legs and curled his tail up playfully to tap at her arm.
Brenna watched the transformation with interest, pleased to see the cat again. She smiled and knelt as he started to circle her, burying her fingers in his fur with a delighted hum.
"What?" she asked, chuckling, figuring that his behavior meant he wanted something. "What is it?"
He huffed, butting his head against her knee before turning to rub his side against her again.
She arched an eyebrow, stroking her hand over his back absently. "Were you serious about carrying me?" she asked with a small laugh, tilting her head at him.
His eyes brightened at that and he nodded enthusiastically in a rather human gesture that was accompanied by a bit of chuffing.
Brenna laughed again, shaking her head at him. She knew he wasn't going to let this go though, so she just huffed and rolled her eyes.
"Only for a little bit," she relented, digging her hands into the fur of his ruff and swinging up onto his back as though he was one of her wolves. "Soft," she murmured happily, leaning down to nuzzle against the back of his neck.
He watched her carefully, bending slightly to give her leg a nudge once she was up to make sure she was secure. Christopher gave a low, growling purr at her praise, arching his shoulders up against her hands and shaking his head a bit to feel the gentle weight of her leaning against him.
Bending to scoop up his human clothing to carry home in his mouth he padding out through the snow without any further hesitation, first at a slow walk to give them both time to adjust before he launched into a lazy lope to try and discourage her from sliding off.
She gave a small gasp as their pace picked up, fingers burying themselves a little more into his fur as she ducked to press her cheek against his back, hiding from the wind.
It was different from riding a dire wolf, but not by much. Brenna found herself feeling quite comfortable, and she chuckled quietly as she pressed her nose into Christopher's fur.
He rumbled happily, pleased that his mate seemed to be enjoying herself. Still feeling quite energetic from their play he hurried them along, racing across the landscape to try and beat the sunset quickly descending upon his home.
Once they arrived he eased down to a walk, huffing lightly through the clothes he carried and going right up to the door. He set his paws down to stop with a firm stomp, as if to prove that he'd been capable all along. Bowing his head to the bottom corner of the door he nudged and butted at it until it finally gave way and he could step inside.
Brenna giggled at her mate's little show and slipped off his back to trip lightly into his home. She turned in a small circle and gave a happy little sigh, then plopped down on the floor in front of the fireplace.
She reached out for him, smiling. "C'mere."
Christopher followed her further in after shutting the door, circling her a couple of times even once she sat. That low, growling purr started up again and he set down the clothes on the floor so he could walk right up to her and nuzzle her cheek with his own.
He studied her, tail swishing in excited playfulness for a moment before he gave a parting huff and sat back so he could return to his human form.
"See? No hurt," he chuckled, gesturing at himself.
She wrinkled her nose at him, twisting to nuzzle his cheek in return and then smiling when he shifted to human form.
"No hurt," she admitted, leaning forward to wrap her arms around him. "Sure I wasn't too heavy?"
He hummed in amusement, reaching out to hug her close. "Of course not. I'm strong. Could carry three of you," he insisted.
Brenna huffed, nuzzling into his chest. "Alright, alright, you're strong," she laughed, humoring him a little.
She cuddled closer, enjoying his warmth. "I like the cat," she murmured, butting her head up under his chin, "but I think I like getting to do this more." She tilted her head slightly to kiss the hollow of his throat.
"Another reason you're special," he reminded her gently, rubbing at her shoulder and enjoying her affections with a soft rumble. "But I do like this better." He looked around the room, frowning at how dark it was becoming.
"Fire," he mumbled, "I should start a fire soon."
She nodded, but made no move to pull away from him, instead sort of climbing into his lap and pressing light kisses to his shoulder. "Fire would be nice," she agreed in a mumble.
His eyes widened slightly, staring at her questioningly as she climbed up though he made no move to discourage her. In fact, his hands quickly found her waist to pull her closer against his chest instead and he leaned forward to press a quick kiss to her cheek. "It could wait a little, though," he murmured, sighing lightly as he nuzzled against soft skin.
Brenna hummed happily, but she pulled back a bit to give him a concerned look. "You're not cold?" she murmured, looping her arms around his neck and shifting on his lap a bit to try to share warmth.
He let his hands slip around to her back, giving her his best look of confidence. "I run pretty warm, but it would be better for you if I got it started." He glanced down between them before leaning forward to press a kiss to her temple. "But you look pretty comfortable right here."
"I am comfortable," she said with a grin, pressing a little closer. She ducked her head slightly to rest against his chest, snuggling closer. "You are pretty warm," she mumbled, nuzzling against him.
He rested his head atop hers, content to just hold her close. "Mhm. You can rest if you want. Take a nap. I'll wake up when the stars come out," he suggested, gently stroking a hand along her back.
That seemed like a pretty good deal to her. "M'kay." Brenna kissed him softly, moving off his lap a bit so he could get at the fire, but she kept her arms around his middle.
He leaned forward once she was away enough, fumbling with the hearth a bit before he finally sparked a small flame. He threw a few logs to it, watching it grow a bit before he sat back in satisfaction and pat his thigh. "Can sleep here. Or we can go lay down," he suggested.
Brenna climbed back onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and nestling against him. "Whatever you want," she said easily, nudging her head up under his chin. "But I'm not letting go."
"Hmm. Then we'll stay here," he decided easily enough, wrapping his arms back around her snugly and settling his head against her. "As long as you're comfortable, my sweet."
"Always comfortable with you," she murmured, smiling and settling herself more snugly against him. "You're really warm," she noted again, sleepily.
Christopher smiled warmly at that, nuzzling her gently and pressing a kiss to her hair. "Just for you. Should be plenty with me and a fire," he chuckled, petting at her hair gently and leaning back slightly to sit more comfortably.
Brenna huffed, smiled, and curled up against his chest, letting her eyes slide closed and humming contentedly in the back of her throat. "Love you, Chris," she murmured as she started to drift off.
The shifter held her close against him, gathering her up as best as he could and staring out to watch the fire to wait out the rest of the evening into night.
It didn't take long for Brenna to fall asleep, curled up contentedly in his arms, lulled by the warmth from the fire and her mate.
Relaxing with her in relative silence was quite calming. The only sounds were their breathing and the light crackling of the fire at the hearth.
He let her rest for a few hours, waiting until he could truly see no sunlight filtering into his home from the outside before he gently shook her shoulder. "Bryn. Time to get up," he murmured.
"Mmm..." Brenna yawned and slowly opened her eyes, blinking up at him. A small smile spread across her face. "Hi."
She uncurled herself enough to lean up and kiss him, still moving slow and sleepy, feeling incredibly warm and content.
"Hi." He rumbled happily, content to just watch and let her wake in her own time. A hand lifted to cup her cheek gently, thumb tracing lightly across her face as he cradled her against him. "Good nap?"
"Mhm." She grinned at him, nuzzling against his cheek happily. Her brow furrowed a bit as she started to really wake up. "Didn't you sleep?"
"Sleep? Why would I? Promised I'd wake you up," he reminded her, rolling his eyes playfully despite the dark. "Seems silly. What if I didn't wake up?"
Brenna frowned, pouting a bit. "But won't you get tired?" she murmured, reaching up to cup his face in one hand.
"Well sure, at some point," he tried to dismiss, not wanting his mate to worry about something so minor in his eyes.
Christopher leaned his cheek into her hand and did his best to look happy and awake. "I'll sleep later, I'd rather look at stars with you," he promised, leaning closer to press a brief kiss to her lips.
She smiled, kissing the tip of his nose. "Then let's go outside."
"Mmm. Let me put something on." Carefully shifting her off his lap, he reached for his pile of clothes on the floor. Thankfully they'd been kept fairly warm from the fire but it still felt odd to be wearing something after not for so long curled up with her.
After slipping into his clothes he stood with a stretch and hurried for the door to peek outside. "Good choice," he murmured to himself, smiling faintly for the bright sea of stars that stretched across the sky.
Opening the door a little more, he offered her a hand so they could step out together.
Brenna grinned and took his hand, lacing their fingers together and bouncing up to kiss his cheek as they moved outside.
She glanced up, smiling. "Good night for this," she murmured.
"Really good. It's so clear," he admired, swinging their hands slightly as he led her up the slope so they might have a better view without the obstructions of rocks, trees, and the curving landscape of the rest of the mountains.
He plopped himself down in a spot where most of the snow had already melted away during the day, the grass on the ground short but still quite cushy. The shifter eagerly tilted his head skyward, looking out to try and find one of the familiar constellations he could point out to her.
Chuckling, Brenna settled beside him and braced her palms on the ground behind her, leaning back to look up at the sky.
"Start here," she suggested, pointing to a bright dot of light a little to the left of the moon. "That star? That's Old White, where he watches. You know how people say wolves howl at the moon? We don't, we're howling to him."
Christopher squinted up at the sky trying to find what she was pointing at. His eyes settled on the largest, brightest star. "Just the one?" He spoke distractedly, eyes searching the sky to try and find some shape branching from that particular star.
"And his mate?"
Brenna's smile widened. "She's the whole night sky," she told him, spreading her arms wide to indicate the vast blackness.
"And that, right there?" She traced her finger from Old White in a straight line to a cluster of six stars. "That's the first human who met Old White. He tried to hunt him."
The whole sky? Christopher's eyes widened at that, not quite believing that could be possible but also unsure of what else to think of it as. He'd always thought the sky was just...the sky. The shifter was open-minded enough to entertain what his mate was presenting now, though.
Her human was closely linked with another group he recognized, the jagged, astral antlers of what he knew to be an elk sprouting across its legs. The beast was frozen, forever leaping over some hidden obstacle across the sky.
Christopher pointed out towards it, tracing the vague shape that was much more familiar to him as he looked between Brenna and the sky with a particular brightness in his eyes. "Do you know that one? The elk- I...don't remember what he's called." He was feeling quite sheepish, huffing his displeasure in a puff of breath that swirled before him for the cold as he struggled to remember the stories his father had told him as a child.
"Elk?" She followed the motion of his finger, then nodded slowly. "Oh! Yes, I know him. Well, his head at least. The antlers are supposed to represent the danger of going too easy on a hunt. Prey can hurt you if you're not careful."
She turned on her side to snuggled against Christopher. "We don't have a name for him. Does he have a story?"
He pulled her in close, happy to hold her as he stared out just trying to remember it. What she'd said made sense even though it wasn't what he'd learned about it. Her perspective was interesting to him, at least.
"He could never be caught," he spoke slowly. "They- Humans and shifters tried but could never catch him. He was smart and cunning and had a way of always evading danger. He was a good protector. His herd was always safe because of him. It's just a story, I guess, maybe just a symbol. But I'd like to think he was real, maybe that he's actually up in the stars now and it isn't just a...shape-thing."
"Mmm." She cuddled closer against him, wrapping her arms around his middle. "I like to think that too, about the star-pictures Snowfur taught me."
"It seems kind of impossible, though, doesn't it?" He chuckled quietly and hugged her close, gently rubbing a hand along her side. "But not too impossible, just... Amazing, I think."
"Lots of impossible things are amazing," Brenna noted with a smile. She nuzzled into his shoulder. "See that one?" she pointed to a group of stars that almost formed a cross. "That's the two great rivers, they separate the earth from the sky, you have to cross them when you take the long sleep."
Christopher frowned slightly at that, head tilted up to look out at her rivers. "Why cross them? The...long sleep. It doesn't just happen on its own?"
"Well, once your spirit leaves, you have to cross the rivers," she explained. "You can't climb back into your body. You have to...move on."
"Couldn't you go somewhere else? My mother said, um, that the first shifters were just joined souls. Of humans and animals, but not always just the two." He furrowed his brow slightly at that, certain that she'd always meant that there were others of their kind who shared more than just one animal.
"Sometimes there were lots of them in the same 'body'. I think...that might be the same thing as spirits," he mused.
"Oh?" Brenna tilted her head to look at him better, snuggling a little closer against his side. "I suppose...that makes sense. Do you know how many there are of you? Shifters?" She'd never really heard of a creature that had more than one form before meeting Christopher, but he spoke as though they were quite common.
He shook his head, frowning slightly as he thought on what his family had told him of their kind. "I couldn't really tell you. I've never met any outside of my family," he admitted, "but my sisters have met a few. And my parents knew some in the past. Lots of wolves in the south. Other cats. Even dragons, I think. 'Sky snakes.'"
Christopher chuckled softly at that, shaking his head again in slight disbelief. "That one is from Sophie, though. I'm not so sure she's telling the truth."
"Really?" She propped herself up a bit. "Wow. I wish I could see things like that," she mused aloud, sighing a little wistfully.
Tilting his head to look down at her he smiled sadly and rubbed at her side again. "You might be able to, but... Might take a bit of traveling. Time away from your pack...a long time, maybe."
Brenna sighed again, tucking her head against his shoulder and nodding. "Yeah." She huffed. "I don't...I wish I could, but I don't think I can do that."
She looked up at him, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth. Talk of time away from the pack had her thinking. "Are you...mad? That I can't- that I haven't been staying with you?"
He understood that, but it didn't make it any easier. "I think we've been together more than not lately," he conceded, though he assumed that their future would take them to a lot of time apart from one another, too.
"I'm not mad. It's just...an odd feeling. I want to stay with you as much as I can, as much as you're comfortable with, but it's a lot of change to be near your pack so much. They're nice, but...different from being alone or just with you." He couldn't quite justify what he wanted, though. It wouldn't be fair to Brenna to ever make her choose between staying with her pack and staying with him. Even if he did, he had a feeling the outcome wouldn't be in his favor and it would just cause a lot of heartache for them both.
"I feel...things now," he admitted quietly, clearing his throat in embarrassment as he didn't really know how to describe any of it. "Around you. Things I didn't feel before. I'm happy enough with that."
She whined quietly, feeling guilty- these complications were really her fault- but not sure she could just...make a choice.
"I love you, Chris," she mumbled, curling into his side and throwing one leg over his hip. "I just...that's all I know right now. I love you."
His face fell slightly at the sound she'd made, uncertain what it had been for but assuming something was bothering her.
"That's perfectly alright. I'm...grateful for that." Christopher smiled softly, a subtle sadness in his eyes that he tried not to show as he wrapped his arms around her more firmly. "Love is...one of those things, too. That I feel. But I promise you, Brenna, I'm not mad."
"Okay." Brenna pressed a kiss to his shoulder, tightening her arms around his middle. "If you're sure," she mumbled. "I just...I don't want you to be unhappy."
It was an understandable concern but one he felt shouldn't have to be hers to bear. Leaning closer to press a kiss to her hair the shifter rubbed at her back with a gentle hand in an effort to soothe. "I would tell you if I was unhappy, but... I don't see how that would help us," he admitted, still inexperienced in the ways of having someone so special to him and the bond they shared. He couldn't see how knowing would be any good for her.
"And you, too... Tell me if you're unhappy, please. I want to, um, not have that," he added sheepishly, blushing slightly at the thought. "I want to make you happy. As my...mate. You're special."
She huffed, nuzzling into the curve of his neck. "That goes both ways, Christopher," she mumbled. "Even if you don't think it'd help, I want to know if you're unhappy."
Tilting her head back, she kissed the edge of his jaw lightly. "You're special to me too."
Her words sparked an odd warmth within him, the sensation flooding his chest with an almost startling haste. He didn't really agree with it, but he wouldn't deny her the same courtesy he planned on taking advantage of. "I'll tell you," he whispered huskily, hugging her close as he gave himself a few moments to just enjoy the airy kisses she brushed across his skin.
"I didn't think you would care so much, though," he admitted quietly, a sad smile twitching at his lips as he finally ducked his head to press a kiss to her cheek. "You don't have to, you know. Just because I'm asking."
"I want to," Brenna protested. "Of course I care. I love you," she reiterated, Shuffling a bit so her head was pillowed on his chest as she looked up at the star strewn sky, she added, "Being around you makes me happy. I want to know if you don't feel the same."
Christopher wasn't sure why, but he was pleasantly surprised to hear that from her. It wasn't that he'd doubted her at all, more that he had not quite realized that she could feel the same about him as he felt about her.
"Being with you helps a lot," he admitted, smiling to himself and rubbing at her side with a gentle hand. "You're pretty amazing, you know. I never thought a human could, um, do so much to me. Be so much." He blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed to be admitting to any of his true naivety.
"Really?" Brenna grinned mischievously and propped herself up to look down at him for a moment before dipping to kiss him. "Does that mean I'm special?" she teased quietly, thoughts very quickly flying to what had happened the last time she'd asked that of him.
"...Yeah." He noticed the shift in her mood, but he hadn't quite caught onto why that was. Her kiss served as some thorough distraction, though, and he smiled into it as his arms tightened around her slightly. "That's not a problem, right?" He breathed softly, almost afraid of being too loud in the almost deafening calm and silence around them.
"Course not," she murmured against his lips, giving him a few more soft, chaste kisses before she tilted her head to trail her lips along his jaw. "I like being special to you." She shifted to lay more over him, sliding one of her legs between his.
Christopher hummed happily at that, nuzzling against her ear and leaning back slightly to give her room as he gazed up at the starry sky. "...You'll always be special to me," he whispered, truly feeling the sincerity of his words as he allowed a hand to wander, affectionately tracing up along her side. "Everything. Every part of you."
Brenna felt her cheeks flush and she smiled happily, moving her kisses down to nurse at his neck. "Me too," she murmured, pressing a little closer. "For you, I mean. You're special."
He rumbled happily, gathering her up in a warm hug to pull her properly onto his lap. "You're too sweet, Bryn," he whispered, unable to wipe the grin off his face.
He hadn't thought a human could be so caring about him, so affectionate, but she was and he couldn't quite put to words the feeling that sparked in his heart. It was something more than "love."
Brenna's cheeks warmed happily and she nuzzled against him, a soft rumble starting up in her chest. "Wanna go back to the fire?" she asked quietly. "Or we could find more star pictures?"
Fire sounded good. The cold didn't bother him so much but he wondered if she preferred it since she was asking. "Well, maybe just one more? Then we can go back in."
He looked around, trying to find what he couldn't even begin to have any knowledge about finding. "You said there was a shifter here. Well, there. Up there," he fumbled quietly, huffing softly in irritation at himself. "Where are they?"
She twisted around a bit to look back at the sky, eyes searching. "There. West of the elk. See?" She traced the cluster of stars with her finger, starting with the five that made up a human body, then hovering on the star that marked his hand and the beginning of a wolf's head.
"The picture is man and wolf connected," she explained. "Supposed to show the change, I think."
His eyes followed her hand, squinting slightly as he tried to see what she was seeing among the stars. The man was easy enough to find but he had trouble finding the shape of the wolf until, suddenly, it came together and his perspective shifted enough for him to see both together.
They were connected, but he chuckled softly under his breath at another realization, "Couldn't it just be a man and his dog? Or wolf? Might just be...petting it. Well- I like your explanation better, I never knew that was up there." He smiled, shaking his head gently as he leaned forward to press a kiss to her temple.
"There's probably a lot more I've never seen. Maybe we can map the whole sky eventually, hm? Come on, let's get you warmed up." Christopher set one hand to her hip and another to her thigh to carefully lift her off his lap and untangle them so they could go back inside.
She chuckled, nodding her head from side to side. "Suppose it could be," she relented, then smiled. "Yeah, I'd like that."
Brenna gave him a quick peck on the cheek before letting him move her off of him so they could stand and go back into his den.
Once he was on his feet the shifter reached for her hand, determined to stay connected to her in some small way still. He carefully picked his way back down the rocky slope to lead her back inside, smiling to himself at the sight of the fire still roaring strong.
"Are you still tired? From yesterday?" He wondered aloud, glancing to the bed deeper inside that was covered in its own shadows.
"Uh-uh." Brenna grinned and shook her head, giving his hand a little squeeze. "I'm used to walking a lot. It's fine."
Eyes going softer, almost glowing with reflected firelight, she slipped around to stand in front of him and laid her hands flat on his chest as she leaned up to give him a quick kiss. "You tired?" she half teased, nuzzling her nose against his.
He detected the shift in her tone, chuckling to himself and eagerly slipping his hands to her waist as he nuzzled her cheek affectionately. "Only a little. Never carried someone before," he teased, not actually having any issue with it, "and it's really hard work looking at the stars, you know."
She frowned at him, huffing. "Told you to let me walk," she muttered, giving his shoulder a reprimanding little shove. Then her expression relaxed and she nuzzled against him again. "Stubborn cat."
"Not stubborn, just...smart. It saved us time, didn't it?" And he was still quite proud of that rather insignificant fact. "You don't appreciate how clever your mate is, do you?" He teased, mock pouting and tsking at her in his disappointment.
Brenna rolled her eyes at him, but she was smiling. "Of course I do," she said soothingly, eyes glinting with playfulness. She leaned in to kiss his neck.
"I appreciate..." She moved up to kiss his jaw.
"Everything..." A kiss to his cheek, then the tip of his nose.
"About you." She hovered before his lips, almost daring him to close the fraction of space between them.
Christopher hummed happily, eyes half closing as he watched her. His lips twitched into a smile as he realized what she was doing, a playful growl rising in his throat as his grip on her waist tightened slightly. He thought better of yanking her forward and instead took a moment to just study her in the soft light.
"Tease," he accused lightly, leaning in to claim her lips with his own with a gentle pressure. The shifter was confident she knew exactly what she was doing, what she did to him. He wasn't about to let go of that.
She hummed happily in the back of her throat and tilted her head into the kiss, letting the contact last for several blissful moments before she pulled away to nuzzle into his neck again.
"You love me," she retorted with a small, crooked smile, wrapping her arms around his middle and clinging.
"Of course," he answered quickly, automatically. He chuckled for the feeling of her smiling against his skin and let his hands slide from her waist so he could wrap his arms around her in a warm embrace instead.
"Feels like more every day," he admitted quietly, angling his head away slightly so his hair might shield his warming cheeks from her view. "Doesn't make you any less of a tease."
Brenna huffed a chuckle and pressed a few light kisses to his neck. "Maybe I like teasing you," she murmured playfully, reaching up one hand to card her fingers through his hair, her little smirk widening when she felt the heat of his skin.
Christopher grumbled mildly at that, inhaling a sharp little breath as he tried to decide if that was a good thing or not. "Well do you or don't you?" he asked slowly.
"I guess that depends." She grinned and took his hands in hers, backing up a step toward the bed. Her eyes glinted at him. "Is the teasing working?"
His brows raised slightly in surprise at her assertiveness but he humored her, letting his hands slide to join hers and following her step without hesitation. "What is 'working'?" he asked, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. He knew he was pushing his luck but he was unable to help himself.
Brenna crinkled her nose at him, sure he was playing with her. Tilting her head to the side, she released his hands as an idea struck her and skipped back to sit on the bed, shifting around to perch on all fours.
"Do you want me?" she answered the question with a question.
A hand lifted slightly to follow as she slipped away but he didn't chase her, not immediately at least. Christopher gulped, swallowing hard against the rising knot in his throat as he watched her.
Not able to help himself, he stepped to close the space between himself and the bed, standing tense beside it as he looked down at her with a predatory glint in his eyes.
"Now you're just being mean," he accused lightly, refusing her a straight answer. He huffed and turned his head to keep himself from staring so obviously. His eyes kept flickering to her anyway, though, curious about the sudden spark of playfulness in his mate.
Words may be difficult for her occasionally, but Brenna could read body language like a book. Christopher's more than most two-leggers. She smirked, knowing she was getting a response from him.
"Am I?" She leaned forward to wrap her fingers around his wrist, then let her hand wander up and down his arm. "I think you like it."
Absently he leaned a little closer for her touch, arms going stiff at his sides even and eyes softening as he watched her. "No. You're very mean," he muttered determinedly, not even a good liar.
"Liar," Brenna teased quietly. She reached up with her other hand to gently grasp his upper arms and pull him down to her, almost letting their lips brush but not quite.
Christopher grumbled under his breath even as he allowed himself to be pulled down. Bracing his hands to the bed he maintained the small space still between them as his eyes flickered to study her face.
"You already know me too well," he accused mildly, unable to hide a small smile of pride. "Guess I can't hide from you, can I?"
"Nope," she agreed happily, nuzzling her nose against his with a small smirk. "And you shouldn't want to," she added, eyes softening slightly. "You don't have to hide from me, Chris."
"Not that I want to all the time," he protested, tilting his head to trail kisses up from her cheek to her forehead. "Just that I can't." He chuckled, realizing how silly it must have looked.
"Not used to sharing so much," he added, as if that might dismiss his behavior.
Brenna smirked crookedly at him. "Shy Kitty," she teased, kissing the tip of his nose. Slipping her arms around his shoulders, she shuffled back on the bed and tried to pull him with her so he could sit beside her instead of stand hovering in front of her.
He didn't need any more encouragement than that, bending his knee to slide up onto the bed beside her. Ducking his head to her shoulder he nudged at her gently, grabbing her by her waist again and trying to wrestle her onto her back with a playful growl. "I'm not shy, just don't know how to act with you," he huffed.
More for the form of the thing than because she really wanted to, Brenna resisted his wrestling for a few moments before she allowed him to push her onto her back.
"That's okay," she said with a lopsided smile. "I still don't know how to act around you either sometimes. With most two-leggers really, but I guess it's less with you." She leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Just do what makes you happy, Christopher."
Chris frowned playfully at that, leaning down to nuzzle her cheek in turn with a soft hum, quietly very pleased that she showed him some form of submission. "You don't really show it, not with me, but what I want- What my gut tells me, at least, is to make sure you are happy. And have what you need. I...don't know how to do that yet, not all the time."
It pained him to admit weakness to her, uncertain himself what would even make him happy.
"Oh, Chris..." She reached up to cup his face between her palms, smoothing her thumbs over his cheeks. "You're what I need," Brenna told him plainly, smiling. "As long as I have you, I'm happy."
She leaned up to kiss him, slow and gentle.
Her words sparked a little lurch in his chest, eyes softening as he leaned in closer to allow the touch of lips to linger.
"You are a strange female," he thought aloud, lifting a hand to caress her cheek in a similar manner. "Making it so easy on me...going to look miserable when I disappoint you, isn't it?" He chuckled at the thought, only half joking but hoping to distract her from that as he leaned in to brush a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
Brenna frowned. She didn't entirely understand what he meant by her "going easy", but she didn't think it was true.
"Not strange," she pouted, twisting her head to seek a proper kiss. "Just love you," she mumbled when she pulled away, nudging her nose against his.
Christopher hummed happily, nudging right back and letting his fingertips trail down along her throat. "I know. That's why you're strange," he answered gently, explaining sheepishly, "I've heard that...women usually want a lot more than love."
She shivered for the touch at her throat, then her brow furrowed in confusion. "What more could I want?" she asked quietly, running her fingers through his hair and not really giving him a chance to answer before she pulled him in for a proper kiss.
She'd saved him more than anything, the shifter suddenly finding himself at a loss for words and not knowing how to describe what he'd meant. He was perfectly content to let himself sink into the comfort of her affections instead.
Tilting his head into her hand he let himself be pulled in by her kiss. She was too irresistible, too sweet to let go again; this time he wouldn't, molding his lips to her own with a gentle but subtle pressure to deepen the contact, hungry for more. God, what he would give for that moment to never end.
Brenna practically purred against his lips, eyes fluttering closed as she leaned eagerly into the kiss. She twined her fingers in his hair and tilted her head a bit, parting her lips against his.
Arching her back to press as much of herself against him as she could manage, she let one hand trail down to grip his waist, pulling him to her with a soft whine.
He smiled into the kiss, tempted to comment on how receptive she seemed but unwilling to part from her long enough to make a quip at her expense. Every moment he took to get his breath was filled with soft, tender kisses across her face.
Christopher shivered, having far too many fond memories of the sound she made, making it impossible to ignore the images she conjured up in his mind. Not that he wanted to, of course.
One hand shot to her hip, brushing curious fingertips with a light, questioning touch over her clothes. For the moment he was content with that, lowering himself a little at her urging to press closer to cover her body with his own.
"Mm..." She hummed and wriggled around underneath him to get more contact, slipping her other hand down to trace over his back and then wrapping both arms around his middle.
"Clothes," she grumbled, bending her head to nip lightly at his neck. "In the way."
He smirked at that, unfazed by her brush of teeth as he bowed his head to press a kiss to the bend of her shoulder. Without pulling away he reached down to tug at her top, slipping a hand beneath to touch lazily along her side. "Does Brenna want more?" he teased.
Brenna scowled at him, squirming and whimpering for the touch. "Now you're being mean," she accused. She hooked her legs over his hips and pulled him against her with a low, moaning whine, ghosting her hands up under his shirt to splay her fingers over his chest.
"Mmm." He nuzzled against her, nipping gently at her neck for her sounds as he laid on her more fully for the way she pulled him off balance. Shamelessly he let her shirt ride up his arms as he slipped his other hand to slide along her bare skin.
"You love me," he rumbled, quite pleased with himself that he'd managed to use her words in his own defense.
"I think we talk best this way, don't you?" he whispered, brushing playful kisses down to sweep out along her shoulder and nibbling lightly at her collarbone.
She smiled, feeling her heart really start to race against her ribs. "Yeah," she agreed breathily, trailing kisses along the edge of his jaw and sliding her hands up and down his sides. "Don't need words."
Words were too complicated, and she usually messed them up. She liked this way of talking much better. Wriggling underneath him, Brenna arched up and started to tug at the hem of his shirt, whining quietly.
Christopher hummed in agreement, continuing his affections for a moment despite her needy insistence. He was still learning to be comfortable acting on his desires with her. Her care and comfort were still his priorities but he didn't really know how to go about accomplishing that without all his awkward fumbling. Perhaps he needed to start trusting his instincts a little more.
He leaned back a little, leaving just enough room between them to push her top up over her breasts. Settling it with a gentle pressure at her arms -a reminder she would need to yield to him at some point so he could remove the offending garment- Christopher took his time trailing kisses down her chest, marveling at the warmth radiating from her smaller body.
Brenna squirmed under him, breath starting to come in sharp little pants. She stretched her arms up over her head and arched her back to encourage his attentions.
She brought her knees up to either side of his hips, using her legs to clutch him to her to the best of her abilities. "Hot," she gasped out, eyes falling closed as she wriggled to get more contact. "More, Chris, please..."
"Mmm." Chris hummed in agreement, lazily pushing her shirt up and slipping it off her one arm at a time. With it gone he sat back a little, trailing a few kisses down her chest again as he went so he could rid himself of his own shirt. Settling back atop her, he groaned for the feeling of skin against skin and bucked his hips against her despite their remaining clothing.
"God, Bryn," he murmured, raining kisses along her shoulder as his hands flew to grasp her hips again, thumbs rubbing lightly against the soft skin there.
She groaned low in her throat, digging her fingers into his shoulders to clutch him to her. Rolling her hips up against him, she whimpered needily and dragged her nails lightly up and down his back.
"Chris, my Chris," Brenna whispered, letting her hands slip down to cover his and pushing at the waistband of her breeches to slide them down off her hips.
He gave a low growl for the bite of her nails against his skin but her squirming was quite distracting and he noticed what she was up to immediately. With a low hum he reached one hand to tug them further down a little at a time, difficult as it was to remove them without moving too far away from her.
Finally discarding them, Christopher practically purred as he let his hand glide along one exposed thigh. He turned his head to kiss up along the side of her throat as he fumbled with his own trousers.
Brenna gasped quietly and slid her hands down to help him with his remaining clothes, peppering kisses down his neck to his shoulder. She shivered under his touch and hummed happily.
"Do that again?" she murmured, focusing her attentions on his throat. "I like hearing you purr like that," she admitted, blushing a bit.
"Do you?" He smirked, humming quietly at that and repeating the sound as he nuzzled against her. "You make it easy," he murmured, slipping his hand back up along her leg, riding the curve of her thigh between her legs before settling a testing touch of fingers against her slit.
He gave rather pleased rumble at that, whispering, "So warm."
"Ahh..." She squeezed her eyes shut, whimpering quietly as a wave of pleasure surged through her. Bucking her hips against his hand, Brenna gave him a smoldering sort of look and pulled him down into a fierce kiss.
"Again?" she whispered, arching her back to press their chests together, loving the heat that was building between them.
Christopher grinned, quite pleased with himself for getting that sort of reaction from her. "Yes." He nibbled lightly at her lip, content to take his time with her even though she writhed beneath him deliciously.
He tried it again, rubbing up and down in a leisurely pattern he found he quite enjoyed. "Does that feel nice?" he crooned softly. Pausing, he cautiously pressed against her entrance to slip a finger inside. A shudder of delight ran through him and he gasped at the feeling of the tightness and warmth that received him.
Brenna gasped out a stuttering, "O-Oh!" and wriggled her hips against his touch with desperate little pants. "Yes," she whimpered, breath hitching and chest heaving. "Yes. Chris, please."
She clawed at his back, pressing fevered, hungry kisses over as much of him as she could reach.
He groaned at her pleas, eyes flashing darkly as he clenched his jaw against the bite of her nails again. It was far from painful, but he liked seeing her react to him so powerfully.
While her kisses were quick and desperate he showered her with his own at a slow, methodical pace. Adding a second finger, he explored her with a purposeful slowness, eager to find her most sensitive spots.
She gave a soft cry, positively writhing underneath him now. She was vaguely surprised that even just from those touches she could feel heat coiling tight in her belly. "Chris," she whimpered, kissing and nipping every inch of his skin she could reach.
"Oh- oh, Chris!" She mewled and arched up against him, breathing, "My Christopher."
He hissed in a sharp breath, chuckling low in his throat as he carefully curled his fingers. His skin was flushed from her attentions but it didn't bother him at all; he would wear it like a trophy if he had to.
"Mhmm." He sighed happily, nuzzling against her. "My beautiful mate." He whispered playfully, "Does she want more?"
"Yes," Brenna hissed, wriggling her hips against his hand desperately and giving soft little gasps and whines for every movement of his fingers. "Yes, yes." She couldn't seem to get any other words out, skimming one hand up to clench her fingers in his hair and dragging his lips to hers in a fierce kiss, tongue flicking out to taste him.
Christopher hummed happily, eyes fluttering closed and lips parting slightly at the touch of her tongue to deepen the contact. He kissed her hungrily, easily swept up into the moment of tenderness even though he guessed that she wanted much more.
Slowly withdrawing his fingers he broke away for a moment to huff a few sharp breaths against her lips as he shuffled closer. Stroking himself lazily he carefully lined them up by touch alone but stopped short of entering her, just rolling his hips instead with a low growl and keeping a constant pressure on her.
Brenna was near sobbing with a desperate kind of hunger, trying to buck her hips up against him to get the friction she so badly needed.
"Chris, please," she whimpered, grabbing at his hips and tugging, almost trying to pull him into her.
He dropped his head to nuzzle against her jaw, conflicted as he resisted her strong grip, both enjoying and hating his mate's sweet pleas. But at last he gave in, sinking himself into her with a shuddering groan, his hand flying to her hip to hold her steady. "Oh, Brenna..."
She made a sound that was part blissful moan and part sigh of relief, throwing her legs around his waist to keep him locked against her. "Yes," she whispered, turning her head to nuzzle and lick at his neck. "Feels so good, Chris," she breathed against his skin, rolling her hips up to meet his.
"Yeah?" He puffed a few panting breaths against her ear, clenching his jaw against the shocks of pleasure she caused with all her movement. Even though she was eager he gave her a few more moments before he started to move slowly.
Brenna gave a low, throaty groan and let her head fall back. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders, arching her back to press their chests together, reveling in the heat between them.
Whining needily, she bucked her hips up against him. "More, Chris," she pleaded quietly, breath coming in sharp little pants.
He shivered in pleasure for the sound of her pleas and slid a hand up under her to hold her close to his chest. Heart pounding he lifted his head to capture her lips in another hungry kiss as he rocked against her, a low, satisfied growl rising in his throat for the delicious friction between them.
She loved it, every bit of it, the heat, the friction, feeling his arms around her. Brenna kissed him desperately, giving a soft, growling sort of moan and rolling her hips up against his, fingers trailing up and down his back in feather light touches that grew ever fiercer with each movement of their hips.
Christopher smiled to himself as he ducked his head back down, trailing soft, quick kisses along her neck and chest. He basked in the bite and fire of her touch but was ever-wary of the building heat between them.
Unable to keep silent, he whispered his affections between low, panting breaths. Gathering her close in his arms he settled into the rhythm they'd created, eagerly taking her, claiming her all over again with the fiery brand of his touch.
Brenna whimpered, surrendering to the embrace and pressing her face into the curve of his neck. Gasping for breath as tension coiled tight within her, she managed to murmur his name between desperate little pants intermixed with words like "more" and "good" and "mine".
"So good, Brenna," he murmured, voice low with desire as he fought to ignore the rising tension within him. He had to remember what he'd said, what he'd vowed even if she didn't understand it yet.
"Need you," he muttered, huffing sharply as he sank himself to the hilt, needily grinding their hips together.
She gasped, pressing her hips up into his and whimpering at the sheer heat of it all. "Yes," she whispered. Her whole body trembled slightly. "Need you, Chris. So much."
She bit down lightly on the slope of his shoulder, unable to to help herself.
He groaned against her bite and the swell of rising heat that accompanied it. A low gasp escaped him for the pressure between them, so tempted to give in.
Christopher trembled slightly with the effort to hold himself back, panting lightly and trying to focus on continuing on for her sake. He buried his face against her, fiercely clutching her to him and nipping hungrily at any exposed skin he could reach.
Feeling his teeth against her skin drew a groaning sort of growl from her lips. Brenna bucked her hips up again to grind against him and cried out as she reached her peak. The knot coiled in her core snapped, flooding her with heat, and she gave a long, low moan that contained his name in a breathless chant.
She went limp as the aftershocks pulsed through her, arms weakly clinging to his neck as she tried to keep them as close together as possible.
Christopher growled in satisfaction for hearing her but he stopped himself short and gritted his teeth against the rise of his own release. The shifter leaned back to try and awkwardly untangle them despite her loose hold on him, panting and desperate to pull away from her before it was too late.
Brenna whimpered as he pulled away, missing the heat, but she didn't quite have the strength back to keep her hold on him.
"Chris," she begged quietly, grabbing weakly for his shoulders.
Christopher hesitated, instantly feeling awful to be denying her anything at all. He dropped his head to her chest, mumbling apologies against her skin between soft kisses. "I can't, Brenna," he groaned, silently trying to will her into understanding with only that.
"I need you," Brenna begged quietly, so lost to heat and sensation that she couldn't quite remember why he would be trying to pull away in the first place.
The shifter growled softly at that, a rather tortured groan rising in his throat as he floundered on a decision. "Sweet Brenna," he murmured, sighing and nuzzling against her. It felt so right to be with her, so much that the little voice in his head telling him he shouldn't was finally ignored.
"Alright," he mumbled, heart pounding as he hugged her close and resettled them. It was only a few moments more before he found his release with a few final, jerking thrusts. He shuddered with a low, moaning purr as the tension was finally released and bit hard at her shoulder, though he was quickly backing off to try and keep the contact light enough so that no skin was broken.
Brenna let her head fall back and moaned softly, the pain-pleasure of the bite surging through her like lightning. She wrapped her arms and legs around her mate as tight as she could and tilted her head to trail feverish kisses down his neck, giving little nips to his skin every so often.
Christopher shuddered for the feel of her teeth upon him between kisses and didn't resist her grip at all. In fact, it only encouraged him to continue holding her close, perfectly content to remain tangled so intimately with his mate.
He lifted his head away from her slowly, nuzzling near the mark in apology. The compulsion struck him to lick the spot, though, and he did so very gently before pressing a few soft kisses to it. "Did I hurt you?" he mumbled, frowning.
"No," she assured softly, smiling against his skin and tilting her head to kiss his cheek. "You okay?" she asked after a moment, frowning slightly and cupping his face in her hands so she could get a better look at him.
The shifter nodded gently against her hands before leaning to push one cheek into her palm. He blushed slightly in shame for temporarily denying his mate, uncertain how to explain that feeling to her.
"Didn't want to disappoint you," he mumbled, refusing to meet her eyes. "Wasn't what I meant to happen."
"Oh." Brenna still frowned softly as she rubbed her thumb over his cheek and leaned up to nuzzle her nose against his. "What did you...mean to happen?" she asked slowly. She still felt fuzzy and warm, and it was very hard for her to focus on anything that wasn't the feel of him over her, in her, all around her.
Christopher huffed, frowning his displeasure as he pointedly glanced down between them. "Well not this. I mean...not all of it." He was getting rather flustered again, quite embarrassed to have put himself in such a position to be asking forgiveness and needing to explain such a thing at all.
"Mating like this," he decided, sighing heavily. "Meant it to be different."
Her frowned deepened as she tried to puzzle out what he meant. "...Oh?"
Then, all at once, it hit her. She remembered. "Oh. Ohhhh!" Brenna's face went very red and her hands flew up so she could hide behind them.
"I-I'm sorry. I forgot..."
He frowned, shaking his head gently and letting his hair lightly brush against her arms. Leaning in he pressed soft kisses to the backs of her hands, trying to coax her out again. "No I didn't- Don't apologize," he mumbled, blushing brightly. "It's my fault, not yours."
Brenna shook her head, but she reluctantly let him urge her hands away from his face. "My fault," she protested, pouting. "I...wouldn't let you..."
Her blush flared up again and she ducked her head.
Chris brushed soft kisses to her cheeks and forehead, sighing as he mulled it over. "No," he told her, firmly but gently as he hugged her close to try and hide his own embarrassment.
"I... I wanted to," he mumbled, dropping his head to nuzzle against her shoulder with a heavy, conflicted sigh. "In a way. Because I like being close with you. But I have everything to be sorry for."
"Well," Brenna said slowly after a moment. "It- it hasn't... I mean, I'm not going to have pups from- from before, I don't think. So...it probably won't happen this time, right?"
Her lack of understanding about humans shone through as she spoke. She genuinely had no real idea of how this was supposed to work, and so it made sense to her that if the first few times they'd made love hadn't immediately resulted in pups this wouldn't either.
His eyes widened for a moment as he listened to her explanation, feeling bad that she didn't seem to understand it and guilty like he'd taken advantage of her ignorance. "That's not- It doesn't exactly work like that," he offered sheepishly, nuzzling into her neck.
"If it happened it might still be a few more weeks before you realize something's different. These things take time, but... Well, I'll just be more careful about it, okay?" Christopher sighed heavily, pressing a few soft kisses to her neck in silent apology. "We can figure out some other way."
He knew magic was capable of amazing things but he was uncertain if it could interfere to that extent. He'd never had to worry about such things before and despite having sisters and a mother he was close with he had no idea what could be done to prevent "pups" as she called it.
"Oh." She frowned again even as she automatically tilted her head slightly so she could nuzzle him in return. "Okay. If you want..."
Brenna sighed softly and her lips twitched up in a tiny smile at his kisses. Pushing at his shoulders lightly, she rolled them over so they lay facing each other and brushed her nose against his. "We can worry 'bout it in the morning," she decided sleepily and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck and better nestle against him.
Christopher didn't resist, rolling with her and happily gathering her back up in his arms to hold against him. "Yeah, probably best," he whispered, leaning in to brush noses and press a gentle kiss to her cheek.
He let one hand slide up so he could pet at her hair, happy enough to just keep smoothing it back in an effort to get himself to relax and hopefully lull her to sleep.
With a yawn, Brenna felt her eyes starting to drift closed. She huffed and snuggled a little closer to her mate with a soft rumble before she could drift off entirely."Love you, Chris," she told him softly.
Christopher was happy to keep her close, almost needed to but she obviously wasn't opposed. He tried not to let his worries linger and instead focused on relaxing with her and enjoying the comfort of her unique way of snuggling. She was right, he shouldn't be worrying about it right at that moment.
He barely heard her but it was enough and he pressed a few kisses to her head before reaching to pull a blanket over them. "Love...you," he muttered, the words still a little new and awkward for him.
"Sleep well, my sweet," he added in a murmur, nuzzling against her and twining them together as best as he could in a tangle of limbs. Before sleep might find him he was intent on seeing that she found a peaceful rest.
Brenna smiled almost unconsciously. A soft, happy hum rose up in her throat as she twined her legs with his. "Good night, Chris," she murmured in reply, tucking her head up under his chin.
It didn't take her long to drift off, feeling sleepy and warm and safe.
Watching the low shadows the fire's glow cast about the room he waited until her breathing slowed and settled before he would close his eyes. With his mate in his arms, though, Christopher found sleep quickly, oblivious to everything else around them as he nuzzled into her warmth.
She didn't know how long had passed when she next opened her eyes, but Brenna had somehow moved in her sleep to curve herself up and around her mate slightly.
She smiled, content to simply lay there, and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Only slightly aware of her affections the shifter remained curled up with her well into the morning, exhausted from not giving himself the chance to nap the previous day.
When he finally woke he kept close and quiet, too disappointed to see that they were well into daytime and he'd slept far later than usual. Not wanting her to leave so soon, he slipped his arms around her and nuzzled into her warmth, happy to let her remained curled around him as she was and whispered a soft, "Good morning."
"Morning," Brenna murmured in reply. She kissed his forehead again and nuzzled his temple with an affectionate little rumble. "Sleep okay?"
"Mmm," Chris hummed, a lazy smile stretching his lips as he basked under her affections. "Very okay." He reached a hand out to her slowly, brushing his thumb along her cheek and gently caressing along her jaw. Waking up with her was becoming a much more comfortable, familiar thing, he realized. He liked it. Probably more than he deserved to.
"No nightmares? Pleasant dreams, right?" he assumed, eyes flickering to meet hers with a hint of sternness, immediately on edge at the thought of his mate's rest being disturbed by anything of the sort.
"Nope." She grinned at him happily and butted her head up lightly under his chin. Chuckling quietly, she let one hand run over his chest in an absent-minded little pattern. "Relax, Chris. Everything's good."
Better than good, really. Snuggled up against him, she couldn't help thinking that things were just about perfect.
Despite her plea for him to relax Chris couldn't help but hold his breath for a moment as he tilted his head to just watch her hand, an odd warmth spreading through his chest and chasing after her fingers.
"Have to make sure," he mumbled, nuzzling against her to shield his face. "Need you to be okay. Good. Whatever you want to call it." He wasn't quite sure why that thought persisted, nagging at him to keep checking and rechecking with her.
"Don't know how you can be so relaxed all the time," he admitted with a playful grumble.
Brenna laughed again, quietly. "Ever seen wolves not on the move?" She arched her back and stretched her arms over her head for a moment with a wide yawn. "We're always relaxed. Have to save energy for important thing like hunting, or running."
She rolled back into her side and her eyes glinted at him teasingly. "Maybe cats are just too tense," she sniffed, leaning over to kiss the center of his chest lightly.
He huffed softly, rolling his eyes at her playfulness but lifting a hand to pet at her hair. "Maybe. I think wolves are just too lazy," he teased. "There are certain things in life worth being concerned about, you know."
Getting her hint, though, Christopher did his best to settle himself and not live up to her accusation. "There's a difference between being tense and caring for my mate."
She smiled at him and pressed a little closer. "I know." She kissed his shoulder. "I'm a little happy you worry about me." She frowned and added quickly, "But if you worry too much it won't be good for you!"
Well. She was pretty sure it worked like that.
"Bah!" he disagreed, waving his hand in gesture before rolling his eyes playfully. "Not all worrying is bad. There are two kinds, worrying of fear and worrying of care. I...usually only do the second one," he informed her gently, casting a brief, sheepish smile her way. "There's nothing bad about that kind," he added, a blush touching his cheeks ever so slightly.
"It's just...what you do. When you...love someone." The last was spoken so quietly, the shifter still a bit overwhelmed by how close he felt with her. Already the thought of her leaving pained him, even if it was just to return to her family. He wondered if she might ever be capable of seeing him as more of her family than the wolves, but he wasn't confident in that, not yet at least.
Brenna felt her face flush and she ducked her head against his shoulder, nuzzling into the curve of his neck.
"Well...fine," she mumbled. What else could she say, really? If he said it was because he loved her, she couldn't really chastise the worrying.
With a small sigh, she pushed herself up so she was sort of arched over him, eyes flicking over his face. "Love you too, you know," she muttered, dipping to kiss him gently.
She knew she should be getting home soon, but suddenly the idea of leaving was almost physically painful, that ache in her heart flaring back to life.
Chris smiled privately at her acceptance of it, rubbing his hands gently up and down along her back. They lingered briefly at her waist each time but he continued the slow pattern anyway.
A low rumble of happiness echoed in his chest as he looked up at her, his eyes bright and happy as he studied her. He squeezed Brenna gently for a hug as he leaned into her, eager to return her affections with his own. His lips lingered against hers for a few moments before sweeping out to press a few light kisses to her cheek.
"I know," he whispered huskily, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat and brushing their noses lightly before offering her a playful smile. "You wouldn't have come back if you didn't."
She smiled at him, reaching up to cup his cheek in her palm gently. "My Chris," she murmured. With a soft huff of breath, she let herself sort of collapse across his chest, burying her face in the curve of his neck and shoulder.
"Would you come back with me today?" she asked quietly. "I- I know you need to hunt, but you could stay at the den for a little, right?"
It felt so nice to be the center of her attention. He could almost purr from it alone, but the reality of her priorities kept him grounded. Christopher took on a rather somber expression, not really wishing to discuss her leaving but knowing it was necessary.
"Of course I will," he answered easily enough, smiling to himself as he nuzzled against her hair. "I can hunt another time, there's no rush. Did you...want to leave soon?" His question came hesitantly, not really wanting to make the offer but knowing it was the right thing to do.
"Yes?" Brenna frowned and burrowed into him a little more. "No. I don't know."
She huffed a sigh and tightened her arms around him. "I know I should get home- but I don't want to go. This is so nice." A soft rumble rose up in her chest as she nuzzled against him, pressing almost absent kisses along his neck and collar.
With a reluctant growling sound, she lifted her head and looked at his face, brushing her nose against his. "We probably should go..."
Her obvious conflict wasn't helping. It was obvious she was uncertain of her choice and that made him want to influence her more than ever.
"We probably should," he agreed quietly, nuzzling against her and firmly wrapping his arms around her. Christopher made no move to get them going and instead was gently but firmly doing his best to hold her in place. "Spend the rest of the morning with me," he mumbled softly, burying his face against her shoulder, feeling a little too vulnerable looking her eye to eye. "Then I'll make sure you get home. Sound fair?"
"...Okay." She twisted her head to kiss his temple. "Okay, I'll stay." She kissed the side of his head again, then his cheek, but she couldn't reach his lips with the way he was hiding his face against her.
"Chris." She nuzzled into his hair. "Sweetheart, look at me?"
Chris relaxed hearing her agree so easily, though he felt a bit guilty making her prompt him so much. He lifted his head quickly, eyes going soft at the rare term of endearment. "Sorry," he mumbled, squeezing her close around her waist as he leaned his head back to look at her properly. "Thank you, Bryn."
Brenna smiled softly and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "No sorrys," she murmured, lightly chastising. "No thank yous either." She stroked his cheek gently, pressing her forehead against his for a moment.
"You're my mate. You're allowed to ask me to stay." She frowned a bit, then added slowly, "I'm sorry. Know this is...hard for you." She sighed and let her head rest against his chest, curling up against him.
As conflicted as she felt, wanting to be with Christopher and with her pack, there was always a part of her that just admired how readily he accepted her whims, when he could have just as easily made things more difficult, guilted her into staying with him all the time. And it probably would have worked.
He smiled sadly at her acknowledgement, lips twitching to curve the proper way instead of scowling at her for his own displeasure at it being pointed out. "It is," he admitted quietly, wanting to be straight with her, "but I knew it would be. I don't have the right to complain. Besides, I would rather see you happy. And comfortable. But mostly safe."
Chris leaned his head against hers, nuzzling at her hair again. "I think they protect you better. There's more of them anyway. It's not all bad."
With a small huff Brenna rolled to lay beside him, tucking her head against the curve of his neck and shoulder and tracing absent patterns over his chest.
"I can protect myself," she murmured. "And I'm happy with you, I just..." She sighed and twisted to hide her face against him. "I wish I could have both," she mumbled. "I know it's silly to want something impossible, but I do."
Another small sigh and she sat up, crossing her arms over her chest and hunching her shoulders with a shiver.
Christopher frowned, adjusting some to lay more comfortably with her as he thought over what she'd said. "You can, though. You can have both. Just...probably not always together," he said softly, not wanting to hurt her feelings with promises he couldn't keep. He liked the wolves fine, but he preferred privacy with his mate more.
He reached for her, tugging gently at her elbow to try and untangle her arms with a gentle smile. "It isn't silly, but I'm not sure how long I could...do that, exactly," he admitted.
"I know." She sighed and gradually allowed him to pull her from her curved posture, leaning back into his chest again. "I know. I'm sorry." She huffed a soft breath and twisted to kiss his neck, then just nuzzled against him.
With a sharp breath, she shook her head and forced a smile. "I should stop. Don't wanna think about it anymore. Besides-" Her eyes glinted and she kissed the tip of his nose. "I promised to stay the morning. We've got some time before I have to go back."
Her smile softened a bit. "I just...wanna be with you. Just for a while."
He wrapped his arms around her middle, hugging her warmly and nuzzling against her cheek. "No sorry," he teased, chuckling softly. "Let's just enjoy it, forget about all of that. We'll have plenty of time together." At least that was what he kept telling himself. Time went by too fast with her, that he already knew, but thinking about that wouldn't make it any better. "We're here aren't we? Together. That's good enough."
She nodded, smiling as she tilted her head to nuzzle back against him. "Better than good enough," she murmured, reaching up to cup his face in her hands. She kissed him softly. "I love being with you."
Brenna sighed quietly and tucked her head against his shoulder. "So. What should we do?" She smiled and tilted her head back to look at him. "We've got all morning."
Chris couldn't keep a smile off his face. Her words and her kiss warmed his heart, sparking that fuzzy feeling he was growing more comfortable with every day.
"Well," he started, a little uncertain about that. He wasn't sure what might be fun for her and there wasn't much to go do being in such a remote area of the tundra himself. Looking across the room he eyed the bath, uncertain how she might feel about being in water.
"We could take a bath," he offered, lifting a hand to point at it. "Wouldn't take long to melt some snow for it."
Brenna wrinkled her nose and gave him a confused sort of look. "But...won't that be cold?" The concept of having warm water was still rather foreign to her.
Still, she couldn't deny it was an intriguing idea. She slid to the edge of the bed and tilted her head, eyeing the tub he'd pointed out to her the first time she'd visited his home curiously.
He hadn't exactly expected her to go investigate that quickly and was a little reluctant to let his arms slip away from her, but he cracked an amused grin at her question. "Well not exactly. It's cold to start but you don't get in when it's still cold," he explained gently, moving to sit by her side, a leg folded under him as he looked at the tub with her.
"Stay here, I'll do it," he offered, moving to hop off the bed.
"Oh." She watched him get up, a small pout stealing across her features. "Alright," she conceded. "But I wanna watch so I can learn how to do it."
She got off the bed to follow him, then a small shiver reminded her that she wasn't actually wearing anything as she scampered back to grab one of the furs and wrap it around her shoulders.
"Er, what?" He turned his head, tilting it slightly as he watched her gathering the fur for herself. A small knowing smile broke out as he gathered enough clothing for himself to be covered but not exactly bundled up without a proper coat.
"I'll be just outside, so stay here. Everything to learn will be in here, but you can watch if you really want to," he promised, chuckling quietly to himself as he moved to gather the buckets by the tub and head to the door.
"Okay." She followed him to the door with every intention of going out with him, but the chill with only a blanket wrapped around her was too much even for her.
"I'll j-just wait in here," she relented, dropping onto the floor and curling her knees up to her chest so she could wrap the blanket around her form better.
Christopher just laughed softly under his breath, giving her a playful look and a quick, "Stay warm." And then he was gone.
He took just a moment to appreciate the quiet and beauty of morning before getting to work gathering the fresh powder on the ground, carrying back a seemingly endless stream of buckets of the stuff to dump into the larger pot he put over the fire before transferring the hot water to the bath. He repeated the process for what seemed like forever but when he was finally happy with what he'd gathered, melted, and dumped in he tested the water to make sure it wasn't too hot before beckoning to her. "Come feel," he offered, scooting to the side to make room for her at the edge. "I'm not sure what you'd like but... if it's too hot for you we can wait a while."
Brenna watched the whole process with interest, slowly starting to understand how Christopher could have hot water indoors with the use of the fire- though it probably wasn't something she would have thought of on her own.
"Too hot?" She crept closer to the tub, letting the blanket fall to the floor as she did. Even with the fire, she had a hard time believing snow would ever be too hot.
She dipped her fingers into the water and her eyes widened as she suddenly jerked her hand back. "Wow." She looked to her mate. "That's really warm."
Hesitantly, she dipped her hand back into the water and a small smile curved at her lips. "Not too hot," she decided, voice almost a purr. "Feels nice." She glanced from the tub to Christopher. "Do we just...get in?" She eyed the size of the bath. "Will we both fit?"
"Good," he sighed, though his eyes flickered to her hand to make sure her skin wasn't getting to red from it. She brought up a good point, though, and he paused for a moment just leaning against the tub as he studied it. It was a little small, but he'd never had any trouble with just himself in it.
"I...never really thought about that, just kind of assumed we would." He was honest but quite embarrassed about it as a blush seized his cheeks. "Maybe you should go first," Chris insisted, striping out of his clothes again and setting them aside before dragging a short stool closer with towels and soap. "I can stay here and just...help."
She frowned at him. "No no, it's your bath." Tilting her head, she observed the space available and cautiously stepped into the tub.
"I think it'll work," she mused, turning in a small circle and giving a little hum at the pleasant heat of the water. "Maybe...well, I'd probably have to sit on your lap." But, well, it wasn't like that had ever been an issue before, right?
"Oh no," he teased, glad that she was the one to suggest it at least. He was quick about climbing in, though, doing his best to fold into the tub gracefully.
Christopher hummed at the warmth enveloping him, eyes half closing as he looked up at her and pat at his thigh. Opening his arms and reaching for her he gave a playful waggle of his fingers. "Come on, then, before it gets cold."
Brenna smirked and let herself fold into his lap, arms going around his shoulders as she pressed against his chest. "I can see this is a big...sacrifice for you," she teased, stumbling for a moment as she tried to think of the word.
She wriggled around to get comfortable and let her head rest on his shoulder with a sigh. "Mmm. Nice. Warm." Her lips curved up on one side. "I think I like baths."
"Mmm, I thought you might. Especially when you get to steal the warmth," he teased, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her temple. It was certainly a new feeling but not unwanted, he liked sharing the bath with her.
With slow movements he scooped water onto her, watching it roll down her shoulder and back into the tub. "This okay?" he asked softly, hesitating for a moment before putting a little over her head as well.
Brenna giggled and splashed at him gently in retaliation for his teasing, then suddenly crooned as he scooped water over her.
"Mmm. Very okay," she purred, tilting her head back onto his shoulder. Her back arched slightly and she lifted a handful of water to run over her chest with a contented sigh and snuggled back against him, "stealing warmth" as he put it.
He smiled at her acceptance and waited until she resettled herself before he scooped more water onto her. Curious about the glossy strands he then reached to slip his hands into her hair, chuckling under his breath as he marveled at the feeling. "Feels so different when it isn't your own," he murmured, not wanting her to think him insane for playing with her hair again.
She gave another purr at the feeling of his hands in hr hair, tilting her head into his touch. "Mhm," she agreed lazily, then added with a hint of teasing, "Why do you think I like petting you so much?"
She wriggled around to get more comfortable and reached back to card her fingers through his hair as much as she could, twisting a bit to kiss his cheek as she did.
Chris hummed in agreement, laughing and leaning forward a little to help her reach better. "Aww, I thought it was just a wolf thing," he teased, adjusting his hands a little to massage at her scalp instead.
"Maybe- mmm...maybe it is," Brenna murmured. "Though I don't know why humans don't do this all the time. Feels really good." She rolled her shoulders with a contented sigh as she began to relax under his touch and the heat of the water around them.
He smirked proudly, pleased with his handiwork and seeing her so relaxed. "I would say show them what they're missing, but you're mine," he noted in a playful whisper. He leaned away for a moment to grab some soap to wash her hair with, taking his time with it and watching with amused fascination as he worked bubbles through her dark hair.
Once he'd rinsed it out, though, he settled into massaging her neck and shoulders instead of helping with any actual bathing. A soft, almost purring rumble vibrated his chest but he remained focused and quiet otherwise.
Brenna gave happy hums and and croons as his fingers worked over her. "Feels really good, Chris," she murmured.
She twisted around on his lap so they were face to face and reached up to work her fingers through his hair with a small smile, rubbing at his temples as she did. "Love you," she told him quietly, smiling as she leaned in to kiss him lightly.
Chris leaned into her touch with a happy sigh, pleasantly surprised she was paying him so much attention. He moved in to kiss her, allowing their lips to brush several times in a playful manner. "Love you, too," he murmured, unable to hide his blush as he brushed their noses briefly. He let his hands wander down her back little by little, providing a bit of pressure on her muscles as he went.
"Don't need to, you know," he prompted her with a kind smile as he tilted his head against her hand in gesture. "Could let me spoil you for once."
"Spoil me?" Brenna let her arms rest on his shoulders, leaning in to press her forehead to his. "What do you mean?" She shifted a bit to settle herself better on his lap with a soft, contented sigh for the pressure of his fingers over her back, muscles gradually starting to relax.
"Mhm." He closed his eyes for a moment, just enjoying their closeness and following her body language to gradually bring his hands to her lower back. There he kneaded at her gently, his thumbs coming around to work in slow circles at her hips.
"Let me be the one giving all the attention," he clarified, peeking one eye open and sneaking a quick kiss.
"Mmm...m'kay." That sounded pretty good to her. She smiled into the kiss and nuzzled into his neck with a soft sigh, letting herself sort of collapse against his chest.
A gentle rumbling sound started up in her chest, almost a purr but not quite. She pressed a lazy kiss to his collar, content just with the closeness.
He smiled privately for her agreement, happy that she was at least letting him have what he wanted without fuss about fairness for once, or a lack of it.
Chris took his time with her, exploring her skin all over and alternating between washing and gentle caresses. "I made a good choice," he whispered smugly, holding her cheek in one hand and leaning back against the tub to study her face.
The purring rumbled picked up with every gentle touch and Brenna was nearly in a relaxed sort of stupor when he spoke.
"Choice?" she murmured fuzzily, tilting her head into his touch. She reached up to cup his cheek in turn, smoothing her thumb over his skin with a small smile.
"Mhmm. Taking you as my mate," he clarified with a proud huff, nevermind how much he had initially resisted it. It was now "his" decision and something he was quite proud of.
Chris smiled, leaning into her touch and enjoying the warm buzz in his chest as he stared at her in an appreciative, assessing way.
Brenna chuckled and nudged her forehead against his. "Oh yes, as if I had no say in the matter," she teased, crinkling her nose at him. She softened the teasing with a kiss to his cheek, then his lips. she wrapped her arms around his shoulders to better press against him with a happy little croon.
"Wish the water wouldn't cool down," she murmured as she let her eyes fall closed. "Would stay here forever..."
"Maybe you didn't," he teased lightly, though he was perfectly content to just rest with her and accept her affections, nuzzling against her as he hugged her close.
"Hmm. Some nice, hot water the only thing that will keep you from your pack?" he asked playfully, knowing it probably wasn't what she'd meant by it but kind of wishing it had been.
She splashed at him playfully and gave a little mock growl for his teasing. "You know what I mean," she added with a huff as she settled herself better against him. "If...if we could just be like this, always. Not have to worry about anything else."
A silly and impossible thing to long for, but she couldn't seem to help it.
Chris relented and finally whispered, "Yeah. Would be nice." But...it couldn't be so. That only made him want it and all the things that might come with it even more.
Sinking down a little further into the water he just stared at her, studying, watching, waiting for something he didn't even know. He let his hands roam along her back, eventually trailing one up to cup at the back of her neck as he leaned forward to brush her lips in a gentle kiss.
"We'll figure something out," he promised, not liking the uncertainty of their future but confident that whatever it held would be worth it.
"Mhm." She snuggled a little closer, then shivered as the gradually cooling water splashed up her back a bit. "It'll work out," she agreed quietly with a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth in return.
With a soft sigh she let her head rest against his shoulder, pouting a bit as she saw the slowly changing angle of the beams of sunlight spilling into his home. Their morning was ticking away.
"Love you," she mumbled against his neck, pressing as close as she could. "It has to work out."
"It will," he promised even though he couldn't be any more sure than she was. Nuzzling against her he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before reaching for a towel for her.
"Here," he offered. "Don't catch a chill."
With some reluctance Brenna climbed from the tub and wrapped the towel around her body. "Don't you need one?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
With her warmth gone the slight chill of the water became more apparent. He watched her closely for a few moments as he hurriedly scrubbed himself clean, not taking near as much care with himself as he had with her.
"I have one," he sighed, wishing their bath didn't need to be over as he climbed out and snatched up his own towel. Stepping closer to the fire for heat he took his time with drying and fluffing his hair, trying to ignore the obvious sunlight filtering in like that would be enough to keep time from going on.
Doing her best to wrap the towel around herself, Brenna came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle, pressing her cheek to his back. Her hair was still damp and dripping down her back, but she didn't seem to care.
"Warm," she purred. "You're still so warm, Chris."
Christopher laughed, pleased that she seemed so happy but twitching for the cold water she dripped onto him. "I won't be for long if you keep that up," he grumbled playfully, turning quickly to sweep her hair up with the towel to dry it himself.
"Such a little thief," he teased affectionately.
She purred happily under his attentions and butted her head into his hands playfully.
"You love it," she responded smugly. "I think you like having the excuse to tease me." Her hands reached up to ruffle her fingers through his now fluffy hair, a smirk curving her lips.
Chris shot her a mock pout for that before purposefully dropping the towel over her head entirely to blind her. "I like having excuses," he admitted, reaching to tug her close by her waist. "Keeps me from feeling too selfish."
Brenna squeaked as her vision suddenly went dark and squirmed in his hold, laughing. "You're acting like a pup," she told him through her chuckles, shoving playfully at his shoulders- or about as near to them as she could get with her sight blocked by the towel.
Even though she couldn't see he couldn't help but roll his eyes at that. "I can't be that bad," he complained lightly, relenting for her shove and tugging the damp towel down to "free" her.
"Would a pup show mercy that easily?" he questioned with a raised brow as he set it aside to dry close to the fire.
"Mm, maybe not," she relented with a smile. Smile going a little crooked, she reached up to walk two fingers up the bridge of his nose with a small giggle.
"This is going to get stuck up there if you keep doing that," she chuckled, smoothing her thumb over his arched brow and sticking her tongue out playfully.
He nearly went cross-eyed trying to follow her fingers but quickly pulled his head back with a huff and shiver. "Would not," he mumbled, relaxing momentarily for her before his brows came together with a pout, giving himself a small crease between them without even realizing it.
"Come on, let's get you dry," he ordered with an exasperated sigh, reaching out to fuss over her again even though she already mostly was.
Brenna laughed and shook her head at him fondly. "Silly Kitty." She reached up to smooth re crease between his brows gently, but held still and allowed him to fuss over her. He seemed to like doing it, and she saw no harm in letting him once in a while.
But she couldn't resist teasing, "I'm already mostly dry. You worry too much."
Chris gave a distracted little huff of acknowledgement, too determined to let that sway him if she didn't care enough to stop him. "Well rest assured you'll be entirely dry when I'm done with you," he mumbled, leaning in close to kiss and nuzzle at her shoulder.
It was easy enough to relax under her touch, though, and he didn't even realize that he'd let his grumpy mask fall in favor of a more tender expression as he "cared" for her in his own way. Gently setting the towel aside to dry he let his hands skim lightly over her skin instead. "Feel any better?"
"Mhm. Much." Her eyes danced at him and she leaned into his chest, stretching up on her toes to kiss him softly.
A little shiver reminded her of the chill of being unclothed and she pressed a little closer against him, wrapping for her arms around his middle and resting her cheek against his shoulder with a quiet, contented sort of sigh.
"Clothes are annoying," she decided with a huff. "If it wasn't cold, I'd be like this all the time." She liked the feeling of his skin against hers.
Christopher gathered her up eagerly, eyeing her clothes across the room with contempt. "Agreed," he sighed, rubbing along her back gently. "Maybe some day. If we're ever in warmer lands."
For the moment at least they wouldn't be, though. With a pat to her shoulder he tried to let her go so he could retrieve their clothes. He didn't really want to get on with their day but it was necessary. At least it wasn't goodbye.
Brenna was no more interested in gathering up their clothes than Christopher was, but she knew they needed to get moving.
With a sigh she dressed, taking her time in an effort to prolong the time she could spend with her mate. "Will you go hunting?" she asked softly. "When I'm back with the pack?"
"I should, I need to." Chris sighed, watching her as he dressed for the day and shoved his feet into cold boots. He shrugged, turning his attention to the makeshift door that shielded them from the elements. "Part of me doesn't want to...stay so far away. Maybe I could find a den closer to your pack."
"Really?" Her head snapped up and she looked at him with wide eyes. Trying to keep her voice carefully not too hopeful, she murmured, "You- you would do that?"
Noticing her look of what he could only assume was surprise Chris nodded with a slightly forced smile. Being as territorial as he was he didn't expect such a thing to be easy for him but he didn't think he couldn't not go through with it if it was best for her.
"I need to be around... Need to see you," he mumbled, looking to his feet and shuffling them nervously, toeing at the cold rock of the floor and the furs that covered most of it. "It's what mates do. Maybe I wouldn't leave exactly but I'd like to be closer, maybe just a second den, maybe we could-"
Chris stopped himself, lips pursing in thought before shaking his head. It was too much to think about, too much to plan without her input. "We can talk about it more another time. I wouldn't even know where to start." He sighed softly, flashing a self-deprecating smile for her and reaching out to offer an arm to gather her closer with. "We should get you home sometime today, hm?"
Brenna listened with wide eyes, her heart twisting a little guiltily as he seemed to struggle internally. She leaned into his side and nudged her head up under his chin with a quiet huff.
"Yeah, you're right," she murmured, wrapping an arm around his middle and offering a small smile. "We can...talk about it later." She kissed his cheek and laced her fingers through his, giving his hand a quick squeeze.
A genuine smile there for her familiar gesture he nuzzled at her temple and hugged her close with one arm, comforted at least by her closeness and small gestures of reassurance.
Allowing their fingers to intertwine he gave a small squeeze back, not quite loosening his hold on her enough to easily separate their hands. Turning his eyes towards the door again he frowned and tried not to show his unhappiness at the idea of leaving their comfortable little bubble. "Ready...?" he asked reluctantly.
She sighed quietly, her own reluctance showing through, but nodded. "Yes. Ready."
Brenna moved toward the door and slipped out onto the tundra, keeping her grip on his hand as she did and leaning lightly into his side.
Christopher followed along easily enough, though he did sneak a few glances towards his home as they drew away from it. It didn't feel entirely right to leave it, but she had somewhere to be and he had things to do. It was just the way of things.
He stayed close at her side, eager to have whatever contact they could as they walked along, picking their way across the snow in the now familiar direction of her pack's den.
"What will you do today?" he asked conversationally, hopeful that she would have reasons to stay occupied.
"Probably hunt." A small smile came to her lips and she leaned closer to confide, "I think Snowfur might be getting ready to have another litter. I'm not sure, but she's acting...different. And she told me the pups are gonna be hunting more than her for a while, so she'll probably send me out with them."
While the idea itself should have made him happy for her family he couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt over all the time he'd been "taking" away from her pack having her at their disposal instead if that was the case. That probably also meant his mate would have her hands full once pups did come and he couldn't help but feel a bit of dread for that thought as well.
"That's wonderful news." Chris forced a smile, squeezing Brenna close in a side hug before offering a slightly sheepish shrug. "I doubt they would but if your pack ever needs my help, or if you do... Just tell me, alright? Wouldn't be a problem."
Too excited now that the thought had lodged itself in her head, Brenna missed the subtle cues of tension from her mate that she would have otherwise picked up on.
"Of course." She pecked his cheek, then added, "You shouldn't wait for us to need something though. You can just...visit."
She rather assumed he knew that, but still felt the need to repeat it for some reason, as though trying to solidify the concept.
"I wouldn't want to cause trouble," he reminded her, uncertain how territorial the pack would be with pups on the way. He understood what she was asking, though. He wanted to be around as much as was comfortable anyway. "But until someone snaps at me I'll try," he promised, teasingly "biting" her forearm with his hand.
Brenna growled playfully and bounced up in her toes to nip his neck, then suddenly scampered away, eyes glinting as she turned to face him in a whirl of snow and sank into a half crouch.
Stunned by her sudden playfulness Chris rolled his eyes at her display at first, beckoning her to come back to his side. "Brenna," he whined, grumbling something incoherent and stamping his boots firmly into the snow. He knew he would play if she was insistent, but it seemed a high punishment in his mind for being playful in his own way.
"Oh, alright," she relented with a dramatic huff, slipping back to his side and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Spoilsport," she teased, nudging her now almost freezing cold nose into the crook of his neck.
Christopher gathered her up into a hug eagerly, huffing his displeasure but glad she had returned without a fuss. He flinched at the chill of her skin against his naturally warm body. With a violent shudder he reached to grasp her nose gently, glaring playfully. "That's cold," he hissed.
Brenna grinned at him with mischief lighting up her eyes. "Then warm me up," she challenged, rocking onto the balls of her feet to nuzzle her nose against his, lips teasingly close to his own.
With a grumble Chris squeezed her tight, mimicking the small nuzzling gesture but sealing their lips with a kiss. He didn't mind the pause to their short journey but he felt it was safe enough considering she'd initiated it.
Pulling away he peppered a few quick kisses along her nose and across her cheeks, puffing hot air as he caught his breath. "How's that? Warm enough?"
"Mmm..." Brenna leaned into him a little more and just enjoyed the closeness. She knew it would delay them, but in the moment she found she couldn't really care. "Perfect," she murmured with a small smile.
One last brush off her nose against his and she pulled back with a reluctant sigh and turned to keep moving.
The shifter smirked for the way his mate was so obviously delaying them. He certainly didn't mind contributing even if that meant they might not get very far.
When she moved away he reached for her hand and stood his ground, tugging lightly at her wrist to try and coax her back. For a moment he forgot about the chill of the tundra around them, his eyes fixated upon her and a rather serious look on his face.
Something in his face made her smile slip just a bit, replaced with a curious sort of frown. "Chris?" She cocked her head at him, puppyish. "You okay?"
She allowed him to pull her closer, leaning into him unconsciously.
"Yeah, I'm good." With her eyes upon him he found his cheeks growing quite hot, enough that he ducked away and tried not to make eye contact.
"I just wanted to say you- Well... I like times like these. With you. I like seeing you happy. Makes me happy. You're very beautiful...when you glow like that. Reminds me what I lo-love...about you." He stumbled over the last, gulping nervously and offering a rather sheepish smile as he tried to shrug off the embarrassment.
"Chris..." Brenna's cheeks heated in a soft blush and she ducked her head, murmuring a bashful, "Thank...you."
She nudged her head up under his chin and wrapped her arms around his middle. "I love you too," she murmured into his chest, squeezing lightly.
He hugged her warmly, rubbing a hand gently along her back as he buried his nose against her hair. "I don't like this," he admitted, shaking his head. "I don't want you to leave. It feels unnatural." He grumbled quietly, huffing hot air against her in his unhappiness.
Brenna whined quietly, distressed. "I know," she whispered. "I know. I- I don't like it either. I hate it. I just..."
Another whine and she pressed her face into his chest. "I don't know what to do." Her arms tightened around him. "I'm so sorry, I don't-"
Her breath hiccuped and she bit back a sudden swell of tears, frustrated and sad.
Chris felt guilty for putting that burden on her mind. He held her close, softly shushing her for her apologies. "Don't be sorry. I'm sorry. You have no reason to be. I'm just a selfish creature, Bryn."
He sighed heavily, shaking his head in disappointment with himself. Could he have possibly made a bigger mess of things with so few words? "Don't worry about it," he mumbled.
"No." She shook her head, still not lifting her face from his chest. "I'm selfish. Want both- you and the pack. I'm sorry..."
She bit her lip and whimpered quietly as she finally pulled away a bit to look at him. "You picked a bad mate," she mumbled.
He didn't like the pitiful sounds and timid mumbling. It didn't seem like her at all. His mate was strong. That was part of the reason he'd chosen her, wasn't it?
"There's no such thing as a bad mate," he said gently, his eyes sad as he stared at her. It was what he believed, at least. In his mind it wasn't possible for him to choose wrong. They definitely had something special and that was enough to convince him.
"Give it some time, I'm just missing it before you're even gone. We'll find what works for us." He hoped that would be true, at least. He wasn't sure how long he could take being in an uncomfortable lurch.
"You're alright," he whispered, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her cold cheek. "Not doing anything wrong."
Brenna sighed and leaned into the kiss a bit, eyes sliding half closed for a moment. "Okay," she murmured after a few seconds. She tried to smile and brushed her nose against his. "I love you, Chris."
Finally, she pulled away from huddling into his chest to lace her fingers through his and start walking again, though she kept herself pressed as close to him as she could manage.
He hummed quietly in appreciation, happy at least that she was reciprocating and didn't seem angry with him over the concern he'd caused. "And I love you, my mate," he mumbled, sighing heavily and giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.
Reluctantly he continued along, purposefully keeping the pace slow and hardly shuffling along in the snow as he kept close to her and let their arms brush. He knew it was childish, but he couldn't really help it and she didn't seem to be in too much of a hurry anyway.
She was in no rush to leave him, especially now, and allowed him to keep their pace slow for a majority of the trek back to the den.
Then something changed, without warning and all at once. Brenna's head suddenly snapped up and a growl rumbled in her throat, eyes darting about warily.They were well within pack territory now, but there were no tracks, scents old and faded.
Something was wrong.
She squeezed Christopher's hand and rumbled a protective, "Stay here," before darting forward over the snow in a crouch.
Chris lifted his head with a start, a little taken aback by the sudden sound from her, especially not knowing the cause.
"What? Stay?" Was there danger? Was he really that oblivious?
Not recognizing the signs of vacated territory in his distraction he stumbled after her initially in his haste to not let her go on alone. "Brenna?" he called, voice heavy with concern and confusion.
After a moment he stopped, arms falling to hang limply and helplessly at his sides as he stared after her in defeat. He was puzzled about what could be so important that he couldn't join her. Reluctantly he stayed behind, though his eyes would follow her instead.
Brenna ran to the entrance of the den, panic threatening to take up residence in her chest. She slipped inside and a soft whine bubbled out of her throat.
Empty. The floor scuffed, signs of the pack leaving in a hurry. And there was a thick scent that even her human nose could pick up, a patch of dark liquid spattered on the rocks that her shaking hand reached toward.
With a whimper she snatched her hand back from the puddle of blood and darted back out into the snow. "Chris..." Her voice was small and shaking. "Chris!"
She threw herself toward him, ember eyes wide and panicked. "They're gone. They're gone, they're gone..."
She couldn't seem to get any other words out.
In his temporary isolation Christopher studied the land that stretched before him, realizing how quiet and empty it seemed. He was used to it in open tundra but with so many wolves in the area his thoughts started to shift toward concern as Brenna emerged in her hysterics.
Even before she'd made it back to him he'd taken a few automatic steps closer at her call, afraid of what she might have found and assuming the worst on his own. But- Gone? Dead-gone? Or gone-gone? He quickly gathered her up in his arms just staring numbly over her shoulder at the mouth of the den she'd just emerged from. He wasn't sure either would be much better than the other.
"Hey, shh," he murmured, stroking at her hair distractedly. "Slow down. What do you mean they're gone?"
"I- I don't know," she sobbed. "There's blood...n-not enough for them to be d-dead, but..."
She wailed quietly and clung to him, shivering. They'd never leave without her, not willingly. Something must have happened- maybe if she'd been there, she could have stopped it...
"It's my fault," she whispered, not even entirely conscious that she was saying the words. "It's my fault, all my fault, my fault-" Her voice choked off in another sob.
Then, suddenly, a small whine. Brenna gasped and jerked her head up, whirling in her mate's arms.
Brokefang had appeared from behind the den, limping, staining the snow scarlet. His whole body shook and he whined again, stumbling toward them before his legs gave out and he collapsed.
Blood? Chris furrowed his brow in concern, wanting to ask where she'd seen it so he could get to the bottom of it. But it was so obvious. The den.
"It's not your fault, I can promise you that. Things...happen. We'll figure out what's going on." Well he hoped so at least.
He lifted his head to watch the omega limping toward them, wincing at the sight of fresh blood in the snow.
"Oh no," he muttered, giving Brenna's arm a quick squeeze before moving to approach the wolf cautiously and crouch beside him. "We should help him."
Brenna created the wolf's name and rushed to kneel at his side. He huffed and whined at her, licking her fingers weakly.
Tears streaking down her face, she pulled the animal Hal into her lap and ran her hands over him and huffed questioningly as she searched for injury. Broke dang panted out a few short answerers.
"Hunters came," she whispered, glancing up at Christopher. "Human hunters. Not long ago. Brokefang and Longclaw fought them off for the pack to get away, but wh-when he got hurt, he told Longclaw to leave..."
She hugged the wolf, who was panting sharply as blood stained her clothes, her skin, the snow.
"Hunters?" Somehow he was surprised to hear it even after seeing the blood sullying the wolf's fur and his mate's clothing. He'd suspected some other animals poking their nose where it didn't belong, but humans also brought weapons to the table, of course, not just teeth and claws.
With a sigh he sat down in the snow and carefully sunk his fingers into the wolf's fur to gingerly search for the source of the blood and his pain. "Does he know where they went?" he asked gently, wincing as he felt a sticky pooling of blood running along his belly.
Ignoring the cold Christopher removed his coat to get at the thinner shirt beneath. Taking that off as well left his warm skin bare to the cold for only a few moments before he managed to pull his coat back on, but the shifter didn't even shiver. Staring at it in intense concentration he ripped at the fabric to make smaller, more manageable strips of it to serve as makeshift bandaging.
"We should get him...inside. Somewhere," he decided, glancing towards the den. It would probably be better somewhere warm like his home but he was uncertain if the wolf would even allow him to carry him that far.
Brenna nodded quickly. "Yes. Inside." She tried to cradle the omega's upper half so she could carry him in, but he yelped and growled at her.
She paused, shaking her head and staring into his eyes as his paw moved to press weakly against her leg. She shook her head and whine quietly and the wolf just huffed, stretching his neck up toward her.
With a soft sob Brenna rested her forehead against his, burying her fingers in his ruff. She whimpers quietly and he licked her nose, his heaving pants becoming ever more labored.
Then his eyes slid closed, his sides rose and fell once, twice, then stilled. He was gone.
Clutching the wolf's body to her, Brenna threw back her head and howled.
Chris winced at the sounds the omega made, his hands fussing over him anyway and desperate the stop the bleeding. When the wolf stopped moving the shifter just stared in shock, not even flinching as his mate howled for her loss.
He pressed a hand through his fur, sighing sadly at the lack of heartbeat in his chest. Chris let the scraps of cloth fall to the snow, flicking them away in disgust like pests before shuffling closer to Brenna. He squeezed her shoulder lightly but said nothing in his uncertainty, a numbness filling his chest at the sight of her grief. All he could think to say was a mumbled "I'm sorry," but that wasn't enough, not even close.
Wailing, Brenna twisted to press her face into the curve of her mate's neck, still clutching Broketooth's body to her chest. Human language escaped her in her grief and she whimpered and howled, rocking gently back and forth in place.
Gradually though, reality started to cut through the haze. Sniffling, she pressed her forehead against the wolf's and managed to rasp out, "Others...pack. Have to find... Danger. Bad hunters will chase them."
Chris did what he could to try to comfort her, gritting his teeth against the odd plummeting sensation in his chest while he clutched her close.
He nodded for her suggestion, swallowing hard as he thought on the logical next steps of a day that had quickly been turned on its head.
"We'll find them," he promised, voice thick as he looked around for any signs of the pack they might have missed. Whatever tracks there had been seemed to be covered by powder. A heavy sense of dread entered his heart at the thought of having to search for them without any leads, tracks, or scent to go by.
"D-Did he say where they were headed?" he asked hopefully, knowing a general direction would be better than nothing but trying not to sound like their efforts might be hopeless. "They couldn't have gotten far yet."
"N-north." Brenna sniffled and wiped af her eyes. "He said they went north."
Painfully slowly, feelin as though her while body was rebelling against what was happening around her, she lovingly slid the wolf's body off her lap and into the snow, stroking his ears and pressing a kiss to the top of his head before she forced herself to stand.
Wolves didn't have funerals. They grieved for their dead, then they moved on.
Brenna had never felt both more and less like a wolf, all at once. She took a shaky breath. "We should get moving."
"Okay," he murmured, eyeing the wolf sadly as he moved to stand with her. He felt a little uncomfortable in the briefness of it all, never having had occasion to say goodbye to anyone he would have considered family.
Part of him wanted to offer himself to hunt down someone with the magic to revive him, a necromancer his worldly sister had once told him of. But he knew they did not have the time for both as they at least had a lead on her pack and he knew nothing about such practices other than that they were possible.
"North," he agreed firmly, looking in that direction after judging the way the sun hung in the sky. "Let's go, then."
Christopher reached for her hand cautiously as he stepped away, wary of whether or not she would even want any contact with such difficult news in mind.
She clutched his hand almost more instinctively than anything else, using the gesture as an anchor rather than a sign of affection.
Her eyes were sharp and cold as she trekked determinedly through the snow, grief and shock slowly being replaced by a burning anger in her chest.
He eyed his mate nervously, uncertain what he should do to help her, if he could do anything besides accompany her. The shifter held onto her hand as they quietly moved across the tundra. It felt a little odd to be heading that way again when they'd just returned from his parents' home, but perhaps that meant her wolves were in safe territory. He could only hope.
Not wanting to interrupt the silence that had fallen between them Christopher simply squeezed her hand, offering a smile of encouragement.
Brenna was slowly melting from the curious, awkward girl her mate had fist gotten to know to the born huntress he'd perhaps caught glimpses of. Fresh powder over the tundra made tracking difficult, but not entirely impossible.
It was when she saw the footprints of hunters- human hunters- that had gone before them that she saw red.
They couldn't be that far ahead. With a growl she suddenly dropped Christopher's had and gripped the hilt of her crude knife, higher reasoning falling away to sheer, grief fueled rage.
Chris studied the shifting demeanor of his mate with a patient curiosity. It was only when she growled and drew her knife that he realized he'd missed something in his own distraction.
He couldn't scent anything disturbing or unusual in the air, not in the immediate area at least. In his haste to keep up with her he wasn't even paying attention to the obvious tracks in the snow. "Brenna?" he called in concern, brow furrowed as he reached out to try to grab hold of her wrist. "What is it?"
Another growl and she tried to jerk her hand away before she looked at his face and some of her senses came back to her a bit.
"Hunters," she bit out, pointing to the tracks. "Protect...pack. Kill."
Christopher's eyes widened at her words and he shook his head firmly, lunging forward again to firmly grasp her wrist. "We need to find your pack," he insisted firmly, eyes flashing with both anger for her loss and fear that his bullheaded mate might go and get herself killed.
"Killing hunters... Killing humans will not help right now. We can find them later." After a moment's thought he added a pained, "Please."
"No. No." Brenna wriggled and tried to jerk her wrist away, literally seeing red. "They killed him. They killed him!"
Suddenly all the strength seemed to leave her and she swayed, knees buckling. "They killed him," she whispered again, covering her face with her hands. "And- and the pack...they might not even be-"
It was only when her voice choked off in a sob that she realized she'd been crying.
He could only stare and watch, feeling numb for the wave of desperation clouding his senses. He felt so strongly the pull to protect her, to keep her away from hunters that did not fear her great wolves. He didn't feel like chancing her safety to find out if they would let a lone, emotional woman with a knife waltz up to them before shooting her dead.
"If the pack- We would have seen them, Brenna," he pointed out, cautiously moving to crouch beside her. It was the only rational thought he had with her crying right there looking so broken. He carefully reached to pull her closer by her shoulders, just holding her as he stared blankly at a sea of white and gray.
"We will find them," he promised, clutching her to him. "But you can't go after hunters. I- I won't let you." He winced at that, uncertain if he could really keep her from it if she was so determined. "Need to stay safe... That kind of hunter isn't safe."
With another hiccuped sob, Brenna curled into him, grabbing at the front of his shirt for an anchor. "They killed him." She felt broken.
"What about Snowfur?" She hid her face against his chest. "If- if she's really going to have another litter..."
Her breath hitched in her chest and she wailed quietly. For a few moments she couldn't do much more than shiver against him.
But they didn't have time for this. Her pack was in danger, and she needed to find them. "I'm s-sorry," she murmured, trying to push away and get back to her feet. "We have to keep moving. We have to..."
Chris winced, his heart hurting for her and her fears but knowing he was helpless to make any promises until they could see her family again in the flesh and Brenna could see whatever truth there was for herself. For her sake he silently prayed everything really would be alright, that her pack wouldn't suffer any further loss for Broketooth's sacrifice.
"Don't be sorry," he urged quietly, releasing her but keeping his arms close until he was certain she could stand without falling. Only then did he climb to his feet again.
"We need to keep going," he agreed, lightly brushing his hand to her arm before gesturing at her knife, hoping she wouldn't bolt. "But we also need to keep our strength. They need you more than you need to kill hunters."
He felt a little bad for saying it but felt it needed to be pointed out anyway. Reluctantly he continued on, turning away from the shoe marks in the snow that made him wary. He hoped they might find some sign of her family going a different way, there were plenty of faint game trails without any marks of humans to put them on edge.
"I know." She took a shaking breath. "I know." Her hand tightened on the hilt of the knife and she glanced at the tracks in the snow, then shook her head slowly.
"North. Keep moving north. They hid they're tracks, just...have to hope they're still going that way."
"Right," he sighed, feeling a little guilty and helpless to realize he probably had no edge on her to track them down. Once they were lucky enough to get close he was sure he'd be able to scent them out first but there was no telling how much of a lead they had on them.
The shifter trudged along in the snow, carefully picking his way around rocks and bare trees. His eyes strained against the brightness of the sun as he studied the snow ahead. There were all manner of tracks but he couldn't tell if the wolves had hidden theirs among the rest or not.
Brenna fell quiet as she started to walk, eyes skimming the ground and their surroundings, searching, always searching.
They had to be getting close. They just had to be.
Everything seemed almost a blur of normal to Chris, frustratingly so. There were obvious signs of elk, deer, foxes, and even smaller mammals. But no wolves.
It was just more of the same until he stumbled upon a lone paw print away from the rest, the angle like it had been a stray side-step from the hidden trail of the pack and shallow like it had almost entirely been snowed over. "Brenna," he murmured, slowing and then pausing as he crouched down to study it.
Looking up briefly it seemed to be following the general direction of the trail heading North but it was unsettling that he could find no other marks. "Does that...look like them, you think? Or a smaller wolf?"
She paused when she heard her name and it actually took a few moments before she could comprehend human speech, so intent on her hunter's instincts. Then she twisted to look at what he'd pointed out, eyes wide and eager.
Her heart leaped into her throat. "Yes," she breathed, relief palpable in her voice. "Yes, that's Shade." She looked around wildly for another print, but it seemed the pack had done a decent job of hiding their tracks.
But at least they knew they were on the right path now. "Come on." She took off in the direction the paw print indicated.
Christopher breathed a sigh of relief to hear they were at least going the right way. And it was at least a sign that the rest of the pack might have been safe. He felt troubled by the lone track just as much as he took comfort from it, though. A slightly displaced pack would not relocate so far without good reason. And they were probably still going.
"We shouldn't push ourselves too hard," he reminded her gently, eyeing the rocks alongside the mountains ahead. "I think we're too far to reach my parents tonight. Probably sometime tomorrow, but... we have nothing, Brenna." Of course nothing wasn't the worst thing imaginable. Nothing still meant he could keep her warm at night with his cat and they could still hunt for food. But they had no den, no shelter if a storm rolled in on top of them and he was wary of that.
Brenna shook her head, either not fully understanding his words or choosing to ignore the meaning of them. "No, we have to keep going. I'll run all night if I have to."
She suddenly stopped, eyes seeming to light with realization, and turned to look at him. "You don't have to come."
She moved forward and cupped his face in her hands, eyes seeking his. "This...my fault. My problem. Don't want to put you in danger."
He'd thought he was being completely reasonable in what he was asking but her flat refusal shocked him numb again and he slowed to a stop. He wouldn't meet her eyes, it took almost everything within him to remember she had good intentions and contain the anger bubbling in his chest at the mere idea of his mate wandering the tundra alone.
The feeling of suddenly...well, not being somewhat in control of the situation was shocking to him and it left him feeling extremely uncomfortable and vulnerable.
"I'm staying with you. That isn't up for discussion," he growled, brows narrowing as he finally allowed his eyes to focus on her.
"And it's...not about the danger," he grumbled, huffing stubbornly as he touched his hands to her sides. "It's about your health. You'd wear yourself out, we don't even know how far away they might be, Brenna."
Chris sighed, uncertain how far he was really going to get with her on it. "I'm just...asking that you please not be stubborn. Think about them. You're no good to them dead."
"Chris..." She stepped forward and pressed her forehead against his for a moment. Stars above she wished they had time to really talk about this.
"Love you," she murmured. "So much. Don't want you to get hurt. My pack, my family...it should be my...responsibility."
The shifter was tense, getting nervous when she didn't immediately relent and go along with his wishes.
His nostrils flared at her gentle refusal by omission, eyes flashing darkly as he fixed his jaw and just stared in disbelief.
"It isn't," he finally growled. "You can't possibly be blaming yourself for this. Things happen. Just because it's family doesn't- It just isn't your fault!" he insisted firmly, his grip tightening on her.
"Chris- Chris, ow!" Brenna squirmed in his grip. Her hands cupped his face as she stilled and she pressed her nose to his, nuzzling gently in a simultaneous gesture of affection and an instinctive wolf's acknowledgement of dominance.
"Okay," she murmured. "Okay. We'll go together. But promise you'll stay safe."
Realizing he'd hurt her he all but released her immediately, his hands only barely brushing against her instead of holding her in such a biting grip. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, feeling terribly guilty for inflicting any pain on his mate.
He was both relieved and reluctant to accept her words, though. It was only partially what he'd wanted. "I promise, but... You should let me keep you safe, too," he warned. "Isn't just about me." As an afterthought he added a quick, "And we'll be resting tonight. Not walking in the dark. Not safe."
Brenna was quiet for a long moment, then huffed a reluctant, "Fine. We'll rest tonight."
Her hands slid down to grip his upper arms and she squeezed lightly, pulling him in for a sudden, fierce kiss. She made no promises she didn't feel she could keep- namely, letting him protect her.
"Come on. We're wasting time." Another quick kiss and she tore away from him, heading north again.
Again he noticed her skirting his main issues. It was infuriating, but her affections were enough to remind him to keep calm and settled. Things would work out. They had to.
She had a right to be concerned anyway and he was helpless to stop that. All he could do was try to ensure she didn't hurt herself going through all of this so suddenly.
Chris let her lead this time, following just a few paces behind her instead of walking at her side. His eyes swept the ground steadily, watching for any other signs of her wolves that might tell them they were still on the right path.
Her senses weren't as strong as her mate's, but Brenna had spent almost all her life with the pack. A small tuft of fur or an odd scratch pattern in the snow were all she needed to assure herself she was on the right track.
The sun was sinking steadily though, her lengthening shadow a constant reminder that they were racing time.
All he saw was a whole bunch of nothing. There was a faint scent, though, something not too far off that he followed. Veering slightly away from the main trail as it almost disappeared he turned his head this way and that until he realized he'd gone past it.
Retracing his steps until the scent was stronger he crouched down without a word to Brenna, not wanting to get her hopes up in case he was wrong. Digging through the snow with a few fingers he poked around until he found the source: the smallest drop of blood and a couple matted hairs along a jagged, broken edge of a snapped branch buried even deeper in the ice and snow.
"Maybe tripped," he mumbled, head snapping up to call to her, "I think this was one of them, come look."
Brenna moved to his side quickly. "Yes." She nodded sharply. "Yes, I think you're right."
Thank the stars. He closed her eyes for a moment and her whole body shivered with a breath of relief. But they weren't anywhere near close enough for her liking.
"Come on." She sprang back to her feet and took off.
"Right," he sighed, hurrying to cover it up again and pat down the snow. With hunters after them he didn't think there was such a thing as too cautious.
Catching up to her he realized he couldn't sense anything else of them and the fading light and shadows were making it difficult for him to even see the trail anymore. He could have shifted to his cat, no doubt able to lead her through the night that way, but he felt strongly about putting his foot down about rest.
"Keep an eye on the sun," he reminded her, eyes scanning the horizon for a place that might be sheltered enough for them to hole up in for the night. Anything was better than digging into the snow to make something himself.
Brenna gave a small huff of acknowledgement, but made not move to stop or even slow as she loped over the snow, eyes scanning desperately for any other sign of the back.
Her night vision may have been better than most from years of practice, but she was still only human. As the sun dipped lower she crouched closer to the ground, growling quietly in frustration with the dimming light.
Assuming she was just going to go on until he made her stop the shifter trudged along after her, growing tense and moodier as the light faded from the sky, twilight giving way to the glow of stars and a cold darkness around them.
"Brenna," he barked gruffly, growing quite irritated that even he could barely see anything. "Let's rest, please." Chris gestured off away from the trail towards the rocky hills that disrupted the flat plains.
She paused, snapping her attention around to him. "I- no. No, please. We can keep going, just a little longer..."
Christopher narrowed his eyes at her, as much in his irritation as to squint in the dark. "No, I think it's time. I can't even see," he grumbled, stumbling and catching himself as tripped over an unseen incline in the bank.
"Then- then you can rest. I'll keep looking, just a little further ahead, maybe we're getting close..."
Brenna could barely get the words out, exhaustion suddenly catching up to her and making her almost sway on her feet. "Just...a little more. I have to fine them..."
Chris slowed and then paused altogether as he stared after her. It hurt to see her so determined, so blind to the way she was pushing herself.
"We would know if they were close," he reminded her, sighing heavily as he headed back down the slope to retrieve her.
"Come on, my sweet," he urged quietly, setting a hand to her shoulder to try to stop her. "Rest for tonight. We'll keep looking tomorrow. I promise."
"But..." She looked up to meet his eyes, then her shoulders slumped in defeat and she nodded dejectedly.
"Alright." Her voice was barely a whisper as she leaned into him unconsciously.
Christopher relaxed at that, sighing and pulling her in for a quick side-hug. He knew she didn't want to, but he was afraid of her running herself ragged if he didn't press her on it.
"It'll be morning before you know it," he promised, turning to lead her away from the path and back through the snow towards the rocks. Trouble was, he wasn't sure morning would bring them any better. The wolves were probably capable of continuing on through the night ahead of them. Already it was beginning to feel like it might be impossible to find them until they wanted to be found without even a full day on the search.
Brenna leaned into him as she followed along practically glued to his side. "What if they're gone?" she whispered hoarsely. "They must've left something...they'd leave a trail for me. Why can't I find it?"
Her eyes welled up, the tears leaving streaking paths down her cheeks that almost immediately froze in the bitter cold.
"I want my family back, Chris," she whimpered, suddenly stopping and twisting to bury her face against his chest.
He was confused by that, thinking it a little irrational that she was worried about that. For a moment at least he stopped to comfort her, hugging her close and doing his best to keep calm for her. He brought a hand up to rub at her back before giving her a squeeze and trying to urge her onward to shelter.
"Soon. We'll find them soon. They've left a trail it's just...very difficult to track," he reminded her, at least hoping that the marks they'd been finding were mostly intentional.
She sniffed and nodded, allowing him to move her forward, though her steps were hesitant and shuffling.
"What if they're hurt?" she whispered, twisting to hide her face against his shoulder.
Chris just shook his head with a grimace. He hoped that wouldn't be so, but he didn't know any more than she did and he felt a little helpless knowing he couldn't confidently soothe her fears. "I hope they aren't. If they are hurt we can care for them. Do whatever we need to fix them up, okay? Try not to worry yourself about it."
In the pitch dark it was hard even for him to see, but he picked his way across the snow with her until he reached the spot he'd eyed from the trail earlier. He shoved aside a few larger stones to make a small opening a bit larger for them to duck inside, a crude cave only partially covered on the other side. It was certainly no proper den but it would do fine for a night to keep them out of the elements.
"If you're hungry I'll go hunt for you," he offered. "But I need you to rest." He desperately wanted her to keep her strength up but even he couldn't even think about eating at the moment to set a good example.
Brenna simply stumbled along with him, nodding dejectedly at his attempted assurances, though it was clear her mind was elsewhere. She crawled into the makeshift cave and immediately turned to wrap her arms around his shoulders.
"No." Maybe they should eat, but she was too worried to be hungry. "No, don't leave. Please, don't leave me." She buried her face in the crook of his neck with a small whimper.
"No, no. Oh, Brenna. I won't leave," he promised, his chest aching for her to even think she needed to plead with him for that.
He hugged her close, gently rubbing a hand at her back as he backed them further into their little cave. The shifter nuzzled his nose into her hair, sighing heavily as he thought on what to do. His mate still seemed absolutely crushed and nearing panic again with every passing moment that he felt helpless to stop.
"I'll stay here. Right here with you," he assured her, kissing her hair and squeezing her close. "But I'll do anything that you need, I don't want you to worry about anything- Are you warm enough?" He shifted his head against her to stare out into the darkness. It seemed a safe enough spot but he feared for her health with only him to share body heat with.
She was shivering, either with cold or exhaustion, but she didn't seem to notice. A small nod and a sigh of relief as she wrapped her arms tighter around him and allowed him to shift her deeper into the little cave.
"Just don't leave," she mumbled. "I'm fine. Just don't leave." She huddled against his chest, little tremors wracking her body every few seconds.
Well that was easy enough. "Of course. I won't leave," he promised, taking liberty at last to snuggle her close like he wanted. It was so easy to just wrap her up as he moved to slide down along the walls and take a seat huddled in the corner.
"You just get some rest," he whispered, nuzzling against her cheek.
"Okay." Brenna curled up in his lap, making herself as small as she could in an effort to conserve heat, and for the comfort being surrounded by him provided. "But you...should sleep too..."
She was already drifting off. "Wake me in a bit so you can rest," she mumbled, and a moment later she was out.
"I'll sleep," he promised. It was easy to just hold her, but he was careful not to let himself fall prey to the pull of exhaustion until he was certain she was peacefully asleep. He slumped heavily against the stone, keeping a nearly blind watch over the entrance.
He wasn't even aware of it when he finally transitioned from resting to sleep. Instinctively he tucked her against his chest, shielding her as much as possible with his body to keep her warm through the night.
Brenna was restless, tossing and turning as much as she could in her mate's arms as she slept. She continuously curled into his warmth instinctively as the night wore on, but then would thrash away again, whimpering in her sleep.
Eventually she woke completely with a start, sitting up and looking around wildly while her chest heaved with panting breaths.
The shifter slept soundly, the exhaustion over their strange and shocking day too much for him. He loosely held her in his sleep, arms automatically tightening around her whenever she would thrash about. Even when she woke though Christopher remained peacefully asleep, snoring lightly with his head tucked against his shoulder and completely oblivious to his mate waking even as the chill of early morning surrounded them.
For a moment she panicked at the feeling of being restrained, then her brain caught up with her and she let out a relieved breath.
"Chris-" She moved to shake him awake, then paused, just looking at his face.
He must have been just as tired as she was, if not more. And she'd been pushing and pushing for them to keep going. Her poor mate deserved some rest, no matter how anxious she was to get moving.
Though she hadn't consciously roused him just the sound of her speaking his name was enough to start waking him up. His arms curled around her a bit more and he frowned at the gentle disturbance.
"Need something?" he mumbled sleepily, not really knowing whether or not he was dreaming about her or if she really had spoken.
"We should-"
Her shoulders slumped. "No." She kissed his forehead, stroking his snowy hair back from his face. "Go back to sleep."
She started to disentangle herself from his arms. She could pick up the trail again, maybe scout ahead a bit while he rested.
His features relaxed under her gentle touch, a faint smile playing at his lips. Chris still wasn't quite aware of what she was saying but he relaxed back against the wall at her gentle words, completely unaware that she was managing to free herself from his protective grasp.
Once she was away he frowned, grumbling quietly and shifting around some to turn on his side. He weakly grabbed for her but ended up only hugging himself instead as he settled down again, completely oblivious.
Brenna hesitated, biting her lip as she looked back at her mate. A part of her wanted to go back and curl up in his arms again, just let him hold her and make everything okay.
But the world didn't work like that. With a huff and a shake of her head, she padded silently through the snow, searching for tracks she may have missed the previous night with the fading light and her own emotional state.
When Brenna was gone from their shelter was when his instincts seemed to take over. He woke more quickly, restless and suddenly completely uncomfortable in an otherwise peaceful sleep.
When his eyes opened and she wasn't there he looked around groggily, head swiveling slowly to see if she'd simply curled up somewhere else. But she wasn't there.
He sat up immediately, rubbing at his temple with one hand. Was he still asleep? Was it just a dream? "Brenna...?" He called for her cautiously, almost not believing he'd woken up alone. But...there was something. Her scent.
She had to be close, at least that was what he was trying to reason with himself. Poking his head outside became quite anxious when he couldn't immediately see her, but- Footprints. Fresh ones.
Shrugging out of his clothes he folded them all up as neatly as he could into his coat before taking to his snow leopard and carrying the little bundle in his teeth as he loped down the slope back towards the trail they'd been on to follow her scent, relieved that it was becoming stronger. He rumbled grumpily, growling through the clothes in his mouth once he finally caught sight of her.
Kneeling to brush aside a bit of the new snow, hoping her pack had left tracks in the lower layers she might be able to find, Brenna snapped her head up when she heard the growl.
She looked around to find Chris and immediately tried for a smile, though it was certainly forced and honestly a little guilty. She knew he wasn't going to be pleased with her, but she'd hoped she could get back before he woke up.
"Morning." She stood and moved toward him before bending and burying her fingers in the ruff of fur around his neck.
Chris barreled through the snow, bumping against her and bristling slightly for her greeting. Did she have nothing else to say? Why had she left without him?
He dropped his mouthful of clothes to the snow, yowling in irritation as he circled her. His tail twitched and puffed up in agitation as he nuzzled against her legs possessively, but gradually he calmed down once he realized she probably hadn't been trying to run from him if she wasn't trying to get away now.
As if demanding an explanation he sat back on his haunches once he was facing her again, eyes narrowed sharply and ears nearly flattened as he stared up at her.
With a sigh Brenna knelt so she was more on a level with him and reached out almost hesitantly to stroke his head, scratching behind his ears the way he liked in the hopes it might soften him a bit.
"I was just going to scout a bit," she murmured, wincing internally. Alright, she probably shouldn't have done it, but she just couldn't keep still, not when her pack was out there somewhere, maybe in need of her help. "I wasn't gonna go far. I...thought I'd be back before you woke up."
He unpinned his ears for her scratching and just stared at her while listening to her explanation. He wasn't sure what he'd been hoping for but somehow that explanation didn't seem particularly satisfying. Even so, he was willing to forgive her wandering simply for having the chance to see that she was safe.
With a huff he relaxed his tense posture, leaning forward to nuzzle against her with a rumbling purr of forgiveness and butting against her hands.
Another sigh, this one of relief, and she leaned into the cat, rubbing her cheek against his and answering his purr with a soft rumble in her chest.
"I'm sorry I worried you," she murmured as her arms wrapped around his neck. "I just...we really have to get moving."
He rested his chin on her shoulder, huffing against her ear in agitation. He didn't like it, but she was right. Did it have to be right away, though? He supposed the sooner they got going the better, the less distance between them, but damn if he didn't want her to just slow things down a bit. He was sure she would run herself ragged if he didn't keep a careful eye on her.
Tail twitching anxiously he finally took a few steps back to stare up at her with large, questioning eyes. Finally accepting what she said as truth he heaved a huge sigh and relaxed his body, turning to grab the makeshift parcel of clothing and stepping up beside her so they could continue their journey. He wasn't sure how well it might work as he was much more a pure hunter than a tracker at heart, but he was content taking at least a day as his cat to try to help his mate track her pack.
"Here, let me." Brenna stooped to take the clothes from his mouth, holding the bundle to her chest as she started walking.
After a few moments of quiet she murmured, "I really am sorry that I worried you. I just... I couldn't sit still any longer."
He was a little taken aback by the gesture but allowed it, moving closer to brush against her leg in thanks.
What she told him seemed a little obvious, though he wished it wasn't that way with her. She would run herself ragged if she didn't get proper rest and kept running off on him. And once they were truly separated... He didn't want to think about that.
Shaking his head, he tilted his head to bump against her leg, rumbling quietly in a sort of scolding acceptance. It was just how she was about her wolves.
Giving his coat a shivering shake he relaxed a bit better as he walked beside her, eyes peeled on the path ahead and nose primed for any sign of her family among the snow that his human senses might have missed before.
Brenna sighed quietly and let her hand drift down to bury her fingers in his fur, eyes searching their surroundings as they walked. There just had to be something, some hint, even the smallest clue.
Her steps slowed and she bent, then knelt, swiping away a layer of dead grasses and frost.
A smile curved her lips slightly and she huffed a soft sound of relief. "Chaser." She placed her hand over the paw print and repeated, "Chaser." Then she was on her feet and running.
Chris watched their surroundings intently, occasionally tilting his head to look up at her before bounding off to dance a few paces ahead. When she paused he hurried over to her side, snorting against the snow and flicking his ears every which way. He lifted his head to look around with a quiet rumble before bowing his head to the ground again to try to pick up on whatever might have been left of the wolf's scent.
As she ran, though, he bounded after her before she'd gotten further than a few paces ahead of him. Christopher was quickly at her side, senses on high alert for further signs of her pack as he loped along. There were small marks and scents here and there so he stayed comfortably at her heels, certain they were headed the right way. Privately, he was worried for his mate, though. Markings were one thing, but just how far behind might they have been?
It was like she suddenly wasn't tired at all, adrenaline offering new energy as she raced through the snow. Her family was close, she knew it, they just had to be...
Suddenly she skidded to a stop, panting, and turned in a quick circle. Then she threw back her head and howled, hands cupped around her mouth to carry the sound further.
For several long, agonizing heartbeats there was silence. Then a shivery, answering howl sounded off, somewhere to the southeast, near an icy outcropping.
Brenna nearly sobbed, her knees starting to buckle with relief. "There." She pointed, digging the fingers of her other hand into Chris's coat as she used him to steady herself. "There..."
Chris watched her with sadness, a painful tugging in his chest to watch her call out for her family like she had. He wasn't expecting an answer.
His head snapped around to look off in the direction of the howl, dazed and trying to figure out how they'd somehow gotten ahead. Unless it wasn't the whole pack. Or perhaps they'd circled around, their scents still seemed to lead off ahead but he trusted Brenna if she was certain that was them.
He chuffed excitedly, arching his shoulders against her touch. He was eager to hurry her along to find them, perhaps finally putting an end to her distress over their displacement, but he was wary of her sudden signs of exhaustion and didn't move to lead her away on his own.
Tilting his head back he looked up at her with a somewhat pleading look, hoping she was alright, praying she hadn't pushed herself too far. He could only hope she was just overcome with emotion. Rumbling softly he nuzzled against her, curling his tail protectively around her on the ground.
Brenna nodded at her mate, thankful for the support, then she was off again, a stumbling run through the snow until she reached the outcrop. She chuffed a soft bark, peering around as she slowed her pace to appear nonthreatening. Her pack would have recognized her howl, but they were being hunted, and she didn't want to add to their stress.
She saw Icefang first, then her brother Chaser, both huddled in front of the others under the small cave the outcropping formed. There was blood in the snow, but she counted and they were all there, all except Brokefang.
She collapsed to her knees, sobbing in relief, and her sister surged forward, licking her face and whining softly as the others shuffled closer. She wrapped her arms around Icefang's neck and hung on tight.
The leopard lagged behind, cautious and keeping a wary eye out for an ambush. Somehow he expected their hunters to be alerted to their location by the brief howls. But he relaxed when nothing immediately stood out to him and trotted up behind her.
He observed the wolves cautiously, keeping a bit of distance and not exactly feeling welcome to their reunion. He noticed the absence of their alpha but didn't think it worth pointing out if Brenna didn't seem concerned.
The shifter shuffled in place, chuffing curiously at the human and eyeing the wolves in his uncertainty, wondering if he was allowed any closer to their makeshift den.
Longclaw shouldered his way forward, giving Brenna cursory nuzzle before staring at Christopher, hackles raised.
Brenna lurched forward and wrapped her arms around her foster father's neck, whining and huffing quietly before nuzzling his cheek. With a grumble he subsided, stepping aside to allow the two newcomers into the rather open cave.
Brenna hurried forward, stroking Bright-Eye's back and rubbing Shade's ears before she knelt next to Snowfur, who was sprawled on her side, panting. She whined in concern, eyes narrowing as they roamed over her, searching for an injury.
Chris had remained poised to run while Brenna sorted things out with Longclaw, eyes never leaving them until it seemed he was accepting and allowing. Shaking out his coat a bit he uncoiled the tension through his body and padded forward to follow Brenna inside and join her at her side again.
To his animal senses their current choice of den seemed a flurry of emotion and mixed signals, his ears flickering every which way atop his head and his nose was overwhelmed by the mix of excitement and anxiety with the scent of blood in the air. It seemed unnatural to him and was entirely throwing him off. With a huff he bowed his head and pressed close against his mate, anxious for her to relax and not understanding what about her foster mother was concerning her so at the moment.
Snowfur was hurting, but Brenna could find no signs of an outward injury- which actually seemed odd, because most of the pack had even a few cuts or scrapes.
Bright-Eye huffed, then whined at her. Brenna sighed and curled up next to her foster mother. She reached out for her mate, burying her fingers in his ruff and trying to pull him down next to her. "The pups," she murmured to explain what was going on. "Her tummy is hurting. She might have...lost them."
Christopher inched forward cautiously, wary of interrupting but eager to obey his mate's wishes if she truly wanted him there. Her explanation caused his heart to clench, never having had need to worry for such a thing in his own family but he felt for hers all the same because of it. They were her pack and this was her foster mother in distress.
He gave a soft, sympathetic sound, staring at her helplessly for a moment before tucking his head against her side. With a sigh he let his leopard form slip away, curling his arms around her as he settled beside her and tucking his head against her shoulder instead. The scents of their den didn't seem so strong but the blood was still unmistakable. "Will she live?" he asked quietly, knowing as soon as the words had left his lips that it was an entirely unfair question to ask of her.
Chris frowned, rubbing his cheek against her shoulder and shaking his head firmly with a murmured, "Forget I said that."
A sob caught in Brenna's throat and she turned her face into her foster mother's ruff even as she hugged Christopher around the shoulders. "I- I think so," she murmured. "But she needs rest, and the hunters will come."
Longclaw growled at the word "hunters"- he didn't know many human words, but that one was familiar to the whole pack.
Icefang whimpered rather pathetically and crawled on her belly toward her mother, nuzzling their noses together with a soft huff. Brenna sighed and stroked her sister's ears, then her muzzle, making soft little whining sounds: it would be okay, she would protect them.
She desperately hoped she could live up to that promise. Her hand clenched in her mate's hair and she swallowed thickly, clenching her eyes shut to stop tears.
Chris nodded, looking around them to watch the wolves with sad eyes. "You should rest with them," he suggested quietly, smiling slightly for the sight of her affectionate foster sibling. "At least for the night. I can- I will stand guard for you, keep the hunters away. Maybe scare them a little."
As much as he hated the idea of purposefully using his abilities to the detriment of humans he recognized that those who chased her wolves probably weren't people to be reasoned with by normal means. He wasn't sure if it was even a good, reasonable idea or even safe for him, but he wanted to ensure that his mate got time with her pack.
Her head snapped up and she looked at him with wide eyes. "What- no! What if they hurt you?" Her hand clutched at his arm desperately.
Longclaw gave a questioning huff and she answered with a whine and a soft bark, lowering her eyes as she explained what her mate had offered. The alpha looked Christopher over, then gave another huff and a brisk nod.
Brenna glowered between the two males. "He...says he will watch with you. Protect each other," she muttered reluctantly. "But I don't want you to, either of you! We should hide- I can carry Snowfur, we'll find a safer place-"
Her foster father cut across her with a low growl- not angry, just asserting his dominance- and she ducked her head, brow still furrowed.
Brenna's immediate reaction was endearing to him but also a bit frustrating. What good would it do them if he spent his time hiding away with the rest of them instead of looking out for her and the pack? Couldn't she see that he just wanted to protect them? Protect her?
"Brenna... It would be safer for us all if we aren't all huddled together. We can just... Keep watch," he decided, reaching out to pat her foster father before remembering himself and pulling his hand back to his side. Instead, he reached out to give her a brief hug. "I promise I won't go looking for trouble, I just want to be a...barrier. A first line of defense. You could have some warning if the worst were to happen." But it wouldn't. He couldn't let that happen, either.
"That's just...a worst case situation. We'll be fine. If we hide wouldn't they just keep coming for us anyway?" Christopher smiled sadly and leaned in to nuzzle against her hair, gathering her close and shooting a warning glare to the Alpha male for causing such noises from his mate. "There's nothing to worry about.We'll keep you safe, okay?"
Longclaw seemed a bit taken aback by Chris reaching out, but he didn't try to snap at him, which Brenna supposed was a step in the right direction.
With a soft whine she wrapped her arms around her mate's neck and clung on tightly. "Be safe," she whispered eventually, realizing she wouldn't be able to talk him out of it.
"Thank you," he told her genuinely, gathering her up in a warm hug and burrowing his nose against her neck for a moment. "I promise I will be. You just take care of yourself. And the others."
Gently petting at her hair for a moment the shifter scanned the wolves over her shoulder, a frown setting upon his face to know they were so far from their chosen home. He doubted they would return now after being so violently attacked and down a pack mate. He pondered it briefly but he really didn't want to think on what he would do if Brenna might never live close to his den again.
"I'll come for you if there's danger. Help hide you all until it's safe. Hopefully it won't come to that." Chris smiled affectionately, pulling back to study her face with an encouraging glimmer to his eyes.
Brenna whimpered quietly and kissed him, cupping his face between her palms before letting her forehead rest against his.
"Love you," she murmured.
Longclaw moved forward, huffing at his pack before bumping against Christopher's side, urging him to move so they could begin their vigil.
Christopher hugged her warmly, nuzzling against her cheek and leaving her with a few quick kisses before he pulled away to stand. "I love you, too, my mate. It won't be forever, just stay strong, alright? I'll be back before you know it and we'll all be safer for it. Just get some rest."
He reached out to grasp her shoulder briefly, wanting to go for another hug but also not wanting to irritate Longclaw by making him wait. Keeping things civil between himself and their alpha was more important in the end, the shifter stepping away and leaving his clothes with the rest of their things before taking his cat form once more.
He trotted quickly to join Longclaw at his side so they might find a post together, gently butting his head against the alpha's shoulder in an almost playful affection that wasn't exactly appropriate considering their circumstances.
The wolf started and twisted his head around to huff at the cat, obviously not quite sure what to do with him. He shook his head and gave a soft chuffing noise that might have been something close to fond exasperation, then nudged his nose into his side, steering him toward the west to take up watch while he moved east.
Brenna curled up next to her foster mother, worried whimpers rising in her throat. She drew the alpha female's head into her lap and stroked her neck and shoulder rhythmically as the pack crowded in around them.
It took Chris a moment to understand the alpha's meaning, watching him closely as they took separate paths to make sure he wasn't going to change his mind before committing to the west side and trotting up the unfamiliar incline to find the highest point he could reach without being reckless.
He couldn't detect any signs that humans were around them yet but he remained vigilant as he settled himself into the fluff of powder at the top of his chosen hill to keep watch.
Despite her best intentions, Brenna found herself drifting off as the wolves crowded in around her and Snowfur. She was just so tired, so tired...
She didn't know how much later it was when Icefang's nose shoved into her ribs, jerking her awake. She gasped and shot up, then remembered she had her foster mother's head in her lap. She whined in apology to the alpha female and stroked her fur.
Her eyes flickered around, forgetting for a moment that her mate and Longclaw were on watch. Another whine rose up in her throat when she couldn't find them and she got up slowly, picking her way out of the pile of furry bodies.
About halfway through following the leopard's tracks she remembered why he was outside in the first place. She followed his prints anyway, kneeling down in the snow when she reached him. She reached out to bury her fingers in his ruff in silence.
Christopher was alert but struggling to stay awake until he picked up on Brenna's approaching scent later in the night. He remained tense until he caught sight of her coming up the bank, a curious glint in his eye as he watched her come closer and felt her hands threading through his coat.
He purred softly, tilting his head to nuzzle her arm but not wanting to shift to ask questions if she wanted to cuddle his cat instead of her wolves.
Brenna sighed and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She remained quiet, content to simply be with him.
Chris flicked his ears back and forth before deciding to shift around to lean against her, wanting to be cautious given their current situation but happy to provide whatever comfort she sought in joining him in his vigil.
The wild girl sighed quietly and hugged him a little tighter, burying her fingers in his fur. Despite the chill, she once again felt herself beginning to drift off, though she fought it as long as she could. Finally though, her head lolled against his shoulder and some of the tension left her body as she slipped under.
The spotted cat rumbled his content as he felt her relax in sleep, relieved that she hadn't come to tell him something had happened in his absence. Concerned for her warmth, though, he curled his tail around her as best as he could and hoped the wind would keep off their hillside for the night.
Brenna was used to sleeping outdoors, but still she shivered and sought warmth instinctively, curling into her mate more and more over the course of the night. Her whole body was shaking lightly by the time the sun finally started to make an appearance.
Christopher split his attention for the remainder of the night, concerned for Brenna but also still trying to do what he'd promised for her and her pack. Once the morning officially arrived he was up and fussing over her, tail swishing in nervous agitation as he bowed over her to lick at her cheek with the hope of gently rousing her so they could return to the shelter of the den together.
"Mmmph." Brenna curled in a little tighter and tried to hide her face, thinking it was one of her littermates licking her. She barked a quiet protest before she realized the tongue was too rough to belong to a wolf.
"Chris?" She blearily returned to the waking world, blinking up at him. The glint of light off the snow informed her it was morning and she sat up, shivering. "S-sorry. Come on, let's go b-back," she murmured, teeth chattering a bit as she buried her fingers in his ruff and smiled, pressing a kiss to his nose.
He huffed quietly and butted his head against her, amused at her grogginess but glad to be on their way. Leaping away to take the steeper side down the hill he quickly realized his mistake as he sunk belly-deep into the snow.
With an agitated yowl he pinned his ears and surged onward, carving a path until he reached the bottom and could climb out to more solidly-packed snow and make his way back to the den.
Brenna couldn't help laughing as she followed after him, using the path he cut through the snow to make things easier.
"Easy there," she chuckled as she came up beside him, resting a hand on his head.
Chris just huffed, shaking himself out and trying to shed some clinging snow from his fur in the process. Ducking into the den his ears twitched every which way for a moment as he listened to the quiet sounds of the wolves, pleased there was no signs of strangers being among them.
He padded over to his pile of clothing and shifted smoothly as he picked them up, shivering slightly for a moment until he was dressed again. "Well that went better than expected," he chuckled, turning to gather Brenna close in a bear hug. "Safe and sound."
The moment his arms were around her she clung to him like a bur, head buried in his chest as she heard the soft padding of her foster father's paws entering the little shelter.
Longclaw brushed past them as he moved to check on his mate, nuzzling Brenna's hip and giving Christopher an approving sort of huff. Brenna held her mate tighter, shivering slightly.
"Like the cat," she muttered. "But wanted this. Needed this." Her vocabulary seemed to have decreased slightly under the current stress.
Christopher smiled sadly for her words, raising a hand to bury in her hair and clutch her close as he watched Longclaw join his mate. "I'm sorry. I can stay like this as long as you like," he offered, turning to press a kiss on top of her head. "Needed to make sure you were safe, that your family was safe."
Brenna nodded and muttered something unintelligible under her breath. Her arms tightened around him for a few moments before she pulled away with a reluctant sigh.
"Gotta hunt," she murmured, the wolves starting to stir around them. "We all need to eat."
Christopher frowned at that, knowing it was what she needed to do but wishing they could stay together at the same time. "Do you want me to go with you?" It was said more as a suggestion than a question, tension in his words as he stepped after her.
But then a shimmer of guilt entered his eyes as he glanced towards her foster mother. "I should stay and guard her instead, huh?" he thought aloud.
A small, sad smile twitched at her lips and she reached her hand up to lay her palm against his cheek. "Yes. Please."
She rocked up onto her toes to kiss him quickly. "Back soon. I love you."
"I'll keep her safe," he promised, smiling sadly for a moment before leaning forward to give her a quick peck.
"Love you, too," he murmured, rubbing a hand along her back encouragingly before releasing her and moving to sit down closer to Snowfur. Reaching out cautiously he ran a gentle hand along her muzzle and fluffy neck, hoping the contact might be soothing for her.
The wolves pressed against their alpha female as they filed out into the snow, Brenna moving along with them and falling into her familiar place in the pack's formation.
Snowfur huffed quietly and rolled an eye back to look at Christopher. She lifted her head slightly and nosed his palm, obviously appreciating the contact with the absence of her family around her.
"Easy there," he murmured softly to her, smiling at her attempt for contact but hoping she wouldn't strain herself at all. The shifter alternated between gentle petting and scratching along her coat as he quietly watched the entrance to the makeshift den.
"You raised her well," he finally praised, not knowing if Snowfur understood him or not but wanting to speak to her anyway to fill the silence. "She has such a big heart."
The dire wolf huffed, eyes soft as she looked up at him. She let her head fall back to rest on her paws and seemed to drift off, her breathing evening out.
The rest of the pack was gone for several hours, and the first to return was Icefang. She bounded back into the little shelter, sniffing her mother before tilting her head to eye Christopher with a soft woof.
The peace between them was calming, soothing his jarred nerves from being left with his mate's own foster mother under his care. He wasn't very confident and truthfully didn't feel he knew the first thing about caring for a sick or injured creature.
When Icefang returned Christopher lifted his head sharply, immediately alert but relaxing once he recognized that her actions were more a greeting than a warning. Reaching out cautiously he ran the back of his hand along her neck and shoulder. "You're back early," he scolded lightly, glancing to eye the mouth of their shelter for signs of the others. "Did you have a good hunt?"
Icefang seemed to understand, if not his words at least the intent, and she huffed at him before curling up beside her mother, nuzzling the older wolf affectionately.
Her brothers came creeping into the cave moments later, followed by Brenna, who was helping her foster father lug an elk behind her. Snowfur whined and raised her head, obviously hungry.
The wild girl heaved the animal closer to the mouth of the little outcropping, then sort of sprawled herself across the ground, hand reaching tiredly for her mate and eyes closed. "Everything okay?"
Chris scooted himself to the edge of the cave to make room for the rest and their kill,eyes scanning over them anxiously for signs of injury until he caught sight of Brenna. Hurrying to her side he wrapped an arm around her supportively as he knelt at her side, eyes scanning her more thoroughly for signs of harm.
"I think so. She just seems tired," he finally answered, huffing a relieved sigh as he gathered her up in his arms for a hug. "You're not hurt anywhere, are you?"
She smiled tiredly, eyes closed, and turned her face into his neck. "No. M'fine. Just tired," she murmured, snuggling closer as the pack filed their way in and circled around the alpha female, whining and nuzzling her gently.
He held her close, dropping a kiss on top of her head and watching the wolves out of the corner of his eye. "Maybe take a nap? Looks like you got more than enough meat with that one," he pointed out with a soft chuckle, a little amused by how small she looked compared to the elk.
Brenna poured at him a bit, but she curled up easily on his lap with a soft huff and closed her eyes.
"Just a few minutes," she muttered. "I'm just resting my eyes."
"Sure. Just a few minutes," he teased lightly, cradling her head against him and curling around her as best as he could. Truthfully he was a little tired himself given how much he'd been in an alert watch mode the past couple of days. Resting his head against her he allowed himself to drift off into a light sleep, content in trusting her to stay near.
Breath coming slow and deep, Brenna was clearly not just dozing, exhaustion sweeping her into a deep sleep. She curled toward Chris unconsciously, arms snaking out to wrap around his waist as she snuggled in.
Her pack moved in around the two sleeping two-leggers, snuggling up to their sides in a furry wall.
He barely stirred for the wall of wolf bodies cradling them and ended up drifting into an even deeper sleep that left him limp and leaning at all kinds of awkward angles he would be paying for once he woke.
When he opened his eyes next Christopher was a little surprised to see that sunset was nearly over and stars were already beginning to peak out along the sky. He turned his head sharply to check on Brenna, grunting at the stiffness in his neck and rolling his sore shoulders a bit. "Brenna?" he whispered at her ear, wary of waking her if she wasn't quite ready to get up from her nap.
"Mmn." The wild girl frowned in her sleep and shifted against him, then slowly yawned and blinked her eyes open.
"Chris?" She blinked again, then sat up quickly. "What- how long sleeping?" she mumbled, rubbing at her eyes.
Chris couldn't help the slight, guilty flinch for her question as he glanced out at the sky. "Just a little while... A few hours," he admitted, hoping she wouldn't be mad that he'd fallen asleep, too.
Another soft humming noise and she buried her face in his neck. "Five more minutes," she mumbled, wrapping her arms snugly around his waist.
It wasn't as though anything urgent needed to happen in the next few minutes...
Chris chuckled softly at that, petting her hair affectionately and hugging her close. "Sure. Only five, though," he teased lightly, completely content to let her rest however long she wanted so long as they had nothing pressing to attend to. With her pack found and hunting done he hoped they wouldn't be in a hurry to make another move just yet.
Brenna sighed, shifting and wriggling until she'd climbed practically into her mate's lap, arms around his neck and cheek resting against his collar.
The wolves stirred sleepily, some raising head or yawning while the others just shifted or rolled over with quiet huffs and whines.
He gave an amused huff, leaning down to kiss her forehead and reaching out to pull her closer to cradle against his chest. The shifter was quite pleased with himself for being able to give his mate a comfy spot to rest by merely existing.
He settled in again, looking around them as light leaked into the den more and more, just watching their wolf companions in quiet amusement. Once he was certain at least fifteen minutes had passed he lifted a hand to gently rub along her arm, hoping he wouldn't startle her awake at all. "Probably time now, Brenna," he whispered, bowing his head to pepper her face in playful little kisses ghosted along her skin.
"Mph!" Brenna wriggle and crinkled her brow, but she was smiling sleepily, eyes still closed. "Stop it, ge'off," she laughed quietly, shoving blindly at her mate's shoulders. "Don't wanna wake up yet..."
He was a wall against her shoving, completely unmoved and really it only encouraged him more. "Aw, c'mon, you've slept enough!" he groaned, snaking his hands down to her waist and playfully making to lift her up slightly off his lap. "You're worse than tree sap."
"Nooooo." Brenna ducked her head against his shoulder to hide her grin and wrapped her arms and legs around him.
Their jostling woke her brother, who grumbled and snapped at them lazily in protest.
Chris grunted at the unfairness of her tactics, relenting and deciding she could stay if she really wanted, but he wasn't going to make it easy. He reached out an apologetic hand to stroke along the wolf's side but then wrapped an arm under her butt for support and made a sudden move to stand. "You can just come along with me if you're going to stick to me like a briar but it's time I get up," he teased.
Bryn squeaked and had to cling to him tighter to avoid falling. But she laughed, growling playfully and nipping at his shoulder in retaliation.
Then a pained grunt from her foster mother drained the playfulness from her and she practically sprang away from her mate, kneeling next to the alpha and whining in concern.
Another pained huff. A sharp yelp from her sister. The males suddenly stiffened while the she-wolves clustered around their alpha.
Brenna stared up at Chris, eyes wide. "Pups coming- how they hurt her, made it happen soon. Early." She couldn't remember words, she was panicking.
Chris froze, watching her with the wolves warily and not really understanding what was going on until it had been explained to him. Being the baby of his family he'd never been around for the birth of his sisters. Or anything else for that matter.
"Oh. Pups," he mumbled distractedly, moving closer to her but not really knowing what to do with himself. Was it even appropriate for him to be in the den? Could he do anything to help?
"Should I leave?" he asked apprehensively, reaching out to brush her arm.
"Yes." She would probably feel bad about how curt she sounded later, but she didn't have time for it now.
The beta wolf snapped at the males, chasing them out of the makeshift den, and turned to growl at Chris, ears back and hackles raised. Even Icefang was shooed away, leaving Brenna with her foster mother and Bright-Eye.
While undeterred by the growling and aggressive displays the shifter understood the seriousness of them and made to leave after giving Brenna's arm a small squeeze of assurance. "I'll be outside if you need me," Chris promised, voice a little shaky with uncertainty about the whole situation and its suddenness.
As he stepped out into the snow rubbing the sleep from his eyes he realized he was actually a little scared, having never been a part of anything like it before. He paced about to pass the time, not even realizing how nervous and anxious he was.
The male wolves seemed to be in a similar state, pacing and growling, while Icefang curled herself up in the entrance to the den and whined nervously.
Brenna had no idea what she was supposed to be doing, but she wanted to help. Bright-Eye gave her direction, and she did as she was told.
Snowfur was in labor for some hours, longer than her first litter by long enough that her mate had begun to howl quietly, tension in every line of his body. Finally, the beta female crept from the cave, a tiny, limp body held by its scruff. She paced some ways away, ignoring her pack, and started to dig.
Brenna followed, two more of the pups cradled in her arms and tear tracks down her face. Longclaw howled and darted into the den to comfort his mate while his foster daughter joined Bright-Eye.
Two pups had lived, but they were tiny, born too early, and their was no guarantee they would even last the night. Brenna sniffed, wiping at her eyes as she helped Bright-Eye hide the tiny bodies under the snow, as was custom.
The wait felt like an eternity made even longer by having no idea how long such a thing could or even should take. The anxious energy of the rest of the pack around him did nothing to calm his nerves but he did finally sit upon some nearby rocks, scratching his shoe through the snow to pass the time.
When movement finally happened and he raised his head with hope it took Chris longer than was comfortable to realize Bright-Eye was not coming out to present the pup to them but to bury the unmoving little body. He swallowed back against the lump in his throat as he watched Brenna follow with more, his heart dropping in his chest to see how upset she was. It was a loss for the whole pack, he was realizing, not just Snowfur and Longclaw.
He followed after her but kept his distance, wanting to allow them privacy but too anxious not to hover nearby as he desperately wanted to offer support to his mate.
She could almost feel how close he'd gotten, and without a word Brenna whirled into his arms, hiding her face against his chest as she cried silently.
The wolves had clustered together, giving Longclaw and Snowfur space in the den as they huddled together outside, howling and whining softly.
Brenna was shaking, clutching at Chris like a lifeline. "T-two," she finally managed to gasp out. "There are...two."
Relief washed over him to know she was willing to turn to him in a time of weakness. He hugged her close, rubbing gently at her back and trying to help her calm down. He was sad for her, sad for her wolves, but he wasn't quite sure how to express such a thing when he was very new to them all still.
Two? He'd seen three little pups, had she missed the other? No, she must have known. Unless... "Two...what? Two pups?" he tried gently, glancing towards the den sadly as he listened to the wolves in mourning.
Bryn nodded, sniffling, and kept her face pressed against him, hands fisted in his shirt. His scent was soothing, and she didn't want to break away from it.
"Two," she repeated. "They're- they're so small. They'll need help..."
The shifter sighed heavily, a deep frown creasing his face as he continued rubbing at her back and just holding her close. He wasn't quite sure what sort of help baby wolves like that might need, he'd never even really seen how normal wolf pups were raised. "I'll help with anything you need. Or I'll just be here for you if you don't need my help," he assured her, kissing at her hair and sighing sadly. "I'm sorry...for the others."
Another sob caught in her throat and Brenna nodded helplessly against them.
"They can't- they can't stay here," she whispered. "Not enough game. Too open. They won't...survive."
She whimpered, clinging to him. "But we can't go back. The hunters will come again, they'll-" She shivered.
A troubled look stuck to his face, eyes sad to hear his mate's explanation. He agreed with her, it really didn't seem like an ideal place for a pack let alone one with pups to shelter and care for, but what were they do to?
"Should we...find somewhere else for them to go?" But somewhere else would mean further from his home, a home he wasn't sure he was ready to give up. "They need a better home. I'll help you find one," he promised.
She nodded, but it was vague and forced. She couldn't deal with this right now, there was too much.
The wolves had slowly been tricking back into their temporary den. She pulled away, sniffling, and muttered, "I should...be with them."
It was something they could worry about another time. Really, he was just trying to distract from the pain of the moment. It wasn't his family, after all, but it still left him with an uncomfortable, empty feeling in his chest to know how his mate hurt for them now. With four losses in such a short amount of time in addition to being uprooted from their home... It was a lot of stress on them all.
"Sure," Chris mumbled, releasing her and giving her a last touch along her arm before he stepped back. He wouldn't intrude. He assumed they needed time as a pack now and he wasn't really a part of that.
Brenna hesitated, then pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before she crawled back into the makeshift den.
Snowfur was curled tightly around her two living pups, her mate wrapped as much around the three of them as he could manage. The others had given them as much space as possible in the tiny den.
Brenna shifted forward to curl up between Icefang and Chaser, glancing toward the mouth of the little outcropping again. "Chris...you can come in, if you want."
Chris sat himself back down upon his place on the rocks once she was gone, watching as she went through the mouth of the den. He watched her through the fur of the wolves curled together but frowned at her words. It really wasn't his right to intrude upon them.
"I'm alright here, it isn't cold yet," he called to her, waving his hand in dismissal. As much as he wanted to be with her he wanted her to be with the pack without him there to interrupt. He wasn't really a part of it, after all. Sure, they had their reasons to be friendly towards him for Brenna's sake but how could a leopard -and a shifter at that- be part of such a bond?
Bryn looked at him for a long moment, then nodded and settled herself in among her pack.
They didn't sleep, but didn't move either, just curled together to feel each other's warmth, hear the heartbeat of the pack and feel their breath rising and falling together. Sometimes it was what was needed, this reaffirmation, especially after losing so much.
The shifter kept a tentative watch over the den, or at least as much as he could sitting near it frozen in thought. He was glad they'd found them again for her sake but he was left feeling a particular emptiness that night.
What sleep he got was fitful and eventually he just remained awake, staring up at the sky as the stars faded away into morning.
BRenna was up before most of her pack, and she crawled over their huddled bodies to slip out into the open air.
"Chris?" Was he asleep? She crept a little closer, not wanting to wake him if he was sleeping, but also seeking the company.
He didn't startle at her voice but turned his head slowly before rolling over into his back to look up at her. "Morning," he mumbled, voice rough still from disuse. "Did you get any sleep?" He yawned and patted at the rocks beside him.
She nodded and settled beside him, leaning into his arm and letting her head rest on his shoulder. "Some. Everyone's...worried."
Chris draped his arm around her, pulling her in a bit as he idly rubbed along her shoulder. "Me too," he admitted quietly, eyeing her out of the corner of his eye without turning his head. "Do you feel any better or still...?" Sad? Empty? He wasn't sure exactly what to say to put the feeling into words.
Brenna shrugged and shook her head. "I don't...they weren't really...here. But I miss them," she murmured. It didn't make sense, but it was the best way she could put it into words.
Unconsciously, she pressed a hand to her belly. "I can't imagine-" She cut herself off and shivered, clenching her eyes shut.
"Well, I'm sorry you lost them. You and your pack." And he meant that, not really knowing what they could have been feeling but understanding it was crushing from what he'd witnessed already.
Chris squeezed her close momentarily for the shudder, finally turning his head to study her with a thoughtful frown. He tried to piece together her words with her body language, finally guessing, "...losing a pup?" A brief ache seized his heart at the thought, realizing a child of hers would be his own as well.
She nodded dejectedly and leaned into his side with a small whimper. Her face turned into his shoulder and she just breathed him in for a few moments.
"We have to...find somewhere," she whispered eventually. "Somewhere else. Somewhere safe."
"We will," he murmured, trying to stay optimistic for her. "We can find a good home for them. Lots of game, no hunters. I'm sure there's plenty of good land further away from the villages. Just stay inland a bit and off the coast. Near the mountains might be good."
He fell quiet, thinking on it again and giving her another brief side-hug. "They might not want to move yet with pups so young, though."
Brenna shook her head. "We don't want to. But we don't have a choice." She sighed and put her head in her hands. "I...can carry them. In my...clothes. It'll be warmer. But we'll need to stop a lot, so Snowfur can feed them. And we won't have time to hunt..."
Chris hummed thoughtfully, not really knowing how often young mammals needed to be fed by their mothers but feeling sympathetic to their limitations. "Can the others not go without you? Or maybe...would they let me help?" He could even hunt without them, but he would likely need to bring down a few smaller animals rather than the larger ones they managed to take as a pack.
Her head snapped up and she blinked at him. "You...help?" She sniffled, suddenly on the verge of tears again, though she honestly didn't know why.
He was a little startled for the sniffling, uncertain if he'd somehow made her unhappy with the offer. "Well... Yes? If I'm allowed to, if hunts aren't all that private to them maybe. Is that a bad idea?" he wondered aloud, rubbing at her shoulder with concern for the sniffling. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her while she was already having an emotional day he couldn't even begin to understand.
Brenna shook her head quickly and buried her face against his shoulder. "No. Good. It's good." And sniffles and wrapped her arms right around him.
Stars and spirits, she just wanted to rest. She could even imagine how her foster parents were faring.
"Then that's settled. I'll help." Chris hugged her close with a sad smile. She'd been through so much in a short period of time. He wasn't even sure if he was actually being helpful or not but he hoped he was, the last thing he wanted was to be in her way.
"It's been a long day, why don't you lay down for a bit? You should relax," he coaxed gently. "I'll stay right here."
With another little whimper she nodded, then proceeded to just climb into his lap. She made her body into a tiny ball and tucked her head against his chest, huddled with her arms around her middle and her knees drawn up tight.
After a bit of rest things seemed easier for Chris to cope with. He was no longer in the moment, there was no need for an immediate reaction and he had some time to think without that stress on his mind. It was even easier to clear his head when he was finally free to hunt as his leopard, somewhat coordinating with the pack hunts but ensuring that a few smaller animals were also caught so there would be plenty for them all to eat.
After several days once the tensions among the pack had settled and they were finally ready to keep moving Chris directed them the only way he knew to go and knew was safe: home. The way he saw it, his home was the only place he knew he could protect Brenna and protect the pack. He had no way of knowing if it might be to their liking long-term but the way he saw it his lands would be open to them for however long they needed. Even if they wanted to settle there and call it home he didn't really see a downside in the end.
None of the he packncould really relax, even once they'd crossed into more familiar territory. Brenna kept the two surviving pups close to her body, tucked into her shirt so they could share her warmth.
"We need to rest," she murmured to Chris as she fell into step beside him, panting lightly. "Just for a night... They won't all fit inside, but the pups need heat, and food. Could- could we stay with you?"
Her voice jerked him out of this thoughts and Chris startled slightly, his eyes glinting for a moment until Brenna's words registered and he realized she was asking for his help. His lips turned up at one side in a guilty smile and he reached to pull her in close against his side.
"Of course you can. We're almost there and you're all welcome. I think they would fit if they're huddled up, but- I can sleep outside if you need the room," he pointed out, observing her carefully for a moment. She looked tired, probably more than she was voicing in the moment and a glance back at the rest of the pack told him all he needed to know with them trudging along, no energy in their steps.
"Let me carry you," he offered as he turned back to look to Brenna, unaware of how his brow was creasing with concern.
She shook her head quickly as she hunkered into her coat more, keeping the two pups she carried close to the heat of her chest. "It's okay," she murmured. "I can walk. Just have to protect them."
A few quick barks relayed the information that her mate's den was open to them, at least for the night, and there was a palpable relief among the pack as they all realized they had a proper destination.
"You won't sleep outside," Brenna muttered firmly as she sidled closer to Chris. "It'll be okay. We all sleep in top of each other normally."
His lips fixed in a line, not wanting to let her have what she'd asked for but also not wanting to challenge his exhausted mate. Chris huffed out a short sigh, swallowing the words of disagreement that had been bubbling up in his throat. Her solution made sense, but he dearly hoped they would all be comfortable and could get a good rest after being on the run for so long.
"Stay for a few days," he offered, eyes filled with concern he didn't want to express until they were safely sheltered once more. He reached out to drape his arm loosely around her shoulders as she moved closer, the small consolation to carrying her soothing him. "I'll protect you and they know these lands a bit better, I'm sure. Give you some time to figure out what you'd like to do. We can scout out a new home for you, give those pups a little time in a proper den again." It seemed like as good idea as any to him, only understanding that he had a strong drive to protect Brenna and her family and ensure their comfort through an already-stressful time.
Brenna curled into his side as much as she could. The pack ranged listlessly around them, waiting for a cue to do...something. Anything.
The pups Brenna kept close to the warmth of her chest began to wriggle and mewl for their mother, hungry. She rubbed at their fur to try to warm them and cast her mate a terrified look. "We need to find somewhere to take a break soon. Please."
At their cries Chris looked down to the wriggling mounds of pup under her clothes, nodding eagerly at her request. He recognized the look in her eyes, a fresh wave of protectiveness overcoming him as he wracked his brain for some way to soothe her worries.
They were close enough that he roughly knew the lay of the land. He lifted his head sharply to survey the horizon beyond them, his eyes settling on an outcropping of rocks he recognized. Pointing at it with his free hand he rubbed along her shoulder with the other, trying to keep her close for her benefit from his warmth. "There's an old den in those rocks, I think. Probably not very big but it should be fine for a rest." He shuffled forward to continue on, eager to lead them there and put a rest to his mate's fretting.
Taking their cue from Chris' sudden movements, the pack ranged ahead, approaching the potential temporary den at a bark of encouragement from Brenna.
Chaser ducked into the rocky outcropping first, and when he signaled an all-clear the rest of the pack hurried forward, Brenna on their heels. She kept her fingers laced with Chris as she pulled him along close behind her and shuffled into the rather tight space.
Snowfur was immediately at her side and she unwrapped the pups from the warmth of her coat to pass them over to their mother, who gave a soft whine as she licked them and nuzzled them into the curve of her body so they could nurse. Brenna released an exhausted breath and leaned back against the wall of the den, her eyes fluttering shut without her permission.
Chris walked with her, tense as he watched the younger wolves examine the shelter he'd found. It was a relief that they seemed to take to it, filing inside one by one. At the very least it was enough to shield them from the bitter cold and the harshest winds.
He stayed at Brenna's side, looking over the wolves as they settled in before looking to his mate. His brow furrowed with concern as he watched her and saw just how exhausted she seemed from their journey. Perhaps he'd overestimated their ability to make the trek after dealing with so much stress in recent times, especially her.
"You're tired," he observed quietly, a heavy sigh escaping him as he shook out his hair. He was angry with himself for not noticing sooner. "I'm carrying you. Whenever they're ready to move again... I'm carrying you," he told her firmly.
"Wh- no..." Brenna struggled to force her eyes open and frown at him. "No. You're...tired too."
She couldn't seem to stop herself from leaning against his shoulder, despite her protests. "We're all tired," she murmured. "I'm...so tired..."
She slumped practically into his lap, eyes fluttering closed as she just...fell asleep. She'd been up, walking, worrying, fighting through snow and terror for the pups pressed close to her hearts, for so long that she just sort of...gave out.
Graywind gave a sharp bark of worry as he saw his sister fall into her mate's lap. He tried to wriggle closer, nosing at her hip with a concerned whine, then gave a little huff of relief as he realized she was just sleeping.
Chris stared at her with concern, a frown fixed upon his lips as he cradled her close against him. He rubbed gently at her arm, not wanting to press the issue with her when she was so clearly exhausted. As far as he was concerned he would be taking care of her and attempt to ease the stress she was putting herself through.
He looked to the young wolf that had come closer to check on her, smiling tiredly as he settled at her side. "She's alright," he murmured, hoping the creature might at least understand his tone. Chris dozed a little himself but never let himself fall too deeply asleep, waking every so often to peer out the mouth of their temporary shelter to the snowy grounds beyond. The den was cramped and he wanted nothing more than to see them safely moved to his home where he would feel much safer letting his guard down.
She wasn't sure how long she slept, but when she opened her eyes she was surrounded by her family, curled in her mate's lap.
"Chris?" She blinked tiredly, then suddenly jolted upright with a gasp. "Oh! How long did I sleep?!"
Her voice startled him from his half-asleep dozing, eyes blown wide as he straightened his back and looked down at her in a brief panic. But...all was well, they were still safe in the small den and the wolves were still there with them. Chris huffed a relieved sigh, squeezing her close and petting at her hair as he peered out at the darkened sky beyond.
"Sorry... Ah- Probably a few hours, it's almost night now." He frowned thoughtfully at that, uncertain if it would be safe to travel the rest of the way to his den with the pups in the cold and dark once night fell. "Should probably stay here until morning," he noted bitterly, furrowing his brow and mentally kicking himself for passing out and not staying on his guard.
Brenna bit her lip, frowning. She glanced around at her pack, who were just as exhausted as her, if not more so. If they didn't have the pups to consider, she might have insisted they press on, get to safety as soon as possible. But as it was...
She sighed and nodded, closing her eyes again as she let her head loll onto Chris's shoulder. "Alright," she murmured. "I'm sorry, Chris. Thank you..."
She was already drifting again, lashes fluttering as she fought to open her eyes.
"Don't apologize," Chris chastised playfully, gently ruffling her hair before smoothing it out again.
He stayed mostly awake through the rest of the night, cradling her close against him and listening to the sounds of resting wolves and the gentle whistle of the night winds rolling down off the mountains while occasionally dozing off for an hour or so.
By the time the sun was peeking out across the horizon Chris was fully alert again and relieved that nothing had come for them in the dark and cold of night. So near his den it could really only be human hunters following their tracks, but he hoped that they wouldn't try to find them again so soon after running them off in the first place.
The shifter yawned quietly, content to just observe the pack as they slowly roused themselves from sleep. At least he could still hear some faint mewling from the pups, and he breathed a soft sigh of relief to know they hadn't been lost in the night.
It was the pups's crying that woke Brenna, along with her foster mother. Snowfur shifted around to nose at the wriggling little creatures, encouraging them to nurse, and Brenna sat up groggily and looked around.
"We...wha--?" She yawned and let her head loll to the side, blinking as she tried to come fully back to consciousness. "Chris? How...long did I sleep?"
The sound of her voice snapped Chris away from his idle rest and daydreams, startling slightly as he felt movement from his mate curled on his lap. "Not too long," he reassured her quietly, reaching out to stroke at her hair. "It's just morning now, you needed sleep."
He frowned, looking around at the pack in the dim light. "Maybe we're going too fast."
"No." She shook her head firmly and forced herself to sit up properly, rubbing at her eyes. "No, we have to keep moving. We have to get somewhere safe."
She sighed as she caught sight of the pups, whining and nursing desperately from the obviously exhausted Snowfur. "...We have to wait until they're ready, though."
Chris hooked an arm around her shoulders, eyes following hers to watch the pups with their mother. "They're so small," he lamented quietly, squeezing her gently and rubbing at her arm. "We can wait, I don't think we're in any danger here for now."
Bryn managed to smile, just a bit, and murmured, "Well, they are babies." She leaned against his side with a small sigh. "They tend to be pretty small..."
Chris snorted, shaking his head incredulously. "Yeah, but...the adults are so big. They must grow pretty fast, right?"
Her smile softened slightly as she watched the pups suckle, Snowfur nuzzling them with worried little whines every so often.
"They get bigger," she replied vaguely. "A year or so...they'll be as big as the others."
His eyes widened a bit, a surprised chuckle passing his lips as he watched the wolves fondly. "Hunting with the rest and everything?"
She shrugged. "Probably still practicing, but soon enough. Two years is grown up for us. Them."
The correction took her slightly by surprise and she blinked, eyes going a little wide. Them.
When had that happened?
Chris eyed her curiously, a little surprised she was referring to the wolves separately but not wanting to draw attention to it. "You said you grew up with the younger ones, right?"
Brenna nodded, glancing to her foster siblings. "Yeah. My first year...Snowfur seemed to realize I wasn't growing as fast as a wolf-- a regular wolf, but Longclaw...I don't think he got it," she chuckled softly.
Another shrug and she leaned against his side more securely. "By the second winter, she was teaching me to hunt. I learned fast."
The shifter rubbed at her arm idly, content to cuddle and listen to her story. "I feel like my sisters taught me more than my parents ever did," he chuckled. "But I imagine your wolves are much better."
She smiled slightly and gave a noncommittal little shrug, but didn't answer.
Eventually, the pups seemed to have eaten their fill. Snowfur looked to her foster daughter with a soft, questioning yip and Brenna nodded quickly. It just made more sense for her to carry the pups, as she could tuck them inside her clothes close to her body heat.
She bundled the tiny wolves up into her shift and wrapped her arms around her middle, holding them close. She looked to Chris and nodded, eyes determined.
He watched with a soft, contented smile as Brenna got the pups situated. It warmed his heart to see how she cared for them, though he couldn't exactly explain why.
At her silent signal he rose to his feet, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek as he passed her by and stepped outside. His senses weren't nearly as sharp but he was close enough to home to read the landscape well and he didn't notice anything particularly alarming.
Motioning for them to come out and follow, Chris stepped aside to stand clear of the small mouth of the den to wait for the wolves and his mate. He would set a less rigorous pace, it would not be much further until they'd reach his den. If the snow was firm on the ground and they could make good time they would see rest again just after midday.
The wolves all heaved themselves to their paws with varying noises of exhaustion or pain, but they arrayed themselves at the mouth of their shelter, ready to move.
Brenna sighed quietly and looked to Chris, nodding again. "Let's go."
That was all the encouragement he'd needed, stepping away from their temporary shelter to set out towards his own home. "Tell me if they need a break...or you," he mumbled distractedly, following along with familiar landmarks and animal trails through the snow.
"I will." She foreced a small smile and leaned against him slightly. "But we're alright."
They would make it, at least. And the sooner they had real shelter, the better. Then they could deal with...everything else.
Chris had looped an arm around Brenna to support her as they walked, mindful not to bother the pups. He was entirely exhausted, though, the stress and lack of sleep or comfort still weighing heavily on him as he was certain it was for the rest of their group.
His pace grew slower as the day wore on but he did brighten with recognition once they were back within the bounds of his territory. He pointed out ahead of them as the entrance to his home in the rocks became visible. "Almost there," he encouraged with a tired huff.
When they did finally arrive it was all Chris could do to usher Brenna inside and out of the cold before he collapse to sit and rest. There was still so much to do to make it comfortable again with a fire to light, water to fetch, and furs and blankets to warm, but he would manage it all soon enough.
Brenna sagged with relief as they finally reached her mate's den, her knees giving out. She sank to the floor and was quickly surrounded by furry bodies, whining and yipping quietly.
"I know, I know," she murmured without thinking, carefully scooping the pups out from inside her shirt to offer them up to their parents.
The shifter watched tiredly as the pups squirmed across the stone, but Snowfur and Longclaw seemed eager to care for them. Chris scooted closer to his mate, pulling her close against his chest and resting his head against her shoulder with a tired sigh. "Rest now, I'll handle things in a minute," he mumbled.
"No..." She tried to push herself up, then collapsed back against him with a groan. "I hafta...check on them...keep them safe..."
Chris huffed, grumbling under his breath for her stubborn determination. She was going to work herself to death if he wasn't careful to watch her. "They're safe here," he murmured quietly, doing his best to hold onto her once she was leaning against him again. "They just need rest, and so do you."
"I—" she blinked up at him, sighed, then closed her eyes and let her head thump against his shoulder.
"Okay," she relented in a reluctant murmur, hiding her face against him. Stars, she was just...so tired...
Chris smiled sadly but squeezed her close when she finally gave in to his request. He understood it was probably difficult for her, but he desperately wanted to see her rested again before she ran herself ragged trying to keep up with them all.
"They'll be fine," he murmured, finally finding the strength to stand again. Scooping her up he carefully stepped around the wolves and padded his way across the furs with her to set her down on the bed. "Rest here, I'll get everything settled."
"Okay..." She was just too tired to argue. Even in her foggy state fhough, she managed to reach after him, groping around until she caught his wrist. "You'll stay...won't you? With me?"
She only meant once he was done setting up the fire and such, but she was just so exhausted all the words wouldn't form properly, and she didn't quite have it in her to try to elaborate.
He paused as he felt her hand curl around his wrist, leaning over her again to listen to her questions. He frowned slightly, misunderstanding her a bit and thinking she thought he was going to abandon her. "Yeah, not gonna leave you, silly," he teased lightly, leaning closer to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'll just be gone a few minutes then we can nap. That sound okay?"
Brenna sighed and released him reluctantly, nodding sleepily. "M'kay. I love you," she murmured with a sigh, finally relaxing back into the bed.
"Love you," he whispered, smiling warmly as he pulled up one of the furs on the bed to leave covering her. Once he was satisfied that she was settled he left his cave briefly to gather wood from the nearby saplings for the fire at his makeshift hearth. At least it was big enough to reasonably heat most of the cave away from the entrance.
With it started and the small flame growing healthily he took what pots and buckets he had to fill with snow and set them down in a semi-circle around the hearth to melt as the fire would continue to grow. He was certain he'd need to retrieve more later, though, once the wolves had drunken their fill. He added a few more branches from the torn up saplings to feed the fire until he was satisfied with the heat radiating off it.
Finally returning to Brenna he nudged at her shoulder gently as he climbed up to lay beside her, uncertain if she might still be awake.
The wild girl sighed softly and shifted to allow more room in the bed, half-asleep. "Everything okay?" she mumbled, eyes closed. One hand reached out find his arm, drawing it absently around her.
Chris smiled tiredly, humming quietly as he glanced over to where the wolves were gathered. They seemed content at least, or perhaps just too tired themselves to complain about his home.
He indulged her groping around for him after a moment, tucking himself against her side to draw her close to nuzzle gently against her neck. She seemed a bit warm to the touch...perhaps he'd been gone longer than he'd realized. The shifter hardly had the energy to dwell on it, though, exhaustion pulling him quickly into a deep sleep.
Despite a weariness that was bone deep, Brenna only managed to sleep for a few hours, and she was restless all the while.
Finally, she carefully disentangled herself from her mate and slipped out of the bed, picking her way around the furry bodies that littered the floor. Snowfur and Longclaw were curled around the pups, their grown litter snuggled close to their sides. Bright-Eye seemed to be guarding the door, though she too was asleep.
The shifter frowned in his sleep for the loss, quietly turning to reach out into the empty space around him for her. He resettled once he found nothing, though, entirely exhausted and unable to even open his eyes for the brief disturbance.
Brenna stilled when she heard him shifting and glanced back over her shoulder, then sighed quietly when he seemed to settle. Tip-toeing, she made her way back to the bedside long enough to lean down and kiss his temple gently.
"I'm okay. Be back soon," she whispered, just in case he was more awake than he seemed. Then she made her way back toward the door and slipped outside into the snow, shivering slightly at the drastic drop in temperature.
Chris was unaware of her absence until he began to wake a few hours, starting slightly when he realized the space beside him was cold. "Brenna?" he mumbled in confusion, lifting his head sleepily to look out at the rest of the cave that was empty save for the wolves.
Most of the wolves were awake, save Chaser, and Snowfur was once again nursing the pups, though she seemed much more content with her back to the fire and her family huddled around her.
Bright-Eye lifted her head from her place by the door and whuffed softly at Chris, nodding out into the snow to indicate where his mate had gone.
A chill settled in his blood for a lack of any verbal response, hurrying to his feet at the soft sounds Bright-Eye seemed to be directing at him. He watched her, eyes following her gesturing with a groan. He shook his head, quickly picking his way through the resting wolves to stumble outside.
He immediately found her footprints in the snow and he growled under his breath as he stormed off to follow them, calling out her name in an anxious, booming shout. Chris prayed his mate hadn't wandered too far.
It must have only been the second or third time he called when she heard. Brenna lifted her head and shouted back through the bitter wind, "Over here!"
She was already making her way back to the den, following her own footprints. Half a dozen arctic hares were strung over her back, and she was absently cleaning the blade of her knife as she approached.
She frowned slightly as she heard her mate calling. He sounded worried. "Chris?" She picked up her pace, jogging back toward him now.
When Chris finally caught her voice over the wind he squinted out into the distance and rushed to meet her as she came into view. He couldn't keep the open worry from his face, the scent of blood from the hares draining the color from his face until he realized it wasn't his mate's blood at all.
He breathed a shuddering sigh, shoulders slumping wearily as he reached out to hug her close. "Just- I woke up and you were gone," he mumbled in explanation, feeling a little silly after seeing that she'd only left to hunt for the pack. "Should've taken me with you, I could have...carried things," he muttered.
Oh.
He'd been worried.
Guilt clutched at her heart for a moment and she shook her head. "I didn't want to wake you," she murmured, stepping closer. "You were so tired... But I'm sorry I worried you."
Chris frowned, shaking his head at her apology. She'd only been trying to be nice, it wasn't fair he was getting grumpy over it.
"No, I... I understand. Just with everything that's been going on...I was scared for you," he admitted, reaching to try to take the small burden of the hares from her. Maybe he could at least carry it the rest of the way for her, short a distance as it was.
Brenna tried to smile reassuringly, but she was too tired to properly form the expression. “I’m sorry,” she repeated a little listlessly, and allowed Chris to take the hates from her as they started back to his den.
He'd settled them over one shoulder, using his free arm to pull her close in a side hug as he trudged back through the unbroken snow beside her tracks. Once they were safely out of the cold and back inside his home he moved to unstring the hares to give to the wolves, only holding one back so that his mate might be able to eat in peace.
"If they need more we'll find prey for them," he promised, eyeing the fire curiously as he held it up in question. "Cooked or raw?"
"Raw," she replied tiredly. "But we can cook one for us, if you want."
She didn't really want to take food away from the pack, but she knew Bright-Eye and her foster siblings could hunt for most of the pack while the nursing Snowfur took what she needed from Brenna's catch. They could spare a rabbit for the humans.
A tired smirk reached his lips as he turned to grab a knife and carefully begin the process of skinning it for her. "I was asking for you, I'll find my own later," he insisted, hoping to make sure his tired mate would not have any reason to go brave the cold alone again.
"We can share," Brenna insisted with a slight frown. She'd begun passing the remaining five hares out among the pack. Two went to Snowfur, and the other three were split between the active hunters. Hopefully it would be enough that they could go out and get some real game.
Chris watched her out of the corner of his eye as he quietly went about dressing the hare, humming softly in agreement. She was right, but he was anxious after the ordeal she'd gone through with her pack when there was still much more work to come.
After poking the fire a bit and adding more wood to the pile he set about the slow task of cooking the meat. It was about ready by the time the wolves seemed to be done with their share and when it had cooled enough he offered it out to her with an insistent, "Eat your fill first, I'll finish the rest."
Bryn frowned at him even as she began picking at the hare. She took care to leave as equal a half for him as she could manage before pushing it toward him with a determined glower. "Eat," she demanded, though it was rather ruined by the way she was sort of pouting at him.
His gaze hardened a bit at her demand, but he was certain she only meant well and relaxed with an acknowledging huff as he took up the remainder of their meal to eat quietly. "Did you sleep better?" he asked softly, peeking up at her for a moment before casting the wolves a curious glance.
Relaxing slightly when he finally started to eat, she nodded and leaned back against his bed with a small sigh. “Yeah. It is good to be...safe.”
She reached out and laid her hand over his, offering a tired smile. “Thank you.”
Chris shot her a tired smile, relieved that she'd been able to rest better and hopeful that she would continue to as they got more settled. At least until they were on the move again, searching for a home for the wolves. He certainly didn't mind them crowding into his own den, but they needed their own space eventually to raise the youngest pups.
When he was finished with his meal he tossed the bones aside and turned his hand over to grasp her own. He stayed like that for a few moments before moving to his knees and turning to sit down beside her instead. "You're welcome...but it's what I should be doing anyway," he reminded her with an indulgent quirk to his lips. "My mate safe and happy, warm and fed. Is there anything else you need?"
Brenna smiled and curled into his side, closing her eyes with a soft sigh. "Just you," she murmured, letting her head rest against his shoulder. "I'm just...so tired."
His eyes softened at her words, lips drawing into a tight line of concern. "Maybe we pushed too hard," he mused quietly, scooting close to press against her side and wrap an arm around her shoulders to pull her snugly against himself.
"You might need a few more days of good rest. Do you have it in you to let me do most of the work around here?" he asked with a soft chuckle, leaning close to brush a light kiss across her temple.
"I make...no promises," Brenna sighed softly, though she was smiling just slightly.
As if on some unspoken cue, the pack rose to their paws-- all but Snowfur and her nursing pups-- and moved toward the door, slipping out into the snowfields. Longclaw licked his mate's chin affectionately as he passed her and they nuzzled their noses together.
The human pack member tried to get to her feet, groaning. "I should help them."
Chris eyed the wolves out of the corner of his eye, tensing slightly as Brenna moved to stand and snapping a hand to try to hold onto her arm. "Ah ah ah," he scolded gently, eyes narrowing with concern and a low, warning growl rumbling through his chest. "Let them... You stay here, I can go if they need help."
As much as he didn't want to let her out of his sight he didn't want her feeling it was necessary to help them hunt. At least the wolves seemed to understand their limits, he was worried Bryn was so tired she might collapse and freeze to death if she went along.
From her place by the fire, Snowfur raised her head and growled at her foster daughter, obviously scowling. Brenna looked from the massive wolf to her mate, then sighed and sank down onto the bed in defeat.
"Fine," she huffed, folding her arms. Glancing toward Chris, she added, "Snowfur wants you to look after me." Her expression made it clear exactly what she thought about that. "She's says we have to stay here, stay warm."
His features softened as he watched Brenna and Snowfur's brief interaction. He was still fairly oblivious to most of the communication that went on between the dire wolves of her pack but he understood well enough that Snowfur was at least being sensible the way his mate reacted to her growls.
Chris relaxed his grip on her arm and moved to sit beside her instead, shooting Snowfur a grateful look. "That's a fine idea. You've been cold too long, don't have their fur to protect you," he pointed out gently, lifting one of the furs to settle around her shoulders for good measure.
"Thirsty?" he offered, glancing towards the buckets of snow he'd set out to melt, the firelight dancing in a blurry reflection now that they were liquid.
Brenna grumped and sulked on the bed, but relented with a small nod as she burrowed deeper into the furs.
She was thirsty.
“You need to rest too,” she pointed out with a small pout.
Chris nodded, giving her a small smile as he slipped away to fetch some for her. He filled a small waterskin and then set a fresh bucket of water down closer to Snowfur on his way back to the bed, not wanting her to have to move too far if she needed it with her pack temporarily gone.
He folded his legs to sit down beside Brenna, holding out the skin to her expectantly. "I have a feeling you'll be gone again the next time I close my eyes to rest," he teased lightly, giving her a small nudge.
Her chest tightened guiltily and, rather than reach for the water skin, she abruptly twisted and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I shouldn't have...done that. Left without saying anything. I didn't think... I didn't want to make you worry."
His eyes widened slightly in surprise, a little taken aback that she felt the need to apologize so much. Chris just shook his head, though, a sad smile playing at his lips as he turned to set his free hand to her arm and leaned closer to briefly nuzzle against her hair.
"It's okay," he murmured, huffing a soft sigh. "I just...worry over you, with everything that's happened. You don't have to tell me everything, but it'd be nice to know things like that. I could have gone with you and helped."
He shrugged, leaning closer again to brush a kiss to her forehead. Maybe she didn't even want help, but he felt it necessary to remind her of the standing offer.
"I want to help whenever you'll let me. It's what a mate should do," he reminded her softly, a little worried he wasn't doing enough for her as it was and it was a little intimidating. Their relationship was still so young, there was still so much he needed to learn about her and with her.
Frowning again, Brenna shook her head slowly. "No... I mean yes, I-- I want to help each other. Be there for each other. But I-- I really shouldn't have left on my own. Without telling you. It wasn't...okay."
Was that a pack thing? She had a feeling if her foster mother wasn't otherwise incredibly occupied she would have gotten quite a scolding for that. Why wasn't he angry with her?
The shifter just shrugged, briefly squeezing her close. She seemed unhappy, perhaps he hadn't understood...but he was sure he had. "Maybe just...try to remember for next time," he told her softly.
"I want to make sure you're okay. Safe," he added, glancing towards his makeshift door. "There's plenty of danger that could find you. I don't want that for you."
"Okay." Her eyes were so heavy. Stars, why was she so tired all the time? It had been a rough journey, but surely not enough to leave her this exhausted. "Chris..." She yawned. "Wake me...when they get back? I should hunt for us."
The shifter nodded, eyeing her with concern for the yawn and thrusting the water skin he'd been holding towards her. "Drink first and... Sure. Can we go together this time?"
“Mmhmm...” Brenna reached out for him blindly, groping until she found his hand and held it tight, drawing him as close as she could manage. “Together. Promise.”
Chris chuckled, smiling warmly for her sleepy affections. He draped an arm over her middle, pulling her close and nuzzling against her shoulder. "Take a nap, I'll be here," he murmured.
"Always." Brenna curled into the curve of his body, tucking her head up under his chin. "Always be here for you, Chris..."
And she was out, slipping into sleep in a matter of moments.
The shifter sighed happily, feeling a warm contentment in having her rest with him. He barely stayed awake himself, drifting in and out at the slightest sound from the outside world.
When the wolves began to file inside again the light coming through the door was much dimmer than it had been that morning. Perhaps afternoon. He found himself counting them off before he gently shook at his mate's shoulder. "Time to wake up," he whispered to her, in no hurry himself but wanting to give her time to wake slowly if she was still feeling drowsy.
With a sleepy grumble, Brenna blinked her eyes open and struggled to sit up, yawning. The pack greeted her with tired tail wags and a few soft huffs and she smiled at them, reaching over the edge of the bed to stroke ears and pat muzzles.
"How long was the hunt?" she asked softly, noticing that by the hearth Snowfur finally seemed to be getting some sleep, curled protectively around her pups.
"A few hours," he answered through a small yawn, shaking his head and leaning close to rest his chin on her shoulder. "Sun's out now, should be warmer."
Even as he said that though his arms were winding around her middle, gently trying to tug her back from the edge of the bed. He brushed a few lazy kisses up along her neck until he'd reached her ear to whisper, "But maybe we don't have to go today."
"Mmm." A soft smile curved at her lips and she arched her back, melting eagerly into his kisses. Despite all the fear and tension that had been with her he last few days, just being in his arms seemed to be enough to set her at ease. They were home now, they were safe.
"You keep doing that and Longclaw's gonna make us go outside," she chuckled lightly, shoving his shoulder playfully.
Chris huffed and rolled his eyes at that, though he did smile privately. He almost wanted to see the old wolf try, much as he knew how strong he was. "This is our den. He has no say," he pointed out in a playful growl, squeezing her closer for a moment and dropping a kiss on her shoulder.
His hands remained gentle, caressing fondly along her sides as he contently eyed the wolves over her shoulder.
Brenna laughed quietly and wriggled in his grip, his touch leaving pleasant trails of heat over her skin. "Maybe...but you're making me tingly." She pouted at him.
"Oh am I? Well I know how much you hate that," he teased, gradually loosening his hold on her but keeping his fingers loosely around her waist instead. Chris hummed happily, though, quite pleased with himself.
She squirmed, huffing softly when he released her-- though whether it was from relief or protest she wasn't entirely sure herself.
"I really need to go hunting," she sighed as she twisted to better face him, arms twining around his neck.
((Should we do a time skip? Maybe to getting the wolves settled in a new den?))
((OOC: Sure thing! ^_^))
As days rolled into weeks the pups were growing quickly and the pack as a whole seemed much stronger for the safe rest and good hunting the lands near his home provided. By the second week they'd scouted the surrounding area, finding a few suitable options woven along the base of the mountain range just within the bounds of Wendal and Faline's territory. It was close to them and certainly not too far from his own home but still he wrestled with thoughts about what he would do and where he would go once they were all settled.
About a month after they'd arrived they were finally setting out again to make the slow trek with the pups. They seemed strong for their age, but still he pitied them the hardships they'd already had to endure in their short lives.
Chris settled an arm around his mate as he watched them in their open curiosity, bounding ahead a little at a time with their ears tipped forward and shoulders square for just a moment before racing back to their mother's side. Their playful woofs and growls were endearing enough, but occasionally the shifter had to gingerly step over them as they stopped to tussle in the snow.
"What will you call them? Or are they too young for names?" he wondered aloud, certain he was beginning to see glimpses of their individuality shining through.
Brenna chuckled, bending to scrap gently with her newest siblings, the pack pausing up ahead of them. She looked up at Chris with a smile, a bundle of yipping, wriggling fur cradled in her arms.
“Probably won’t get names for a while,” as mused as the pup she held, the male, licked her chin. “Another month or so. Sometimes names are earned, sometimes they just...are.”
"I see," he chuckled, smiling subtly for the way they seemed to adore her. He bent to scoop up the other pup, arms firm as she wriggled and squirmed to be free of him, ignoring the way she mouthed at his hands with baby play growls.
"I bet you'll get something ferocious," he muttered in playful baby-talk, knowing full well the pup couldn't really understand him but feeling it necessary anyway.
Smiling as she watched them, Brenna got to her feet and moved to catch up with the rest of the pack, still playing absently with the pup in her arms. "'Course she will. She's a fighter," she murmured, reaching over to rub the little wolf's ears.
She didn't realize she was panting until Chaser moved up beside her and pressed against her side, huffing worriedly. She blinked, pausing. "No-- I'm not tired..."
Well...she was, a little. But they were taking an easy pace, there was no need for her to be winded, or even flagging.
Watching Chaser with his mate gave him pause and the shifter gave her a concerned once over, noticing the way she seemed to be struggling despite their slow pace for the pack's youngest.
"Didn't sleep well?" Chris slowed his pace a bit so they could lag a little further behind. "I can hold him," he offered, shifting the pup in his arms to one side temporarily as he offered an outstretched hand to Brenna for the male.
Silently, he worried for her. She'd had other days recently where she'd seemed so tired. At first he'd assumed it was the stress, but with plenty of rest and good hunting for the past weeks he began to wonder if she'd been overcome by some illness.
"Really, I'm fine." Brenna frowned at both of them, perhaps a tad more on edge than was usual. Pointedly, she hefted her tiny brother and strode forward, Snowfur and Bright-Eye pacing alongside her. "Come on. We want to get to the new den before sundown."
Chris frowned as he watched her push ahead, readjusting the squirming pup in his arms as he hurried to catch up to them.
"We will, don't have to rush," he reminded her gently, somehow feeling like he needed to particularly careful with his mate. She was certainly stubborn and headstrong for all she was worth but the wolves were evidence enough that something was a little off about her, they seemed to sense it too.
"Do you want to visit the pools again once they get settled? Hot water might do you some good," he suggested.
She was about to snap at him that she didn't need to be coddled when she caught herself. Why was she so irritated? She didn't like being treated like she was fragile, true, but she knew Chris was just worried about her.
Sighing, she ducked her eyes and nodded slightly. "Yeah, that-- that sounds good," she murmured.
Chris offered her a brief smile, comfortable enough with her acceptance to keep pushing forward with the pack. Maybe she was just feeling anxious to get them settled into their new home. He couldn't really blame her with the pups still being quite young and small even with the pair of humans to help carry them over the thick layer of snow on the ground. Exposure could still be a potential problem for their tiny bodies if they weren't careful.
As they neared the base of the mountains the shifter pushed ahead to lead them on, easily climbing the short but steep slopes that led further into a sheltered pass. It was so near his parents' den it felt odd to not continue along the familiar path home, but their destination was the largest and best-protected of the caves they'd scouted in previous weeks and he hoped it would serve as a good home for them.
The entrance was modest, the mouth barely tall enough for him to walk through without ducking his head but certainly wide enough for the wolves to come and go as they pleased and bring their kills home. Inside the main chamber reached tall and stretched deeper into the mountain. A few small alcoves tucked along the rear but the light from the sun outside became dimmer the further he stepped in. The narrower entrance would at least afford good protection from the elements, in his mind.
With the female pup squirming and whining to be put down he crouched to set her to her feet only to watch her bound away to explore the new space. He chuckled fondly under his breath, eyes adjusting quickly to the low light as he watched her dash along the whole perimeter.
The pup Brenna held wriggled eagerly, obviously wanting to be exploring with his sister, and she chuckled a bit as she bent to let him clamber from her arms.
She straightened up, looking around the cave. "This is good," she murmured as the pack began filing in, sniffing the air curiously and pacing the edges of their new home. "I think...they'll be safe."
Chris smiled tiredly, shuffling a little closer to slip an arm around her waist. "Mhmm... And if- I mean not that they'd need help exactly, but if there was any trouble for them my parents are close by. Should probably introduce them soon," he murmured the last thoughtfully, watching fondly as the wolves began to familiarize themselves with the new space.
"Mhm." She smiled and leaned into him a little, letting her head rest on his shoulder. "That'll be...interesting," she chuckled softly, imagining her family meeting the two shifters.
Ah well. It would be fine, the territory was big enough to support a pack of dire wolves and a pair of wildcats, they'd made sure of it before choosing the den.
"Maybe not right away. Once they get settled and comfortable here," he added with a tired smirk, turning to press a kiss to her temple and stroke a gentle hand along her side. "Would you like to rest here with them for a bit before we go?"
He wasn't exactly sure how tired their journey had made her. Perhaps she'd been hiding her earlier fatigue well, or it had passed without him realizing.
"I'm fine." Her answer was perhaps a little too quick, almost defensive. She tried to play it off with another smile, twining her fingers through his. "I'll come see them tomorrow. I should probably let them settle in..."
Her voice trailed off, the implication almost starkly obvious, at least to her.
They hadn't talked about it much since Broketooth's death-- or at all, really, mostly skirting around the topic-- but her pack seemed to have come to an understanding quite without her. Chris was her mate, and her place was with him. She was still Little One, still Snowfur's daughter and Icefang's sister, still a wolf in all but shape.
But her den was no longer theirs, not anymore.
Brenna swallowed a little nervously and knelt to cuddle the pups as they came romping toward her. "I'll see you soon," she promised, both in Common and in the huffing, moving language of wolves. "I'll see you lots. You'll get sick of me, little ones."
Chris was happy enough to let it go at that, giving her fingers a brief squeeze before stepping back and quietly moving towards the mouth of the cave to let her say her goodbyes. He watched them fondly, a tender smile softening the tension in his face.
"We'll be back plenty," he promised, sweeping a brief look over the pack and offering them a polite nod. Admittedly it felt a little weird to know their constant presence in his day was likely coming to an end. He'd gotten so used to sharing his den with them, just watching the pups grow and the pack as a whole regain their strength.
The shifter stepped outside at last, back into the chill air that settled pleasantly in his bones. Faintly whistling wind pushed its way through the pass, kicking up flurries and tossing his hair a bit.
The wild girl spent a few more moments saying her goodbyes, allowing the pack to crowd around her, nuzzling at her cheeks and shoulders, tails wagging and tongues lolling affectionately.
Eventually, she managed to disentangle herself and slipped back out into the open wind, one last pat for the pups before she went.
She shivered slightly, feeling the chill starkly after the warmth of the wolves' bodies pressed around her, and reached out to take her mate's hand again. "You said something about hot springs, didn't you?"
Once she'd joined him the shifter shuffled closer against Brenna's side, accepting her hand with a firm squeeze before slipping his arm around her to draw her in close and share his warmth.
"Mhmm. I think it'll do you some good," he murmured, quite unable to think of a polite way of telling his mate she needed to relax and give herself some time to recuperate. In his eyes Brenna was silently suffering, bearing a great burden of stress in recent weeks and pushing herself further than was necessary.
Chris stepped away from the narrow mouth of the cave to usher her along, carefully winding their way back through the pass. It was a short journey to reach his parent's den, only about an hour more.
Only Faline was there to greet them. She sensed her son's presence, moving to the entrance of their den to watch the figures approach from a distance and wave to them excitedly with one arm. She motioned for them to follow her inside, stepping into the warmth of their caves and rushing to gather her son up in a hug.
"So good to see you again, it's been too long," she murmured, eyeing Brenna affectionately for a moment over his shoulder before breaking away from Chris and pulling her into her arms instead. Something seemed different about her scent though, and she hesitated to draw out the hug for a few moments longer than was necessary.
Chris stepped back to watch, chuckling under his breath and thinking nothing of his mother's fondness. "Her pack- They're living close by now," he offered in explanation. "Was hoping we could stay the night and warm up a bit."
Faline stepped back, eyeing Brenna up and down with a fond smile as she rubbed encouragingly at the girl's shoulders. "You both are always welcome," she assured, glancing to her son with a happy chuckle though her attention drifted back to the wild girl. "Are you well?"
Bryn squeaked quietly as she was gathered up into a hug, not entirely expecting it, but she relaxed after a moment and returned the embrace only a little awkwardly.
Her mate's mother seemed just as determined as Christopher himself to baby her though, and she frowned with a small sigh. "I'm fine," she murmured, trying to sound firm but not irritated-- not that she was, she was just...
Tired.
Damn.
Faline eyed her in surprise, mouth falling open slightly in silent question as she looked to her son who only shrugged. She'd remember the girl being quite shy but...there was definitely something that seemed a touch off about her now.
"We're pretty tired, it's been a long day," Chris apologized for them, stepping closer again to snake an arm around his mate and draw her away from his mother who easily let them go with a thoughtful look.
"Of course dear, go get settled. Your father... He should be back in the morning if you'd like to say hello." Chris winced at that, feeling a little guilty that she would have been alone otherwise and they'd only stopped in for a short visit.
After a few brief words of thanks he ushered Brenna further into the caves, leading her down each turn to follow the path of curling steam in the air. Once they reached the spring pools the air was getting to be oppressively warm. The shifter slipped his arm away to toe off his boots and shrug out of the thick coat he'd been wearing all day. His brow was drawn in concern he didn't dare voice again as he glanced at his mate, throat tense with unspoken words and his lips forming into an unconscious frown as he shrugged out of his thinner layers to leave his chest bare.
Brenna was either too distracted or too tired to notice the way her mate and Faline seemed to be eyeing her, then each other, speaking silently. She more or less allowed Chris to guide her through the caves completely on instinct, a puppet simply following her strings.
The warmth of the hot springs was enough to wake her slightly though, and she perked up a bit as she began stripping out of her clothes.
And finally seemed to notice the way the shifter was looking at her. She frowned, tilting her head to the side. "Chris? Something wrong?"
Was something wrong? Not with him exactly, but he was still concerned about her. She was acting strangely, had been all day. If he was being honest with himself she'd been a little off for the past couple weeks, but he'd assumed it had been grief. Perhaps it still was.
"I don't know," he answered honestly, voice a bit gravelly. "You were short, um, seemed irritated with my mother. She was only asking after you because it's been a while. She missed you too you know."
He shrugged a little, feeling a bit helpless and not wanting to dwell on it too much. He'd gotten the impression that Brenna was okay with his mother from their last visit, if a little overwhelmed by her friendliness and fondness for hugs.
"You're probably cold, hm?" The shifter stripped out of the rest of his clothing, casting her a questioning look over his shoulder before approaching the steaming spring and stepping up to it.
Chris gave a satisfied hiss as he moved in, immediately wading as far as he dared so that the water reached up to his neck. His hair was only halfway beneath the surface, the frosty white strands splaying out in a fan around him. He brought wet hands up to run through the rest, humming in pleasure with a subtle smile as the warmth began to seep into his bones.
Brenna sighed and her shoulders slumped as she shuffled toward the edge of the water. "I know," she murmured, toeing the spring cautiously before she stepped in. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
The shifter tilted his head back as she spoke, quietly observing his mate with concern still furrowing his brow as she tested the waters for herself. He moved towards the furthest edge of the pool to give her some room but his eyes remained trained on her.
"You don't have to apologize," Chris offered with a sad but understanding smile. "I'm just concerned. You seem sort of...unhappy."
She took her head quickly, trying to smile at him. "I'm not. Really, I'm not, I'm just...tired, I suppose. Worried about the pack..."
That was true, but it didn't quite feel like all the truth. Though even she didn't know why.