Taryn was moved with such love at the sight of his tortured eyes. She slid her arms around his middle and laid her cheek against the warm fur. His back was heaving with emotion and the exertion of maintaining control.<br/><br/>"Do we have to be governed by their small minded prejudices? What we have together is pure and special. Our hearts are one heart, Nothing about this spark between us is common or an abomination. " she murmured. "I love you. Nothing will change that. The old rules were meant to keep us safe,, to survive in a world that was evolving with new and unpredictable species, but now, Beastkin have settled into their own cultures. The cultures are now predictable. If you were less that Kuguar, I would not love you as I do. Your honor draws me, speaks to me. The integrity that makes you  great among all that inhabit the Warren, is what makes you a worthy mate. I love you, Raschen. You, not the Beastkin, not the sheriff, but you. If I must be bred in the way of the Hume, with sterility and duty, then at least, let me know passion and love in your arms first. We have a duty to fulfill to our people. We will travel to the Cotl. We might die. I don't want to die without knowing your love."