Valko could feel the heat of the elders' eyes on their backs as they turned to walk away. Never before had he spoken to them with such impassioned tones. His fingers twitched as he held Ylva's hand, absentmindedly leading her back to his home. At least for now. He'd need to let the pack know about the gathering. That could be done later. They still needed to eat. Had they eaten anything? This whole day had so far been a blur of emotion and words, so many words, tossed between Gunter and Ebba, Ilvin and the others. It was tiring, but necessary. Sometimes Valko thought himself an alpha better suited to battle with teeth and claws than eloquent speeches, but whatever Ylva needed of him, he was more than willing to do.<br/><br/>The alpha's ears perked at her voice, the perfect frequency for catching his attention, as if a mere whisper from her was the only surefire way to pull at his heart. He exhaled slowly at her proposal, mouth tweaked into a subtle grin. "Ylva... " he began, her name like sweet liquor on his tongue. "My desire to mate you has gnawed at my gut since the first moment I tasted you," he whispered, ceasing their leisurely stroll to look at her now, palm cradling her cheek. "If you wish me to mark you, I will do so without hesitation, but I need to be sure you want this, that you want me."<br/><br/>Icy blue eyes looked away, traveling along the length of her body. He wondered to himself how so much fierce determination and strength could be wrapped into such an exquisite form and found himself craving her as intensely as he had the night prior. "Come," he asked, guiding her gently away from the pack settlement. "If we are to do this, it will not be hidden and with shame, as the humans do."<br/><br/>He took his new love through the curtain of trees outside of the main congregation of thatched houses, past the towering woods until he reached a small clearing through which a branch of river passed through. Soft grass, gently waving in the cool breeze, kissed at the river's edge, wildflowers dotted their vision in explosions of bright, lively color. "More private here than the section where we bathed last night," he commented softly, releasing her hand to let her explore if she wished.<br/><br/>"I do not wish to make love to you and mark you in the dark," he continued. "If you are to be mine, and I yours, I yearn to do so beneath an open blue sky."