Slowly the small fae made her way through the blur and fog of the pack clearing. For all Katyusha knew today could be sunny, and clear, but the haze of her mind cast a shadow over the world, and she didn't want to lift it. On her back was the most precious thing in her world, now destroyed by the one who called himself Teren.

Slowly the Elite drug her paws through the snow, the blood of her mate running down her fur in a small stream to leave a trail of crimson behind her in the snow, but she couldn't feel it. Katyusha could no longer feel the cold nip of the air, the excitement and joy of her life she had known all too well this morning. All that existed to her now was emptiness and this single task she had to complete, even if it killed her. So set on her task the fae would outright ignore any who approached her, making it appear she honestly didn't hear or see them, but only a line in the snow guiding her.

Soon the fae would arrive at her own den, turning to face the dark entrance and pausing for a moment. It had been nearly a moon since she had last been here. After her night with Steele in the mountain pass she had stayed in the alpha's den, keeping her mate company, and enjoying his. After a moments pause Katyusha would walk towards the entrance.

Her den was a complicated and formidable structure in the pack. The entrance was made of stacked rocks she had added to a hole carved in the side of a hill, extending just over the length of her body outward to allow easy entrance and exit, and a place to sit if the weather were less than appealing. Sitting on top of the thick walls were several longer, slender rocks, overlapping so the front rock was the lowest and the one in back the highest, forcing rain water away from the living area. And lastly, the den was formed with a large section of log right in the middle of the entrance with a small trench dug under it, forcing all who entered or exited to crawl on their stomach into the main living area, allowing her to quickly dispatch any who dared intrude.

Slowly Katyusha would set the black male she loved so dearly down, pulling herself under the log and turning to slide out halfway, grabbing his scruff and pulling him into the small inner area of the den. On the inside the area was dimly lit, the cleaver door only allowing a small amount of light in. The area was only large enough for two adult wolves to lay if they were pressed together, and the floor was covered in thick furs. Carefully Katyusha would lay her mate on his side, taking the moment to look down at him and mourn. In the pack she would be eaten alive for showing such weakness, but she could not lie , she was weak and hurt now. Slowly she would look over his form one last time, trying to memorize his face, his fur, his smell; although something deep inside her told the fae she would never forget him.

After what felt like a lifetime to the fae she would pull her gaze away from him. Carefully Katyusha grabbed one of her prized pelts and laid it over him. It wasn't nearly as big as the one he laid on, but it covered him from head to tail, leaving only a large lump under the furs. With this done Katyusha would stand, walking to the log again and looking back one last time "Good-bye Steele...I love you so much, and I will see you soon...once I am done here I will see you again, I promise." she choked out, not even certain words were coming from her lips, but the young wolf was certain he could hear them.

With her final good-bye said Katyusha pulled herself under the log again, walked to the front of the short entrance tunnel, and kicked out the first support log on her left that braced the wall. With it gone she would hear the heavy stones grind against each other as they threatened to give way. She would then move to the last of the two, pulling out the one on the right, which was met with similar results. With the preparations done, the elite took a deep breath, and knocked the other two out, jumping from the entrance quickly as the heavy rocks crashed to the ground behind her. It was done, the tomb was sealed with the body of her mate resting inside.

Katyusha turned back to face her work, nodding slowly at how it had collapsed, just as she had planned. The walls made up of small rounded boulders gave way first, falling into the tunnel. While the heavy flat rocks on top slid down behind them, creating a stepped appearance to the hill that acted as a tomb.

Slowly the distraught fae walked towards her work, stepping up onto the slowly rising platforms until she reached the top. Sitting at the top of the stone platform Katyusha would tilt her head back, taking a deep breath and howling deep into the sky for the first time since she had come to these lands. Her song was one of great sadness, and yet there was some joy to it. She had lost everything today, and had given her only home to ensure her mate got a proper resting place. Yet she had to be thankful she ever had a mate to begin with. She had joined Erenyx expecting to only be a toy to Steele, and she had achieved so much more, and for that, she owed Steele so many thanks. But also so many apologies. She knew if she had been there she could have saved him. Could have killed this brute and left him to rot on the border. But she let her alpha, and her mate down. She knew this was her fault, and she only hoped Steele would forgive her when she met him again.

Well after the takeover had completed and the pack was dismissed from the main clearing, Magnus finally took the time to look about. He had taken very little notice of Katyusha dragging her mates body from the scene of his final breaths. But now, with tensions lowering and the adrenaline rush wearing off, he could think more clearly. And with clarity of thought came an awful realisation. Before all of this nonsense, Katyusha had been one of his closest friends. She had opened up to him in a way only Chiara could surpass. They had had a teasing friendship which he had rather enjoyed. To him, she and Chiara had been the only two females to be worth his time. All others were flimsy and useless. Of course now his net had widened to include Cliche, as Tye's beloved. But the secondary realisation had been that he had neglected his friend in her time of need. Steele may have been a selfish bastard, one he could not abide, but that did not mean Katyusha was to blame.

The Lead Hunter knew Chiara was strong and resilient, she did not need him at this time. He figured at least that he should offer Katyusha her condolences. Perhaps even offer to help dig Steeles grave. Though the task was not particularly appealing to the male, he thought it respectful to his friend. He knew if Tye had passed he would offer to dig his grave for him, or assist in his final resting place - whatever that may be. But he knew if it was Chiara, he would want to be the one to dig, only him. And a feeling told him Katyusha was the same. All the same, he crept off to follow the Elite. Her scent lead through the maze of dens, winding about until it reached a very peculiar home. It was expertly designed and specifically crafted. Every detail held a purpose. It had to be Katyusha's. He arrived in time to see the fae crawl from its entrance.

Strangely, he thought, she began picking at crucial load-bearing structures. For the first few minutes the den only shuddered on the precipice of destruction. Only when she tackled the final stones did the den fall to rubble. The coyote-like fae jumped back in a timely enough fashion to watch her home be destroyed. Was it symbolic, or did this have some other meaning? And what had happened to Steele's body. The copper male sat silently, waiting for an appropriate moment to approach. The Elite climbed the rubble and sat atop it. He watched her raise her muzzle and voice in a mournful cry. He had never heard her howl before and it was beautiful. Sad, but entrancing. He was shocked that he had never noticed it before. But it was possible she had simply never howled in the lands before. Eventually, he realised there would never be a perfect moment to offer his condolences. So he made himself rise and walk forward, more neutral than submissive, but submissive all the same. She was a higher rank after all, no matter how she had gained it. He stopped below the rubble, not daring to lay a paw on it for fear of her retribution. A grieving wolf was a dangerous thing. He cleared his throat, "Katyusha?"

The small Elite finished her long sad song, pinning her ears back from her perch she would look out over the wintery landscape, suddenly starting to feel cold as the realization came to her that she was homeless, and would have no one to cuddle up with to ease her pain. She was alone.

Slowly the young elite started to regain feeling to her body, the only thing she felt was pain and loneliness. As a voice spoke behind her Katyusha would turn her gaze slowly, looking at Magnus, the one she had considered a friend stood there, looking up at the blood stained fae. It would take several long seconds for Katyusha to register who it was looking at her, or what he might want.

After a few long seconds the Elite would turn her body to walk towards him, giving a soft almost disappointed sigh "Is it my turn now? If I knew it would be so soon I wouldn't have sealed the tomb." she said in a soft tone. Once in front of Magnus the fae would take a seat on the bottom of the tomb, closing her eyes and lifting her head to expose her neck "Just try to ensure I am not defiled too greatly." she spoke softly, honestly thinking he was sent to kill her, and not appearing too upset or surprised someone had come to do it, although she had expected at least Teren or Chiara.

Magnus sat silent as the fae crept from atop the tomb to sit in front of him. For he realised that was what it was. A tomb. Steele's tomb. She had buried him inside with all her prized possessions. Everything she loved was in that pile of rubble. Everything except... He watched her belly as she moved, looking for signs of pregnancy. If he was correct, she could very well hold Steele's pups in her womb. It was well into winter and she did not smell of a females heat. She just smelled like. Katyusha, maybe slightly different with Steele's scent wrapped around her.

She seemed so lost, so alone. But when she thought he would kill her he was shocked. He could only sit there stunned as she exposed her neck. He hastened to allay her fears. "No no no, I'm not here to hurt you. Only to offer my condolences. I can barely begin to imagine what you're experiencing." He kept his distance, still wary of the grieving female. If she was also pregnant, experience taught him it would not be wise to poke fun at her. Not even call her by her nickname. It wouldn't do if Chiara had to find him once again in the Healers Den. She would skin him alive. Seeing. Katyusha so broken and damaged reminded him of his last true conversation with the fae. She had shared with him her then secret love for the Deceased Alpha. How she would have been his plaything just to be close to him. And he realised by looking at her that that love had only grown stronger with time. And the more she was around him, the harder it was to detach. It built up until eventually the two could not stand to be apart any longer. Magnus had never expected to hear of the male loving, not after what he had heard of his previous mates betrayal.

His amber eyes met her colourless ones for a soft moment, once more smelling the scent around her. "Katyusha, are you pregnant?"

The small elite still appeared slim and built, her body showing no change or swelling yet, if she even was pregnant with Steele's young. Once she was at the bottom of the tomb with her neck exposed his words would come to her, Katyusha lowering her head to look at him simply giving a little nod "That is too bad." she muttered, noticing his rather on edge stance and speaking "I'm not going to hurt you... You are the only one who is here for me...the only wolf in this pack that cares about me...why would I hurt you?" she asked, staying on the tomb, as if she were caged there by a force beyond their own understanding.

With the lead hunter's words complete Katyusha would nod slowly "Thank you Magnus...I know you didn't like him, but I love him. I can't imagine life without him...or what I'm going to do now." she admitted, looking around the pack again to see if her executioner were coming yet. With a soft sigh the fae would speak again "May I ask you a favor Magnus? If I die, will you please lay me to rest next to my mate? It is all I really want anymore." she admitted, looking down at the snow in front of her.

After a few long moments Katyusha would lift her gaze to meet his, his words causing her eyes to go wide slightly. In all that had happened she had completely forgotten she was pregnant, what was she going to do? How could she raise them alone? Or even survive giving birth with no one to be there to help her, hunt for her, keep her warm. A soft whimper would leave the fae as all of these thoughts came rushing back to her, the young thing just nodding slowly to Magnus "Y...yes, I am...I kept it a secret from Steele because I made him promise to leave the other's alone until we were certain I was pregnant....I was hoping I could buy enough time it would all fall through." she admitted in a soft voice, a pained insincere smile coming to her lips "I suppose it worked..." she whimpered, her whole form slumping. How could she possibly survive giving birth, let alone raising Steele's pups properly alone. She would fail him, for the first time in her life, she would be a failure to her love.

The Hunter watched his superior as she experienced a range of emotions in a mere few moments. Her pain was easily discernible on her furry face and it pained him to see a friend so hurt. Katyusha may not have been the top of his priorities of wolves to help, but she was a close friend and he would be there. He felt his friendship with Tye was one where they may not get together or speak for a long while, but if either called upon the other for help, they would be there. He would certainly be there for Katyusha, but would she do the same for him? It was a question that would only be answered when the time came that he might need to call upon her for help. Though it wounded his pride to even consider requiring the help of a fae that was not his beloved.

Even as she spoke she continues to search the surrounding area as though she were waiting for death to come marching in. He was unsure of what he could do to allay her fears, for nothing outright was said by their Alpha. Teren appeared to care very little as to whether the Elite lived or died. In most ways that was a blessing. If indeed she was pregnant, she would be able to live off the grid so to speak, protect the progeny of Steele for a little while longer. He held no love for the deceased brute, but he was friends with Katyusha and they were also a part of her. He would not hold the children responsible for their fathers actions, but he could certainly keep an eye on them for any signs of trouble. When she finally asked her favour he could only nod and accept. It was a small ask to be buried alongside ones mate, together for eternity. "Of course, of course."

Still she had to answer his question as to her... condition. He believed he already knew the answer, but of course, mother knows best. Well, not all the time, but she would be the first to know if she was with pup. Her words surprised him. Before he had believed that, as Steele's mate, she had not tried hard enough to get him to change his mind on the multiple litters he intended to sire. That had caused him to put up a glacial wall between himself and the coyote. But she had been scheming on her own. of course she would want to be the only one he mated with, and the way she had gone about it was brilliant. She had tried so hard to stall Steele. Whether she did it for her own reasons, or to protect Chiara, Nyx and Cliche, it did not matter. The outcome would have been the same. If he could he would have hugged her right then, maybe even nuzzled her. But she was not the affectionate one, and he was spoken for. Instead he beamed and proclaimed his gratitude. "Kat, that is- I can't believe you- This is wonderful! Thank you so much for this. Though the means it came to pass may not be to your liking, you have saved numerous faes from a forced breeding. And that is a very noble gesture. I promise you, I will do what I can to help you with your pups. Chiara will always be my first priority, but I will be there to help."

With her scan of the area complete, Katyusha would hear his words, looking down at him from her elevated position and nodding "Thank you...come I must show you what to do." she said honestly, turning to walk back up the makeshift steps that were once her roof until she reached the top, nosing the heavy top stone "When I pass...bring me up here and push only one side of this stone back...you may drop me in then, and jump in yourself. Make sure you open it enough to jump back out, but do not open both sides. Without the weight of the roof slab the support beam will fall. The wall shall hold it's own, but not if both supports fall. Steele is laid to rest with a heavy fur over him...pull it back enough to lay me against his side and recover me..." she said calmly, hoping she wasn't asking too much of him.

"Once you are out, push the stone the rest of the way off until you hear the other support fall...the wall should stay up. Just push the slab back onto the wall and without the supports it will collapse, sealing us both in forever." she said, her voice almost sounding as if she longed for that day, the day she could finally rest.

As the fae explained her plot to Magnus she would hear the shock and excitement she would look down at her paws "I betrayed him...I was with him a week and I betrayed him...I deserve to be alone." she said softly. Lifting her gaze again she nodded "I do appreciate that...but you will have your own litter to care for, I couldn't ask you to worry about me, especially since I am surely an outcast now... I will be accused of selling my body for my rank, being stupid and weak for my emotions... it will be risky just being associated with me. And I cannot ask that of you, so I will understand if we do not speak after this." she spoke, honestly amazed he had come to her now.

She offered the male to follow. And so cautiously, he did. Pausing at the very closest he could be to the rubble, the Lead hunter looked both left and right, then up at the Elite. When it seemed there would be no last minute objections, he hauled his muscular form up the mound. With each carefully placed step, they travelled higher and higher until they crested the mound. Every step was chosen with care so as not to dislodge even a single piece of broken stone. The relatively slender female paced about, providing instructions for her burial in the event of her death. He followed her every movement, committing her explicit instructions to memory. It was quite an intricate design, the mausoleum. He wondered if this was her intention when she designed it as a den.

He nodded along, but his thoughts were disturbed. Could she really be so desperate to die? Even with her pups on the way? Why did she not just come out and beg him to kill her then? He knew he wouldn't do it though. It went against what he knew. A mercy killing was no mercy. It was a way to dishonour the dying. A way of saying they were not strong enough to pull through, nor strong enough to handle their own final moments. It was the greatest insult one could give. He would not let her memory end in such a manner. He owed her nothing in form of debt, but he felt responsible for her as a friend.

He sat on his haunches atop the mausoleum. She was so adamant that the Alphas death was her own fault. But it clearly wasn't. Steele was cocky. That was easily his biggest downfall. He was selfish too, but in terms of his death, it was his overconfidence that was his undoing. He had indeed heard the rumours of Katyusha effectively prostituting herself to the ex-Alpha in exchange for rank. He knew the story behind it: how she cared for him, perhaps even loved him and wanted to be with him. But she had only just arrived in Erenyx and was already offering herself to him. It certainly didn't sit right with him - the idea of concubines, arranged matings and multiple partners were too familiar. And among this pack of the deranged, the damaged and the demonic, her feminine emotions would be considered weak. But he said none of this, it wasn't what she needed to hear. "He died in battle to a worthy opponent. There is no more honourable death. But I will be here if you need. You have only to call and I shall attend as I can." He believed Steele did not deserve any sort of honour in death, but as Katyusha's mate he deserved some respect.

Katyusha watched as he walked up the mausoleum that was once her den, her ears pinned back the entire time she spoke, explaining the very sophisticated process to lay her to rest in the structure and seal it off permanently, almost as if it was designed to bury two different wolves at two different times, while also serving every purpose she would need in life as well.

Once the pair were atop the structure Katyusha sat on her haunches as well, showing no desire to leave it anytime soon, especially since she had no where else to go now. Even though Katyusha was eager to die, and be reunited with her mate in the world after. But Katyusha would never ask another to kill her, no matter how much she hurt physically, or otherwise. No, she knew how she was going to go out, and when she would if all went according to plan. She would not willingly leave this life until Steele's bloodline was back in charge of the pack. Then and only then would she end her own life encased in the tomb she had created.

As their conversation continued, Katyusha would smile weakly, looking at her paws as she leaned forward gently, nuzzling against his neck in a friendly way, her distress causing her to be much more emotional than she would normally be "Thank you Magnus...but I will not ask such a thing from you. I'm an outcast, an enemy, a pariah. Being around me will only hurt any aspirations you have...and I'm certain Chiara wouldn't approve of our friendship. So if you do decide to distance yourself, I will understand." she said, pulling away from him and looking at her paws "Thank you for being here today...I really needed it." she said softly, wishing she could express how much it meant to her that anyone bothered to check on her in her darkest hour.

As the female grew closer, pressing her muzzle to his neck, the male stiffened. This was unlike her. So much close contact, so much emotion. He put it down to stress and the pregnancy. It was not a typical thing for him to go around nuzzling every female he knew. He flirted, he teased, but it was a paws off game... Mostly. Only Chiara had the privilege of being so close to him. He had worked so hard to earn her trust, and to have her love him in return. If she were to stumble upon them at this moment, he could only imagine her passionate reaction. It would not be the most positive, no matter how gorgeous she was when she was jealous. Ahh jealousy, such a typically unflattering emotion. Considered ugly and undesirable to most. But he found it endearing, a secondary proof of the love she held for him in choosing to fight to keep him. Some believed jealousy to be disrespectful, that it showed how one believed their partner was capable of underhandedness, of cheating. In this land of Erenyx, everyone was capable of such, but. Magnus did not see jealousy in this dark manner. He saw it as his beloveds will to fight for what is hers. It was an affliction they both shared, one that added a very particular element to their relationship.

Out of respect to Chiara, and for protection of Katyusha's unborn pups, the male pulled back from the nuzzle gently. He wished not to offend the already upset fae, but if that was how she took his actions then so be it. He nodded at her words, responding with his own,"It is no trouble to help a friend, Katyusha, no trouble at all. Indeed, Chiara would not be most fond of our friendship and I am glad for your understanding on that. But that does not mean I will not be around should you need me." The Lead Hunter stood, unsure of whether to remain or depart. The Elite might appear to need comforting, but some wolves preferred to grieve alone. The copper male looked down at the wily female, so broken. He pitied her. It was impossible not to. He wondered if he should stay, make sure she did nothing irresponsible. But she was strong and stubborn and if he overstayed himself she might grow angry and violent. Better to get back to his duties of hunting and allow her to recover in her own way. "Katyusha, I fear I have duties that must be seen to and therefor have to go. But do not hesitate to call upon me in yr hour of need. May the stars watch over you."


Ooc - I think we can end it there. There isn't a whole lot left to say. Magnus just keeps repeating himself.

As she went to the male for some sort of comfort Katyusha would feel him stiffen, turning her gaze up to him she would watch the male back away. Feeling his discomfort Katyusha would pull back, looking down at her paws as her ears went back "Sorry...I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. "she said softly. The female clearly wasn't herself, her walls had been broken down to leave only her true self, scared and alone now. His rejection didn't make her feel angry, or upset, but only more pain as the one person in the pack who came to comfort her wasn't all that interested in actually helping her.

Katyusha just turned and walked away from him to take a place at the top of the tomb, nodding slowly to his words and speaking with her back to him, looking up at the sky as the sun began to fade "Thank you Magnus...but I will not be calling on you. You will be having pups under him. You will have many of your own burdens with your own mate to concern yourself with me, and I do not wish to put you in a spot where you must choose. I can accept my place on your list, and know what comes with such a place." she sighed, once again looking at the rocks below her paws, slowly being covered in fresh snow falling from above "And with Steele gone...I can imagine Tye and Cliche will be having young as well...Tye and yourself are very close." she sighed.

As Magnus spoke again the small fae would nod slowly, getting the hint that he didn't want to talk to her anymore, that he was hoping her reaction would be something else, cold and stoic. But it was not, she was truly damaged, truly hurt to the very core. The events of today would never leave her, and she would never be herself again. From now on Katyusha would be a new wolf, one forged in the fire of Steele's desires, hammered by her brutal training, and honed by tragedy and loss. As Magnus began to depart Katyusha would only speak to the sky, loud enough for him to hear her "If the stars watch over me as well as my pack...I shall perish soon." And with that the small fae would curl up on top of the mound. She had no where else to go, and lacked the strength to leave even if she could. So for now this is where she would call home.