Chapter one: not quite love

He cuddled against my side, and I caressed his coat of russet fur. Running my snout through his soft mane, I woofed a hushed greeting.

"Mate, how're you feeling?"

"I am improving, but still ailing. How was the interdiction of the young bird? I heard very little when you completed that task." He stroked my golden fur, and barked a greeting to our other family members. The other pokémon hastily drew back, seeing their shaman in a hushed exchange with there alpha.

"He didn't take it well, but Hebi took care of him. It hurt me incredibly to have to take such radical measures." I miserably closed my damp eyes, threw my head back, and whaled in an agonizing cry to the pack.

"We must, for the tribes' sake. You surely know this by now. He glanced down at my upturned face, and snorted in disgust.

"I know, Yoru; I simply can't help it." Ducking my head beneath his outstretched paw, I exhaled dejectedly. Peering up from underneath my lashes I whined. I couldn't understand why he had no compassion.

Anonymity was his game; he played coy only to gain my attentions. His eyes darkened and I hummed a docile response, hoping against hope that he'd vanish just like everyone else. I've never been that lucky. Alas he was to be my latent destiny, and I was ceaselessly to hang in the perpetual balance of time.

"I do apologize, my mate," I feebly whispered.

Yoru bared his fangs, and murmured acutely into my ear. "You best be watching yourself." A growl swept through his body at his next words and reverberated in the tense atmosphere. He reminded me of a tense beast weighting to pounce. "I shall never give my sanction to another again. Do you hear, Tomogara?"

He rose to his paws, and fixed his gaze with mine. A deep rumble started in his chest, at my unanswered words. Dipping my head in obedience, I squatted.

"I will on no account go against, or challenge your judgment whilst I am by your side, master."

"That is an awfully good boy. You know, that's what I'm looking for in an apprentice."

His tail swished in smug gratification. In the wake of the sundown, he fixed his eyes on me. He drew me to rest against his firm chest, and his tail came to drape itself across my body. I felt the slight pressure of my mate's fangs caressing the throbbing vein in my neck.

"Mine!"

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AN: Theme 2: Love

Hebi- snake.

Yoru- night.