The greatest gift

Alastor reveled in the feelings he got beneath Manea's affectionate gaze and proud grin, knowing he was the cause of her magnificent joy. He loved the sounds he could draw from her, including low, pleased murrs while his paws roamed over the planes and curves of her body as hers danced across his shoulders and chest. He knew the longer they lay here, the more likely it was that one of them would be on top of the other, but he couldn't bring himself to stop. He was insatiable, hopelessly addicted to her, a junkie for the high only she could provide. He would gladly overdose on every hit of her he could get his greedy paws on if it meant being hers for the rest of his life. But for now, he held his lecherous urges at bay, knowing this was important to Manea and he wanted to give her his full attention. That didn't mean he'd stop teasing her though, and all throughout her lessons, his paws would continue exploring and feeling every part of her he could reach. Let her teach her lessons with a little temptation. It would be more fun this way!

He was quiet while Manea recounted everything she had told him so far while looping her forelegs around his neck. As she listed things off, he mentally recited what he had retained from previous lessons regarding the laws of the Mendacium wolves. To be honest, they weren't very complex. All litters could have one surviving pup, mated couples could only breed with one another, and death was the end of taking mates or having children. So Manea moved the lesson to the spiritual beliefs, guiding Alastor through the story of where Mendacium wolves came from. She explained the Ancients, the spirits that every wolf housed, and how they were given their unique traits thanks to them. She explained death and reincarnation in this process, and how that stronger spirit would go to the next generation in fragments, which was why it was vital to winnow litters down to a single surviving pup.

Alastor nodded his head when she paused to show he was listening. When she explained it that way, it made sense. He still didn't relish the idea of having his children killed, and as he glanced down at Manea's belly, his eyes darkened as he imagined what that day would be like. The greatest and worst day of his life. Manea gave his nose a teasing lick, bringing his attention back to her grinning features that showed all the excitement and love she held for him and their unborn children. "I can't wait to see them either, my love! I'm eager to see the strength the Ancients have given our children thanks to our union," he replied with a grin of his own. Unbeknownst to him, this was the first time he had referred to the Ancients specifically, rather than as her belief. "I believe I'm following along so far. Continue on, my Manea."


"Alastor"