He had his share of stumbling out of trees when he was younger and still learning but he never gave up and over time he grew better at timing his jumps and calculating distance. He never expected to get hurt when climbing and so far that had been working for him. Why should it stop now? He knew he could make her uncomfortable sometimes with just a look and he loved that. He loved that he could get under her skin the same way she always got under his. She was the only one who was hard to impress when he was young and maybe that's why he clung to his memory of her in the four years he was gone. He often thought of her every time he was near a cliff or in a tree that overlooked a river. It was almost poetic how they always seemed to meet when he was close to making a stupid decision, but somehow it only made it easier when she was around because he wanted to impress her. He had always just wanted to see that glow of inspiration in her beautiful eyes and a few times he could only hope that he had seen a glimpse of it before she looked away or composed herself.

He wanted to see that again and some day he would. He was sure of it. He was taught of cunning and how to flirt from a very young age. Watching his parents taught him most everything he knew. Eric and Seline had done a deadly dance of lust and love every time they got around each other. It was a game to them, a show of who would give in and who would dominate. Both were evenly matched and just when he tought one was winning hands down, the other would find a new burden of strength and rise to the challenge. Now he had Boneskull to talk to but it wasn't like Boneskull was much for conversing back with him. Everything was one word answers and it got pretty frustrating but he was patient as he could be with the younger wolf. Then he would send him off to do some training so he could clear his head and let out some of that frustration on something else.

He knew that she had a thing with the stars and gathered that it must have been something passed down through her family but he still didn't get it. Sure, stars were beautiful and mysterious and there were many myths about why they existed and what was really up there but it was like she wanted to talk to them or something. The stars were the enemies of predators like him because it could catch the light of their coats or eyes when they were stalking someone and give away their cover. He liked it pitch black when he was hunting. He hated even the moonlight. The rain at least was a friend. It hid his scent and made it easier to not be heard by the keen ears of another wolf. The pitter patter of rain drops was hard to tune out enough to hear soft paws hitting the earth. She said that Boneskull better not barge in and that she needed time with him and he smirked, his eyes twinkling.

"You can have all the time with me you need. I'm all yours, Belhara."

He growled the words in a promise. He followed her gaze to the sky, watching the storm rage overhead and knowing it would be upon them before they knew it. He scowled at her mention of them being bringers of life. He shrugged.

"I guess you could say they water the plants and such. You turning into a tree hugger on me?"

He tilted his head in curiosity, ears flickering back and forth as he waited for her answer. He knew that deep down, her soul was just as damaged and dark as his own. That was what called him to her again and again. That was what assured him of their fate together. She couldn't go ruining that by thinking of sunshine and butterflies. He knew she wouldn't be satisfied with his explanation of how he climbs trees, watching her roll her eyes and smirk, his own lips quirking in response. He gave into his urges the only way he knew how, getting close to her every chance he could get. The air grew electric as he brushed alongside her, assuring himself that she hadn't been close to any other males while marking her as his possession. The only female she would smell on him is Pine from their little spar but the younger alphess was definitely not on his radar when it came to anything more than the relations between a pack member and leader.

As he whispered his offer, he watched her fur stand up and a soft chuckle fell from his lips. He loved that he could get such reactions out of her. The rain was really starting to come down but he didn't mind. He could hear her heavy breathing and it only fed into his own hunger, a soft growl growing in his chest as he felt her teeth clip his ear. It was a growl of pleasure though, not of pain. It didn't mean that he didn't plan on getting her back though. He laughed when she let the sarcasm fall heavy in her voice. He shook his head as he stepped away from her, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"No magic words for the love of your life? I can teach you...but what do I get in return?"

His tail swayed side to side teasingly as he tilted his head at her, raising one brow expectantly. He heard the thunder but stood his ground, the soil vibrating with the roaring noise as it echoed all around them. As she bumped him with her shoulder, he reached out, trying to put a possessive nip on her scruff as she walked past. Then he followed to stand beside her as she looked at the trees, asking which one. He smirked and looked at them all before pointing his nose toward one with lower branches than the rest.

"That one should suffice to start with. Go on, now. Show me what I'm working with."

His lips curled into a grin as he sat down and looked at her.