There’s a disgusting amount of hope in her chest as they turn, a wiggling beast of a thing that slams violently against her rib cage. It takes her a moment to realize the beast is her heart, throbbing out a beat that reverberates through her whole body - that fine tremor working through her. Tor almighty, she wanted him to say yes. Wanted him to give in, to say that he loved her and that he wanted to be with her. No if, ands, or buts. No complications, no worrying about the clan, no ridiculous betrothals, just them. She was so disgustingly hopeful and she wanted to warn him - warn him that he better not be playing some twisted joke, that he could easily drag her heart through the mud if he wasn’t careful, that this hope that was running rampant through her would shatter her. Pick me, she wanted to say. Pick us, pick the future, pick happiness. Pick me. Nothing came out, the words sitting heavy on her lead tongue.

Silence hung heavy between the two kalaks, pleading green and brown eyes locked onto the male before her. Akuji had been the only male she’d ever interacted with, and maybe that was what was wrong. There hadn’t been anyone for her to love before him, and all that love was now overflowing. It was spilling out of her, pouring out like a tsunami, and dripping all over the floor. Katia knew the wolf hiding behind the armor, there was a softness that he’d shown her on multiple occasions. That was the wolf she’d fallen in love with, the wolf she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She wavered as she stood there, spilling out love everywhere, heart caught in her throat. He began to speak, a stutter that melted into a growl and charcoal ears flattened uncertainly.

He spoke slowly, as if searching for all the words he needed to explain what was going on in his head. The way he spoke of Perdere caused a churning, sick feeling in her stomach. ”Graciously.” As if the monster was doing him a favor, was permitting him to be around her. It made her furious, made her hate the beast in the way she had never hated anyone or anything before. He spoke of a price to pay, and her heart dropped to her stomach. She felt sick as she stared at him, her tongue like lead in her mouth. She wanted to tell him no. That there had to be some other way. That he couldn’t give into the beast, that she couldn’t let him sacrifice his wellbeing for her. But she was selfish. She was so, so, so selfish. He was picking her, choosing her. Katia had chosen him, chosen both of them, long ago. Her answer should have been obvious.

She exhaled deeply, looking away and then looking towards him. ”Of course. Akuji, of course. You’re my beast. Both of you are mine.” With that, the diluted female crossed the distance between them, pausing just inches away from him. She met his eye wearily for a second and then closed the remaining space, tucking her face into the ginger feathers of his neck. She inhaled deeply as her heart found its rhythm again, slowing down to a steady pace as his scent comforted her in a way she hadn’t been since before the battle. It was peace.