Cypress was brooding, laying there that night with Arian at his side. He couldn't sleep. Couldn't sleep knowing she was crippled the way she was. He hadn't been there to protect her. Because of him... she... no. He couldn't think like that. Sin and Arian had gotten into that fight and it was no fault of his own. But that man... that pack... he knew he couldn't trust them. And to think that Amachi, once a faithful follower of Sonticus, had left with him... it burned Cy up. He would expel a huge breathe, curling closer to his wife.

"Ari? You awake?" Cypress would ask softly. "Even if not... I... I want to talk. Just talk, and you can either listen or keep on sleeping." Cypress would let his eyes close. "I've spoken with Allen. He wants me to stay with you... and he's going to take care of Sin. I... I'm sorry I can't do more for you. That I can't protect you." Cypress would let his eyes open again, glancing at the mouth of the den.

"I broke my promise to you. I'm so sorry."

"Speech"

Of course the wolf would greet her day with a depressing message. Her crystal tired eyes looking outside the mouth of the den as her ears twitched to the sound of her mate's voice. Since when did she make her family not worry? It was a reoccurring status with her to always get in trouble, and she knew her children would probably have to deal with that as well. Arian slid forward on her paws, crawling to the mouth of the den before rolling over onto her back. Using her right leg, one of the few good one's she had left, to tap him on the bottom of his chin. "You didn't break any promises." she whispered to him gently. As she smiled, she couldn't deny Cypress made her feel at ease. "I provoked him, and fought back. The fact that I defended myself even a little, is good enough for me." unlike some nights when she would wake up screaming in the den. Rivaxorus and Juniper would have to bring her cold water until she fell back asleep. As the injured female rolled back onto her stomach. She looked up at Cypress and smiled. "I love you... and I won't ask for much. Because you being here is enough." "Talk"

His beloved may have claimed that he had not broken any promises, but for Cy, who had tried his hardest to be there for Arian, could only feel as though he had failed. Whether Arian had provoked Sin or not he should have been with her. He should have been there to fight the man in her stead, so that her other leg was not maimed. Cypress would curl into Arian’s body, ears lowered as he gently nuzzled her head.

He knew that some nights it was hard... And now it was getting harder. Allen seemed to be faltering, having some difficulties of his own. Cypress had every intention of talking to the man and making sure he was alright. If not, well, perhaps it would be his time to take the torch and light the way through these dark times. Cypress would be damned if he let his pack fall.

“I love you too, Arian, with all my heart.” Cypress would lick her between the ears. “You are my world... And I’ll be damned if my world is taken from me. Promise me... Next time... You’ll call for me. You don’t need to face these things alone.”

"Speech"

Cypress really was doing something that she could never thank him for. Her endless fits in bed that even her children sometimes had to walk away from, Cypress was always there at her side. He didn't sink into the background, he stuck out in her mind. Arian's every decision seemed to have been screwing her over. Arian knew she had been digging her own grave, and well she was hoping she'd never have to call for anyone. She was hoping that she didn't put herself in harms way any longer. "You're the sap that's holding my world together Cypress. I won't ever leave you." Arian breathed as she pressed her head underneath his chin. She strained her eyebrows forward, and she would swear she was going to try better by her family and the love of her life. Though, she had secrets of her past that would definitely die with her. "Talk"

Cypress would swallow hard as Arian spoke. He would surely hope that she’d never leave him, and he would hold her close. He never wanted to lose her. Not to Sin. Not to anyone. Not even to her own mind, so filled with torturous things. No... Cypress would not let it claim her. No matter what it took... He was going to protect Arian with his very last breath. Gods help whoever crossed her path again. He’d make sure they’d pay... Sin included.

A gentle, loving lick passed over Arian’s head. There was something in his heart, burning with a fire that would never be put out. He’d close his eyes, speaking in a soft tone, his words kind. “You’re the reason I’ve been strong, Arian. You’ve been holding me up, so that I might be there for you when times are harsh. I promise... Things are going to be okay. I’m going to protect you... Protect Sonticus with all I have. No matter what happens... I won’t let this world forsake you.” He’d hold her a bit closer. “Things will not go south again Arian... I promise.”