I had been sleeping, resting with my wonderful sons. . Some day are more exhausting than others. The boys were growing and were no longer as...easy to control as before. Once, they were real small, a size manageable for my jaws. Now, they have grown quite a bit. Their legs were getting long, their bodies were getting heavy with weight. They ran faster. They ate more. They tried to test my limits and get into trouble. I have to chase after them, settle them down. Puppies are a lot of work, much more than I had originally thought. One is enough, Merly was great on his own. But three? Three can really tie me down. I do not mind though, I love all of my children, adopted or born from me, equally, and I am quite pleased they are in my life. I just happen to zonk out when they do, like tonight.

Yes, I was sleeping quite happily, my eyes closed in the world of dreams, with my sons sleeping peacefully next to me, their growing bodies moving with the breath of life with each waking moment. It was peaceful in the house of Andromeda, very peaceful until someone decided to disturb it and wake me up. I cannot say that I am the best wolfess to be around when I first wake up, and when I am woken up without expecting it. I tend to love my sleep, and love the feeling of waking up to a full nights rest. Azrael had different plans though. I feel his touch and it stirs me. My dark body protests as I am brought back into reality, my eyes opening slowly in a haze, narrowed in agitation. I love my sleep, and it wasn't the boy waking me. I lifted my head, my features showing my obvious displeasure as I find Azrael standing before me, saying the name he had given me those many moons ago. What the hell is he waking me up for? My grumpy side is always the first thing to pop open with my eyes, it can be very hard to not just...growl at him, snap at his face, and go back to sleep. It is very hard not to, but I don't. I hold back my desire to push him away or to force him to cuddle with his family so I could sleep. It is those puppies, wearing me out all day. My narrowed yellow eyes, like lasers, look up and into his face, and I find my own features softening at his...apparent nervousness. Why...why the hell was he nervous? My dark muzzle contorted from the grumpy state to a touch of confusion as he backed out of the den. I know Azrael pretty well by now, and for him to act this way is rather...strange. I find that this revelation beats out my snappy, I want to kill you mood, and instead I curiously decide to follow him.

My dark form moves slowly, doing my best not to rouse the boys with my movement. They were pretty tuckered out, and I am successful at not waking them, at least I think. I gaze down upon them in the soft light lovingly, seeing their growing forms at peace in the den. I sit for a moment, a yawn parting my jaws before my elegant yet strong black legs carry me out of the den. I promptly stetch, my beautiful form moving like liquid ink in the night as I then move to sit next to my imprint and the father of my children. I must admit, my glaring and narrow eyes had ceased completely, and I only look at him with curiosity and maybe...love or something like that. He then speaks, my ear sliding forward to listen to his words on this night. He mentions something I have never heard of before, Running the Night. It is apparently part of some old tradition of his bloodline/ I tilt my head slightly, before my body lifts to sit closer to him. I give him that teasing look that I always do, I can see how insanely nervous he is, with that smile of his giving him away. He really wasn't good at hiding things. I could read him with ease. I could swear even if I were blind, that I could smell the fact that he was nervous. Silly boy. He mentions that there is a...point to this night running, and he is nervous. I can maybe...guess at what he is getting at, and I must say, it is about damn time. I am interested in what Azrael has in mind, and will go with his old traditions...but he will still have to participate in mine too. I will have to see if this ends up being what I...hope it is. I offer him a sly grin, a bit playful to offset his nervous one. I push his shoulder slightly with my own, before I speak to him in reply.

"Running the Night, eh? We had no such thing where I came from. Why don't you show me...and don't be so nervous, we are not strangers."

I then let my sleek black muzzle find his, pushing it gently from under before pulling back. My tail wagged slightly behind me as the night was cold with the touch of winter. I imagine that, this could end very well, or very badly. I know that I still have a... drive to be with Azrael, the same drive I got last winter. It isn't as strong in this moment, but hormones are strange things. They pop up pretty quickly and take over the body like a drug. I must admit, that day in the rain was...satisfying, and led to the birth of my sons. Even though my sons drain my energy, they keep me busy and happy. I wouldn't...deny having more. I do wish for a girl...perhaps I will have one or two soon.
Seven Years - Soul of Azrael - Mother of Starfall and Guardian