He had been existing, plain and simple. There was nothingness in the spanse of that lost year, and it was as if he had packed up all his thoughts and all the personality traits that made him be, and left them here to grab for another time. There had still been the survival instincts to hunt and kill, the blood of his own when it was needed and sometimes when it wasn't. The normal things aside from that which kept a wolf alive. He hadn't felt anything. He had cut himself off from the world around him and played the part of the mindless beast. It had kept him more or less sane in the grand scheme of things. He was urged to be near and protect his offspring and their mothers, but he knew it was only best if he left them alone to thrive without his so-call demon influence. He didn't like it, but he knew that they had deserved a chance. They were better off getting a grip in the world before they knew of him.

Covet had been on the move for a little while now, swinging back around to the crags because it was very nearly the only place he considered home. It was funny and sad both, but it was also true. Here he found himself the happiest, and he felt like he belonged here and here alone. It was where he returned, always. There had been enough old and new smells to consider when he roamed, but here he was again, searching the landscape and claiming it the only way a loner could, he supposed. The marks only told that he was setting up shop back here where he had previously done so. Being stealthy wasn't a big issue for him right now. He no longer felt such a need. Maybe later he would revert to that, but he was calling them out; those who mattered. Sure, there would be some stragglers of the unwanted kind along the way, but that was not a bother yet. Maybe it would be later. Who knew.

It was a subtle breeze over the jutting rocks that had given her away, and Covet's head shot up, his body tensing momentarily with excitement. He was still, closing his eyes as he realized the scent was getting stronger; she was coming to him. He was glad for this, and he could wait. Time was not something he had paid enough attention to over the past year. And he could be patient. He was the snake that waited to strike. Needed the perfect targetted spot, and did not rush to find and take it. Like a throat he intended to rip out. The wind shifted, but his closed eyes let him listen for the sound of her pawsteps, the scratch of claws over the roughness of the rocks. He listened, standing there as if he couldn't be bent by wind or rain or snow. Like some regal, sinister statue displayed as a warning to others. A sleeping gargoyle, a weeping angel. Don't blink. For the love of all that you have; don't blink.

And then the words came, and slowly he opened his eyes. He curved his neck to look around at her, pivoting with a perfect, almost feline grace to face her fully. He noted the way she stood and the arch of her tail, let his eyes linger over her body and the curves. When she spoke again his gaze riveted on hers. "I walked, actually. But I wanted to give them a chance. To be normal, because if I was too close I'd want to see them, and I did not want to risk rubbing off on them..." A frown as he paused, looking at her. "Did it work? Are they able to pass as untouched by the conditions that label me a demon?" He really wanted to know; he wanted them to be able to have a life that was not tainted by the problems he faced. And yeah, he was a little worried for their sakes. They shouldn't have to go through life as marked creatures. That wasn't right, and the answer would tell him if he should keep to himself in the Winter.

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[ male ] [ five ] [ loner ] [ ava; severed imprint ]