Every Fire is a Lesson Learned

Bane knew that this was hard on Tahlia, and during the birth he had to catch himself a few times when he found himself trying to comfort Alena with a nuzzle or lick that his mate might have seen. And yet he resisted beautifully with his real mate so close by. The Seracian mates exchanged nuzzles, Bane taking pause in his showing of affection to motion with his head that they should move away from Alena's den. Tahlia spoke her congratulations and asked how many pups there were, Bane rubbing his neck against her's more firmly in sudden alarm. "I, thanks... they're five pups." There was a scent in the air... the wind blowing it towards the two wolves. A rogue.

Bane stalked over to the side of the den and crouched, a sideways glance down at Alena as the rogue came into view. The rogue wolf smelled of no pack and Bane relaxed when he detected the underlying aroma of medicinal plants in the rogues scent. A healer... responding to the howl Alena gave. The stranger went right down past him into the den and Bane let out a low growl as the rogue sniffed his recently born young. Then the rogue came out again and left as soon as he came. Bane glanced at Tahlia and beckoned her to lay down next to him.

The rogue came back, carrying a multitude of herbs and branches and Bane stood again. The Seracian let out a growl and flashed his fangs in warning as the healer went back in and woke Alena, who them at the herbs. But Bane didn't hear anything, all his ears picked up was the sound of his quickened breathing as his body tensed up in preparation to lunge at the back of the rogues neck should he try anything. Bane had waited four years for this. This rogue better watch it. All the bristling Seracian need was one good reason to break that exposed neck.