Post by Therdde on Oct 25, 2009 3:51:47 GMT -5
Characters:
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Teketa - Male Wolf
- Grassy Plains -
What is she doing here? Since she came to the lowlands, to find them somehow changed since her time with her new pack, she has accomplished... Nothing. She doesn't feel she has any more answers now than when she left, and with each passing day, her heart and body ache just a little more. Even being as she is now, lying on the frozen ground and staring at the rising sun, she can find no comfort in her faith or her attempts to commune with her spirits. The sun simply seems harsh as it reflects off the white snow and, in areas where the powder has been blown from the ground, yellowed, dried grasses, reaching up for the warmth that the sun, for all its blinding brightness, doesn't seem to provide.
Something had been wrong for a while now. And then Skelaghe left... it seems like ages ago, though there have certainly been longer times when she's been absent from his life. But after being with the pack for a year? Her disappearance presses hard on Teketa. And alas, he could bear it no longer. He knew Helaku would watch over the pack - that was the alpha's job, after all - and Teketa would search for the she-wolf that was his dearest friend. It's been a couple of days, and he still feels as if he's no where near finding her. But he must! He tells himself over and over. If something happened to her while she was out here alone... Teketa isn't sure what he'd do. He hasn't caught any traces of her scent over the crisp, sharp smell of the cold air and crunchy snow. And it seems it's destined to remain that way as he continues further and further from the territory. He hasn't stopped looking for her since he began his search, and he's not about to quit until he finds her... Sighing softly, Teketa trots onward as he has for the last few hours. There's such an emptiness without her around. And he has seen and heard nothing from her. He's tried howling, but there's never an answer... perhaps once more, though. Perhaps one more try. He tilts his muzzle, and a single note sounds. It probably will yield no results, but... he might as well try once again. There wasn't even any guarantee she would want to be found. And then she may not answer.
At the Grassy Plains, Teketa howls.
It's a sound she recognizes all too well, and it fills her with terror. Skelaghe was so certain that she would be left with the time she needed, that the idea that one of her packmates would have intruded on her privacy is accompanied automatically with the thought that something had to have gone wrong. One of her children is hurt, or else... Helaku? The howl was not from her mate, which only leaves... Skelaghe returns the howl, mournfully, before rising to her feet and turning to face the direction it came from. As she takes the first few steps towards the Ute beta, she prays, "Please, them them only be hurt." Would she ever recover if one of her family died while she was out here?
If Teketa had known it would alarm her so, he would never have done it of course. But he had no way of knowing that. He is still long after his note has tapered into silence, his ears pricked hopefully - listening for any distant howl that could be hers. Anything... then a note pierces the air, and at once Teketa lifts his head, his lips pulled back in a firm line. Without a second thought, he races off in the direction of that note. He's finally found her! But concern outweighs his joy, as is most often the case with the grim male. When he sees the she-wolf he does not slow to a trot. He doesn't even try to slow down. His eyes are locked firmly on Skelaghe. Only when he's covered most of the distance between them, and he can see the color of her eyes does he begin to slow and stop. His is low, wags twice, then is still behind him as he pants softly, puffs of mist forming around his nose with each breath.
In the time it takes to bring them near one another, Skelaghe has had plenty of time to work herself up over everything that could have happened. There could have been an incident at the river, or with a bear or cougar, or... Vincent could have returned. Torn terribly between wanting, needing to know what has gone wrong, and a desire to pretend that her family has to be well, Skelaghe's gait as the they close the distance between themselves is far stiffer than what her largely-healed leg should be causing. She stops well short of her normal, friendly distance, but she doesn't back up as he approaches for a few more steps. Her own tail is low and still, and it takes a moment for her to register that his... Wagging? Staring at Teketa with an expression that is a mixture of confusion and pain, Skelaghe is forced to clear her throat before she can speak, and even with the gutteral removal of whatever fluid has built up during her weeks of silence, her voice is different. Tense, tired, and thin. "Teketa?"
His ears are pricked, and he's glad to see her. But just as his life without her would be wrong now, he can see that she is... changed. She is not well. Skelaghe has never greeted him like this before. And at once his ears slick back along with his concern. He has not seen her in far too long. She's injured. Tired. ...this condition is something terribly familiar. She utters his name, looking for an answer... to what? Why he's here? He takes in a breath but does not come any closer. "Skelaghe," he murmurs as his panting ceases, and his brows grow heavy with concern. "I have found you, at last," it's all he can say at the moment as he takes in her somewhat haggard appearance. He's never seen her like this - not even after Sketch died. But this seems just a little different, somehow. She isn't... grieving. Not for the loss of someone, anyway. At least he doesn't think so. And she's out here, secluded. By her own free will. So it occurs to him to lower her eyes. He has disturbed her, and he will ask for her forgiveness. But first, he waits to see what she does.
If her children were hurt... If something had happened to Helaku... His tail wouldn't have wagged, and he wouldn't be taking this long to say something about it, would he? Perhaps she should be angry that her privacy has been violated, but she can't be, not with relief washing over her. Especially not when she deliberately didn't tell anyone anything about where she was going. Of course they would be worried. Looking off to the east, she says, quietly, "I'm sorry, Teketa." Maybe she should have tried to find one of the females of the pack, to pass on news of her intentions to Helaku and Teketa, but when she realized she was pregnant...
The concern does not lift from his face. "No, I-" he starts to say, but falls silent as he looks up at her again. He knows why she's apologizing - She gave no warning. No indication as to where she would go. Or that she would even leave. Any other wolf might have rubbed it in - told her that she should be. She should come back. What was she thinking? And indeed, some of these thoughts /do/ run through his mind, but... more often than not, Teketa's dealings with Skelaghe have always been gentle in nature. A soft, mutual understanding. She knows more about him than any other living wolf. He still owes her... everything. But he doesn't mind. Beginning again, he takes a step forward, all the time watching her for any reaction that might mean he shouldn't. "No - do not apologize to me," his ears remain lowered in a submissive gesture still. "Forgive me for- for-" he needs to word this carefully. Now that he's here, he's sure there's some reason she left. Well, of course there was! But... "For I realize you left to be alone," and he lifts his head, just a little. "You left with no warning," he says after a little pause. "I know something is wrong," he states gently. He does not ask her to speak. He does not ask why. Yet.
Yes, she... Well, she /needed/ to be alone. She never really wants to be, but... The shewolf sighs. They're all going to know, eventually, unless... Unless she intends to never return. More and more, though, in the time she has been away, she is certain that she can't do that, but... Even if every member of her pack is accepting of hybrid pups, as they should be, she has no way of saying that Helaku will be able to accept pups that aren't his. What then? She continues to stare at the sun, rather than look back to Teketa. "I... I've needed time, Teketa. I may still need time." But oh, how she misses her pups. Unable to put it off any longer, she asks, "How are my children?"
She's avoiding looking at him right now. Something has happened. Something is wrong... Teketa could spend his time constructing theories, but he doesn't. Instead, in a pup-like way he's tempted to ask just how much more time she needs. ...or if she intends to stay away forever. The thought wasn't one he liked. But it had crossed his mind. And if she chose to leave? Would he stay with Ute? The answer would be obvious enough... but when she asks about her children, Teketa spares her a brief smile - if only as an attempt to reassure her as he responds, "They are fine and healthy, my friend. I keep an eye on them when I can. We all do," he pauses. "...they miss you. We all do," he lowers his gaze again. "And I have. I could not wait every day for you to return." His whitening maw is pulled into a deep frown as he lifts his head again.
Skelaghe closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as Teketa reassures her that her pups are well. If nothing else, she has them. Everything she has done, she has done for them. Hopefully, it has been enough. "Thank you, Teketa. I... I'm sorry that... That it has turned out like this. But I've missed you all too." Her voice breaks repeatedly as emotion overcomes her. She'll stand by her decision to leave, for however long, but that doesn't prevent her from admitting that she is absolutely miserable without her pack.
He's not sure he can wait for to come back. At least... he doesn't /want/ to wait. But if he must, he must. He moves a little closer, just a few steps closer. Just a few tail-length of room between them. He can tell she's hurting - he'd have to be blind and deaf not to know it. Even a wolf who had never known Skelaghe before now would surely have seen it. He doesn't want to bombard her with all the questions and concerns he has right now, but... what if she never comes back? "I want to respect your privacy, and your wishes, but..." since when has Teketa blatantly stated what he /wants/? Hmm... he keeps his eyes averted, a submissive habit he's never been able to escape, especially when he does things strange to him, "...but you are my dearest friend," his first, and perhaps still his only one, "and I cannot simply leave, knowing you are not all right," he hesitates, but finally lifts his gaze. "And... I want to know /why/ you are not all right." He doubts if she'll answer. She didn't even tell Helaku. Why would she tell him? Teketa? "But..." he begins to say, but his words drift off into silence as he looks up at her at uncertainly.
When Teketa begins speaking again, Skelaghe closes her eyes more tightly. No, it's not fair for her to keep her packmates in the dark, like this. But could she really tell Teketa and expect him not to tell Helaku, or... Or expect him /to/ tell Helaku. The latter might be better, for the safety of her unborn pups. When she looks back to Teketa, her eyes are still closed, and it is very slowly that she opens them. "I want to ask something of you. Something... Something that you shouldn't feel obligated to do." Skelaghe will protect her pups at all costs. Even the ones that Vincent sired.
He's looking into the distance, wondering, when she begins to open her eyes again and address him. And it's then that Teketa brings his full attention back to Skelaghe. His expression does not change. He does not move with any sense of duty, but he is listening, and he is watching her with a concerned, caring expression. He could show nothing less to her. Especially now. He does not speak, feels no need to. And he would say he'd do anything, except that... this is one of those moments where he knows better.
If it weren't for her conviction that, all too soon, that expression will shift from caring to condemning, this would be so much easier. She has done nothing but judge herself ever since... How could she possibly expect that her packmates wouldn't judge her? Skelaghe looks to the ground as she fights against the tears in her eyes. "I'm carrying pups, Teketa... And they aren't Helaku's." The confession leads her to feel physically ill. She would like, so much, to deny that she allowed herself to be impregnated by anyone other than her mate.
If nothing else, Skelaghe should know better than to believe Teketa would condemn her. Or anyone, for that matter. And Teketa knows Skelaghe well enough not to assume that she was willful. Indeed, if it weren't for the gravity of the moment, an onlooker might've found his change in expression from concerned to aghast, then mere confusion and concern again comical. And that's an overreaction from Teketa if ever there was one. "Skelaghe," he barely whispers the name. He doesn't move closer to her - he's not sure that he should. What she has said... her condition... this is complicated. And he understands very well why she ran away. He doesn't step closer, but he reaches out towards with his muzzle, as if he would be able to offer some comfort. But he can't - at least he doesn't think so. "And whose are they?" he asks, making an effort not to sound gruff - the last thing he wants is to sound angry. Anger - that would be what she's running from. But no one knows that yet.
Skelaghe continues to look at the ground. Helaku will know who it was. Depending on how much they resemble theri father, once they're born, everyone might know, but... If the spirits have any favor left for her, by that time, Vincent will be far away, and hopefully, until then, Helaku will hold true to his word. "It doesn't matter. You... He'll face the consequences of his action." Someday. Perhaps every day, if his remorse at the end of the encounter was real, and the disturbingly vindictive side of Skelaghe that has surfaced would not be sorry to hear of his suffering for his crime. Shelaghe draws in a ragged breath, then releases it slowly. "I can't return if... If they'll be in danger. I can't have them paying for his sins." Surely, Teketa should be able to tell, from that, what Skelaghe wants of him.
She didn't want this. There was no way. For a moment, his concerned brows become angry as his thoughts turn inward. And whoever did this... so help them. Teketa would not be merciful. But his brows lift just slightly then, and he knows such thoughts must wait for another time and day. He must be in the present right now. And besides: she knows better than to tell Teketa. Even Teketa should've known better than to ask. But no matter - it takes him very little time at all to answer and to be certain for once: "If they will be in danger in Ute, then do not take them there - and I would follow you," he says it gently. "Do you really believe it will come to that? They are /your/ pups... whoever their father may be," he adds after a moment. He lowers his gaze for a moment. He sighs, "What would you have me do, my friend?" he asks in earnest. She should know that he is hers to command...
It is a small comfort to know that, if it should come to it, and she can't return, she would not be entirely without adult company. Teketa will always be with her... And what of her first litter? How would they respond, if forced to chose between their mother and father? Their unforgiving, unrelenting father... "I wish... I should have more faith in my mate." But she doesn't, and even if he is willing to accept these pups... Will he ever be able to forgive her for doubting him? "I can't expect that he should allow another male's children to thrive in his territory. Even in the Ute of old, the Alpha would have never allowed it. I can only hope... And if his answer is no... I will leave of my own accord." It will hurt, and should her children stay with their father, she would miss them terribly... But she has to give the pups she is carrying every chance at a healthy, happy life. Closing her eyes again, she finally says, "I need you to... To make certain, for me, that they'll be safe, before I can return. But only if... You shouldn't feel obligated." She is true to her word. In no way will she blame Helaku if he doesn't accept her pups, or blame anyone else if they should decide not to take a stance that could put them against Helaku, potentially.
Teketa ... sits. He sits before Skelaghe silently. He has found her. He has received an answer. ...and it isn't pretty. And yet, he knew it would take something terrible to drive away a wolf like Skelaghe from everything she loved. He cannot blame her. He will not. "I will," he says firmly. He'll have to be careful - it would be unwise for Teketa to trot right up to Helaku and announce that Skelaghe is pregnant. She knows that too, he's sure. But this answer had no hesitance. That done, he rises again and steps forward. Everything would be all right, somehow. If Helaku said no, then so be it. Teketa would be there for her, if no else would be. He may be past his peak, but he's still a strong wolf. If Helaku would not be a father to these pups, then... Teketa would be. "I will stay with you for tonight. Unless... you would have me go now." He says this gently, as an offer more than anything. For warmth. Companionship. And in the morning he would go back to Ute.
After leaving Teketa, leaving all of her pack, without a single word, he is still willing to do this for her. She has been very selfish in the past few weeks. However necessary her selfishness was, is, her pack members have still suffered for it. And still, Teketa will do everythin to throw in his lot with her. No, she shouldn't have feared condemnation from him, and even through all of her sorrow, it brings her joy to know that. "No... Please, stay." She has been alone for so long. She would gladly accept his companionship today.
He doesn't smile, but he is glad she hasn't sent him away. He moves to gently nuzzle against the she-wolf - a movement that was virtually a wonder of the world all on its own. It's not just the light brush of a nose he's offered in the past. He's giving her the wolf equivalent of a hug. He figures she needs it - if she'll take it. "Let us find a place to rest. For a while. Before I return to the pack, I will hunt something for you." It's as simple as that. And when he has done this, he will do as he promised. He will go to Helaku and speak to the alpha male directly. And only when he has done that will he return to Skelaghe with news. And if it should take longer than he would like? He will return to her on occasion. He will not allow anything to happen to her without his knowing. Not again.
Skelaghe breathes deeply as Teketa nuzzles her. It has been rough, but... Things are looking up. She can get through this. After returning the nuzzling gently, she nods her head, then takes a step back to prepare to accompany him to find a place where they can both rest. Normally, she would be reluctant to take any food from anyone, but for just today, she is willing to accept every bit of help she can get. And hopefully, when he leaves to go to Helaku, she will be able to actually accomplish something on her journey here.
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Teketa - Male Wolf
- Grassy Plains -
What is she doing here? Since she came to the lowlands, to find them somehow changed since her time with her new pack, she has accomplished... Nothing. She doesn't feel she has any more answers now than when she left, and with each passing day, her heart and body ache just a little more. Even being as she is now, lying on the frozen ground and staring at the rising sun, she can find no comfort in her faith or her attempts to commune with her spirits. The sun simply seems harsh as it reflects off the white snow and, in areas where the powder has been blown from the ground, yellowed, dried grasses, reaching up for the warmth that the sun, for all its blinding brightness, doesn't seem to provide.
Something had been wrong for a while now. And then Skelaghe left... it seems like ages ago, though there have certainly been longer times when she's been absent from his life. But after being with the pack for a year? Her disappearance presses hard on Teketa. And alas, he could bear it no longer. He knew Helaku would watch over the pack - that was the alpha's job, after all - and Teketa would search for the she-wolf that was his dearest friend. It's been a couple of days, and he still feels as if he's no where near finding her. But he must! He tells himself over and over. If something happened to her while she was out here alone... Teketa isn't sure what he'd do. He hasn't caught any traces of her scent over the crisp, sharp smell of the cold air and crunchy snow. And it seems it's destined to remain that way as he continues further and further from the territory. He hasn't stopped looking for her since he began his search, and he's not about to quit until he finds her... Sighing softly, Teketa trots onward as he has for the last few hours. There's such an emptiness without her around. And he has seen and heard nothing from her. He's tried howling, but there's never an answer... perhaps once more, though. Perhaps one more try. He tilts his muzzle, and a single note sounds. It probably will yield no results, but... he might as well try once again. There wasn't even any guarantee she would want to be found. And then she may not answer.
At the Grassy Plains, Teketa howls.
It's a sound she recognizes all too well, and it fills her with terror. Skelaghe was so certain that she would be left with the time she needed, that the idea that one of her packmates would have intruded on her privacy is accompanied automatically with the thought that something had to have gone wrong. One of her children is hurt, or else... Helaku? The howl was not from her mate, which only leaves... Skelaghe returns the howl, mournfully, before rising to her feet and turning to face the direction it came from. As she takes the first few steps towards the Ute beta, she prays, "Please, them them only be hurt." Would she ever recover if one of her family died while she was out here?
If Teketa had known it would alarm her so, he would never have done it of course. But he had no way of knowing that. He is still long after his note has tapered into silence, his ears pricked hopefully - listening for any distant howl that could be hers. Anything... then a note pierces the air, and at once Teketa lifts his head, his lips pulled back in a firm line. Without a second thought, he races off in the direction of that note. He's finally found her! But concern outweighs his joy, as is most often the case with the grim male. When he sees the she-wolf he does not slow to a trot. He doesn't even try to slow down. His eyes are locked firmly on Skelaghe. Only when he's covered most of the distance between them, and he can see the color of her eyes does he begin to slow and stop. His is low, wags twice, then is still behind him as he pants softly, puffs of mist forming around his nose with each breath.
In the time it takes to bring them near one another, Skelaghe has had plenty of time to work herself up over everything that could have happened. There could have been an incident at the river, or with a bear or cougar, or... Vincent could have returned. Torn terribly between wanting, needing to know what has gone wrong, and a desire to pretend that her family has to be well, Skelaghe's gait as the they close the distance between themselves is far stiffer than what her largely-healed leg should be causing. She stops well short of her normal, friendly distance, but she doesn't back up as he approaches for a few more steps. Her own tail is low and still, and it takes a moment for her to register that his... Wagging? Staring at Teketa with an expression that is a mixture of confusion and pain, Skelaghe is forced to clear her throat before she can speak, and even with the gutteral removal of whatever fluid has built up during her weeks of silence, her voice is different. Tense, tired, and thin. "Teketa?"
His ears are pricked, and he's glad to see her. But just as his life without her would be wrong now, he can see that she is... changed. She is not well. Skelaghe has never greeted him like this before. And at once his ears slick back along with his concern. He has not seen her in far too long. She's injured. Tired. ...this condition is something terribly familiar. She utters his name, looking for an answer... to what? Why he's here? He takes in a breath but does not come any closer. "Skelaghe," he murmurs as his panting ceases, and his brows grow heavy with concern. "I have found you, at last," it's all he can say at the moment as he takes in her somewhat haggard appearance. He's never seen her like this - not even after Sketch died. But this seems just a little different, somehow. She isn't... grieving. Not for the loss of someone, anyway. At least he doesn't think so. And she's out here, secluded. By her own free will. So it occurs to him to lower her eyes. He has disturbed her, and he will ask for her forgiveness. But first, he waits to see what she does.
If her children were hurt... If something had happened to Helaku... His tail wouldn't have wagged, and he wouldn't be taking this long to say something about it, would he? Perhaps she should be angry that her privacy has been violated, but she can't be, not with relief washing over her. Especially not when she deliberately didn't tell anyone anything about where she was going. Of course they would be worried. Looking off to the east, she says, quietly, "I'm sorry, Teketa." Maybe she should have tried to find one of the females of the pack, to pass on news of her intentions to Helaku and Teketa, but when she realized she was pregnant...
The concern does not lift from his face. "No, I-" he starts to say, but falls silent as he looks up at her again. He knows why she's apologizing - She gave no warning. No indication as to where she would go. Or that she would even leave. Any other wolf might have rubbed it in - told her that she should be. She should come back. What was she thinking? And indeed, some of these thoughts /do/ run through his mind, but... more often than not, Teketa's dealings with Skelaghe have always been gentle in nature. A soft, mutual understanding. She knows more about him than any other living wolf. He still owes her... everything. But he doesn't mind. Beginning again, he takes a step forward, all the time watching her for any reaction that might mean he shouldn't. "No - do not apologize to me," his ears remain lowered in a submissive gesture still. "Forgive me for- for-" he needs to word this carefully. Now that he's here, he's sure there's some reason she left. Well, of course there was! But... "For I realize you left to be alone," and he lifts his head, just a little. "You left with no warning," he says after a little pause. "I know something is wrong," he states gently. He does not ask her to speak. He does not ask why. Yet.
Yes, she... Well, she /needed/ to be alone. She never really wants to be, but... The shewolf sighs. They're all going to know, eventually, unless... Unless she intends to never return. More and more, though, in the time she has been away, she is certain that she can't do that, but... Even if every member of her pack is accepting of hybrid pups, as they should be, she has no way of saying that Helaku will be able to accept pups that aren't his. What then? She continues to stare at the sun, rather than look back to Teketa. "I... I've needed time, Teketa. I may still need time." But oh, how she misses her pups. Unable to put it off any longer, she asks, "How are my children?"
She's avoiding looking at him right now. Something has happened. Something is wrong... Teketa could spend his time constructing theories, but he doesn't. Instead, in a pup-like way he's tempted to ask just how much more time she needs. ...or if she intends to stay away forever. The thought wasn't one he liked. But it had crossed his mind. And if she chose to leave? Would he stay with Ute? The answer would be obvious enough... but when she asks about her children, Teketa spares her a brief smile - if only as an attempt to reassure her as he responds, "They are fine and healthy, my friend. I keep an eye on them when I can. We all do," he pauses. "...they miss you. We all do," he lowers his gaze again. "And I have. I could not wait every day for you to return." His whitening maw is pulled into a deep frown as he lifts his head again.
Skelaghe closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as Teketa reassures her that her pups are well. If nothing else, she has them. Everything she has done, she has done for them. Hopefully, it has been enough. "Thank you, Teketa. I... I'm sorry that... That it has turned out like this. But I've missed you all too." Her voice breaks repeatedly as emotion overcomes her. She'll stand by her decision to leave, for however long, but that doesn't prevent her from admitting that she is absolutely miserable without her pack.
He's not sure he can wait for to come back. At least... he doesn't /want/ to wait. But if he must, he must. He moves a little closer, just a few steps closer. Just a few tail-length of room between them. He can tell she's hurting - he'd have to be blind and deaf not to know it. Even a wolf who had never known Skelaghe before now would surely have seen it. He doesn't want to bombard her with all the questions and concerns he has right now, but... what if she never comes back? "I want to respect your privacy, and your wishes, but..." since when has Teketa blatantly stated what he /wants/? Hmm... he keeps his eyes averted, a submissive habit he's never been able to escape, especially when he does things strange to him, "...but you are my dearest friend," his first, and perhaps still his only one, "and I cannot simply leave, knowing you are not all right," he hesitates, but finally lifts his gaze. "And... I want to know /why/ you are not all right." He doubts if she'll answer. She didn't even tell Helaku. Why would she tell him? Teketa? "But..." he begins to say, but his words drift off into silence as he looks up at her at uncertainly.
When Teketa begins speaking again, Skelaghe closes her eyes more tightly. No, it's not fair for her to keep her packmates in the dark, like this. But could she really tell Teketa and expect him not to tell Helaku, or... Or expect him /to/ tell Helaku. The latter might be better, for the safety of her unborn pups. When she looks back to Teketa, her eyes are still closed, and it is very slowly that she opens them. "I want to ask something of you. Something... Something that you shouldn't feel obligated to do." Skelaghe will protect her pups at all costs. Even the ones that Vincent sired.
He's looking into the distance, wondering, when she begins to open her eyes again and address him. And it's then that Teketa brings his full attention back to Skelaghe. His expression does not change. He does not move with any sense of duty, but he is listening, and he is watching her with a concerned, caring expression. He could show nothing less to her. Especially now. He does not speak, feels no need to. And he would say he'd do anything, except that... this is one of those moments where he knows better.
If it weren't for her conviction that, all too soon, that expression will shift from caring to condemning, this would be so much easier. She has done nothing but judge herself ever since... How could she possibly expect that her packmates wouldn't judge her? Skelaghe looks to the ground as she fights against the tears in her eyes. "I'm carrying pups, Teketa... And they aren't Helaku's." The confession leads her to feel physically ill. She would like, so much, to deny that she allowed herself to be impregnated by anyone other than her mate.
If nothing else, Skelaghe should know better than to believe Teketa would condemn her. Or anyone, for that matter. And Teketa knows Skelaghe well enough not to assume that she was willful. Indeed, if it weren't for the gravity of the moment, an onlooker might've found his change in expression from concerned to aghast, then mere confusion and concern again comical. And that's an overreaction from Teketa if ever there was one. "Skelaghe," he barely whispers the name. He doesn't move closer to her - he's not sure that he should. What she has said... her condition... this is complicated. And he understands very well why she ran away. He doesn't step closer, but he reaches out towards with his muzzle, as if he would be able to offer some comfort. But he can't - at least he doesn't think so. "And whose are they?" he asks, making an effort not to sound gruff - the last thing he wants is to sound angry. Anger - that would be what she's running from. But no one knows that yet.
Skelaghe continues to look at the ground. Helaku will know who it was. Depending on how much they resemble theri father, once they're born, everyone might know, but... If the spirits have any favor left for her, by that time, Vincent will be far away, and hopefully, until then, Helaku will hold true to his word. "It doesn't matter. You... He'll face the consequences of his action." Someday. Perhaps every day, if his remorse at the end of the encounter was real, and the disturbingly vindictive side of Skelaghe that has surfaced would not be sorry to hear of his suffering for his crime. Shelaghe draws in a ragged breath, then releases it slowly. "I can't return if... If they'll be in danger. I can't have them paying for his sins." Surely, Teketa should be able to tell, from that, what Skelaghe wants of him.
She didn't want this. There was no way. For a moment, his concerned brows become angry as his thoughts turn inward. And whoever did this... so help them. Teketa would not be merciful. But his brows lift just slightly then, and he knows such thoughts must wait for another time and day. He must be in the present right now. And besides: she knows better than to tell Teketa. Even Teketa should've known better than to ask. But no matter - it takes him very little time at all to answer and to be certain for once: "If they will be in danger in Ute, then do not take them there - and I would follow you," he says it gently. "Do you really believe it will come to that? They are /your/ pups... whoever their father may be," he adds after a moment. He lowers his gaze for a moment. He sighs, "What would you have me do, my friend?" he asks in earnest. She should know that he is hers to command...
It is a small comfort to know that, if it should come to it, and she can't return, she would not be entirely without adult company. Teketa will always be with her... And what of her first litter? How would they respond, if forced to chose between their mother and father? Their unforgiving, unrelenting father... "I wish... I should have more faith in my mate." But she doesn't, and even if he is willing to accept these pups... Will he ever be able to forgive her for doubting him? "I can't expect that he should allow another male's children to thrive in his territory. Even in the Ute of old, the Alpha would have never allowed it. I can only hope... And if his answer is no... I will leave of my own accord." It will hurt, and should her children stay with their father, she would miss them terribly... But she has to give the pups she is carrying every chance at a healthy, happy life. Closing her eyes again, she finally says, "I need you to... To make certain, for me, that they'll be safe, before I can return. But only if... You shouldn't feel obligated." She is true to her word. In no way will she blame Helaku if he doesn't accept her pups, or blame anyone else if they should decide not to take a stance that could put them against Helaku, potentially.
Teketa ... sits. He sits before Skelaghe silently. He has found her. He has received an answer. ...and it isn't pretty. And yet, he knew it would take something terrible to drive away a wolf like Skelaghe from everything she loved. He cannot blame her. He will not. "I will," he says firmly. He'll have to be careful - it would be unwise for Teketa to trot right up to Helaku and announce that Skelaghe is pregnant. She knows that too, he's sure. But this answer had no hesitance. That done, he rises again and steps forward. Everything would be all right, somehow. If Helaku said no, then so be it. Teketa would be there for her, if no else would be. He may be past his peak, but he's still a strong wolf. If Helaku would not be a father to these pups, then... Teketa would be. "I will stay with you for tonight. Unless... you would have me go now." He says this gently, as an offer more than anything. For warmth. Companionship. And in the morning he would go back to Ute.
After leaving Teketa, leaving all of her pack, without a single word, he is still willing to do this for her. She has been very selfish in the past few weeks. However necessary her selfishness was, is, her pack members have still suffered for it. And still, Teketa will do everythin to throw in his lot with her. No, she shouldn't have feared condemnation from him, and even through all of her sorrow, it brings her joy to know that. "No... Please, stay." She has been alone for so long. She would gladly accept his companionship today.
He doesn't smile, but he is glad she hasn't sent him away. He moves to gently nuzzle against the she-wolf - a movement that was virtually a wonder of the world all on its own. It's not just the light brush of a nose he's offered in the past. He's giving her the wolf equivalent of a hug. He figures she needs it - if she'll take it. "Let us find a place to rest. For a while. Before I return to the pack, I will hunt something for you." It's as simple as that. And when he has done this, he will do as he promised. He will go to Helaku and speak to the alpha male directly. And only when he has done that will he return to Skelaghe with news. And if it should take longer than he would like? He will return to her on occasion. He will not allow anything to happen to her without his knowing. Not again.
Skelaghe breathes deeply as Teketa nuzzles her. It has been rough, but... Things are looking up. She can get through this. After returning the nuzzling gently, she nods her head, then takes a step back to prepare to accompany him to find a place where they can both rest. Normally, she would be reluctant to take any food from anyone, but for just today, she is willing to accept every bit of help she can get. And hopefully, when he leaves to go to Helaku, she will be able to actually accomplish something on her journey here.