I am most enthused being near my light, illuminated and sparkling like existence itself. I feel like something is soothing my very being as I stare at her with my one good eye, knowing it is her as my nose inhales her scent with each and every tense breath. I wait for her to to turn, to see me and yet there is always doubt in moments like these - doubt for she may not wish to me, may not wish to be near me and perhaps that is why she is left me to begin with.

Yet such thoughts were dispelled from my mind as she turns, her own eyes lighting up as she sees me. I can feel her very excitement as she reaches out, her nose touching the underside of my muzzle. I whine, whines of pure joy as she nips at me and gives me nothing but happiness with her presence. I lean in as she touches me, my body still held low. I...I can notice other scents tangled in her fur, scents of other males, scents of...harm upon her body, that smell of light iron that flows with blood. I am so happy to see her though, so enthralled that I am taken back to her when I hear her voice shatter my very mind. I feel her words flow though my fur, fall into my ears and slowly absorb into my fragile soul. Shadow. She always called me her shadow. The shadow to her light. I know what this means, these words triggering meaning that has been lacking in my mind, words being confusing and disorienting nonsense with her disappearance.

I feel her gentle warmth engulf me as she touches me, becoming as close as possible. Never before have I been so close to anyone, with her fur mixing in with my black dust. I simply remain still, leaning into her gently and allowing her to be in complete control. I am baffled really that she is back, amazed and stunned to hear her voice. I whine more as she pulls away so slightly, my body shaking almost violently with glee and fear, fear of losing her all over again. I can see the water forming in her eyes, oh how she glimmers like the gentle pools I used to gaze out in Diveen.

Yet I can feel the tension running down her spine as another approaches, and my own body becomes tense in return. It was as if we are two being as one, a creature controlled by one mind as I turn to look at the alpha. Initially, I respond more warily, with hackles raising silver specks in a protective move towards Everchime. She falls to the ground, submitting as I did to the alpha female of the lands. Yet I do not submit as such on this day, I may be crouched but I do not fall, finding a sort of strength to remain stable with my light. I have sworn to protect her, sworn to be the one who is harmed before she is. I shift, moving only slightly to move between the two, only slightly with my one ear still falling slightly. I cannot stop myself, it may be slightly disrespectful but...I wish only to protect her, the smells of foreign men blazing in my nose and burning my mind, filling me with a fire that I try to turn to smoke.

My form calms slightly as he speaks, his words meaning nothing and yet I find it comforting in these moments, my paws stepping away slightly. I am unsure in these moments, until Everchime lifts and falls into my fur once more. I simply stare at Coza, bewildered and yet much more whole than before. This is a confusing, yet joyous time for me, and my eyes do catch the sight of another approaching, once more discomforting building in my frame.

I do not know this one at all, and I feel my body shake, watching the other wolf that is not alpha look over Everchime, my one good golden eye fixated on him. The moment he steps a little too close for my comfort, I snap out at him, nothing violent, nothing malicious, simply frightened and scared, not a snarl or growl from my lips, but a distorted whine, a plea for him to not violate her space, to not harm her. I remain tense, not understanding his words as he speaks, not understanding what is happening and I am becoming all too disoriented, all too lost in the images before me. I know my light is to remain safe, and that I am to protect her.

Perhaps...I am feeling insecure, of my past failures...I don't want to fail again...