He knew that Malleah had a past and in a way, he blamed himself for some of it because he didn't stay when he met her in the open lands that first time. She had Myrria with her then, just a pup, and was starving, looking to feed herself and her child. He had promised to help her and had planned on doing so but he got distracted and never came back to her like he'd promised. He figured she would blame him too, or at least hate him for breaking that promise and leaving her and Myrria to their fate. Maybe if he'd come back like he'd promised, things would be different. Maybe Malleah would have never found that male she seemed to despise so much, that only wanted her to give him children and never saw her as the gem she is. Maybe even Myrria would have come to trust him as a child and with him feeding her and raising her, maybe she wouldn't be attacking other wolves and they would be closer. A lot of things may be different but then maybe they wouldn't. Exodus knew better than to dip into that pool of what-if's because it could go on forever.

He was happy that he'd found her again and that she was able to get away from the mate she didn't love. He knew he didn't have all the facts but he would never ask for them. He wanted Malleah's full trust but if she thought he didn't need to know the specifics then he would have to trust that he didn't. He did trust her, body and soul. He loved her more than anything. He cherished what he had with her and what she had with Lucia just the way he loved seeing her and Myrria so close after so many years apart. He knew they were more like best friends sometimes than mother and daughter but he would never begrudge them their relationship. He loved to see them so close. Malleah had her tendencies to be grouchy and she didn't mind who her targets fell on, even him, but he loved her through it all like it was all he knew how to do. He just felt that if he continued to be patient with her then she would calm down and then he would get those brief moments when he could see the love in her eyes and knew that she was as devoted to him as he was to her. Those moments were what he lived for.

He only smirked as she picked fun at their age, glaring at the spot Lucia usually sleeps in as she said that she was worried about Lucia bringing home more puppies. He chuckled despite himself, his eyes glittering at her playfully as he nudged her shoulder on his way by. "Don't act like you won't enjoy being a grandmother just a little. You should be happy that she found someone to grow with. If only everyone could find the love of their life so soon and be able to share that lifetime with them. I would give anything to go back and have that with you." His eyes grew sad for a moment as he thought back to that time when he found her and told her he would come back. He let her down and he didn't know how she would ever forgive him because he didn't know if he could forgive himself.

He knew she was onto him the moment she gave him a look like she wasn't about to play into his petty games. But he knew in the end, she would make an effort because she always did. She dipped her head and when he rubbed against her, the sound of her contentment tickled his ears and his eyes glittered with satisfaction to know he could draw the sound from her throat. He couldn't help himself from leaning in to nip at her playfully, the giggle from her lips making his own quirk with mischief as she ducked her head then nipped at his jaw. He closed his eyes with a growl of pleasure as her teeth slid through his fur, his very body coming to life at her touch as he pulled away only to play bow at the entrance of the den. His eyes watched her with a hooded sink in his eye lids as she made her way over to him in that way only she could master, his breaths coming sharper in anticipation as she swayed her inviting hips and made her way toward him. He had meant every word when he said that he would love her even if she were to never give him children.

He thanks the gods every day that they gave him Lucia but he knew Malleah would never birth another litter and he didn't care. She was his goddess and his to love and cherish. He would do so until his dying day. It wasn't winter but he could swore he felt the nip in the air the closer she got to him because she had a way of making his body want hers so much that it hurt. He was successfully distracted, in other words, when she decided to make her move and leap onto his back like some kind of acrobat. The moment she disappeared from view, his eyes widened in surprise and when he felt her weight on his back, he only chuckled and kept his body close to the ground, not wanting to make her fall off and hurt herself. Then he felt her nipping at his ears and he rolled gently to his side on the ground, not trying to trap her but easing her to the ground with him as he shook his head and tried to keep his ears out of reach, bringing his paw up to bat at her playfully as he let another growl of play rumble from his chest.

"You tricked me, beautiful seductress. It's not fair to use those hips that way." His eyes twinkled with adoration as he rolled over to face her on the ground, bringing his own legs forward to try to wrap around her in a weird hug of sorts on the ground as he attacked her face and neck with licks and nuzzles. "Take that!" He said through a chuckle, his tail thumping the ground behind him like he was a puppy again.

Exodus_male_12 years_41in_195#_loved by Malleah_unable to imprint_father of Lucia_loner