always

oh your hands can heal, your hands can bruise. I don't have a choice but I'd still choose you.

Alcide could hardly deny that shame that he felt bubbling deep within him. When MoonGlow had returned, it had only been right for her to reassume the throne that had always been, and would always be, hers. The behemoth had never sought power, never felt the ambition to rule. It was only when MoonGlow had disappeared those years ago that he had taken on the role in her absence. He had never done a very good job of it, but he had done his best. When she returned, and the heavy weight of that responsibility had been lifted from his broad shoulders, he felt the exhaustion set in. Perhaps that was why he had retreated to the quiet corners of the pack lands, keeping only his soul bound love as company. Of course there had been the occasional visit from his children, but he had been content to live life quietly for the past few months. However, he had not realized just how the pack in and of itself had become silent.

He knew she had been called to battle, to defend her title against a pack member who felt the need to rouse her to fight for what she held dear. Though he knew Snowshoe had done what she’d done in the belief that it would better the pack, he could not help but harbor a personal bitter feeling towards her. If she had harmed MoonGlow, he would find it incredibly difficult to forgive her. Now he paced a quiet line along a ridge that overlooked a large portion of the easterly border. Dusk was upon them, and as the light began to fade, he looked to the stars that slowly made their appearance in the night sky. He prayed to the gods and goddesses that she would return safe – for he held little doubt that she would return anything but victorious.

It seemed hours had passed, though in truth it had not been that long after dusk had fallen that she had returned. His senses tingled, knowing something was amiss but that she had arrived home nevertheless. He began his motion towards her before her call had even rang out across the mountains. When her melodic tones reached his ears, his stride quickened. Another answered, and he recognized the voice of the young wolf named Nootau who he had greeted a few seasons prior. Alcide was silently glad to hear that the lad had stuck around. He’d liked him upon their first meeting.

As he drew ever nearer to her, his heartstrings pulled him along the course that would bring him to her the fastest. Alas, when he arrived, both Nootau and Taliesin had already gotten there. The smell of blood tainted the air, and Alcide nearly ran to MoonGlow to see to her aid. But he refused to simply pass Taliesin by as if he did not stand there. He had a very special place in his heart for the boy, his adopted son – perhaps a place that Swallowbane should have held, but that would never be. And so he gave pause and greeted the boy who was swiftly growing into a young man. He rubbed his shoulder against Tal’s and nodded to him in a silent apology for his absence as of late. After a moment, once Taliesin had acknowledged him, Alcide pressed his nose swiftly against his neck and then departed, making a beeline for MoonGlow and nodding to Nootau in a passing greeting.

He did not hesitate in his approach. Rather, he quickly circled her, wanting to get a look at her injuries from every angle. Coming to stand beside her, he tenderly licked her cheek before focusing his attention on the worst of her injuries. He gently lapped away the blood from her brow, wishing to clear her beautiful face of the substance. The bleeding had slowed, and so he was able to clean all along the gash, being as mild with his strokes as possible. His gaze lifted now and again, searching for Niviaq. She was a far more qualified healer than he could ever hope to be.

When he felt he had sufficiently cleaned her matted fur, or until she insisted that he stop, he leaned back slightly to take her in. Of course he worried for her, but he was proud of her as well. Now they had both fought to defend the mountain. Now it was time for them to reunite the pack that had fallen into disarray. Together, they could do anything. And he knew he didn’t need to say it to her. She would know he was there to support her, to help her in any way she requested of him. After a moment, he turned his attention to the gathering pack, and a fierce pride welled in his eyes. Spirane’s time had come. They would rise to the greatness that they were destined for.

alcide | eighteen | moonglow | polaris of spirane
sleekwing, swallowbane, orca, daenerys, ceal, taliesin | ♥