Wicked Game

Walk | Talk | Think

He seemed not to notice her inner turmoil and Tahlia relaxed a little, assuming her ability to mask her true feelings had held. She hated to use it against him, her husband, the one wolf she knew she need not keep secrets from, but it was not a topic she had wanted to bother him with. His spirits had been high; it would have broken her heart to know she had ruined that for him.

They had not stopped until they were a distance away from the den, a distance away from everyone, surrounded by snowy foliage and a cliff. Her gold eye cast a suspicious glance around the location, her distracted thoughts coming to a new conclusion as she realized what he had done. He had drawn her this way not to watch the first snowfall. No, Tahlia was sure he had an alterior motive, one she was more than a little familiar with.

Sure enough, he admitted it, plainly wishing to have her for his birthday. Tahlia listened closely, her seeing and unseeing gaze softening as he tried to explain himself though it sounded more rambly than she thought he had wanted it to. It could not possibly have been a product of nerves. They had done this enough times for it to be second nature, without any hesitation or uncertainty. But, she quickly reminded herself, this day was special. This could not be like all the other days, not if it was his day. He brushed his muzzle past hers and reached up to kiss over her eye, both closing as a tightness and warmth spread within her heart as he reassured her of his affection and her beauty. Yes, he really did need something special for his birthday.

She tucked her head and pressed it against his neck until she was sure the tears that had sprung up in her eyes had gone for good. Drawing in a steadying breath, she finally pulled away to look at him, and nodded her head faintly. "You will have me," she assured him, "but," - here she paused, sure she would get his attention since setting stipulations had never been in her nature. Not until today - "I will have you, too."

Would he follow her train of thought, what she hinted at? A part of her was convinced it would surprise him, and it only fueled her desire to catch him off guard in this way. She stepped close, kissing his lips softly once, twice. "Today is your day, my husband," she whispered, "and I want it to be the most memorable for you yet. Let me make it so. Let me take the lead." Now her tongue rasped against his jaw, trying to coax out one of those growls that she loved so much. Her ears folded back, her eye seeking out his with a commanding, pleading stare. "All you need do is lay back. And enjoy."