The moment that she had agreed to try - which in Zaphkiel's world meant a firm yes - he had felt the world shift. No longer had it been unstable for him, his thoughts scattered to whatever new adventure that could be found. Instead his world honed in on the alabaster female with her black marked face and dual colored eyes. His world had become her even as she had pressed into him and he had pressed his own muzzle into her thick fur. She was brilliant and beautiful and grumpy and she was, overall, his. It was rather unsettling to think about; something he had pondered on one of his half-thought whims and then, suddenly, she was. His. Mate. Forever.

It was easy to feel a passion for her and Zaphkiel was a being that was filled with passions. Passions that overflowed to create a miasma of adrenaline and passions that bubbled within him until his words dripped like honey. They were both relatively young wolves and not yet spoiled with their newfound feelings. Untouched and thrilled with the newness of it all Zaphkiel had followed the instincts of his body. Shared touches, soft sighs, whispered words of wanting and need, it had all crescendo into a passion that he was certain could never be outdone. Then he had decided in his off-hand manner that he would return to Taviora with her to take up permanent residence. After all one did not live apart from ones mate. Azrael would surely agree with it and he was certain Andromeda would approve.

As oblivious as he could be at times, Zaphkiel had a keen sense of self and he also prided himself on his observation skills. Such skills came in handy as they swept into the tree infested kingdom for he could see the pause in her step or the way her eyes flicked to him as if startled he was there. It would be an adjustment for both of them yet he knew it would be a significant change for Astrid. After all she was a wolf with the spirit of self and he would be intruding upon her at all times, as a mate was supposed to do. He expected to see a flash of fang on occasion or a burn of a glare at others and the idea was not one that he hated - in fact, he rather tingled with enjoyment at the idea of experiencing her irate nature first hand.

When she bumped her shoulder into him, Zaphkiel immediately leaned his own weight into the touch with a broad grin at her muttered exclamation. "I bet there are some massive cougars nearby," he stated bluntly with a sort of crazed edge to his voice which she would no doubt figure out meant he would be actively searching for them in time.

The snow fell tenderly across his darkened self and his crimson forepaws stood bright against the stain of white. A space beneath the deadened branches was somewhat clear of snow, left with the cold and hard dirt that led into the hollowed out den that Astrid stood before. It was not overly large and a comfortable fit for her with room to spare. With him it would be comfortable, he thinks, for he certainly intends to sleep cuddled against her and his mind does not stray to pups. After all, such a thought is foreign to him, a concept so far out of reach that how could he know?

"It is perfect for us, so long as you don't get mad at me laying across you. I would hate to get kicked out into the snow on a cold night," he jests with a wicked grin, leaning his head forward and ears splayed back as he nips at her cheek. "I think you will have to tell me some secrets to get into your good graces because I'm certain I will infuriate you often." He shuffles forward and sniffs around the den before poking his maw in and then pulling it back out. "Smells like badger."