"Wont you take me by the hand, take me somewhere new? I don't know who you are, but I'm with you."
-I'm With You©Avril Lavinge
Tony stood silent as a ghost on the balcony that viewed the entire compound. He released a cloud of smoke from his lips, and stuck the tip of his pipe back into his mouth.
'Everything's happening too fast.' he thought to himself. His heart ached from seeing her again. It would have been better if he hadn't returned at all. But the pain of not knowing if she was alive hurt even more.
Tears slid down Tony's face. From the day she was born, he wanted her. He loved her so much. He didn't even see her blind eye, he only saw an angel. A perfect little gift. There was just something about her that stood out from her sister.
He remembered the look on Sheo's face when she saw Lulu's eyes. Her once joyful voice turned into loud sobs of sadness and regret. Why did things have to be this way? That was probably his last litter Sheo could bear.
Although the laws stated that if a malcadh was born, their parents were to leave their pack and find a new mate. But since they were betrothed since their birth, the bond was unbreakable.
The night and many nights after Breanne and Trishaw were taken, Tony held his mate as she sobbed until she fell asleep. Eventually, Sheo cried until she could barely see out of her eyes. She was going blind. They went to the Sark, but even she was unsure if Sheo's sight could be resorted.
"Tony darling. Please come to bed." Tony turned around to see his petite mate standing behind him in her silk nightgown. She looked so timid and weak. Her legs trembled, and she began to fall. Tony ran to her side and caught her as she nearly hit the marble floor.
"Love please be more careful. I told you to lay down and rest. The trip has weakened you enough." Sheo gave her mate a flashy smile and kissed his cheek.
"I don't know what I'd do without you." Tony gently lifted his mate up and carried her to their grand bedroom. The tall and well muscled male removed his grand necklace of gnaw bones, and slipped into his silk pajamas. He opened his closet and took out the small brown box, and sat it in front of his mate on their king-sized bed.
"Oh dear me I hate this dreadful medicine." Sheo sighed much like a young pup. Her ears lowered and she turned away from Tony, who just let out a little chuckle.
"Now, now Sheo. You know it will help you regain your strength." he said as he mixed the moss and herbs in a small clay cup. Sheo let out a huff.
"That old Sark is just crazy. She's nothing but a witch." she mumbled under her breath. Tony handed her the cup. Her nose crinkled at the repulsive smell. Tony smiled at his lovely mate and pinched her little nose with his big paw.
"Now try." Sheo smiled and managed to drink the whole concoction of medicine in one gulp.
"Thanks Hon." she smiled sheepishly and lay on her back onto the plush bed. Tony covered their bodies and nuzzled his mate.
"Sleep well my love." he whispered as she snuggled against his warm chest and listening to his beating heart.
"Papa! Wake up!" Tony rubbed his eyes and yawned loudly. There was a small pup on his chest. She smiled and wagged her tail.
"Come on sleepy head!" she playfully tugged on his ear, and pulled him in an upright position. Tony shook his head in disbelief. Was this a dream? Yet it all felt so real. He looked at where his mate Sheo would be sleeping, but she was gone.
"Sheo?" he called as panicked mounted within him. She was too fragile and sick to be left alone, let alone to walk by herself. The little brown pup skipped out of the grand bedroom and giggled.
He chased after her, until she lead him outside. No longer was there a cold gray compound, but a beautiful lush land of sweet grass, sunshine, and little butterflies and flowers that were bountiful. He heard laughter and saw Sheo sitting under a lovely tree that seemed to touch the heavens.
"There you are!" he said in relief. His mate never looked more happy or beautiful. Her soft white hair touched her waist, and her eyes were a warm amber color. No longer a dull green.
"Of course I'm here silly. Where else would I want to be?" she said in her warm voice. She was cradling a small tan pup in her arms as she stood up from the ground. Tony peeked into the blanket and saw a sleeping pup that was carelessly sucking on her paw.
"Sheo what's going on?" the fire-orange male asked bluntly. The small brownish pup that was wearing a little pink dress twirled around Tony like a little ballerina.
"Mama? What's wrong with Papa?" she whispered to Sheo. What in the name of the Dim World? He had no other offspring besides the two malcadhs. But he bent down beside the girl and looked into her eyes. One gleaming amber like her mother's, and the other one a milky-silver.
"Breanne?" Tony asked as tears filled his eyes making his vision blurry. The little giggly pup hid behind her mother's leg and whimpered. "No its okay. Papa's okay." he held his arms open. Without hesitation, she ran into her fathers warm and reassuring embrace.
Tony burst into a joyous sob as his nuzzled his daughter on her cheek. He never felt this way before. He never wanted to leave this beautiful place. The thought occurred to him, 'Have I passed on in my sleep? But no I'd have to climb the star ladder.' It didn't matter at the time anyway.
"Papa! Papa! Push me!" little Breanne called as she sat in a huge wooden swing. He ran up to her and pushed her from behind the swing. She went all the way into the sky. She laughed and then screamed. The swing returned to its proper place in between the wooden bars that held it together, but no Breanne.
Tony looked around. Sheo had vanished along with the little pup she held, and the sky turned pitched black as a waterfall of rain drops came down from the monstrous looking clouds. Soon everything vanished. There was nothing but total darkness.
Sheo noticed her mate twitching and whimpering in his sleep. She gently lay her head back on his chest and rubbed his arm.
"Hey big guy. It's okay. Come on and wake up for me." she whispered ever so sweetly. Tears ran down the chieftains face as he slowly opened his green eyes. He let out a gasp and placed his paw upon the back of Sheo's head.
"I'm sorry I woke you dear. Go back to sleep." he said as he arose from the bed and put on his robe. The tall male took his pipe and tobacco from his top drawer, and walked outside to the balcony.
He lifted his head up to the sky and looked at the grand stars and constellations above him that could make any mortal feel powerless and inferior. Enough was enough! He wasn't going to wait any longer to see her face to face and speak to her.
'Great Lupus above me. Please forgive me for the treason I am soon to commit. You may punish me. But forgive me.' he prayed as he looked to the great wolf constellation.
