Equiss & Gwen

The weather had picked up in recent weeks, bringing with it intermittent ice storms and fresh blankets of snow. Equiss' desire to reconnect with old allies had been dampened by these developments, as neither she nor her aging companion were as able bodied as they use to be, and trekking so many miles with ice-filled paws and blisteringly cold winds did not sound like a fun adventure to her. Eventually though, nicer days prevailed, and today was one of those rare, calm days where the sun was shining brightly, and the fierce winds of the north had little wind to billow in their direction. It was today that she sought out her mate, deciding this would be a prime opportunity to stretch their legs, have a little bit of together time away from the pack, and if they were lucky, earn the Lurkers an alliance.

In the following weeks, Gwen had stuck particularly close to Honz, and her growing belly would announce to everyone that the Lurkers were soon to see an increase in numbers. The alphess didn't let this extra weight slow her down though, and took up patrols and hunting duties as she normally did. On this morning though, the brindle hybrid was curled up on an old mattress, basking in a ray of sunlight that filtered in through one of the unbroken glass windows above. Her eyes were on Equiss, watching her elder cousin push in through the front doors and begin her search for Patch.

Honz

Honz barely let his mate out of his site even if she had chosen to stick close. Especially going out on patrols or hunting.

Zeus paw was much better but his ribs still bothered him a bit.

Patch & Ebony

Like any of the Lurkers, the more-pleasant weather was met with broad appreciation. After a morning of hunting at the outskirts of the city, the drowsy brute found a warm spot in the sun, much like Gwen had found, underneath one of the salvaged panes of glass. The black and white male was gently snoring when his mate returns from wherever, pleasantly unaware of her mission in mind for the day.

Ebony follows at her mother's heels as the re-enter the Aegis Den, the she-wolf's gaze sweeping across the den. She was unaware of her mother's plans, but always knew the way Equiss sought out Patch when they returned to the Den. It was the simple, beautiful relationships the aging duo held, a thing Ebony mutely admired about her parents. No matter where or how long they were separated, they always came back together as if magnetically drawn. The she-wolf catches sight of the same black and white pelt she adorns, a little laugh escaping her lips. "Looks like dad couldn't resist going back to sleep," Ebony comments to her mother.

Equiss, Coyota, & Gwen

Equiss pauses upon entering the Den, head up and ears perked as she scanned the open room. Her eyes picked quickly over Honz and Gwen, then Zeus and the brushy-tailed Coyota that was snoozing nearby. When her gaze eventually fell on the white and black form of her mate, a noticeably change hit her expression and her tail gave the same quick wag it always did when she was reunited with her partner. A chuckle escapes the wolfdog as she answers her daughter back, while trotting in Patch's direction, "Must have been an eventful hunt for him this morning." Equiss slowed as she neared her mate, until she was at his side and turning a few gentle licks to his face and forehead, tail gently waving at her backside.

Ever the light sleeper, Coyota's sharp green eyes had snapped open when she heard the mother and daughter pair enter the den. Her dense tail didn't wag, but any glance in her direction would be greeted with a smile and nod. With one large ear turned in their direction for curiosity's sake, the coywolf shifted her lean muzzle and looked to Zeus, "How's your side treating you today?"

Honz

Honz for once felt safe, happy and content now that he had a whole pack to back him up. He groomed Gwen.

Zeus lifts his head and looks to the coywolf. a little betterhe said. He very much enjoyed her company.

Psychotic was up on the roof.

Patch

Little paws twitch gently as Patch finds himself in the midst of a dream as his mate approaches. The brute suddenly is roused, pulled back into the reality by Equiss's nose and tongue snuffing against his forehead. Blue eyes flicker open, the wolfdog immediately seized by a squeaking yawn. His tail thumps twice when he realizes it's Equiss, a playful growl rumbling in his chest. "I still must be dreaming, there's an angel in the Den," he mutters, lifting his head and catching the side of Equiss's face with his tongue.

Equiss, Coyota, & Gwen

An amused squint creases her butter-yellow eyes as she watches the little twitches of her mate's paws, and can only imagine what sort of adventure his dreaming mind is on. Her smile deepens and a soft chuckle rolls through the hybrid to listen to his squeaky yawn and and good-natured rumble. "Oh, you." Equiss gives her companion another solid tongue swipe, followed up by a nuzzle before she plops her hindquarters down beside him. "I was thinking, today's not such a cold one. It might be a good time to get out and stretch our limbs, perhaps pay a visit to the Silver Glades, if you're up for it?"

Gwen stirred when she felt the careful teeth and tongue of her mate sorting through her brindled fur. A solid, drawn out yawn announced her awakening, but she didn't immediately stand up or even lift her head. With a grunt of effort, the alpha shifted herself a little closer to Honz and blinked up at him. "Morning. ...afternoon?" She closed her eyes with a chuckle, not sure what time of day it was. Her brows soon pinched together in a wince, and with a heavy breath she murmured, "I think the pups may be soon on their way."

Coyota smiled, "I'm glad it's getting better. You had me worried for a bit there, Zeus." She paused, that one ear still eavesdropping on the elderly pair not too far from them. Lowering her voice a stitch, the coyodog leaned in closer to Zeus and whispered, "Say, think your side is feeling strong enough for a short trip from the Den? Sounds like Patch and Equiss are planning to travel north, to the pine forests."

Honz

Honz smiled.Mid morning I thinkHe wasn't really sure himself. He perked up a bit but it also made him nervous.you think?he said eyeying her stomach.

Zeus nodded and then tilted his head.I think I can manageHe said getting up slowly. I won't be able to go fast but a steady walk shouldn't be too muchHe said.

Patch

Rolling onto his side, Patch gently bats at Equiss with mischievous smile and lolling tongue. His tail thumps once more as he ponders his mate's proposal, wondering how long it had been since he'd traveled into the wolf territories of the Valley wild lands. Shifting, the brute brings himself into a sitting position alongside Equiss and stifles a yawn. "And maybe the journey back will make room in my stomach for a nice wild catch for dinner," Patch muses, closing the distance between him and his mate to give her a firm lick on Equiss's cheek. He pops onto his paws, tail dancing now. "Shall we go?"

Equiss, Coyota, & Gwen

There's a light of yearning that awakens in Equiss' eyes when Patch mentions a 'wild' catch, and for a moment the elder wolfdog feels a spark of renewed energy flush through her veins. Being out in the woods and fields, mingling with their truly wild cousins, and catching a fresh, non-farm meal sounded like the perfect outing! "That would be wonderful, wouldn't it?" Her eyes squint briefly close when he moves in for that lick to her cheek, and a smile warms her expression. "We shall." After a brief stretch of her forelimbs, Equiss bumps a shoulder against her mate before sauntering out of the den, a little pep in her step.

"It's Patch and Equiss, I don't think they'll be doing too much fast-paced running." Coyota chuckles in good nature, though she's sure to keep her voice low to avoid the older couple from hearing. "I think- oh, we better get goin'!" The pair had already gotten up, and with Equiss trotting out of the den, Coyota rose to her paws and gave her friend a hardy nudge

Gwen shut her eyes tightly and uttered a heavy breath, "Ohh, most definitely today. At least, I should hope so." The alpha regained her composure a moment later and forced herself up into a sitting position, with her sides ballooned out in such a way that it looked as if she'd swallowed a watermelon whole. "Would you mind bringing my food, Honz?" She shifted her weight and leaned her head and shoulder into him.

Zeus

He got up and moved to follow staying close to Coyota.

Honz stands.Of course ill be backHe knew the stash was getting low so he'd go and catch a rabbit in the field.

Patch

The male prances a bit with the same bustling energy of his mate, ears twitching eagerly. His nose points towards the exit of the Aegis Den, though his mind already wanders to the gently-snowed forest floors and the mass of opportunities out there. Equiss's bump causes Patch to falter a bit on his balance due to his streamline of outside thoughts, but he quickly regathers. He falls into perfect step with Equiss, the two wolfdog's finely in-tune to one another after many seasons. "Have I told you about the time Lyckos took us to the forest to hunt and we wound up chasing a wounded moose cow?" Patch begins excitedly, his blue eyes gleaming. He's told this story multiple times before, and there's no doubt Equiss has heard it several of those times. "It's a long story. Good thing we have quite a bit of ground to cover today!" His voice drifts from the Den as the duo moves out, blissfully unaware of their followers.