Venom did not have much on her mind beyond the words she needed to have with Maverick. When they returned the the palace that day she had every intention of talking to him, before she could bring them around to the topic he began to kiss her and every other thought than how much she wanted him disappeared. The man did things to her that no one else could, including distracting her from every important thought she wanted to share with him. There was no real rush though, and as he wrapped her up in his arms she resigned to an incredible morning with him before eventually falling asleep with him there.

The evening was arriving when she finally began to stir. The next patrol was coming up, and she would need to start waking and readying herself for the next day. Something about having Maverick beside her made her sleep much deeper. When she awoke wrapped in his strong arms her mind was clear and her worries felt miles away. Having a partner again was the final piece of her recovery.

The Empress pulled in a deep breath, filling her senses with Maverick’s scent as she reveled in the warmth of him. Her paws began to move through his thick fur in mock massage as the thoughts she was distracted from that morning returned to her. "Good morning,” she whispered to him as she pressed her muzzle into the soft fur of his cheek when Mav began to stir. She smiled as sleepy lids closed over her sunset gaze.

"Maverick?” She started softly when he was awake enough to understand what she was saying. "Would you like to know a secret, only my ex husband knows?” She asked him cryptically between tiny kisses as she continued to stroke his sky blue and white fur affectionately.

"Venom"

Settling into his new life had been a bit of a learning process for the once-rambler, but Maverick found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Venom made it feel smooth and seamless, as effortless as settling into a permanent vacation. Perhaps that was because he had spent most, if not all of his time at the Empress' side, learning the ways and culture of Ashen, getting a lay of the land and all of the islands in the Archipelago. Having her with him made it all feel more like an adventure than a chore and Maverick had no complaints as he grew accustomed to his role in the pack. Consort did have a nice ring to it, even if he wasn't used to having titles associated with his name. But he liked it. It was a reminder of his growing relationship with Venom, the path his life had begun to take, and the choices he'd made to lead him to this place today—and he couldn't be happier with the way this road was turning out to be!

As the evening drew towards dawn and Venom's usual bedtime, Maverick accompanied his lover back to the palace, into the privacy and sanctity of their chambers. All along the way, he had teased the Empress with subtle brushes of his bushy tail against her hip, an innocuous rub of his side into hers. When they were finally alone, he held nothing back. He kissed her before either of them shared any words, and no further words would be said before the two of them had stumbled their way into the bedroom in a flurry of frantic kisses and wandering paws. Together they spent the night losing themselves in a tangle of entwined limbs and pressing bodies, loving each other silly all throughout that incredible morning until they both fell asleep in the other's arms, sprawled out in the mess of disheveled furs and bedding. It was one of the best night's (day's) sleep Maverick had ever gotten.

Maverick was awoken some time later as the next evening began to set across the land, twilight and dusk shifting about in the darkening sky. Gentle nuzzles and softly stroking paws roused him from his peaceful slumber, the sky blue and alabaster white brute shifting with low, throaty grumbles as consciousness gradually seeped back into him. He was aware of the warm  and soft body pressed up against him, legs still entangled together where they'd passed out after their morning romps in the furs. Memories brought a small smile back to his lips, and the sweet scent of Venom in his nose made him hum and murr. Teal eyes flickered open while large mismatched paws roamed leisurely over the Empress' slim body, tracing every curve he could reach from shoulder to hip and every inch in between. "Good morning, beautiful. Sleep well?" he whispered back to her in the stillness of their quiet chambers, lavishing in the touches of his lover's massaging paws. Mav was eager to return each of her affections in kind, brushing the shorter fur on his muzzle against her cheek and peppering the side of her snout with tender kisses in his groggy state of amorousness.

The pair of lovers laid like that for a time, enjoying the comforts of one another's body and heart and soul, until Venom spoke his name again, the sound of her voice leaving pleasant tingles in his brain that rippled down his body like feather-light tickles. He responded with a low hum of acknowledgement, teal eyes peeking out from underneath half-open lids to revel at her beauty while they smothered one another in love and affection. She asked if he'd like to know a secret, one shared only with her ex-husband before now. Well, Maverick would have wanted to learn all of Venom's secrets on their own right, but knowing this was one that only Hattori knew just sweetened the already good deal! "Mmm absolutely," he purred in response, gingerly combing his claws through Venom's fur along her spine, working his way up until he felt the delicate prickle of her hidden porcupine quills against his squishy paw pads. Though he was still learning all of the subtle nuances and traits of her body, her quills were one of her first features he'd learned about her during their first night together. Now he knew to expect them, and no longer pricked himself while he slowly and methodically slid velvety pads between them to stroke and rub at her soft skin, teasing each quill he found along his way with the lightest of touches, enjoying having Venom in his arms while they conversed in the tranquil spring dusk together.

"Maverick"

Spending all of her time with Maverick was much different than her life used to be, as big of a change he was making so was she. This was a new life together. Settling in was indeed an ease, being next to him was like nothing else. Almost as easy as breathing. Venom historically was one to usually have a plan, but with Maverick going with the flow of life and letting go came more natural. Venom easily let herself get lost in him, there would never be a regret in inviting him into her life and into the pack. She gave him her heart, and proved he could be trusted with its care. Venom declared her love for him in many different ways, but as they finally stirred after their night of passion she wanted to breach the topic of one of the most beautiful loves.

Ashen needed more puppies, yes, but more than that Venom wanted a family with Maverick. She slowly brought him to wakefulness with her, their bodies pressed together as he grumbled softly and fought back sleep. As her paws stroked through thick fur his mismatched paws trailed up and down her silver marked pelt, tracing her skin. She caught a glimmer of his gaze as he returned her greeting. He earned a smile from her as he called her beautiful and asked after her sleep. "I’ve never slept better than with you here.” Venom whispered back as the quiet of the evening engulfed them once more.

Their little affections that started the day were everything she never realized she wanted. Having Maverick, who was so very open about his adoration and attraction for her, made her question the time spent with Hattori more than him leaving had. Giving her a chance at a new beginning to be here choosing Maverick now was one of the greatest gifts the koi born could have given her. There was no comparison to the happiness she felt here with Maverick. He rumbled in response to her leading question. He absolutely wanted to know her secret, as she hoped he would.

She caught her breath as he carefully caressed the quills adorning the nape of her neck. He sent little shivers as he carefully navigated each one. Venom hummed softly at the affection. How easily he could lead her astray once again! "My children’s conception was not a planned event.” She revealed to him softly. At the time she had been Empress so she hadn’t broken her own laws, but such a scandal had to be amusing to the man. "Would you like to know something else?” She teased, sunset gaze lowered to his chest where her cat-like claws trailed carefully up the fur of his chest.

She paused for a long moment if he answered her or not, because of course he wanted to know. "The next ones will be.” Her gaze lifted to his, curious what she’d find in his gaze. Venom had only just brought him back to Ashen and already she lay this at his feet. If she didn’t scare him off now, she knew she truly did find her soul mate. "Beyond the duty of the crown, Maverick.. I want to have a family with you. I want you to be the father of Ashen’s next princes and princesses.”

"Venom"

Maverick basked in this amazing moment he shared with Venom, relishing the little affections they shared between one another to start their day off right. It wasn't a new sensation for Maverick to wake up in the arms of a pretty lady, but waking up in the arms of the lady that had so efficiently and irrevocably captured his heart and bewitched his mind was an entirely different sensation. If he could have lived in this one moment for the rest of his days then he would have died happy. Snuggled into the soft, luxurious furs with the warmth of Venom's body pressed up tight to his, feeling her delicate touch gracing his skin while his own paws demonstrated his intimate knowledge of her every curve, every subtle nuance of her body, this was everything he could think of to describe as perfect. When Venom confirmed that she'd never slept better than when she slept with him, the snow and sky brute gave a rumbling chuckle, affectionate smile peeling across his lips while he simply soaked in this time he spent with his beloved Venom. The Empress of his heart.

While he waited for her to reveal her secret to him, Maverick didn't miss the way Venom's breath caught when his paw pads began to carefully stroke and caress her hidden quills in the nape of her neck. His signature roguish grin crept its way across his muzzle while the brute continued to play with his fae like that, teasing her sharpened quills with the most delicate of touches as he already began to think of how he could incorporate this knowledge into their bedroom antics. Venom then revealed the secret she kept: her children's conception had not been planned. That caught the brute's attention with an interested hum, his husky tones rumbling as he raised a curious brow to her. "Oh really? Ven, you naughty girl," he teased her back with a rakish grin. "I'll have to be careful around you. Fertility is clearly a gift you've been bestowed with—and all the beauty and physicality to make the most of it too." He chuckled again, his eyes shining with lewd amusement. Oh yes, Venom was a firecracker in bed, and now it seemed she was fully equipped to take advantage of that fact. A killer body, a wicked sharp mind, a libido to rival his own, and a high fertility rate? Venom might as well have been a sex goddess given flesh!

She asked him if he'd like to know something else. He would have said yes regardless, but when he saw Venom shift her gaze down to her paws combing through his thick chest fur, well now Mav just had to know what could have her behaving like that! "I want to know everything about you, Ven." It was a simple yet heartfelt reply. If it pertained to Venom, Maverick wanted to know it. She was by far his favorite field of study. It turned out that her second secret didn't only pertain to herself, however—it also involved him. His teal eyes met Venom's sunset jewels when she glanced back up to him while she declared that her next litter would be. For a brief moment Maverick felt his brain lag, struggling to comprehend what she was telling him. He digested her words, swirled them around in his head. Then realization dawned in his eyes, followed by bewilderment, amazement, excitement, then worry and apprehension. It was as if his mind was going through all the stages of processing all at once. Venom wanted to have his children, wanted to raise a family with him. It was the greatest honor and kindest thing any woman had ever told him. It was also one of the scariest things he'd ever heard.

"Venom..." Maverick paused for a moment, still reveling in how good it felt to whisper her name to her. "You know I'd do anything for you. You've made me feel ways I haven't felt in years. You make me feel home, complete, like I'm where I'm supposed to be." It was a rare show for Mav to be so emotional and open like this. His usual bravado and debonair attitude was gone, put away to reveal the very real, very true thoughts and feelings to her. "...But are you sure this is what you want?" he asked, looking deep into Venom's eyes with a hesitation and concern. "I mean, I didn't have the best example to learn how to be a dad from. I don't know what kind of children you could raise from a scruffy nobody who never had a stable home life." Deep down, perhaps it was a part of himself that was still trying to protect Venom's image that made him worry what pups born from his seed would be like compared to the regal princes and princesses that she had birthed already. Or maybe it was a fear that he'd be just like his father, or somehow worse, and ruin these imaginary pups' lives. His paws had stopped moving, still gently grasping a couple of Venom's quills between his toes, all the while he gazed into her sunset eyes, breath held in anticipation for her response.

"Maverick"

For too long perhaps Venom didn’t realize the comfort that would come from having Maverick here within Ashen, within the palace, and sharing her bed with him. The Empress had no need to tell him goodbye after a scandalous night, or dinner together. He was here and he was hers, or this would be the final test to his mettle. Could he accept the full scope of taking her paw? For a moment nothing but his presence mattered, laying there alone, snuggled as close together as possible as gentle paws graced each other’s fur and skin.

She almost couldn’t even speak as he trailed his toes up her quills and teased her unabashedly. She knew him intimately, and the inverse was true. He had learned her well over the time they were seeing each other. Just the same she had learned the strong angles of his body, felt tempted whenever she touched him, and teased him in return. Venom couldn’t deny his skill though, he was masterful in his love of her, and he completed her in ways she couldn’t comprehend before.

As she guessed, Maverick hadn’t expected the little secret she told him, and his reaction was everything she wanted from him. Surprise lingered in his features as she glanced up into his eyes. He warned himself mostly, and unknowingly alluded to the next topic of conversation. All she could do was smile before she went on, her eyes settling on her paws and his chest. Of course she didn’t miss the cute compliments as he spoke, she already knew he was as enamored with her as she was with him.

He urged her on, wanting to know everything about her, but what she had to say not only pertained to herself. Maverick was equally important to her statement and as the words fell from her lips Maverick took a long moment to realize what she was saying. She watched as the emotions shifted across his features, every one of them all at once. There was a beat of silence before he whispered her name in return. Amazement and surprise lingering in his voice. Maybe this next step was too swift for him, but Venom was well aware of what she needed and wanted from the man who held her. There was little reason to delay in progress.

His surprise lingered as he spoke, but right off he vowed that he would do anything for her. He spoke words that were true for her as well, she felt brand new with him here, like they had truly entered a new life together. And yet he hesitated. Maverick asked if she was certain of this decision, he lamented his view of himself and the disqualification he felt. But there was no other, Venom wanted him, she wanted this.

"Oh, Maverick.” She whispered in return, having heard everything she needed to. Venom reached up and peppered his lips with innocent kisses, encouraging him with her affection. "You should know by now that I make no decision lightly.” She grinned up at him, completely unafraid because she knew she had his loyalty. She knew that he would do whatever her heart desired because of his love for her. Venom could do whatever she wished, she was the Empress, but she wanted a partner in Maverick, not a subject.

"I understand how nervous you are, but if there is anything I can assure you, it's how much better of a father you will be than Hattori.” The man hadn’t checked on his children once since he abandoned them. The selfish bastard he was, apparently his new vision was more important than the lives he had created previously. "Mav…” she savored the sound of his name as she encouraged him. "If we do this, we’re doing this together. At least you already know what not to do.” She teased him with a kiss to his nose. He might have been hesitant but Venom was realizing there wasn’t anything she wanted more than to have this with him.

"Venom"

Maverick didn't know what to expect from Venom when he confessed his trepidations to her. He hadn't really been expecting this conversation right now at all, for that matter! Sure, she wasn't asking him to breed her right this very second, and somewhere deep down inside he'd known that the Empress would one day want to have a family. Faes never stopped at one litter, after all; they always ended up wanting more and more babies. But he supposed this conversation was an inevitability, and whether it happened now or sometime in the future didn't change the gravity of it. This was part of what a lifetime with Venom entailed, and he supposed the sooner they discussed it, the better they could prepare. But would there ever be a way to prepare Maverick to deal with the lingering ghost of his own self-doubts? There was a reason he'd been an unwed vagabond for so long.

Venom whispered back to him as soon as he finished speaking, soothing him with a gentle coaxing of words while she graced his lips with wholesome little kisses, reassuring him of what he already knew—that she did not make decisions lightly, especially those with the implications this one had. She grinned, her smile making the brute melt in her arms, the anxiousness visibly melting away from his features as he came back down to his relaxed state in her embrace. She had him, wholly and irrevocably, and they both knew it. It didn't escape Mav that Venom wanted to have this conversation with him because she wanted him as her partner. A wolf like her could have easily had any man she desired to be the sire of her children, her pick of the best genes to create her offspring with, or just as easily ordered his compliance. But no... she wanted him to want this as well. Not just because any pressure she applied as monarch would likely be met with spirited resistance from the (somewhat) domesticated renegade, but because she cared for him.

Maverick listened in contemplative silence while Venom empathized with his nervousness, assuring him with all her faith that he would be a better father than Hattori had been. His stomach churned; in secret, that had been one of his biggest concerns about breeding with Venom. He had never met her ex-husband, but he had seen her first litter about the pack, seen the majesty of their mutations and heard the tales of the imposing force the former Shogun had been. For all his bravado, Maverick would have happily gone up against Hattori in a dick measuring contest—but when it came to giving Venom pups worthy of her title, her family name, he feared that he would pale in comparison to the magnitude of his predecessor. He was a damn good lover, that he knew for sure. He knew from the blissful smiles and satisfied sighs he drew from Venom whenever they spent private time together. But as a father...? What example did he have to look to? The man that had sired him and reviled him? Or the wolf that had given Venom her litter of magnificent children and abandoned them? At least Hattori had that going for him. Maverick was just fucked up—plainly and simply fucked up.

His name came out in the quiet on Venom's beautiful lyrics, snapping the dire brute out of his deprecating daze. Teal eyes blinked back to focus on her while she encouraged him further. They would do this together as partners. A loving couple raising a family together. It was the picture perfect standard every wolf thought of when they thought of a family. Stability. Support. Love. It all sounded wonderful, like some impossible dream, and Maverick didn't know if he was worthy of it. Venom teased him gently, reminding him that he at least knew what not to do. The sky and snow brute smirked and let out a single hard laugh, feeling his pulse quicken in his veins when the charcoal and alabaster Empress placed a teasing kiss to the end of his nose. It was oh so sorely tempting to just pull the beautiful woman back to him and have her again, to make love to her as if they were making puppies together right now and show his devotion to her. But there would be time for that soon enough. This was an important matter to Venom and he wanted to give it the respect she deserved.

Maverick sucked in a long, slow breath, held it within his chest for a moment, then released it in a drawn out sigh. His eyes remained on hers all the while, but his pupils shifted ever so subtly to show the thoughts that were running through his head. There was so much to consider, and the former rambler could have spent all night dwelling on them only to beat himself down even more. But ultimately, there was only one question that mattered: did he want to have a family with Venom? Regardless of how ready he felt or if he'd ever truly feel ready or worthy, was this something he wanted? He knew the answer, it was just a matter of convincing his brain and nerves to follow his heart. "Dammit, you're too good with that silver forked tongue, Ven." Mav snickered and flashed his lover a crooked grin, teal eyes shining with love for her in the dim lighting of their bedchambers. One paw shifted to slide up between her shoulder blades, deftly navigating her quills and gliding up the side of her neck until paw pads were caressing her cheek. "Together..." he whispered back to her, bringing his muzzle to gently tap his nose against hers with a roguish grin. "We do this together."

The smile shifted a little as doubt crept back into his gaze, but this time he didn't keep his thoughts secret from her. "I just... Your children, they're all so gifted. Hattori, he had a lot to offer to the gene pool. Me, I'm just... me." Venom would know what he meant. Maverick had no mutations to speak of, nothing special to pass on to any children he sired, save for maybe a tremendous height, unparalleled snark, and incredibly good looks if he said so himself. "I guess I... I dunno, I'm wondering if I'm... good enough." The same dilemma he'd dealt with since he'd been a whelp born to his father's scrutinizing and unattainable expectations, now the secret fear he carried that he'd never shared with anyone—not until now. Was he good enough?

"Maverick"

His hesitancy was obvious, but as she spoke she could feel him begin to relax again. The stiffness in his muscles as he faced the nerve wracking prospect of the woman that loved him. She hadn’t come from a complete upbringing either, her father dying at such a young age while her mother chased every fleeting desire of her heart. Venom understood better now, but that didn’t change her disdain for her mother’s choices. The Empress herself had tried so hard to find a partner who would be with her for life, but Hattori had become a sore disappointment that had Venom rebuilding from the ground up. Thankfully now with Maverick at her side.

If he did refuse this gift, she wasn’t sure what her next plan would truly be. As someone who usually did have plan b and c at the ready she was putting her faith in Maverick’s devotion much more than her own persuasive words. She knew the life he lived, she was given glimpses into what he had grown up in. Together they would be better as a whole than two halves. They could build an environment suited to creating and raising a family of their own. Partners in such a heavy endeavor.

Maverick was not naive to the struggle that would face them, the strength they would need to raise puppies together, but more than that she saw Maverick hesitate because of a lack in his own confidence. He fully revealed himself from the mask he wore to protect himself. The overly confident rogue found his match here, and he would slowly unravel those emotions with Venom. She stroked his soft fur as he took in a deep steadying breath. Her sunset gaze didn’t leave his, hopeful and encouraging as her soft smile was when he finally spoke again.

First by uttering his defeat as he cursed her tongue. Venom couldn’t help the Klein like smirk that appeared over her features as she realized her victory. He really would do anything for her, including facing one of his biggest fears. His endearing gaze never left her own as he brought a pale paw to her cheek after trailing up her neck and jaw. He promised they would do this together as he lowered his nose to hers affectionately. As she looked up into his bright teal eyes she could see his expression falter slightly. He paused for a moment as they lay there before finally confessing.

He doubted his worthiness when he had no exceeding attributes beyond his tall height. He didn’t think he was worthy to take up the weight of the task she asked of him. She wasn’t sure what she could say that he didn’t already know about how she felt about him, and how easy it was to see him as the projection he wore. "You’re even better than good enough.” She assured him softly as she lifted her own pale paw to his cheek, trailing her sharp claws through his thick fur. "Neither of my parents were any more special than you. My father was a very tall man, but my mother was completely average when she gave birth to us.” He didn’t need to be anything but the strong and handsome man who held her right now.

"The cards will fall as they may.” She told him softly, stroking his cheek as she returned his little nose nuzzles. "You can’t help the features you were born with, what matters is your devotion and dedication. From what you’ve shown me I know you are more than worthy.” She told him in complete confidence as she leaned forward to kiss him again, a bit less innocently than a little peck on his nose. Maverick swiftly became an important feature in her life, and there wasn’t much she desired more than bring such meaning to their lives.

"Venom"

It seemed like no matter how lost he felt in his own self doubts, Venom had the answers to guide him back to the light and see the truth. He had expected Venom to try to persuade him otherwise that lacking any unique mutations made him any less valuable as a sire than anyone else. He expected this out of the simple kindness and love she'd shown him. What he hadn't expected was for Venom to assure him of his worthiness by comparing his normalcy to that of her own parents. Maverick blinked in surprise, taken aback by the revelation that the parents of someone as beautiful and unique as Venom had been commonplace wolves like himself. He had never considered the possibility that two average wolves could conceive mutated pups, yet the woman in his arms was living proof of that occurrence. But more than that, he was shocked by Venom's disregard for the importance of having children with mutations. Instead, the Empress only wanted children born of love and devotion.

Maverick gazed in awe of Venom while she reassured him with soft words and gentle strokes of her paws and claws through his fur, easing him into a relaxed state while her velvety words caressed his brain and heart. She was certain that he was more than worthy to father pups with her. She knew she wanted him and no one else to have a second chance at a family with. This breathtakingly beautiful, stunningly sexy, incredible woman chose him and wanted him and him alone. Venom had not only turned his world completely on its head by enveloping herself in his life, she had completely transformed it until Maverick could scarcely believe he was the same rambling ruffian who had harassed her at her own border. How far they'd come... The very thought of it sent him reeling with an incredulous smirk. Before he could respond, retort, or rebuke her words, Venom once more claimed his lips with her own, this kiss less innocent than her previous ones as their mouths remained connected for a few seconds longer. Mav could feel the slow passion burning on her lips as he kissed her back, reveling in her touches and her affections. That simple action flared the heat smoldering low in his belly for her and made him believe her words. When she was kissing him, Maverick felt worthy of her love.

A small grin resided on the sky and snow brute's face when their lips parted, gazing so deeply into his lover's sunset eyes that he felt he might drown in them. The white paw resting on Venom's dark-furred cheek slowly caressed her soft features and warm skin the same way she was touching his face, the brute reveling in the love of his fae while he let her words sink into his brain and take root, planted like seeds in loamy soil. "If there's one thing I can guarantee you, it's my devotion." He smile shifted, turning into the wolfish, suggestive grin he wore so well. "Well... my devotion, my rugged good looks, and my incredible skills in bed." He punctuated his teasing with a swift lick to the end of her nose, followed up by another slow kiss to her lips. He was so sorely tempted to slide his tongue into her maw and send them tumbling back into the primal natures they'd been indulging in together for days on end, but they weren't done talking just yet. "I promised you I'd do my best for you, Ven. I meant that, and I mean it now too. You make me feel worthy of your love, of being the father to your pup—our pups. When that day comes, I'll definitely not be ready, but I will be there to learn with you and do my best. For you, for our puppies, for all of it."

Maverick shot Venom another crooked smile, his paw that wasn't stroking her cheek wrapping tighter around her waist so he could slip his paw lower until it rested on the curve of her shapely rump, right above where her tail met her body. The rogue gave his Empress a provocative squeeze of his skilled paw to her supple flesh, unable to resist nor help himself. Chuckling beneath his breath, Mav's eyes shone with a naughty gleam while he unabashedly felt Venom up amidst their cuddling. "So what's the plan then, Ven? Keep making love and fucking each other silly until the puppy making happens? Because that's a plan I can firmly get behind," the dire brute commented with a husky chuckle, giving her rump another squeeze as he added in, "Amongst other things I'd like to get behind." While Maverick had been through many changes in the last half season with Venom, one aspect of himself that hadn't changed was his lecherous horndog side that came out in spades for the gorgeous Empress.

"Maverick"

She had all of his attention as her convincing words slipped from pale lips. Venom gazed into his aquatic gaze, losing herself even as she spoke the truth she saw unfolding before her. As certain as she was she couldn’t live without him, she knew she wanted to experience all facets of life with him. Especially raising a family together. Partially in selfish desire, she wanted a second chance after the first one was taken from her. The Empress needed this for her heart and soul, both were the driving factor of her decision, but further this decision was for the pack. Venom had her duties to pack and family to bring new life into Ashen. She could have chosen any man, but she wanted Maverick. She wanted him as their sire but even more she wanted him to be their father. Not just a donor.

Any puppies she had were already worth so much more than physical attributes. If they would be blessed then they would be blessed, Venom had no doubt whoever sired them that would be the case. Her first litter was incredibly gifted, but they were also going to have scars left by Hattori’s actions. Her priority was the strongest foundation a puppy could have, two involved parents whose soul desire was raising them well. That was what she most wanted from her dear Maverick.

Surprise fluttered over his features as he stared in disbelief before she stole away his words and leaned in to claim his lips in a real kiss. After all, she couldn’t suggest they have puppies and not indulge in trying to make them. Venom wasn’t in season, but she hadn’t been with her first litter anyway. Since being with Mav she had been using contraceptives just in case, but now that she had this there would be much less use of them. Wrapping her head around how far their relationship had come was mind boggling in itself. The Empress couldn’t have predicted a lawless ruffian like Mav could steal her heart and agree to be the father of her children.

Maverick returned her affection, the both of them leaning in deep to the affection and desire of each other. Their relationship was still new and shiny, but even as it began to age the patina of time would only make everything more beautiful. Maverick wouldn’t let her believe anything else. She mirrored his smile as they both pulled back reluctantly, but she loved the words he said as much as the kisses they shared. He promised her his devotion, and ever the lecherous man mentioned his good looks and talents he displayed here in the bedroom.

She grinned at him, knowing she was taking him for everything and those talents were part of the reason she was so attracted to him, because he was so unabashedly attracted to her. He promised her his best as well, she convinced him of his worth, and even if he might never be ready he was absolutely willing. That was all Venom needed to hear. "I know you will.” She assured him again as his darker paw trailed along her body to wrap around her rump possessively. Venom giggled along with him, feeling light and free hearing the determination, love, and affection in his voice as much as the suggestive gleam in his eye.

She grinned up at him as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. Asking what her plans might be. He was brash in his words but they sent a thrill through her whole body. "Is it?” She teased him back simply as his words played amusedly as he squeezed her rump. "I wouldn’t want anything else.” They would enjoy their day to day carnal pleasures, but there would be a deeper meaning and purpose to their actions. Something she truly hadn’t experienced with any other. She wanted to entwine their lives completely, and this was the best first step for their new life. One they both had great desire for.

"Venom"

The simple knowledge that Venom truly desired him as the father of her next litter over every other wolf in the world wasn't something he took lightly. Maverick knew the gravity that came with the crown the Empress wore, how important her position in her family and her family in general were to her. To decide he was the man she wanted to make this commitment with took a great deal of forethought and devotion. Venom clearly held him in high regard, the love she felt for him worn on her sleeve and shone in her sunset eyes. This was more than just her duty as the Empress. This was a woman who wanted to build a family with him, to give all of herself to him and entrust him with parts of her that someone else had left damaged. Since the day that he'd met Venom and since the night they'd shared together, their lives and destinies had been entwined. Now, Maverick could see and feel the extent of that connection. He was staring down the path of forever with Venom, seeing what lay ahead of them. A future filled with laughter, smiles, little lives they'd created and would watch grow...

Love.

It was a daunting and overwhelming thing to consider. But it was a future he wouldn't want to give up for anything in the world. Though he couldn't promise Venom puppies that would meet the same grand physicalities of her first litter, he could promise her all that he could do. Their children would have a father in their lives from the day they were born until the day he breathed his last. They would be cared for, know nothing but love and protection, have their astute and awe-inspiring mother and fearless and charismatic father to learn from. It wasn't much, but it was the best he could offer, and it was more of himself than he'd given to anyone else in his life. Venom reassured him that she knew he would do his best to do right by her and by their future children. The airy sound of her giddy giggles as he gave her all she ever wanted made his heart flutter, soaring in his chest. The sound of her laughter delighted him in ways he hadn't felt in a long, long time, and it just encouraged Mav to continue feeling up the nubile Empress with unabashed paws. He loved everything about her—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. He wanted to learn and savor every intimate detail of Venom Abraxas, from every inch of her body to every quirk of her personality, her every hope and dream, her every like and dislike. He wanted to be an expert of all things Venom, and given the time together, he would be.

Venom grinned at him while they lay together in bed, a mess of tangled limbs around one another's bodies while they enjoyed the presence of their lover. The monochrome fae teased him with coy words, further stoking the lustful fire in his belly that burned for her when she agreed that she would want nothing else but their simple plan of indulging in the carnal delights to make their puppies. Something primal inside Maverick began to stir. Perhaps it was knowing that, for all the preventative measures they'd taken in their sex life up to this point, now they would be going away, leaving them to be as wild and natural with one another as they possibly could. Venom would cease her contraceptive regiment, and Maverick would be free to attempt to breed his beloved Empress as often as they wanted until she finally conceived. There would now be a far deeper meaning to their carnal pleasures beyond just enjoying the love they shared to the fullest. This was Maverick and Venom mutually giving all of themselves to one another—and nothing had ever aroused Maverick more.

The snow and sky brute chuckled with eager excitement as he drew the Ashen Empress closer to his body, subtly wedging his pelvis up against hers until he was nestled between her legs. The soft fur of his lover’s belly brushed and mixed with his own, her warmth pressed up against his underbelly stirring lustful urges within him, the natural cravings of a brute who ached for his fae’s touch. Maverick brought his muzzle down to connect slowly with Venom’s, claiming her mouth with his own in a deep and passionate kiss. He communicated through his lips his devotion and his love for the Abraxas queen, and as he gently pressed his tongue into her maw to find her own he shared his passion with the woman he adored. Lecherous growls rumbled deep in the renegade’s chest while he held and felt up every supple curve of his lover’s graceful and slender form. With one large paw still cupping her rear, Mav shifted and pulled Venom’s body to roll them so she was now lying on her back underneath him, their muzzles remaining connected all the while as he kissed her. Maverick only broke their mouths apart once his lungs burned for air, gasping quietly for breath as the fire brute gazed down at his beautiful partner through lidded bedroom eyes and a sultry grin. "How about we get started on our royal family, my Venom?" he husked in a low, breathy whisper.

"Maverick"

Every moment after Maverick accepted her desires Venom felt like she had settled into the most wonderful of dreams. Everything seemed more vibrant, but most of all the love growing between the two of them. The Empress had been certain she couldn’t have experienced a stronger devotion than that which Hanzo showed to her, but as Maverick lay here with her she hadn’t felt anything so strong. Every fiber of his being, the look in his teal eyes, and the way he wrapped her up in his strong arms showed his devotion. He had no alternate alliances, he had no real family to betray her for, he wanted to create a future with her. She had once thought she would have forever with Hattori, but after experiencing Maverick she knew they had never really had a future. This was what love was supposed to be, and it was something she was almost not allowed to have.

Beyond what she needed to do for her pack and for her family Venom wanted to build this life and this new family with Maverick. To bring him into her life and to create something new and beautiful together. To rise from the ashes after being broken into pieces. Maverick entwined himself around her form as he was wrapping himself around her broken heart and melding the pieces back together. He saved her in more way than one, he’d rescued her that night in the gulley and ever since that moment the strings of fate were entwined. Their lives would be forever changed because of that incredible night together.

Now their relationship was beginning in earnest, they had goals, they had passion, they were falling in love. She knew Maverick would weather the challenge ahead of him, even if there would be difficulties the man was obviously ready and willing to take them on for her, for them. Maverick lavished her with affection, letting himself get swept away by love and lust as his mismatched paws roved over her every curve and swept through her soft fur as her own dainty paws clung to him. Wrapping around his neck as she held to him as tightly as he held to her. She wanted to entwine every part of their lives, bodies, minds, souls, he already felt like another part of her. Despite the newness of it all she wanted him, she wanted to know him and most of all she wanted to grow together.

They were shedding much of their old ways, habits died hard but new were already being formed between them. Just as she hoped new life would be formed within her womb. She would bear him royal children, something Maverick said for himself he couldn’t have ever imagined happening. Despite his hesitations Mav moved with a precise and practiced motion. This was a brand new experience for both of them and his devotion was obvious in the determined actions in every shift of his form. Having children was the difficult matter ta hand, creating them would be easy as the breeze. As easy as everything else about their relationship. Venom could be her absolute raw self with him, and now it was easy as breathing. He made her confident he lifted her up, and he was unabashed in his adoration.

He wanted her as much as she needed him, Venom shifted her body as his subtle movements brought their tangled forms closer. Soft fur pressed against her own Maverick pulled her closer and more intimately before he answered her with a deep and passionate kiss. Venom eagerly followed his lead, her grip around his neck tightening as he claimed her lips, grabbed her hip, and rolled her beneath his massive form. Mav stole her breath and promised only with the way he kissed her how immense his love for her really was. She mirrored the heady rumbles and growls from his chest, a note of need detectible in the sounds she made for him. They kissed until neither of them could scarcely breath, the fire of desire roaring between them as Mav finally pulled away. His gaze smoldering as he looked down at her with desire and adoration. Venom’s chest heaved as she gasped lightly for breath, her skin tingling and her core clenched as sunset eyes met his. The sultry words that fell from his lips saying everything she wanted to her. The Empress needed him in every way a woman needed her man, and the inverse was equally true. She grinned up at him, "yes.” her voice a breathy whisper as her toes curled into his fur and she gripped him, pressing herself against him all but begging him for his love. "My Maverick.” She was his and he was hers.

"Venom"