Loyalty to the Doe-8

•Will's POV•

After a while Roy came back it was later on in the afternoon but not really dark out.

When he came in a desperate look crossed his face when he saw that she was asleep.

"H-how long was she awake for?" He asked taking a glance at me.

"Around a hour maybe two…" I replied tidying up her pelts.

He sighed and dropped the giant bird he had over his shoulder.

He sat a little ways away from me and started plucking out the feathers.

"Hey, those buckets are you using them for anything?" He asked stoping what he was doing.

"H-huh, o-oh no she needed something to through up in. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

I picked up the bucket and handed it to him, he proceeded to dump the feathers he had already removed into the bucket.

Silence filled the room, I was nervous about asking if I could go with the pair to the Deer Tribe.

What would I do if he said no?

Would I let Maria slip through my fingers like sand? Could I really stand by and let that happen…

Yes I know I have no… chance with a female like her, he'll even one lower than her…

But she… She made me feel wanted, made me feel cared for.

For the first time in my life I had someone look at me without some sort of disgust or anything negative.

She saw me…for me, i clenched my fist as I watched her sleeping face. Her face contorted in a uncomfortable manner before she rolled over and snuggled into the pelts.

This female, the one who captured my heart in such little time. Could I really stand by and watch her be taken from me?

"R-R-Roy." I stuttered around a bit before resolving myself.

"What?" He said looking up in interest his ears pricked forward slightly.

I got up and dusted myself off and walked over before sitting in front of him.

I took a deep breath before bowing down into submission my forehead pressed to the floor.

This was his house he is the boss here, showing him respect is how I'm going to achieve his respect.

"Uh?" I heard a awkward sound come from Roy to which I pressed my forehead to the floor harder. Plucking up the courage I finally get the words out.

"May I come with you two on your journey to the Deer Tribe! P-please!" my voice sort of cracked at the end but I didn't care.

I wanted, no I needed Roy's acceptance.

After all he was also after her hand, yes he had a better shot at getting it but I was fine with being second.

All I wanted was to be in her presence, it was all I needed. I didn't need cubs, or even affection. I just needed to know she was safe…

•Roy's POV•

I had to hold my tongue back and think clearly, I knew what this male wanted.

He wanted Maria, he wants to be her male.

I glared harshly into his huddled up figure, yes he was humble coming in here showing respect to me…

But this would be different if we were at his home, he would demand respect from me…

My tail slashed about irritably, I put a bird feather into the bucket and dusted my hands off.

Still thinking about it rationally, he was a lot more muscled than me. Meaning he could hold his own against a threat, another words more protection for Maria on the trip to the Tribe…

I couldn't think about my own feelings on this, I needed to think about her well fare.

I crossed my arms, and sighed trying to release the irritation from my system.

"Lift up your head." I said lowly, he warily looked up at me his eyes revealing his thoughts.

He thought I was going to turn him away.

He gulped and waited on my answer.

"You may come, the trip there will be filled with untamed beast. It will take days, we will sleep in shifts keeping watch over Maria." I said going a bit to into detail, my eyebrows still furrowed in irritation.

"It will be even more dangerous since she isn't in the state to really get up and run." I clicked my tongue, my eyes slightly pinned.

"I'm… I'm prepared to give up my life for her if the need arises…" he said bowing his head to the floor again, i had a distasteful feeling towards the male…

It felt like a fire of hatred was set ablaze in my heart.

•Maria POV•

I awoke to a chicken smell that filled the home, the rain had stopped beating on the roof.

I rolled over and groaned my head was sore but I at least was alive.

Will's face came into view, his eyes held a concern.

"Y-you okay?" He asked timidly, I tried sitting up my arms were shaky but I managed to get myself propped on the wall by myself.

"My head is just a little sore other than that I'm okay…" I said giving a soft smile.

He stood up sharply.

"I'll go ask for a mellow seed from the doctor…" Will said going to leave, me not knowing what a mellow seed was and really didn't want to find out gripped his bag.

He felt the tug and turned to look at me.

"I-I'm fine, it's not really that bad." I said waving my hands softly in-front of me.

He sighed and looked a bit dejected.

But still smiled gently a red tint coating his face again.

"T-then how bout we get some food in your stomach?" He said tilting his head, waiting for my reply.

"I'm a bit hungry actually, if it wouldn't be too much trouble."

"R-Roy came back earlier with a bird so it won't be trouble at all." Will said once again giving me a awkward pat on the head.

"Okay…"

I really didn't know how I felt about the word bird, my stomach growled lowly. But then again maybe I don't really care what I eat.

He exited the house, when he returned Roy was with him.

"Doe? Are you feeling alright?" Roy said softly handing me a leaf wrapped piece of meat.

"Huh? Yes I feel okay just a little tired." I said yawning slightly my stomach twisted in hunger.

"Just tell me if you need anything alright?"

He said cracking his neck, I began picking at the food gingerly.

"Alright…"