unable to bind.mated to none.father to Eztli, Lixue, Petra, Citlalli, & Itzel.Taviora

He used to be a lot more quiet around other wolves but it seemed somewhere along the way while he was hunting killers by himself, he started to miss the company of others and now it was showing. He was more outgoing, more charming than he ever remembered being but it was easier when he was around Talien. He could just be himself and he loved to hear her laugh. He knew she was watching as he bantered back and forth with Zelda but he didn't mind. He wanted her to see how he was with family because this was when he was most comfortable. Before, his family was the only time when he could be himself, but even then, he's always had his secrets that not even they know. Maybe things would be different some day but he didn't want everyone to change the way they looked at him. He didn't want to change the way Talien looked at him. Like how she went and asked about joining the pack. He never thought she would do that when she came here. Sure, he thought she'd want to look around, get the grand tour, but he never expected her to join so quickly.

He couldn't help wondering if he had anything to do with it but he didn't want to get his hopes up. Talien seemed awfully interested in the herbs Zelda was carrying which made him wonder if she was into the whole healing business. His mother Moth was an avid healer but he never did get the whole thrill of it. Sure, he liked helping others just as much as the next wolf but playing with plants was only thrilling for him when they would help him take down his prey. He was all about researching on the herbs that cause paralysis and the ones that mess with your head, make you see your worst nightmares. These were intriguing to him. The rest were nugatory as far as he was concerned. But it seemed Talien may have found her calling in the pack and he couldn't be happier for her. He wanted her to grow and develop and be happy. He moved against her, brushing against her and inhaling her sweet scent as he play bowed and barked at her playfully. She had to shift her weight and keep herself from tumbling so his brow raised in surprise. He had thought she was paying more attention than that. But at least he didn't hurt her.

She gives him a grin and he returns a lazy smirk of his own, chuckling as he shook his head.

"Quite the contrare, sweetheart. I've been looking forward to it ever since that pesky rabbit got in the way of our alone time."

He gave her a teasing wink as he invited her to come along so he could show her something. He knew he was always cold on first glance, hard to get know and generally a mystery but he tended to open up as someone got to know him and he found that he would like Talien to do just that. There was something about her that made him want to open up and be truly himself around her. Maybe he'd even tell her his greatest secret. Maybe. He glanced back to make sure she was coming, liking the look in her eyes like she was looking at something that she liked. He thought about teasing her about it but decided against it, his eyes glistening with happiness as he looked back at her. When she caught up, she bumped against him and nipped at his ear and he laughed, shaking his head and pawing at her playfully.

"Geez, woman. You can't keep your paws off of me. Might start thinking you have a crush or something."

He grinned wolfishly at her, bumping back into her shoulder as he trotted ahead. When he looked back, he saw her stumble a little and his ears flicked back, expression softening in concern.

"Everything okay, buttercup? You're acting a little less graceful than usual."

They were getting closer now so he slowed down, smirking as she brushed her muzzle against his cheek and asked where they were going.

"To a very important place."

It was all he was going to say for now but soon enough they broke through the tree line and wide open areas spread out before them. The snow covered it right now for the most part but he knew when spring came around the corner, it would be filled with flowers of all different colors. He paused, his gaze distant for a minute and his lips tugged into a whimsical smile. Slowly he turned to look at her, coming over tos tand beside her, his fur brushing with hers.

"This was my mother's favorite place. It was always filled with flowers of all different colors. She used to sleep out here with my father all the time. She'd rather be under the stars than in a den. She was a healer and she taught my sister how to heal too. Her name was Moth. I wish you could have met her. She would have liked you."