If only she knew. Surely if I could read the thoughts of her mind I would have taken rather exceptional pleasure in hearing her admit, even just to herself that she was somewhat in awe of my apparent restraint and honour, such despicable honour and indeed, perhaps I do having something of a quality in that regard. Cat Eye has been the other half of my soul for near as many years as Zeivah has been the mate of my heart, to say that never did I once think of Cat Eye in more...intimate terms was surely an understatement, such thoughts came unbidden and often, particularly after the death of my mate of so many years and yet, perhaps that is my honour, perhaps admitting such a thing, admitting that indeed when it comes to the black female there are- desires and yet continuing not to act upon them is what make me honourable- at least to her mind. Indeed it is a difficult thing, an urge I ignore and yet for years, so many, many years it was almost easy. The bond was not the same, it was not this forceful thing so deep and entangled I can barely free myself from it, it was lighter, softer and every inch of my form was dedicated entirely to She who I had chosen, my Angel, Mother of my children and co-founder of Moladion’s most potent bloodline. Thoughts of Cat Eye always remained, I felt her presence, always, sought her when my soul became ill at ease and yet my heart and mind belonged so firmly to another it was easy to walk away, the knowledge she was safe enough to sustain any need for her, my affection focused and given entirely, until the day of her death- to Zeivah. How things change.

Perhaps I could be forgiven for seeking more now, perhaps I can say so easily that I am simply lonely, that I don’t want to sleep alone anymore and at nearly sixteen I have lived over half my life with another at my side, the trauma, the emotional scarring, blah, blah, blah- there are so many reasons I could give for wanting my Imprint, so my excuses that would have others nod and smile knowingly and yet I refuse to pander to such things, the matter is simple and straight. I have wanted Cat Eye for a very long time, it cannot be helped- but it can be controlled and for a long time I have done that. I may be many things, but I have pride, my family is honourable, we do not turn from our mates- those we Run The Night with and as long as Zeivah lived I would never turn from her, never father children on another or rest beside any but she. But life is cruel, things change and I am still alive. Zeivah is not. There are things I....want. Age changes very little about us, really and while I may be the oldest living male left in Moladion that does not mean the chill of winter does not have the same affect. I’m not done being a Father, I’m not ready to die alone and perhaps many will argue that such a thing is disrespectful to She who is gone but it is not as I see it. Our laws have nothing written on this. How long must I sleep alone? I will never take another mate, never, but surely that does not mean, despite my honour I am not entitled to....something? She is my soul. She is me and for two years I have waited for Zeivah to come home. She has not. She will not and nor will Lucifer and Kael. I have waited, I have forsaken all others and I am- tired and I know, for she cannot hide it from me- that cat feels much the same. A soul bond is a powerful thing.....

Her words brought a smirk to my lips, devastating grin pulling at the corners as I sat beside her, blending snow and cool, my soul once more soothed and content to purr away within me. It is good indeed to find something, someone- familiar. She continued on, her own grin flashing upon her unfortunately black features although today I was even inclined to ignore such things as her coat, for whatever reason as she spoke, tail flicking to brush against her own as I shrugged with nonchalance at her words about my family.

“Angels have very distinct tastes, I don’t believe any of them have ever actually been given to imprint on anyone to their ‘taste’. As for you however, hmmm, I could have done worse and they know it, but what I can say, we’re exclusive and you violate the dress code.”

I chuckled once more, breath rising like smoke in the cool air, violet eyes alight with the tease. Indeed I knew well what my children thought of Cat Eye, seeing only a threat to their Mother and indeed, perhaps she was, once, yet when one runner is removed from the race, there is no competition and indeed if my Children knew their places they would remain silent on their thoughts. What I did with my imprint was my own concern, I’m getting tired of fighting. For what reason am I resisting? The pleasure of my children? Respect to a wolfess two years dead who surely would not desire me to spend each night freezing? My own pride? An apparent underlying desire to be alone? There are no reasons, not anymore though indeed if the black female beside me feels much the same she is....coy about it, a difficult creature to read- always, yet touching her soul makes it easier, I will confess. My final question seemed to return some of her less inviting temperament before she laughed again, my own violet gaze rolling as she slumped to the earth, seating herself beside the pool with a huff of disagreement. Typical female. Her words however, returned my attention firmly to the creature herself, one eye lifting in question. Don’t think- do? Well, if that was her motto it explained rather a lot about, well, her in general. Such a bizarre creature, so eccentric to my mind and yet I suppose if one just ‘does’ all the time one would be given to eccentricity.

“Try it? Doing without thinking? Not- lately, no, I will admit to that. That was more a policy for my younger years when what I did tended not to effect every individual beneath me. As it happens though-“

I moved, why I did it I can hardly say, the season, the timing, the place I hardly know and I hardly care, maybe I was finally having that mid-life crisis and yet for just a moment, an hour, a day- maybe I didn’t care. I dropped my muzzle, lips parting to nip, tease almost playfully at the fur on her cheek, muzzle sliding back along to nip at her ruff, tail swinging in a low wave, testing I suppose, her own reaction to myself, seeing how far she would let me go....just this once, just once.

“I think I could be encouraged to try...doing. I could do this....and that.”

I chuckled once more, trailing my muzzle back towards her shoulder, teasing, taunting for no other reason then I could. It’s been a few years, but I’m fairly sure I remember how this works and hey, out our ages, what’s the chance anything could actually come of just one night? I might be good, but I’m not sure I’m that good as to knock her up. She’s over ten, not easy after that, I think we’d be safe.

“In fact, I could do a lot of things.”

I hope Zeivah isn't watching.