She almost did not realize what he was doing until he had done it, switching their positions as he had the night before.  She settled against his chest, panting slowly, enjoying the heavy thud of his heartbeat in his chest.  Ylva wondered if this was the trade-off that fate demanded.  It had taken so much from her, but put her in the hands of the man beneath her.  That was a golden blessing that she would not even attempt to deny.<br/><br/>She leaned up slightly when she heard his tone change.  For some reason, she had thought they might have more time, but he was right.  They should call the meeting sooner rather than later.  The longer the waited, the more damage Antony could do to the people she loved.  It felt odd to hope that his pack would see the mark and agree with what she needed, but she still had to try.  She had to save the people left in Antony's care, especially the young she-wolves he would see as currency to buy him more power.  This would have been better if they had more time.  Courtships like theirs were often short, but they were usually not preceded by some other Alpha giving a woman up like a slave.<br/><br/>"Then we'll answer their questions.  I imagine it will be much like talking to the elders was."  She frowned.  The fear of having to leave him, after they had bonded, invaded her mind once again.  Her conscience would not allow her to abandon whatever was left of her pack and even the thought of leaving him now pulled tighter at her heart.  The bond was already formed like a tether between them.  It was as if she could see two visions of her future...One where she stayed with him, where they were able to work together to save the refugees of her pack.  A future with a family, pups and happiness.  And another, where they could not reconcile what her duty with the expectations of his pack.  Madness would eat at them both as they separated.<br/><br/>"We just tell the truth.  They'll understand the pull of the bond.  I don't think we could have held out much longer, even if we wanted to.  And perhaps your pack doesn't have to take on the full burden of those we save...Gunter's pack is dying, and if we can get him more packmates, they might be able to grow and thrive.  I'm sure if my parents were still alive, they would have been open to the idea of taking him and his in...Maybe one of the women from my pack could give him what I couldn't."  It was weird to think about that as well.  If Valko had not come into the picture, she might have been open to making a match work with Gunter. But as soon as she smelled Valko's scent, that had no longer been an option.<br/><br/>The moments passed and eventually, his swelling settled and she was able to move off his body.  She cupped his cheeks and kissed him once more, before moving off of him to rinse her body in the river and gather her clothes.<br/><br/>"If your pack says no, I won't expect you to come with me, Valko.  I'll find a way to stop him, I swear, without risking your life or your people, if they are not willing to come to the aide of mine."