The hunt had been successful, of course there were one or two mistakes but that was to be expected the first time around. Triton had trained the members of the pack well, although they all needed more practise but that would come. He was sure with time everyone would push that natural instinct aside and not become too lost in the heat of the moment and finally work as a true team. He watched as the light began to wan and as the pack began the warm hearted goodnights, the hunt had brought the pack together strengthening the sense of family; something Haku wanted dearly (a sense of family and loyalty), they began to break off, heading towards their dens. Cocidius stared almost longingly at the wildness and Kalina stared lovingly at him coming to his side she seemed to whisper something in her ear, Cocidius looked over his shoulder at his mate a tender light in his eyes and then without another gesture he walked the opposite direction the other wolves were going back out into the wildness. Kalina watched him go and then simply turned and no doubt headed back to reclaim her pups.
Triton and Byrna walked side by side back towards the dens as well. He watched the remains filter off and finally his eyes came to rest upon his dragon marked beta male. HanGeng approached Macha, her eyes seemed to light up and the intensity caused Haku a spike of pain even after her isolation she seemed to hold a great deal of affection for HanGeng. Remorsefully Haku pried his eyes away and let them have their moment together. He himself simply turned and looked out over his territory the words from the last meeting with Reaction swam in his head and he wondered if he’d ever be able to let another female walk beside him through life. Truth was he’d let Macha in already, she was under his skin and that scared him more than anything he could imagine, he didn’t know what to do about the situation and he let out a deep breath not releasing he’d been holding it and focused on today’s success to brighten his mood.
Macha flicked her eyes over Haku a warm light was in his eyes as he bade the packs members good night and he seemed to glow in the current environment, a softness she’d not seen before and she smiled to herself. But before she could approach him HanGeng crossed her line of sight and he smiled at her.
‘You’ve grown since I last saw you.’
She grinned mischievously at her old friend and sparing partner and then looked down at her paws and slowly looked up her legs to her chest where her eyes could reach and then looked back at the silver male, ‘So it would seem.’
‘You haven’t lost your cheek though, it would seem.’
A quite moment passed between the two, they voiced nothing vocally but topics where broached without words and finally HanGeng broke the silence. ‘Go to him. We shall catch up later no doubt.’
Macha merely focused her gaze on Haku’s back as HanGeng strode pass her shoulder and with a deep breath she strode towards Haku. He did not seem to flinch with her approach, perhaps lost in his own thoughts and she came to his shoulder she lent in, her nose not far from his ear but never touching she whispered softly, ‘Hello Cuckoo.’
Lost in thoughts he’d not heard Macha approach and he flinched away from her voice, surprised at the tenderness which seem to taint it and being knocked out of reverie. He regained his composure and stared at Macha she used the same nickname she’d given him back when she was a pup and he felt his heart burn but his eyes only portrayed his sorrow and he could not keep Macha from seeing it.
She stared into his eyes and realised there was so much too this male she did not know and even after her isolation she did not know what her heart wanted. She remembered her meeting with Notoka and the words he had spoken to her, upon the words HanGeng had left her with last he had seen him and her mind still ran with confusion but once Haku settled and regained himself she saw the sorrow that entered his eyes and all she wanted to do was to lean forwards and curl herself around him and heal all his scars which caused such sorrowful eyes. Trying to break the awkwardness of the moment she moved away slightly and came to sit at his side and as she began to ask him;
‘Today was…’
‘You were…’
She laughed and then tension between them eased.
‘Go on.’ Haku prompted; looking into her eyes he saw the distant sparkle, like the first star in the night’s sky, appear in her eye.
She looked down at her paws and then up at Haku again and chirped, ‘Today was good don’t you think? It brought the pack together.’
‘Yes that is was. Triton and Cocidius make such a good paring and it’s nice to see how working together like this brings us more into a family unit.’
Macha nodded. She had spent time with both Cocidius and Triton since isolating herself off at the top of the dens territory. More so she had predominantly spent her time with Cocidius. The game keeper did not talk much and much preferred it that way, though when she had prompted him about the prey and the environment he was only to happy to help expand her knowledge and as with all things Macha soaked it up like a sponge but the time also gave her time for quite reflection and it had steadied her personally but underneath it all, she was still Macha, still inquisitive and playful and it was that side of her that wanted to break through all this tension and pleasantries and simply ask him, ‘HanGeng told me you have feelings for me.’ And quickly before he could say anything she added, ‘I need more time with you. I have spent my entire pup and teen years training and being tutored with little time for play.’ She could not help but let the old argument between them light her eyes ablaze. ‘I want more free time.’ She was asking her alpha this but she followed it up, ‘I want more free time to spend with those I desire to know better…’
She looked up at him quickly she caught his eye but for the first time in a long time she looked away afraid of what she might see there but her words didn’t finish there but her voice had lost it’s steam and quietly almost sheepishly she added, ‘I want more time to get to know you…’ She felt like saying to heal your wounds and rid your eyes of the sorrow that haunts them but she had already caused HanGeng a lot of trouble and perhaps adding this small but heartfelt statement might cause HanGeng more trouble as it hinted at the fact that she knew of Haku’s past ghosts. She looked at her paws and then out over the terrain, anywhere but at Haku until he answered her.
