If you had told me years ago that I would be here today with Natalya, dating her, courting her even though I know she would give herself to me willingly all for the asking, I would call you a liar. But look at me now. Yes, I am chasing Natalya, the way she was always meant to be chased, the way she could never imagine being chased. I want to awe her at every turn, make her feel like a goddess, a queen. I want her to feel worshipped, cherished, things I should have done for her years ago. I don't do regrets, it's just not in me, but I like this feeling. I feel more complete than I ever have. I tried with Kiska, I really did, but maybe this is the way things are supposed to be. I've never been one to doubt something that feels this good. Kiska helped me make this decision but I'm the one who finally put it in motion and it feels great. Every time Natalya looks at me, I feel like I'm burning alive, an ecstacy I could live with forever. I can feel her hunger, her love and it makes me feel invincible, like I can fly.

As she eats, she watches me and my skin ripples with pleasure every time I feel her gaze caressing my flesh. And yet when she's not looking at me or her meal, her eyes are trained on the bush between us, watching the roses with a tenderness I didn't think possible. And then it hits me. Three roses. Our first three children. I didn't even think about that when I planned this. My heart aches at the thought of seeing Fathom die right before my eyes. I'll never forget that sight. I see a flicker of doubt in her eyes and my own gaze narrows in determination to make her see that she is worth this and more. I know she gave in to make me happy. I told myself I was happiest with Kiska because she was my choice and she respected that. I had my time with Kiska and it had its moments but it was never really perfect, not like this. There was attraction and there was passion and there was love and affection but it wasn't complete. There was always something missing ever since Natalya stepped into my life. I know the imprint can be blamed for that but I didn't have to love her because of that. She did that to me. She made me love her.

She grins at me every few minutes it seems and my lips reflect her happiness back every time. I can't get enough of seeing her this happy. I let down my guards for the first time, letting her see right through me. She has always seemed to be able to do that anyway but I like being vulnerable around her. I don't feel exposed, at least not in a bad way. She moves to me when she's done eating, lying down next to me and we fit together like puzzle pieces no matter where she settles herself. Our skin touches and it's like a torch lit up beneath my skin. I inhale sharply, barely able to make myself breathe through all the sensations ripping through my veins. When I glance at her, she makes a sound in her throat that turns me on and my eyes darken even more, watching her like my next meal. She opens her eyes lazily, nipping at my ear and I retaliate by nuzzling into her chest and nipping at her flesh right back, liking the ache of urges running through my body. She moans when my teeth make contact with her skin and it only burns me up more inside. She grins at me and I grin right back, overwhelmed by how much I want her, need her.

She calls me 'love' and I feel my gaze soften, liking the way it rolls off her lips. The tone of her voice makes my breath catch in my throat. My eyes stare into hers for a moment, molten gold into the deepest of yellow. She follows along beside me as I lead her to the next part of our date. Our steps fall into line, shadowing each other like two souls made into one. We brush against each other repeatively and I groan low in my throat. We make it up to the cliff face and I turn back to make sure she's doing alright, though I knew better. She's the epitome of atheliticism. She grins back at me every time until we reach the face. She follows after me into the cave and I'm able to watch the awe in her eyes as she stares at the scene before her. She comes to stand beside me after some time, telling me she doesn't know what to say. I turn up to look at her, the shy anxious look still in my eyes as I whisper in a hoarse voice.

My eyes stare into hers, wanting to see her reaction. I know she'd say yes now but I don't want it to be that easy. I want to fight for her, even if there's no opponents. I want to earn her. She smiles softly before stepping slowly into the water, the groan slipping from her lips making my skin ripple with anticipation to join her. She comes back around, lying her face at my feet and I lean down, gently rubbing my muzzle alongside hers, licking her cheek, my eyes burning into hers with a passion I didn't even know I had in me. Suddenly I grin, a mischeveous look before I leap over her, landing in the pool with a splash. I come up for air with a gasp, grinning as I bat my paw toward her, splashing her with water as I swim toward her. Let the chase begin.