11-04-2018, 07:40 PM
the taigan
She was a great deal more peaceful than his memories deemed anyone here should be. How long had he been frozen in that tomb of ice? Somewhere in the back of his mind, he recognized her, a scent he knew, a face he knew. She was much older, and a great deal larger. And aged enough to have a child at her side. It settled a hard pit in his belly that he immediately ignored. Lilitha, she confirmed for him though he hadn't needed it.
She didn't recognize him, not as he looked now.
To her credit, she tried to study him harder, her brows knitting together as she puzzled it out. But the moment passed, and she continued. Singe. Her child. Time had passed. It seemed it hadn't quite left her after all, though, as Lilitha took a step closer towards him. His wolf bristled and he raised his head, eyes firm. It didn't ease his wariness when she lowered her head to study the boy - his boy - and he placed a deliberate step closer to Soldat, staring directly in her eyes. His lips wanted to peel back, but it wasn't needed, and so they remained set.
She hadn't noticed because her eyes were closed, her head slowly lifting as she scented him out. There was a flash of pride in his gaze at that, and the line of his body relaxed. His face softened, and he was able to push at that strong wildness in him to relinquish a little of its hold on him as he blew a soft breath towards her nose. Lilitha.
"Ruan?" she repeated, her golden eyes opening to meet his blue.
His lips almost tilted upward for her, just a softening in one corner. He struggled with the unspent rage though he remained stoic. Friendliness was difficult, even with her. His king's daughter. An extension of his own family. His pack. Removing the hard glint from his stare was a challenge too, and it stubbornly remained despite his efforts. In some ways, he was more wolf than man. He always had been, but now was stronger.
"Lilitha," he said back, a growled confirmation. Yes, it was him.
"Welcome home."
