Pleasure to be meeting you; quite a pleasure!

The situation he and Mariah found themselves in was... displeasing. They could neither openly express their affections nor meet as easily as when they first came into contact. Their kin were enemies, thanks to his cousin’s hotheadedness. Normally, Caedes wouldn't care about such conflicts, but this involved his love life. What a stroke of fucking luck. It was terribly frustrating, compounded by the already exceedingly complicated traditions Mariah’s family partook in. Though, if he were honest, his own family’s ways were their own monster to overcome. These thoughts always consumed his mind when she was not. Abandon his family, abandon her. Be hunted by his kin, or remain hunted by hers. Blood was blood, but she was his soul. If asked to die for her, he would. But he much preferred not to, so he could continue to worship the fragile woman.

Really, they were all driving him insane. Every one of them, except her.

As he approached the tunnel’s exit, his predatory instincts flared. Something was different this time, and a life of survivalist teachings quickly took hold of his senses. Despite his massive size, the brute moved with the grace of a beast born for the shadows, his steps quiet and meticulous as he slowly emerged from the mouth of the tunnel. He paused there, emerald eyes scanning the surroundings, ears pricked for the faintest whisper of movement. The cold breeze tightened the scars on his ruined hide, an annoyance he was accustomed to since calling the north home. He was on guard, the thick scent of Mariah still clinging to his coat. The snow-covered landscape offered little cover, and he saw… nothing. Yet he knew something was out there; it felt like a trick of his mind. The air was different, somehow. Ignoring it would have been easy.

But it was better to be sure. With a flick of his tail, he stepped out fully into the open space, just as his raven came down, clutching his mask in its claws as it confirmed his suspicions. Laying in the snow! Wolf in sheep’s clothing! A low growl rumbled in Caedes' chest, a warning to the unseen wolf, as rage and protective impulse brought the beast to life. Hackles raised, ears flattened, eyes searching the snowy ground – After all, she was still in the tunnel system, waiting. He’d told her he would be back soon. So who the fuck was this?