He could feel the world around him changing too and he didn't like it one bit. The monsters were getting organized and taking over more packs. They were scattering through the free lands, taking random victims and stealing others to take back with them. It was just too much, and he felt partially responsibly because he hadn't been hunting. He needed to get back out there, do some tracking and find a target. He needed to save lives because he was doing a crappy job so far. He tried to brush all that aside for now though and just enjoy the day with Tuari. It had been too long since they'd been able to get out, just the two of them. The kids were growing and they were pretty much independent now. They were all training respectively and he couldn't be more proud of them. Now him and Tuari could take time for just them. She needed this just as much as he did.

He didn't know what they planned on doing today on their outing but he was up for anything as long as it was with her. He decided to get a little playful since he couldn't remember the last time he'd played with Tuari. She needed to loosen up and so did he. Besides, he couldn't get enough of her touch now that he could claim her as his. It was still surreal to him too that he could look at her and think of her as his mate. His heart felt whole where before it always felt half full. It was like having an imprint, at least in his understanding. Maybe he wasn't built for a soul mate but Tuari was just as good to him or better. She understood him better than anyone. She was his best friend and she always would be. He leapt at her, trying to tackle her and was rewarded with her rolling on the ground beneath him. She started nipping at him and he laughed as he dodged the best he could, feeling pinches to his legs, cheek, and neck.

Finally she managed to get out from under him and he grinned as he went after her, nipping at her heels. She turned to him once she got out of reach, play bowing before him and slamming her paws on the ground. He laughed. "Oh, don't worry, love. I'm coming." He challenged with a gleam in his eyes as he ran after her toward the river. She seemed to be up to something but he wasn't going to pause long enough to give her time to think about it. Instead he rushed right in, racing up to launch himself at her again on the banks of the river.