She stays silent at his response, in fact remains silent for much of the time that he speaks. Her heart hammers in her chest the more he goes into his idea, and I find a bittersweet happiness in my soul. I continue to feast on what he left of the pups, growling happily as I consumed the buttery meat of youth. I did this to Anastasia in my mourning, now I will do it to remember her, and the path she cut for her brothers and sisters of the future. 'Speak to me, Ani...' And suddenly, a thoughtful gaze was upon him, as if weighing my options to fight on this. I did not wish to fight, I never wanted to fight him again. I never wanted to oppose him again, truly. I am amazed at my brother's compassion in this moment, and a toothless grin spreads over my face as I come to him, burying my delicate and bloodstained muzzle into the midnight comfort of his neck.

I do not answer him immediately, and I can only huddle close to him as I had our first day out of the den. I can still remember that day, and we never fought then. I miss our youth, before hormones and the want to raise children cluttered things up. I miss the innocence I had once possessed, I wish I had grown up by his side instead of getting lost and finding Tobias. But, here he is, giving me the bloodline I wanted, willing to accept my opinion on what we did. "We would need a pack wolf, perhaps a wolf we know, or one we can meet. I want them safe as well. There are others like us out there, and I would not want to be preying on my own sons or daughters." I stated this final demand toward the security of our union. He could agree or disagree, I had already given up the notion that I could ever have pups such as the two before me. I would get to be close to them, see them from a distance, watch them. When Adonis was off hunting or killing, I could go to them and ensure their safety, make sure they never came to harm.

It reminded me of what Father must have felt like with us, he was so distant. Now, Doni was my only. I wanted him happy as well, but I wanted to leave us behind at the same time. I wanted Mother and Father to continue in us, and their parents before them. I know Doni cannot understand, but my instincts do. We would find a pack, and I know the real reason for this unprecedented solution.

Neither of us, no matter how hard we tried, could deny the temptation of becoming one body in the icy embrace of winter. The call to come together would be too strong. If he agreed to this final term, I will show him the true power of my joy. I will not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it meant that we could do this, not just yet.