Rend padded through Agua Azul easily, almost carelessly, not at all how he normally slunk around. And he should've slunk, being an outsider to his pack still. It wasn't his fault that the alphas intimidated the hell out of him. Nevertheless, his head was high, eyes half-lidded and a smile was upon his lips. His tail, usually held low, was up and wagging.
It had been a few months since he'd first laid eyes on her, but he still felt the same way.
Rend was, quite simply, in love.
---
The female stood tall, and proud. Finally fitting in her paws, she had truly matured to be just as gorgeous as her mother, Shezaam.
It had been a rather long bit of time, since Rend had joined their pack, by way of Bipolar.
She had been happy he had come to the pack. SHe liked seeing him every day.
She wasnt sure what her feelings were for the scrawny male, who she had noticed had been gaining a bit of weight in his time within the pack.
But she was rather new to the adult thing, and adult feelings.
Her tail wagged as she pawed at the butterfly that flew above her head.
It was beautiful today.. She had enjoyed the sunshine on her black pelt. A reminder, of her real father, Grencia. But her father in heart was Chocolate.. Though she knew that she would also always have an inate love for Gren.
---
Rend hadn't joined Agua Azul permanently; not yet. He kept himself on the border, closest to where Bipolar had made her den, keeping his scent hidden by the small family. He was an easily frightened little wolf, and Twist was just the wolf to scare him silly.
But he would join. Because of Voila! and Bipolar and Paranoia and the pups...but especially because of Voila!.
He padded through the forest, lifting his head as he caught the spicy cinnamon scent of Voila! among the breeze. He breathed in deep, then exhaled with a smile. They had met several times after that first fateful meaning, and every time after he felt the same way. Not that he let her know. He tried to hide it best he could. He didn't need her mother -- or worse, Chocolate -- coming after him. They'd skin him. He shivered and continued forwards, hoping to find her.
---
Truth was, Shezaam was a sucker for romance. She was the least likely to punish anyone for falling in love..After all, she had done the same thing..
Voila! loved her mother and father dearly. Her father with his stern but understanding ways..and her mother with her sweetness, and care.
But Voila! chased that butterfly.. it seemed to just outwit her each and every time!
She giggled, bouncing around with a gleam in her eyes that never seemed to leave.
Voila! had the white eyes of the clouds, and a pelt the color of the darkness..But she had the orange stripes around her legs and tail to signify just what family she belonged to.
"Aw come back!" She called to it, almost pouting as it left.
But she shook herself clean of any dirt particles, and sighed. She supposed she didnt sound very adult right now.
---
Rend hadn't seen her in a little while; maybe a month? He'd been out alot, hunting for his family...spying on Lithium and the strange white wolf who she found herself a friend in. What the white wolf and his Lithium shared... It was a pure kind of love. The kind of acceptance that he wanted, that he'd wanted his entire life. The kind of love that he wanted with Voila! secretly, known only to himself.
His ears darted forwards as he caught sight of her. Her black coat was sleek against her now-grown body, and he stared for a moment. How she'd grown up so fast... He remembered her as a cute little pup and now she was a strikingly stunning adult... Maybe a year old. Had it really been that long?
As she called out to the butterfly, he moved closer, clearing his throat with a hopeful wag of his tail. "Hello, Voila!" he murmured.
---
She turned to the voice, her ears perked. When she saw Rend, her eyes lit up and she giggled.
"Rend!"
She called, running to him, with a wag of her tail, and a nuzzle on his nose.. She had missed her friend, and her heart had ached for some reason when he was gone.
It was like she was not complete..
"I've missed you."
She said, sitting before him, and wagging her tail, white eyes gleaming.
---
Rend felt his heart swell as she caught sight of him, her silver eyes lighting up like lightning in the sky. He stood there, lanky body wiggling under her gaze, try as he might to keep still. He wanted to be seen as someone strong, but it just never seemed to work out that way. There was always something that made him cow down. And frankly, it was embarrassing.
He returned her nuzzle with one of his own, heat flushing his face. He was glad for the mask of black fur to keep it from showing. "I...I've missed you too!" he said, a little shocked that she'd admit such a thing to him. "How have you been, Voila!? You've grown, so much!" Rend beamed, dark eyes glittering.
---
She smiled, standing, to step back and look at herself, before spinning in a circle to show him all of her.
"I have! But its a rather long time. You havent come to see me Rend."
She said, pouting a bit to tease, but she couldnt help but to keep her smile away.
"I've been amazing, Rend! Momma was named the heir to Agua Azul, with Daddy Chocolate!"
---
At her words, his head dipped and his ears lowered, feeling a bit guilty, even though he knew she was teasing. "I...I was away from here. I don't w-wanna get caught by Twist, so once I was no longer needed with the puppies...I kinda strayed. I'm sorry!" he admitted with a lopsided smile. "I'm so glad. Alpha!" His maw dropped open a little. Why, if Shezaam was as kind as her daughter, the pack would be so much better off. "That's awesome, Voila! And that makes you daughter of the heir. Shall you ever want to become alpha?" He tilted his head, curious of her answer.
---
She shook her head a bit. "No, I dont think that would be a good position for me. After all, I would rather spend time with you."
She said, nodding a bit, before walking back to him, and nudging him gently, and sitting beside him.
"But things will change..And we wont have to be afraid anymore."
She said with a confident smile.
---
His ears rang as she spoke. With him? She'd rather be with him? He gave a soft squeak, his maw making an 'o' shape before flattening into a smile. "I'm honored to have the heir's daughter as a friend," he murmured, licking her face before blushing. "I would like to not be afraid of the alphas... I still..." he paused to take a deep breath then looked into her white gaze. He looked doleful. "I still haven't asked Twist if I can be in her pack... Officially. It's why you haven't seen me around alot. But I'd like that to change." When I have to guts to ask for acceptance, he thought.
---
She smiled, but finally her heart beat a little bit stronger. She was young when she last met him. He wasnt anything but friend to her then.. But now, when he spoke, she wanted to nuzzle him and tell him everything was going to be okay..
Yet the female was very naieve, and she wasnt quite sure what she was feeling..or how to show what she was feeling..
"Of course you're accepted!"
She scoffed.
"I've told Grandmother I was bringing you... You are allowed in my pack, Rend.. You're not a loner anymore."
---
Rend's eyes widened a fraction, staring into her face with a surge of surprise. And hope. There was hope there too. "You... I... She said yes?" he gasped out. "B-But I'm useless to her. I'd be useless in a fight! I couldn't hunt up until I was four..." He trailed off, looking down at their paws. "Wow... I...I'm so happy right now. I'm not even sure how to express it..." His voice was soft as he looked up at her again. His tail was wagging now and he placed a paw cautiously upon hers. "Thank you, Voila! Thank you..."
---
Her smile was wide when she saw the sheer happiness in his eyes. And, when his paw touched hers, a surge of electricity flowed through her, and she knew what it was...
Somehow it had stuck her, as if by lightening.. Which, thinking of her grandmother, was a rather odd pun.
"Youre very welcome.."
She said, her voice soft as well.. lowering her muzzle, she touched her nose to his, and held it there for a few moments, before pulling away, and blushing.
---
Her nose pressed up against his. His ears flared up, then settled low. A small giggle burst to the surface. His tail never quit sending up dirt. He didn't remove his paw. He never wanted to be away from her again. Emotions swirled in his young heart, emotions that tried to bubble up, to smother him. He took a deep breath, licking at her cheek. "Um... Voila!... Would you want to show me around? Show me your favorite places, so I know them in my heart?" What a hopeless romantic he was...but it didn't seem to matter. He was part of Agua Azul. No more hiding on the border! And Voila... She seemed to like him... This was a great day!
---
Voila! licked him back, and stood up, nodding exhuberantly, with a great wag of her tail.
"Cmon ya big pup! You shall see the places that I hold dear."
She bounced up, and giggled, wating for him to follow her, her tail wagging like a signal in the air.
She didnt just seem to like him. .The female was smitten.. She was young.. she was naieve..But she was sure this was what this was..
Mother had told her the feeling..and she was sure this was it.
---
Aw she rose to her feet, he all but pranced to his, making a small circle around her before falling into place at her side. At her side-- like an equal. This was the first wolf he had ever felt equal to. Even Bipolar in her snappish moods made him wince and fall back, and she had been the closest friend he had.
Until now. "Wonderful!" He padded after her, tail swinging in a small arc. Perhaps he'd get to meet the heir, Shezaam... As long as it was Shezaam and not Chocolate...
---
She smiled, walking forward.. She'd take him to the little creek, that ran around this willow tree, of which she would lie underneath, and relax with the sound of the rushing water fall in the distance, with the creek branching off the main river around her.
She could hear the waters now, and she could smell them.. But the ground was not yet soft, and that was when she knew she needed to turn to follow the rivers edge.
The trees stood tall, and there were some openings in the canopy that let sunlight beam onto the earth, and hte young wolves backs.
The sunlight made her pelt glimmer with a sparkly shine, and her eyes gleamed, as she looked at him. She looked rather angelic.. And he had never looked more handsome.
"Can you smell the water?"
---
The daylight shone through the treetops, splashing dapples upon their black coats, warming Rend up from the inside out. He kept his green eyes locked on her, every time she looked towards him, he wagged the tip of his tail. In the past when she'd looked at him, he would turn his face away, embarrassed. Not equal. This time, he beamed up at her, giving his scruffy body a quick shake. His coat was thinner than hers, and scars littered his body. Scars from a fight with his brother, Maim. He paused, falling a few paces behind her, recalling his brother. Wow... He hadn't thought of Maim or their father in...months... It was as if he finally no longer mattered to this wolf. With a sharp jerk of his head, he loped after her, falling into step once more. He breathed in, the soft scent of clarity filling his head. "I can... Are we going to a river?"
---
"Close."
She said, smiling and prancing forward. When her paw sunk slightly into the earth, she smiled, "Cmon!"
She called to him, running to get to their destination.
Finally the willow trees arched branches came into view and the massive tree signaled their arrival.
THey were dwarfed compared to the tree, and she smiled, prancing and giggling around the tree.
She peeked out from the other side of the tree, and smiled.
"So whatcha think?"
She asked.
The air was clear here, and the grass was green and rich with life. The creek rushed round one end of the willow tree, and the river was loud in the distance, with the waterfall, not that far off.
---
He grinned. He was close. And obviously so was their destination! She bounded off, calling out for him to follow. He stood there dumbly for a moment, then gave a sharp bark and galloped after her, letting his muscles bunch and unbunch, paws eating the soft earth. He slowed as they reached the massive willow, its limbs weeping. He flopped into a sit, looking up at the tree, though his eyes found Voila!'s face as she peeked around the tree over at him. He laughed, standing once more. "It is...very big!" he admitted, prancing over to the creek's edge, dipping his muzzle in and lapping at the cool water once before sneaking around the other side of the tree, nipping at her flagging tail. "Is this a place where I could find you?" he asked, a little shyly. "Ya know...in the future."
---
She smiled, nodding.
"Im always here.. Its right inside the pack lands, so its safe as can be.. But its secluded enough to still be on your own."
She said, her voice having gained a feminine lift to it, that had once been that of a young girl. She now sounded like an adult.. Her voice matched her body.. But her actions were more puppylike than ever.
"All you would have to do.. Is howl if you needed me.. Id find you."
She said, smiling, walking from around the tree, closer to him, before lying down on the soft earth, and rolling onto her back, legs in the air.
---
He looked around, eyes settling on a large rock a little ways off. That rock would be his marker, right on the edge. He stared at it for a moment, then gazed back Voila!'s way. She was sprawled on her back, legs flailing in the air. He grinned, body shaking softly in a silent laugh.
He was so happy...
He padded to her side, then lay down beside her, tail dusting the dampened earth. "I wouldn't want to put you out for me," he said softly, talking of the howl. He would find her. Always... Unless she found him first. "But in reply to that...If you ever need me? Howl. I'll come looking for you. Always..." He closed his eyes for a moment with a soft sigh. "Your land is beautiful, Voila... And so are you..." He hid his muzzle between his paws, uncertain to how she'd take that.
---
She perked her ears at her words, and her tail instinctively wagged.
"You..You think Im beautiful?"
She asked, getting into a position where she was lying on her belly, legs to her side, but her head was up and intent.
Her mouth had now formed the "o" and she couldnt help but feel her heart race deep in her chest.
"I...Ive never had anyone out of family call me beautiful before.."
---
He frowned. No one had ever called her beautiful before? Outside of her mother and Chocolate? His eyes softened, glittering softly. "I do. I...I thought you were the most beautiful wolf when I met you a year ago... I just, I didn't know how to say it... And you were just a pup. I didn't...I didn't want it to be weird..." He smiled up at her, curling his tail around his body. "Is it weird?"
---
She smiled, blushing a bit, but shaking her head.
"I dont think its weird.." She said, leaning down over to lick his muzzle.
"I think its sweet." She wagged her tail furiously, and her heart pounded deep in her chest.
He thought she was beautiful.. Did..Did he love her?
She certainly could never say she loved someone first.. She was so scared already, and that made her a bit nervous.
---
His face broke into a smile, feeling warmth lap at his heart. His ears lowered for a moment before flaring back up. Sweet... She thought it was sweet... His own heart raced, pinging around his ribs like a pinball. "Remember... Oh, you probably won't, but you and Lithium. You were playing tag and you invited me to join... In that moment..." He paused to muse to himself for a moment before continuing. "I knew you were perfect. I knew you were the one...the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. W-Would you like that?" His muzzle lowered to rest on his paws, eyes searching her face, searching.
---
She looked at him, eyes wide as she processed his words. Her heart was like a bird locked in a cage, wanting to be set free. It felt like it had wings..or that her tummy had little bugs flying in it!
"The rest of our lives?" She asked him, a smile froming on her maw.
"You..Want to be my lifemate?" She asked, her tail wagging, hoping she had heard him right.
Of course she'd be his mate. She'd be his and forever his.. It was destined to be.. She remebered that day she had met Rend.. It had forever imprinted in her memory.
"I..I would..Love that Rend.."
---
Rend smiled, his own tail wagging wildly, moreso than usual. Yes... The rest of their young lives. He wanted to have puppies with her, whether it be one or six of the little demons. He wanted to grow old with her, to be rickety and always leaning on her and have her lean on him. He wanted to die by her side, maybe with their children overseeing the transition.
"R-Really?" His breath hitched. He leapt to his feet, pressing his nose up against her own in his excitement. "I...Thank you, Voila! I'm so happy! I...I have to run. Would you like to run beside me?" He pranced a circle around her like a little pup.
---
Voila! beamed, and smiled.
"Theres no need to thank me silly.." She said, giggling, and jumping up to nuzzle him and cuddle into his body.
"Oh Id love to run with you... my lifemate."
She said, liking the way that sounded.
"Cmon," She said, and then she was off, running into the forest shadows, waiting for him to follow.
---
