Chapter 2

Not too far off into the distance, her mother lay resting for a bit before her journey home. That hunt took more out of her than she thought it would. She must be getting up in age or something not that she was that old. She was only 27. Still, she'd have her work cut out for her, carrying her portion home and leaving the rest for the pack. As she lay there thinking of the best solution to ease her burden, he approached. She hadn't even caught his scent before he appeared in her line of sight. "Hello Saline" She turned away from her former mate. It had only been so many months since she told him of her pregnancy in which he broke things off and then she was forced to give birth alone. The wounds were still fresh and she hadn't expected to be seeing him here. She just wanted to drop off the food and go home to her beautiful daughter. Her gaze still averted she growled, "What do you want Daniel?" She didn't see it but he flinched at the tone she used with him. He couldn't blame her though, he had broken things off with her, didn't mean he loved her any less. He believed what he did was for the best. Now he wasn't so sure but he couldn't go back on his word. He had to stick by his decision to protect her and the pup. "It's alpha to you, sweetheart" Saline turned and growled at him. How dare he act so cocky after what he did. "Don't use that nickname with me then, your highness." She spat. "Now if you'll excuse me I have a pup to go feed. Not that you'd care." He said nothing at first, she had stunned him for a second. But as she began to walk away, he stopped her. "I'm sorry but I can't let you do that, right now, I need you to come with me. It'll only take a second, I promise. Just some pack politics to attend to. She battled with herself for a few mins before finally giving in. "Fine make it quick and this better be important Daniel or else."

She followed him all the way to the den. The den she hadn't been back to since they went their separate ways. "Daniel what kind of tomfoolery are you trying to pull here," She said after gathering her bearings. Her breath had caught in her throat. And her heart rate sped up. She had found her breath again after a minute of reminiscing on the past and what could have been, But she couldn't cry here, not now. She held herself together as best as she could. She wouldn't give him the benefit of seeing her weak and vulnerable ever again. She would not show her pain. After a suitable pause and looking anywhere in the den but at her he spoke. I'm not trying to pull anything. I just figured it would be best if we talked in private." A sly grin grew on his face. "Mmmhmm, so out with it. I have a child to tend to or have you forgotten old man." She spat out. "How can I forget with you reminding me so nicely, sweetheart. Thank you for your attention. The matter is that the pack is getting anxious about the way you leave the food. They think that you might be straying away from the pack and going to the pack we all hate. The LouPirques have been making their way onto our grounds from time to time. They think you might be conspiring with their alpha seeing as you rarely come around anymore. Aside from the times you come to get food or go to the lake for water. I tried to assure them that you would never. But you need to make some more appearance if we are to keep it secret that you have the...he paused, the pup with you." She thought for a moment she saw sadness in his eyes. But it was probably just her imagination seeing as he couldn't possibly feel sorry. He just wanted to maintain control over her and the pack. That is all he cared for was power, nothing else. "Fine, I'll come to more meetings, happy?!" She grumbled. "That is a good start. We will begin with that and see how it goes. Then move on from there. You may take your leave now." She huffed and began walking away. "Wait." She heard him say so low that maybe she had been mistaken. She looked back. "What?" He stared at her for a good long moment and began to edge closer, slowly. Not a word was spoken til he got up close enough that she could feel his breath. He lifted his muzzle to her ear. "I… he trailed. His stare burned into her. Never mind," he finally whispered. He shifted into his human form and walked to the back of the cave. Leaving her to stare after him, breathless and confused.