Disparity

Qanik regarded Roman quizzically as the woman shuffled her paws like a naughty pup who's gotten in trouble, but held her peace until Roman began to speak. The news she delivered widened Qanik's blue gaze. "Pregnant?" she coughed out. But... by who? Of course - the big striped boy who'd acted so protectively when they'd both been struck down with sickness. It must be. Who else could it be? She would not be so tactless as to ask, but she couldn't help but wonder. Slowly through the surprise built a wide grin, a surprising expression on the usually calm and unassuming warrior. "That is wonderful, Roman." Pups! Tortuga's first litter of pups in the year she'd been there.

But if that pleasant news had startled her, Roman's request shocked her completely silent. Second Praetor? Her? That would elevate her from her already-surprising high position into one even higher, almost equal to Roman. Could she accept that? What should she say? What could she say?

Her gaze dropped to her paws, and she examined the snow with the utmost concentration and seriousness. Was she capable of being an alpha, even a secondary? But Roman was right, with her carrying pups and still weak from her illness, she would need someone with to take up the slack in ways that a mere beta could not. For Roman, for Roman's unborn children, for Tortuga... could she really turn this down?

"I..." Her voice came out gravelly with her inner turmoil, the idea of being queen of anything causing her pelt to prickle in alarm, but she swallowed and began again. "I would be honored."



speech.