He was never fully asleep. Even so long after leaving the assassins, some habits never died. Sleep left you vulnerable and that wasn't something he could afford, not with Azure so close and his family in danger. He wouldn't sleep until they were safe. He could feel the steady weight of Malleah beside him, her side moving against his steady and slow. The breaths of sleep. But then her breathing picked up a little and he felt her shift. She must be waking up. Must be the rain. The sound of it falling on the ground outside was soothing for him but made her restless. He kept his eyes closed and continued to breathe as if sleeping, leaving her to her own devices because he knew she liked her space sometimes. He had heard Lucia get up and leave the den a few hours ago but she was two years old now and knew how to take care of herself. He didn't worry so much. After all, he was on his own pretty much after birth. After his mom died in the den next to him, that is.

He had heard a lot of Lucia and Malleah butting heads over the past few months. Lucia wanted to be with Aeon and Malleah didn't approve. She didn't like the older female that showed up last time they were together. Apparently she wasn't very nice to Malleah. He didn't approve of someone being rude to Malleah but he didn't see how that had anything to do with Aeon and Lucia. She didn't say anything about the boy being rude, just not very talkative around her. And Lucia was downright smitten. He didn't want to take that away from his daughter, but he had a fine line to walk because he didn't want to fight with Malleah. She was his light. He couldn't lose her. Then she growled and he shifted his weight again, a slow sigh of contentment falling from his lips. He was trying to soothe her but apparently it wasn't working.

When she bolted to her feet and the weight disappeared from his side, only then did he groan and open his eyes, letting her know that he was awake. He lifted his head enough to watch her as she started going off about Lucia and Aeon. His gaze was soft and patient, his ears pricked forward attentively. He shook his head. "She wouldn't. It would be the last thing she ever did." He hoped assuring Malleah that he would take action if needed would help her calm down. He wasn't used to those sorts of words from her but he knew she had a temper when triggered and something about Lucia being with a boy, especially after that last meeting, was a definite trigger. "Lucia is two years old as is Aeon. They don't need anyone watching over them. I doubt they're even near that female. It's puppy love, my heart. She's happy. Join in it for her." His eyes lit up with his own affections as he slowly got to his paws and made his way to her.

He waited patiently for the cue from her that he could come closer and if she gave it, he would rub along her side possessively, putting his scent on her as he inhaled her own. Once that was done, he would nuzzle her neck and nip at her ear teasingly. "Let's play." Then he would go to the entrance of the den and play bow, wagging his tail enticingly at her as he grinned, waggling his eye brows in a definite invitation.
Exodus_male_12 years_41in_195#_loved by Malleah_unable to imprint_father of Lucia_loner