Willow Ridge Sometimes the timing is all wrong

This is a heat thread for Avella.

Avella's mind had been so wrapped up in what had happened to her pack and how she was going to fix it that she hadn't realized what was coming. It wasn't until she woke up with those feelings inside her again. She had dreaded it this year if she were honest. She didn't feel there was anyway that she could support a litter. Not without a larger pack.

She felt she also had to consider her children and how they might feel. They were growing up and would be a year old soon. She was well aware of how things worked but would they understand too.

It was a lot for the Archer woman to think about but it was growing harder to remain sensible. She thought maybe a walk would help her to calm the feelings that she was having. Avella traveled away from the center of their territory toward the outskirts. Maybe some distance would help.

Hagar still felt a sense of duty toward Avella, still viewed their small group as a pack even if they were struggling each day to make it through the harsh winter. This alone was the reason he sought her out, otherwise the musk of her heat would have pushed him away rather than drive him in. He was not looking to further dig at that wound, especially not when it might finally begin to heal. It was important for him to report on his encounter with @Niamh however, whose own heavy scent likely still clung to his fur. This could be the turning point the Ridge was looking for.

He caught her on her way out, he on his way in from leaving to hunt the previous day.

"Avella," he called to her, keeping a respectful distance.

The pale woman took a slow pace as she made her way outside the Ridge. She hadn't been expecting anyone to follow so when she hear Hagar's familiar tones behind her she paused in her steps and turned to face him. She felt like it had been such a long time since they'd spoken. She'd had plenty of time to think about things and had been meaning to speak with him.

It didn't escape her the distance that he stood from her when usually he would have greeted her in a more friendly way. "Hello, Hagar. Is there something I can do for you?" She asked sitting where she stood. Not that she felt there was kuch she could do for him these days. After all she didn't feel like much of a leader anymore.

Hagar gave her a small smile, and nodded his head. There was no accident in the way he phrased his response.

"I've found a new recruit, her name is Niamh. I believe she and Ra will get along very well."

Given the ways that @Rashina was limited, he felt it important that they find wolves who could bring her companionship. With another at her side, her opportunities expanded. Avella herself would hopefully have less to worry about as well. A vein that bled into his next point.

"I, also wanted to talk to you about the pack. This is still the home you want?"

There was no skepticism or judgment in the question, as it was earnestly meant. Whatever her answer, his proposal would be the same, but he didn't want to speak from a place of assumptions.

Avella was patient while she waited to hear what Hagar had sought her out for. She was mildly surprised to hear that he'd found a possible recruit. It had been hard lately to find any. Even more so the chocolate man thought this recruit could help Rashina.

"Does she hold with the beliefs of the pack and can she be trusted?" Was Avella's first question which was followed by "Why do you believe she and Rashina will get along well."

The Archer woman felt protective over her cousin. She wanted to make sure that she was putting Rashina in a safe situation. Avella was also concerned that this recruit would bring hope that the pack would be growing only for that to be taken from them again.

Hagar's next question caught her a little of guard. She felt he should know the answer to this or had they grown so far apart he no longer knew.

"Its what I would like," she answered, "Why would you ask me that?" She finished curious as to what the purpose of asking her such a question would be.

She had plenty of questions, and it was clear with the thoughtful reflections across Hagar's features that he was considering each of them. While he would have liked to have given thorough response in the order they'd been asked, he felt it best to start with that second topic first. Then he would explain Niamh.

Hagar held up his head, and stated clearly.

"I want to lead with you."

This was his home, the home of his children. Whatever they were called, wherever they settled, he wanted to be a part of making sure that they had stability and safety. This was... unconventional to what he was used to in hierarchies, but with their situation? It felt like the right decision, the one that made the most sense. He might not be the most eloquent or charismatic, but he felt he'd earned the position in many other ways.

Hopefully, Avella would agree.

Avella was curious about this recruit and hoped Hagar would give her more than what he had. She needed to know that this female he wanted to bring into their group would be a good fit. That she would stay and help them to rebuild what they'd lost.

Instead he skipped ahead to answer her question about why he'd asked her if she wanted to remain in the Willows. His answer took her a little by surprise. She hesitated a moment but it wasn't about him. She knew that he had more than earned his place next to her. It was her that was the problem.

Avella looked at the ground in front of her and took a deep breath before meeting his gaze again.

"You want to lead next to me after everything I've done to you?"

She looked away, and Hagar felt that wasn't a good sign. His stomach squirmed just a bit, though his outer façade did not change, waiting for the words she would surely give him to explain those thoughts of hers. What did come from Avella returned the surprise he'd caused her. His brows almost knit with confusion, but then he corrected himself, beryl eyes finally leaving her features to observe the snow upon the ground instead. Hagar was pretty sure he understood what she meant, and took a moment to compose his answer. When he did speak again, he would meet her eye once more.

"It's not your fault that this isn't love."

If it were so easy, so common, wouldn't it lack its value? She had to the right to seek what her heart desired, couldn't give herself to every suitor that happened along. Hagar understood this and did not blame her for it. The discomfort and feelings of inadequacy, those were on him, not something Avella had maliciously put upon him.

There had been broken promises on her part that she had never made up to him. Words that she should have spoken and never did. Now he wanted to lead beside her and she couldn't believe that he even wanted to stay. Though she shouldn't have been surprised by that since he'd been the one constant in her life. The one who'd stayed with her after everyone else had left and she felt completely and utterly stupid for not recognizing this all sooner.

Now it was obvious that her actions had hurt him by the distance he kept from her. The next words out of his mouth left her reeling for the slightest of moments. Did he love her? Why would he say something like that if he didn't.

Avella set her mismatched gaze on him and stated, "Who said that it wasnt?"

As far as she had known all this time was that they were friends. Now things seemed a little more clear. The distance he kept from her. The fact that he no longer greeted her in the way that he once had. What was really going on.

Again, her response was not what he had expected. Hagar blinked back at her, wolfish brows now clearly expressing confusion. His jaws parted, then closed again, unsure of how to answer. After all, in his opinion, she had been the one to clarify as much with actions and words alike. And if things really had changed...

"Camden, Avella."

He spoke quietly, gently. Wished for it to be all he needed to say, but the gravity outweighed his desire for comfort. Things couldn't stay blurred between them forever, and now was the chance to ensure they wouldn't be.

"I know you felt more for him than you ever did for me. And, that's okay. Your mate should be everything you've ever wanted."

(This post was last modified: Mar 22, 2023, 02:44 AM by Hagar.)