Morrigan sat upon the highest perch of her territory, gaze never straying. The mountains' bitter chill was relentless, a fierce squall whipping around her. Yet she remained like a statue, a silent sentinel unfazed by the sudden shift of the weather.
She didn't turn. The melanistic Absol climbed the mountain, braved the storm to see her. She would always know the voice that pierced through the storm and allowed her to leave. He nuzzled her cheek affectionately, his warm presence settling beside her. It was only then that she realized she was cold.
"Aruna." She returned it, a small smile breaking through her stony face. "Is he asleep?" She leaned against him, slowly stretching her stiff limbs.
"Finally. He wouldn't let go of my paw. He was crying about nightmares."
Her brows furrowed. "Again?"
He nodded. "I think it is this place, Morri," he said. "I understand your need, of not wanting to leave this place, but… think of our son. Is this a normal pack tradition of yours?" Lines of worry formed creases along his eyes, the same eyes their child has. "Why not let them handle it?"
"Because they do not have this." She lifted her rear paw, revealing a book beneath it.
"Why not give it to them?"
Her gaze darkened. "They wouldn't be able to handle it on their own."
"…I thought they were dead to you."
She growled under her breath. "It is… complicated. I don't hate all of them. I hate only… some of them. Not the young ones. I can never blame them for the ignorant adults running them into ruin."
"So you do this out of obligation? Protection?"
She nipped his ear out of frustration. "Stop asking me, mate." She lapped the pain away with the swipe of the tongue. "You always do this…"
He rubbed his nose against hers with a smile. "Who would challenge you otherwise?"
"I only want you to look at the big picture. Ask yourself, what do you want? I want to be entirely selfish. I don't care about the pack that sought to use you. I only want you and our son to be safe. But I am respecting your wishes because this is new."
"It is new… and I don't know what to do." Her voice was lost. The confident Absol who burns with fire; her flame was a mere ember in the wind. She looked him in the eye. "Should we leave?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I… don't want to leave. Yet. Give me… a few days."
"Okay." He pressed his forehead against hers. He always guided her back. Stroked the embers in a fire so bright…
She could beat this. As long as he was here.