The once stoic and near emotionless warrior now paced anxiously outside of his own den where his beautiful mate slept peacefully. Never once before his time here in Helidos had he thought it possible to feel any sort of true deep emotional connection to another wolf; let alone a female, but sleeping just a few feet from where his restless paws packed down the crystalline powder, was the she wolf who had shown him how to love. She was his everything. She was the reason for him to wake each and every day, the reason his once stern face now carried the glimmer of hope and a smile, and now the time had come for him to finally give her what she so desperately wished for. A family. He had always noted the sparkle in her eyes at the mention of pups, the light it brought about her and the air of happiness that consumed her. She wished for pups of her own, to bring new life into the world and to share that special bond with Drogo. He too wished to see pups of his own wrestling and romping about in the meadows, but somewhere deep down he was afraid. Was he truly fit to be a father? Somehow he doubted he was, even if Nnlya assured him he would be a great father. What if he disappointed his children, what if they did not respect him, or love him? What if something terrible happened to them under his watch? All of these worries flooded through his mind as he paced relentlessly.

The snow beneath his paws was now thoroughly packed down leaving now evidence that it had snowed a great deal throughout the night. Finally, anxious paws came to a halt and the great warrior stood still. His fiery amber eyes stared down the dark entrance of the den, his heart beating far faster than he would like to admit. With a deep breath, he strode forward into the den. It was now or never. Nnlya's scent was strong, far stronger than ever before as the sweet scent of her heat filled the den. Carefully, and as gracefully as was permitted by the muscular male, he tip toed towards his mate who lay peacefully still on the ground. "Nnlya my dear. Wake up. I believe there is a rather pressing matter that needs to be discussed." he whispered softly into her ear hoping not to startle her. His voice, though soft held its natural rugged tone and a wavering nervousness that surely she would be able to detect. Shifting his paws beneath him, he slipped into a sitting position, to wait for her to rise from her slumber. This moment would determine their future, and whether or not spring would bear new life and the start of their family.

Sleeping soundly in her den, Nnlya would always notice the absence of her love. But she didn't despair. She trusted he would return in time. Though the loss of his warmth at her side was a regrettable one, she continued to sleep on. In this state of unconsciousness she dreamed of herself as a pup, gambolling about with her three brothers. They would play fight and practise their hunting skills on one another. Their youngest sibling, Loras, was often the object of their practise and as such complained often that they were being unfair towards him. Nonetheless, when any of them came home with a nick or scrape, he was the first to try to patch them up. So soon though came their passage through the Winter Mountains, but no avalanche came. She watched her life as if she'd grown up alongside her three brothers. She watched Onyx grow and mature into a strong male, saw him find a beautiful fae and suddenly she was an aunt to three beautiful brutes. Her brothers Kale and Loras grew and found their own way in the world. But in this world she had never met Drogo. Instead she stood as Alphess, alone with numerous male suitors vying for her attention. She doted upon her nephews like they were her own. But she was alone and so very lonely.

Curling tighter in a ball, the Elite shielded her nose from the cold with her fluffy tail. Her dream grew bright, as if sunlight were preventing her eyes from seeing anymore. She could feel her mind waking, returning to the world of reality. In this world she was in love and in heat. With a single act those pups could be hers. That life could be hers. She could be so blissfully happy. A voice, soft and delicate in her ear. She leaned towards it, finding the soft fur of her mate there. She allowed her cheek to rest against his, inhaling his woody scent to soothe her. The heat could be uncomfortable at times, but nothing she'd not experienced. "My love, your voice is sweet and soothing to me at this time. What would you have us discuss?" She rose, rolling her shoulders out, to sit across from him. They were close in the confined space, but there was always room to get closer. She smiled encouragingly at her mate, blue orbs alight in the darkness.

His beautiful mate woke from her peaceful slumber, her soft voice slipping from her maw and making its way to his ears which flickered contentedly from the familiarity of its tone. He could only smile picturing her with their little ones curled up into her. Their tiny, precious little forms so delicate and helpless. It would be their duty to raise them, to protect them, and to teach them what it was to be a wolf; to be strong, to be kind, and to be all that they could be. Drogo wished that should they be blessed with pups, that they would have many sons. He would teach them to be the best warriors Helidos had ever known. And yet, he also wished for a daughter, perhaps only one. He imagined she would be just as beautiful as her mother, and just as kind. He would protect her from all that sought to harm her. He watched as she rose up to sit across from him, her piercing blue eyes looking at him with the same adoration that glistened in his hardened amber orbs.

A light smile slipped across his lips, "There is indeed my dear. The mating season is upon us, and I know how deeply you wish to have a family of your own. I have done a great deal of thinking these past weeks, and have decided that there is nothing more that I wish to give you, than everything your heart desires. Tell me that you still wish for pups, and that is all that need be said. I love you Nnlya, and I would very much like to start a little family of our own." he said pointedly. Speaking of such things still flustered him, but it was only becoming easier and easier as time went on and his love grew stronger and stronger for the beautiful Elite. He hoped that their wishes were still aligned and that the spring would bring new life for them. Surely the Alpha pair would have a litter of their own to further their lineage within Helidos. There would be pups a plenty roaming Helidos, but to see his own amoung them, care free and happy, would bring him the greatest joy of all.

She sat content with a slight smile on her maw. Her eyes crinkled just a little at the edges. Outside was cold, she knew, covered in pure white snow. It would grace everything with a wintry sheen. Great icicles would drip from the branches, never touching the ground. Drifts of snow would blanket the trees, turning them white. The stuff would build up over the roots of the trees and between the grasses and flowers of the meadows. White beauty. Pure and innocent, if fairytales were to be believed. Of course she knew snow and ice could be cruel and deadly. Such a pity her brother never reached maturity, he would never see his nieces and nephews, nor have pups of his own. And he would have made such a wonderful father. He was calm, levelheaded and logical. He abstained from his rightful position as heir, believing he wasn't up to the task. He preferred a simple life, as a Hunter.

The Elite ducked her head bashfully, eyes closing softly. A family. She could feel her heat within her. If ever there was a time, this was it. Did she still want a family, of course. She'd waited so long for this chance. Was he ready for a family? He claimed so, but there had been times when he'd expressed his own fears of inadequacies interacting with pups. She didn't want him to still be afraid. In Tortilla he may have been told to sire a litter with some woman, but it would merely have been duty. An act, under orders of his King, to create more soldiers for the realm. He would have held no responsibilities, no suggestion of raising them. He may have trained his own sons and never known who they were. She looked up smiling, her good Warrior sitting proudly before her. "My greatest wish is to start a family and only you are worthy to sire my litter." She leaned in, her muzzle brushing his cheek gently before resting by his ear. "I love you, Drogo. I wish to be your mate in full. Let no one come between us." She whispered.