Midnight Clear

Normally, he didn’t like making women cry. But these tears made him happy, because they came with joy. A grin broke out on his features as she looked at him, his heart soaring at her response. Thank gods he hadn’t miscalculated. He nodded happily at her question, confirming his words, half wiggling with the happiness her answer gave him.

Chuckling, he said, “I don’t just like like you. I love you.” It was a personal joke referencing his last talk with Baine, but the words were heartfelt and sincere. No doubt lay in his mind or his heart any longer. The grin softened to a warm, earnest smile as he tipped his head to bump their foreheads together and spoke in earnest.

“Then… will you make me the happiest wolf on the planet by becoming my mate and Consort?”There was a hope in his voice, despite what she’d just said—he wanted to hear her say it again.

Though, he wasn’t sure who would officiate a ceremony… usually, he, as the Leader, would preside over a mating ceremony and celebration, but what the heck did you do when you, the leader, were the one celebrating the ceremony? And idea sparked in his mind. Perhaps his uncle would preside. He was an older family member, and that could be the next best thing… in fact, it was better. There were also the Nomads, who would perform such services…

His fathomless eyes were focused on her sky-blue gaze. He could envision their children, and if he was honest, he’d been seeing their ghosts of the future for a while now. Beautiful, each their own individual and unique, laughter and pattering paws would be racing around the cave chambers and the ravine.