A shiv for me a shiv for you

Not reacting became one of the most difficult things she had ever done. Holding herself still, and keeping emotion off her face as Rhyme pulled away from her. She had treated him like he was Vail or Rhythm, holding them close for comfort, but of course, until this day she hadn't ever done so with him. He had teased him, nudged him, pushed him off a bank, but she had never drawn him close and offered him her comfort.

She tried not to take the side of her emotions, tried not to take it as a sign of rejection, or an indication that she had crossed a line. Or perhaps she had, not respecting his boundaries. She breathed in, slow and soft. The urge to walk away, and let her have her thoughts was strong. But of course, she was Alpha. She had to keep then united, a single force to uphold their pack. She would not break apart at rejection, she was stronger than that.

He moved back to the antlers, and she followed him with her eyes after a moment. His agreement sounded like a promise, reminding her of the very ideals that Abaven wanted to uphold. To stand up for others. They would have taken down those that had hurt Tana even if they had not had this conversation today. She was theirs now, and she would be loved and protected. Rhyme and Shaye would stand up for her, a shield against the blows of others, fangs raised in her defence.

She let those thoughts bolster her, pushing them onwards, imagining Abaven exactly as she wanted it to be, because to do otherwise would have let her doubts and insecurities creep in, would have pushed her ears to her skull, and her expression, once turned to Rhyme, would have reflected too much of her soul within. Instead, she let them be a righteous fire for what they stood for, and allowed Rhyme to move on, to draw the conversation and tasks back to the antlers.

Only, he had a question of his own for her, one that poked a small hole through her defenses, and her smile was sad. She could not keep that sadness completely at bay. “No.” she said simply, and hoped that Rhyme would let things lie at that. She picked up the sandstone, and got to work. Letting the physical exertion drive her emotions away.