“No…,” Marrock had suddenly said with a tinge of pent up longing in his voice, it was the sound of a man that had just been injected with something devoutly missed. “No I didn’t --- I don’t want you to leave,” as he had firmly gripped her hand that was about to slip then eased it towards him to motion her to sit back where she was right at his side.<br/><br/><br/>“At least not this night,” he then continued after a short pause, “It’s a long walk back to your own hovel anyway and it’s rather late<i>--- I would appreciate</i>… no that’s not the word I want to say,” he said as he was gently trailing a thumb along Ylva’s hand. “I want you to stay,” was his more softer and truthful answer.<br/><br/><br/><i>Marrock took a brief second to look into Ylva’s amber eyes before gently taking the time to shoot his gaze at the painting over the hearth only, in that moment, there was something truly different and unique because he didn’t feel the weight of Avonela’s eyes this time. Marrock felt a large pressure suddenly release from his psyche instead, creating a peaceful sensation as if Aveonela’s spirit gently slipped along him in a sign of approval unlike the others that were heavily disliked courting him. </i><br/><br/><br/><br/><i>Was she the one?</i>The scent and sensations were surreal and indescribable but beyond its initial shock, it was also pleasurable and pleasing. It was nearly an entire 3 season’s length since he had any type of intimate contact with another She-Wolf. It was a testament to his sought after resilience and internal strength though, as he had quickly learned, it was also explained by the wise sage as a foolish endeavor that endangered rather than empowered. Its within their blood lines and hereditary imprints, passed on through generations of wolven kind that packs and groups were the key to not only their survivability and power but also the instinctual evolution of their species overall. In the case of male wolves who are expected to be leaders, fighters, and protectors (this is not to say She-Wolves weren’t either as many packs were led by a strong matriarch who could best any male) they were also expected to have mates and if one was severed from that bond, it would not be strength they would be offering but weakness as a male wolf would be reduced to shambles within.<br/><br/><br/><br/>The community was hard on Marrock because the elders and the chiefs of the houses knew this and despite their otherwise interesting group with loose rules, there were certain things even the most wild of their packs wouldn’t stand for and it was becoming a problem despite things. The She-Wolves of the Chiefs were making fierce pressures upon them to act on it which then had a domino effect of poorly paired She-Wolves who were using the chaos in an attempt to gain some form of stature for themselves. It was always Avonevah that forbade them any further and the strongest buffer from disastrous coupling. It was just the way their kind lived and because of this structure, they’ve been able to be one of the strongest races to walk the Kingdoms.<br/><br/><br/><i>Marrock’s heart beat ran a bit faster than normal as he felt the closeness of Ylva while being swept in whirlwind of those emotions as the roaring of the waterfall and the leaves were once again being felt scraping against a fur coat in the early spring. </i><br/><br/><br/>“I must at least find out one part of the mystery,” Marrock said softly as his hand gently glided upon Ylva’s left arm and leaned towards her, “ …<i>Just to see</i>…,” and brought her into a long kiss as his lips pressed against hers.