The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

Vincent had tried to care for his children as he knew Spirit did, but the emotional bond was simply not there. It wasn't that he was incapable, perhaps it was more that he was scared of commitment- and that was cowardly, he knew. It had been cowardly to run from the family that he had created, it was cowardly to run from his bond with his imprint. But there was nothing he could do to change the past except try and fix the mistakes that he had made to try and make the future better. The brute didn't know that he could promise a healthy family, it was too late for that, but at the least he could stay his ground this time. He loved Spirit still and he would make it up to her, somehow.

It seemed his chance would come quickly as she did not greet him with rage or sadness or avoidance, but with the love that she had always shone him. The words and her weight against his chest made him feel terribly guilty, a feeling that he didn't have very often- but it was there, and it was prominent, eating away at his heart like a vulture picking at a carcass. "It's not a dream, doll." Vincent said quietly, wrapping his head and neck around her in the type of embrace a wolf could give.

What could he even say to her- an apology? It seemed like such a pathetic thing to do, he had left her, and all he had to offer was a weak 'sorry' or maybe even a 'give me another chance?' Vincent wouldn't, couldn't bring himself to that level, he couldn't cower before her and beg for forgiveness even though it was likely she deserved it. The part of his soul that had been captured by her told him to beg, to whine, to cower, but the prouder part, the independent part, forbade it. He was not necessarily the best lover but he was hers and he knew that she loved him regardless- her accepting him back with open arms was proof enough of that.

"I couldn't keep away from ya any longer. Guess our bond's too strong." Vincent said quietly, smiling sadly into her fur.

vincent

TWELVE - SPIRANE - NO HEART - SPIRIT'S SOUL