Blackout

Blackout wasn't entirely himself. He watched his brothers pups grow and it made him jealous. He kept to doing his beta duties and patrolling the borders.

Waterlily

Several uncomfortable weeks had turned into fretful months, wherein the spritely fae had kept her distance from Blackout. She'd sought distraction with the pups, and solace with Hawk, but her original savior had always lingered in the back of her mind. Time had done little to heal the wound between them, and when Waterlily could stand it no more, she gathered her courage - along with a hearty chunk of recently killed moose - and set out on a mission of mending.

Half-hour into her trek, the wolfess finally caught up with Blackout's trail. She paused at first, feeling her heart begin to race. Her ears went back and she hesitated, almost turning back around to seek the comfort of Hawk or one of the pack's females. But in the end, Lily steeled herself and pressed onward, picking up her pace to catch up to her former mate.

"Blackout?" The yip was muffled through a mouthful of cold moose haunch, and given as Waterlily approached the beta male. Her tail gave a nervous wag and then went still.

Blackout

His ear flicked back. He greted her the same way he does every pack mate. ** yes waterlilly?** but kept moving

Waterlily

The neutral response left her a little hesitant, but it was far better than a growl, and infinitely more welcome than a cold retort. Lily ignored her urged to shrink back and melt away into the background again, and instead forced her voice out as she dropped the meat, "Black... can I have a few words with you?" A twitch of motion came to her tail, where it was held low and borderline submissive.

Blackout

He came to a stop. ** of course** would be his response to any who asked

Waterlily

The neutrality continued, and this time, it did help ease some of the fae's anxiety. She was a shy creature after all, with a gentle nature in all but the most trying of situations. With his permission to continue, Waterlily stole a few slow steps in his direction before stopping again. "I wanted to talk about what happened last autumn." She swallowed quietly and lifted her gaze, letting it connect with his, "I should have come to you sooner, but I- I didn't know what to say." She frowned for a moment as she thought, and then her expression cleared and her ears shifted back further, "I'm sorry for upsetting you Blackout, I really am. You were the first wolf in this Valley that offered me kindness and help, and.. I want to go back to that."

Blackout

Sure blackout missed her but she wasn't beta quality she already proved that and he needed a beta mate. It doesn't matter any more. you are not beta quality. you are better suited to a normal pack memberHe said.

Waterlily

Waterlily searched his face, looking for any hint of emotion that would suggest he still harbored any feelings for her still, something to help nurture this small flame of hope she carried. As she sought this, Waterlily continued softly, "I need a good teacher. I've hardly had time to learn, and I know I have the skills to stand by your side. Help me be my best, Blackout." Her tail fluttered again, just itching to give into the wag it wanted to let loose.

Blackout

As much as he wanted her he wasn't young any more and his fights with his older brother has weakened him. **I'm too old to be taken the time train. I'm sorry** he turned to keep walking.

Waterlily

Before she had the chance to really analyze Blackout's expression, he had turned away and left her with a gentle rebuff. Instead of turning back and accepting this though, Waterlily pursued her ex-mate, stepping softly through the leaves and moss that padded the trail.

"You're hardly older than I am. Maybe younger, even." Waterlily chuckled, before sobering again and carrying on, "And it's not that I really need training persay, I... I just want things to work, between us. I need to know how to fix this." The wolfess picked up her pace, so that she could catch up with Blackout and stride beside him to better facilitate the conversation. Speaking more lightly than before, Lily continued to implore, "What faults do you see in me?"

Blackout

Blackout held back a snort. Im not interested He said. It was a lie he was but he wouldn't he wanted pups now and she was not fit to have them. Training right.

Waterlily

Her resolve began to waver, and that old hurt began to creep back in. She managed to hide it though, still determined to resolve the conflict between them. "Blackout, please." Waterlily implored quietly, still following along at his side, "Please, just talk with me? I'm willing to try whatever it is that I need to improve on, I just need you to be open with me." She so badly wanted to reach out, to touch a muzzle to his alabaster fur, but held back.

Blackout

He nearly snorted at her. NoHe said. You will not be beta female and I need a beta female to carry my pups. So even if i took you back as a mate you'd have to accept i have another to carry my heirHe said.

Waterlily

A quiet sigh escaped her maw and she finally dropped her eyes away from his, giving up the fight. "Okay, Blackout, okay." She had stopped walking now, her gaze trailing absently along the few sprigs of green braving the dying days of winter. Another sigh came as she gathered a new breath and looked back up to the beta male, "Know that I will always have a place for you in my heart, if you want to talk. You were my savior in this land, and..." Her maw quivered a moment, "..that's not something I'll ever forget, no matter what happens between us."

Blackout

Her words dids bringa bit of hurt but he took his position serious and her mess up caused Darling's death in the long run. He'd never say this to her but it is what he thought. If she hadn't rushed into a territory she had no clue about anything. He just grunted and continued walking.