We'll Laugh About This Someday *Dusk*

[::Fox::]

Finally it was autumn. The cooler air was so welcome, especially when it came to having a coat too thick for summer to be comfortable. One such dog, a tri-colored husky/Aussie mix was pacing in a Junkyard clearing. If she paced much longer, her paws would wear away the earth and leave a rut, probably a deep one before she stopped. The reason for her pacing? Well the blue-eyed beauty was...lonely. She'd been ducking and dodging around Dusk for a few days since talking to his dark-furred husky friend whom still was without a name in Ana's mind. The husky was weird but she'd brought some things into retrospect for Anastasia. She had to get over it and talk to Dusk. He'd been in the dog house long enough anyway and she was lonesome. Red, her bloodhound half-friend had kicked the bucket, a combination of old age and illness. Axel had thrown a fit just like the sissy alpha did about everything else. It was pathetic really, seeing the spot-brained basket case running in circles over something as trivial as a single dog dying. Dogs died and Ana wasn't particularly surprised Red had passed, the old guy had to have been as old as the hills. Still, there had been a mini-lockdown of sorts in case anyone else got sick. Whatever Red had, Ana would bet it wasn't contagious.

Now though, the pretty femme couldn't bring herself to mourn. Red had gone quietly, or as quietly as a dog hacking up a lung could go. Red didn't need or want mourners so, Anastasia was trying to think of other things. Dusk, of course, was her primary concern now that Red's illness had come to a screeching halt and taken the bloodhound with it. She wanted to talk to him but the last three times she'd gone looking for him, he'd been busy with Axel, Nadia or some other high ranking Morg. It was annoying really, but she couldn't blame him could she? He was a beta, he couldn't drop everything just because she poked her head out and wanted to talk to him. Even if it was about something important.

Ana had tried to keep herself busy while waiting for Dusk to be free, she'd put real effort into it. She'd helped Jewel settle back into the pack, played with Julian sometimes, avoiding a fight with Nadia which took more effort than everything else combined and even had a brief conversation with Dusk's nameless friend. So yeah, Ana had tried to be patient but really patience wasn't her thing. Patience was a waste of time and now Anastasia was annoyed. Not to mention a little jealous. All the hanging around with Jewel she'd been doing, well, what fae wouldn't be? Jewel's personality wasn't the problem. It was Julian. Jewel had an amazing kid and Ana was, believe it or not, starting to wonder if she'd have adoring kids like that. Maybe it was the black husky that had put the thought in Ana's mind but, it had taken root and festered like a bad infection. She was just...at that age. She wanted to be a first time mother, have have that glow new mothers strutted in, see the affection in her mate's eyes and know with certainty she was giving him little heirs and heiresses.

There had always been a suspicion that Dusk wanted that, ever since Ana had met him. It had been like he was looking for his dream girl, at the point in his life where he wanted to know someone would carry on his bloodline through the war, out live him and keep his name in eternity. Anastasia couldn't blame him but at the time, the idea of carrying little babies in her belly scared her. Surrendering to another dog's power to carry the babies had scared her worse. Yes, she was a virgin, no she wasn't completely innocent. Ana knew what would happen and getting there had scared her. She had always been cautious of it, giving control to a male, letting him have his way and leaving her to deal with what came next. Dusk though, she didn't think he'd leave. If he did she'd hunt him down and glare him to death or something like that. She was just...feeling like a female for once. She was feeling that desire to snuggle up with Dusk at night, feel babies kicking in her belly, give life, make memories. With war so close, Ana was starting to feel a touch of worry. What if she or Dusk died? Then there would be nothing for either of them to live for if the other was gone. There would be no thread to anchor them, ground them in grief.

Leaving her rut, Ana leaped up into the bed of an old pickup truck. At one point the truck might have been red but now it was just rusty and grey, paint chipped off, side mirrors gone, windows all blown out, a deep dent in the side of the tailgate where Ana stood. Here, she circled three times before flopping down at the edge of the open tailgate, white front paws dangling over the edge. Her head came to rest of on the forelegs with a huff, blue eyes staring at a nearby mountain of garbage, tail thumping softly on the metal she laid on.

Why was she even worried? They wouldn't die. Dusk had already proven to be strong enough to protect himself and she was too stubborn to die. Pups wouldn't matter. Dusk probably wasn't interested anymore anyway. With all the time he spent around those high ranking Morg dolls, he might have found a spark in one of them that put disobedient Ana at the back of his mind. Ugh, if she found out he had an interest in Nadia, Ana would personally slaughter them both with glee. That would be the worst kind of betrayal.

Jealousy reared its head in Ana's belly making the Aussie mix frown. Dusk wouldn't just change his mind on a dime. Anastasia knew better than that...So why did she feel so jealous? She'd dug her own grave after all, ignoring him for his own good. Now she was sick of it and he was too busy to notice. She'd dug this grave and now she had to lay in it.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

[x]____The day was reaching its end. Zytka looked out at the sky to where the sun was falling. The black husky's red eyes narrowed, its almost time for her to do her duty. Hey not her Pack duty, heck she finds being a firefighter pretty boring since there wasn't much to do. Plus the fact she doesn't have a partner yet bored her the most. She is still trying to piss Axel off and its working. However, god is he stubborn. No matter how much she try to get him to give up and let her go he won't. It's stupid really. She sat down on the top of her bus. Oh yes this big thing is her den. Why? Because there is a lot of room, a good place to store her little treasures she finds interesting. She doesn't let anyone sleep there since every time she goes to bed she pulls that bar to close the door. Zytka isn't only doing it to prevent anyone to touch her but to protect her packmates do. Everyone here can be so stupid, especially that princess Callie. Really stupid that chick, she thinks she's all that but in reality, she's only a piece of dung. She has the same color as the sloppy stuff too.____[x]

[x]____Well I gave the babies enough time, she got to her paws slowly. Zytka had waited patiently for this, it has been a huge pain to her rear, waiting for two weeks, pathetic. Well the time came now its time to put the net up. She had worked hard on it for so long, and it's looking good so far. The black Greenland husky jumped on her baby boy's muzzle. Oh you don't know what Baby Boy is, that's what she called her little bus. She figured since this is her den where she is going to sleep for now on and stuff that she should give it a name. Baby Boy, why? Because the color is a baby blue and not just that but the colors are for newborns. Boy because humans find blue for males and pink for the gals. So in another words, the name fits perfectly. Yeah she hates the colors but if she doesn't want to get kicked out for hurting one of her packmates then its worth it. She hadn't come here to join just to get kicked out. She jumped down on the earth and felt the cold and hardened earth meet her hard pads. Autumn, the day has finally came where winter would come in. Oh the short coated mutts are going to freeze. Well at least some of the Morg dogs would survive. She wondered if Axel is going to survive, hell if its not the war it would be mother nature. Hey the bright side to this, if Axel dies or ditches this joint than Dusk would be the chief. Better than that spot head.____[x]

[x]____She turned and padded to where she thought Ana would be. Zytka had been watching from afar what the gal had been doing. Seems she's trying to get Dusk's attention but the lug has been to busy. Zytka slowed down, her ears pricked as she felt the thundering in the earth. Dog steps back and forth in the same place. Sounds like a rut to Zytka. She looked out and found the part husky and Aussie pacing. Hmmm, the girl seems to be having a bit of a problem. She stopped pacing and jumped up on the truck by its tail. Zytka watched her for a few moments, she made a devil smile. Oh yes, this is the perfect moment. She turned and padded away silently and tried to look for the red and golden husky. Zytka paused, her ears pricked, their was no thudding in the earth but she could hear his voice. Must be giving out his orders. She watched as he said farewell to the dogs and padded away in her direction. Oh jeez, the way Ana is lying on that truck she won't move around to go to him. And he is going to miss her too. Well time for her to bring up the net she had weaved. Zytka came out of her hiding place. "Help!" Her eyes wide and panted hard, fear in her eyes. She turned to Dusk, her ears pulled back. "Dusk, its Anastasia. She's in trouble!" Her voice hold a great deal of panic and worry. She turned quickly, not letting him ask what was happening. Zytka knew he would be following, he is smart and knows most of her tricks but she knew he would follow because of Ana. If that girl is in trouble he would jump over a cliff to go and save her, real or not. Zytka smiled, the guy knows her tricks but he is powerless to stop them. She ran to where Ana is, ran through the clearing where Ana is and ran off ahead and hid behind a huge pile of garbage.____[x]

Dusk nodded, telling the dogs just to head to bed. He thought about heading to bed also. He looked out at the setting sun and sighed. Every time when the sun sets and he was going to head to bed he kept thinking about Ana and how much he wishes to snuggle with her. He wants it so bad that he wished that he could go up to her and just tell her what he feels. Who knows it might end up the same way it began. Like that night when he had been pacing and said out loud about telling his feeling to Ana. She heard what he said but since he did say her name in the sentences she had no clue on the girl he had fell in love with. It had been amusing since all the clues he had given her didn't reach her head. He remembered when he had told her without that fem he would not be complete. She growled sarcastically about it, telling him he should go to her if he doesn't want to lose his tail or that. Then he whispered in her ear and told her he was with her now. Right after he said that they snuggled. Her touch was so great to him that it made him see the moon full and complete.

Ana to him was the only fem for him. The day he met her he was so obsessed with her. He could handle all his emotions, look death right in the eye and not flinch. However, when it came to Ana, he could look in her eyes without his emotions showing. Everyone thought her annoying but to him he found it amusing. He had seen so many fems, gorgeous fems yet he found Ana more beautiful than all of them. Most dogs would beg to differ. It wasn't how she looked but how she moved, the glow in her eyes, her exotic scent, her voice. Everything about her he loved. Ever since that day she got attacked by that daemon he had felt like a human had shot him with their fire sticks. Though it didn't really but it felt that way. At the beginning he thought Ana would be back to him in a week. Yet it had almost been a month and she hasn't come to him. He knew he was busy and that but he thought she would come to him anyway like he figured she would do. She didn't and these passed few weeks he thought maybe she doesn't love him. Maybe she was having a better time without him. It hurt so bad that he thought about going to the warehouses and get himself killed.

However, Zytka had kept him going. She told him Anastasia still loved him though he doesn't know how she knows. Dusk didn't ask how, it was a waste of words if he did. Zytka never tells him how she finds out these kind of things. Though she doesn't keep secrets she doesn't reveal her tricks. He just knows that she got her information and that was that. Also the fact the way she gets them is what really bothers him. Sometimes he wonders if she spies on everyone in the pack. Well if she isn't out to annoy the hell out of everyone like she usually does these days then its spying. Maybe he should have warned Axel about that. He thought it a waste because its not like Zytka isn't going to do it just because you tell her not to. She isn't that type of girl. Though Dusk doesn't know what type of girl she is he knows deep down that she is a loyal friend to him and that's what really matters.

He halted when he found Zytka popping out, panic in her eyes and voice. Oh jeez! Now what is she up to. He knows she is faking the panic thing because she never panics, not even if all hell breaks out. At once when she said Ana was in trouble he ran after her. He doesn't care if she's lying or not, the fact if she is telling the truth made him run without a thought of stopping. She ran through the clearing and made a turn to the left that she was out of sight. He turned and ran on, paused in the middle of a clearing when he found Zytka wasn't to be seen. Dusk blinked and wondered where the black husky went. It's so dark out now that the black husky could easily hide about anywhere. He felt someone watching him and turned his head and found Ana lying on the truck's tail. Dusk blinked once or twice in surprise. A moment later he frown and growled, "Zytka," in frustration.

[::Fox::]

How could guys get off being so oblivious? Really, it was a fascinating, frustrating thing to Ana. Here she was, ready to say she was sorry and maybe give Dusk what no other male would every get from her and he was off with Axel and other high ranking Morgs! Sure, it was close to war time but seriously, could he overlook her so easily? Then again, maybe she couldn't blame him. As much as she hated to admit it, Anastasia knew mix breeds weren't as pretty as purebreeds. Nadia was...pretty...for a husky...if you compared a husky to a pug. Still, she might turn his head just for the pureness of her breeding. Axel practically had Dusk whipped so that shouldn't surprise Ana in the least. The black husky had all the mystery that Ana could never muster. Geez, again, what was she thinking? Dusk wasn't a two-timing guy. Any dog in the Morg would and often did tell her that. They'd repeat time and time again that they didn't understand how she could enchant him so easily because he never showed so much as a hint of interest in a female.

Shaking her head, Anastasia tried to get rid of the troublesome thoughts. She knew Dusk wouldn't stand her up, she just had to try again to get his attention, be more forceful. No more Miss Considerate of Other Packmates' Needs. Sure, they might need his attention but, they could wait. She was done waiting.

Standing up, the Aussie/husky mix raised her chin, mentally gearing herself up to march through the thick of the pack and drag Dusk away by his ear. Before she could jump off the truck's rusting tailgate, something moving caught her attention from the very edge of her vision. Blinking a few times, Ana turned her head left, then right, scanning the piles of garbage. There couldn't an intruder could there? It would be just her luck if there was. Then she'd be the one blamed and not the good for nothing guards. Breathing in, Anastasia searched for an unfamiliar scent. Nothing she didn't know, if only faintly. Frowning, Ana looked around again.

"Julian? Axel? Chase?" she ventured, forehead creasing in confusion.

No answer.

Shrugging, Ana bunched her muscles, about to leap off the tailgate when the thud of paws made her freeze. Looking to her left, Ana was astounded to see Dusk come cantering into the clearing, skidding to a halt in the middle and looking around, mere feet from her. What the heck? He caught sight of her and looked surprised, something that made Ana quite proud. It was so easy to make him pull a face, show emotion. Others could whine and say it was impossible but really it wasn't. Then again, maybe that was just her? The thought of it made a glimmer of pride swell inside her, confidence fortifying her formally gloomy mood. Leaping off the tailgate, Ana angled her head curiously at Dusk and cast a charming smile at him, genuinely glad to see him.

"You look like you just ate something rotten. Am I really that bad?" Ana yipped, trotting toward him with a light step. When she was close enough, Ana leaned forward and buried her muzzle in the thick ruff of red and white fur around Dusk's neck. "It's an honor the oh so busy captain could take time off to run through my neck of the woods." Playfully, she stepped back and bowed, tucking one front leg against her belly and bowing low, an amused twinkle in her baby blue eyes.

She knew Dusk would probably deny her being horrible, even though she had been to him. She'd make up for it now in any case, probably whether he liked it or not.

Anastasia wasn't a good romancer and she hated apologies so, she'd improvise. She might not be able to make herself say "I'm sorry" but she could show it. By the end of the night, if all went well, they'd be snuggled up together and maybe on their way to better places. Why she'd even been irritated with him seemed irrelivent now, a silly little blip on the radar that should have just been forgotten. Probably would have saved them both a lot of trouble. Ana being Ana though, she'd felt the need to make her point with an exclaimation point instead of just firmly saying it, walking off for a night and then making up the next day. She was just too dumb to do things the easy way.

The nameless black husky had had to be the one to talk some sense into Ana. The husky was the oddest dog Ana had ever met. For a while their "conversation" had been a verbal war, a challenge not formally declared. Ana could only guess she'd managed to make some headway since the husky hadn't stalked off. Instead the husky had become the occasional shadow Ana saw out of the corner of her eye, sitting at the edge of the crowd or smirking at her from time to time. An inkling of suspicion tickled the back of Ana's mind. A shadow at the corner of her eye...Nah. It couldn't be.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

He watched Ana, drinking in her scent, her movement, her coat's texture. The glow in her eyes. Someone should pinch him because he must be dreaming. Those eyes couldn't possibly be looking warmly at him, not him. Yet she is and the way his heart is pounding, pounding so hard it felt like thousands of dogs were slamming at his chest and making him dazed. How could this be happening? He thought for sure that Ana doesn't love him anymore so he took on more duties just to stay away from her. Yes he admits it he was scared that she would come up to him and tell him he is annoying and she doesn't want to be with him anymore. Though he knew from his sound mind that there was no way she would ever do that. Yet those lying thoughts made a huge battle and was winning since Ana hadn't come to him. It was the most reason why he told Axel he would do the joinings for awhile. To him it was a way of avoiding the horror. He can deal with torture, suffering by horrible wounds and poison, heck it wouldn't matter to him if he died a real slow death. Yet facing the cold truth that Anastasia has no feelings for him scared him as bad as that day when he found she had sneaked out of the junkyard and seeing her almost being raped by that daemon.

She jumped off the truck's tail and padded up in that movement he loved so much. That look in her eyes, the relief made his heart thud that much harder. She spoke in that cool voice that made his body shiver slightly. Her sarcasm was like a beautiful song to his ears. It made him want to jump around and act like a child he never could of been. He remembered the dream he had been having about his mother abandoning him. Dusk never played games like children were able to. He was never allowed because he had been left by his mother as a newborn. When he had seen those dreams he knew he had been terribly weak, in his first dreams as a child he felt his weak body. In these new dreams he was able to see how weak he was. The first thought came to mind that the pup wasn't going to survive, it was going to die even beside its mother. He told himself that his mother only left him because she was sure that he was going to die, that he wasn't going to last the night. However, in those dreams he found his brother and sister dead beside him, bleeding. He knew his mother had killed them so he knew that he couldn't forgive her for that. Nevertheless it baffled him why she had let him live. There were so many questions about that night, the time where it was day and night, just like this.

Ana's touch brought him back from his haunting memories. Her touch making him shiver. Oh how much he had wanted that, how long he had missed it, craving it every night. Though Callie had touched him the feeling he had with her and with Ana was totally different. Dusk knew that Callie wanted pups badly and he two wanted some of his own as well. The past few days he thought about just giving up on Anastasia and become Callie's mate. Yet, he doesn't love the liver pointer, she is a great dog but Anastasia, she has something that Callie doesn't have. Anastasia has his heart, she had it the moment she laid eyes on him. He knew the whole pack was bewildered by it and still is. They are so confused that how a fem like Ana could be so interesting to him when there were more pretty girls. He knew he wanted a pure bred husky as his mate but... Nadia, she was very beautiful and that but she isn't the kind of girl he wanted. Ana, was the girl he had wanted to share with the rest of his life. She is the only fem for him and it doesn't matter that the pack doesn't get that.

Dusk was about to growl in frustration when Anastasia moved away. That was pure torture, he wanted her stay very close to him for the whole night... no not the night, every night, any free moment. Her moving away hurt, she likes to torture him, well his heart isn't his anymore he knows that. She spoke again, telling him she was honored that he gave up his duties to come over to him. He felt dumbfounded and wondered how he should put this. How could he tell her that Zytka had tricked him and how much he had wanted this. Dusk doesn't know where to begin. Though his mind was going in all directions, leaving him lost and confused his body seem to know what to do. Instead of just thinking he moved up to Ana slowly. He looked into her baby blue eyes and all thoughts about Zytka and everything else faded away. His ice stone eyes softened, half open and half closed, warm as the winter sun. His muzzle was only inched away from hers. He could feel her aura touching his and it made him feel a bit numb. How long he waited for this.

The red and golden husky moved his head, stretched it a bit. He rubbed his cheek to her neck slowly and softly. He took in her scent, eyes closed as he felt all feeling in his body vanish. This was the way he always feels when he sees, touch, feel, smell, hear her. His body always knew what to do when it came to Anastasia. All the crazy thoughts running through his head like a stampede disappear. Dusk had missed this, oh how lost he felt without this. Well, he's not lost anymore. It's like your in pure darkness and don't know where you are going till you see a light. It shows you where to go, watch where you step, the panic you felt, gone to be comforted like a pup drinking it's mother's milk. He moved an inch off and whispered in her ear. "I missed you," he spoke softly, the only three words his body want to say though in his mind has a lot to say. Nevertheless, all his emotions were placed in those three words, they were as powerful as "I love you" words. Dusk knew he would be able to talk to her as much as he wants, just not now, not when he's finally back with Ana.

[::Fox::]

A strange spark of excitement shot through Anastasia, feeling Dusk's subtle shivers at her touch. It amazed her how easily he reacted to her and how willingly she reacted to him in return. Since she'd found herself all alone, Ana had guarded her heart. Each dog she met, each dog that rejected her for who she was, built those walls higher and thicker. Each one added a layer, hardening her heart and sharpening her sarcasm. Inside she knew it was bad and that eventually it would get her hurt, emotionally, physically or both. She'd never wanted to be that mean old hag that had a tongue like a thorn bush but, she'd almost turned into that. Around Dusk though, words flowed easily, touches were without hesitation. She didn't feel awkward seeking a place to sleep next to Dusk and didn't shrink back from the idea of shooting down any potential homewreckers with a simple statement of "he's mine." Why? Because she knew he wouldn't argue. There was something in those chilly blue eyes of his that said he wouldn't, that promised she was the only one he had eyes for. Anastasia had never expected such a thing from anyone, to be able to touch and be touched without tensing or being suspicious. It just...wasn't a problem with Dusk.

She saw the irritation in his eyes when she moved back and her lips quirked in a half-hidden smile. It was cute to see him so flustered, obviously wanting to touch and here she was moving away. Poor Dusk, she'd have to fix that. He'd learn to know he could touch whenever he wanted. Or maybe he didn't need to, seeing as he was already moving to close the brief gap she'd made. Ana's heart throbbed fast and hard in her chest as she breathed in his musky, masculine scent. How could he manage not to smell like rusty metal and garbage? How did his fur stay so clean and soft with seemingly no effort? Huh. Some dogs just had all the luck.

Leaning into his touch, Ana breathed in deep, savoring the scent, turning her head and feeling his muzzle skimming along her neck. If she was a cat, Ana had no doubts she'd be purring. His breath ghosted over her ear making a shiver roll down her spine, tail actually starting to curl without any real intention on Ana's part. Ana felt special, knowing she was one of the few that could hear his voice whenever she wanted. Even around Axel he'd ignore the alpha sometimes but, Ana knew she'd never go unseen or ignored.

"I know," Ana murmured, skimming her nose tenderly along his muzzle. "I was stupid." She'd never say sorry but, the intention was clear enough hopefully. "Not used to somebody else being concerned, guess it freaked me out a little. I'm over it now though..."

Ana bumped her muzzle under Dusk's chin, feeling the warmth from his skin and fur, hearing the faintest whisper of his pulse thudding in the major arteries in his neck. She took a smidge of satisfaction in the idea that his pulse was a bit faster than normal. How many girls could say they got him that excited and got just as run around by him? Ana knew her answer. It was nice to know she could make his heart beat as fast as hers was right now, thudding in her ribs like a galloping horse. Any bothersome ideas of someone leading Dusk here or anything like that was thrown out of Ana's mind as she stood close to the big red-gold husky. They probably made quite the pair, the mostly black furred slightly petite husky mix and the big bulky red-gold husky standing so close some would wonder if they had any idea what personal space was.

"You scared me at first but...I'm not scared anymore, I know what I want and I think you do too," Ana murmured, skimming her nose lightly along Dusk's muzzle. Her baby blues found his, a few shades darker but as familiar as her own reflection.

Maybe Ana didn't know exactly what Dusk would want but, she had a decent idea. He'd told her before t hat his past had been a dark one full of abandonment. Ana was familiar with abandonment, first by her humans and then by her mother turning her away from shelter. That was how life was. It had hit them hard. Lady Luck hadn't been kind to them but, Ana knew Dusk wanted to try his own paw at parenting and even if he didn't, Ana did. Little Julian had had her spellbound when he'd been so little, always looking to Jewel for safety and comfort. Ana could remember thinking the same things of her own mother until she realized she wasn't special to her mother. She was just another litter. Another pup. Ana didn't want that but, she knew she'd never do that to her own children. She'd love them, keep that look of total adoration and assurance pups had when they looked at their mothers. She wanted to give that to Dusk to, paint him as the hero in every bedtime story, watch him teach little ones how to get along in life. True, it was a sudden urge that she had to be a mother but, it was a persistant one. When she dozed in the sunlight or slept deep in the black of night, she saw it, her with a litter of six blue-eyed pups, handsome sons and beautiful daughters, chasing each other and tackling Dusk when he approached before running back to her to announce daddy's arrival.

They'd both had hard pasts but, Ana wanted to try her hand at breaking the mold again. She wanted to be that ideal mother, give her pups and mate all the unconditional love her mother and father had left out. They had loved her at the time, when she'd been little but, Ana had learned. They were only convenience lovers. Her father had been close by when her mother was in heat so, naturally, he had first claim in her passions, especially with them both under constant human eyes. Anastasia didn't want that. She wanted to have multiple litters but be able to give them all unconditional love, individual, unique love, share their achievements with Dusk and in her own way, rebel against her mother. But, she'd only give that to Dusk if he was ready for it, ready to father pups, or even still interested in her in that way. They'd been apart so long, he might still love her or say he did but desire another fae.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

He expected a lot of things from Ana but apologizing and saying she was wrong wasn't one of them. Here he expected almost every unexpected things that would occur. Why almost was because he thought she would never say she was wrong. It was how she was, never to apologize. Though she didn't say she was sorry, the tone in her voice was enough. Especially when she said she was stupid. He never expected her to say that, and part of him wondered if the dogs around got to her since they call her any name available like they do to Zytka. Though if Zytka said she was stupid or brain dead or what ever words she comes up with its either she is playing her game or dying. Actually if he heard her say that she was stupid and not playing her game he would think he is dead or having a nightmare. Ana told him that she guessed she had been scared, not used of someone caring about her and that she was over it now. He understood that, no one ever cared about him, never worried if he was ok or not. Though Zytka was his friend she knew that she didn't need to worry about him because he was so strong. The human family maybe but he never felt them really worrying about him just that they love him.

Dusk thought about when he had left the human family. How he saved the human pup again and leaving because he was scared. From what Ana said it sounded just like him walking away from the humans. How ironic that Ana and him faced similar pasts, same hardship. She was abandoned by her mother, disliked by everyone. He was abandoned by his mother, hated and feared by everyone. Anastasia made herself hard as stone in her heart so she wouldn't be broken by the rejection. Just like him he hardened himself and brought up a wall to hide from the rejection of ever being loved. That's why he respected Axel, he didn't hate him or fear him but admired his strength and will. Dusk had devoted his life for Axel and the Morg Pack because of that, even if he had felt out of place in the junkyard. Ana was just like him, and he remembered his vision about the plains with the snow covered hills and humid freezing air. The moon shined so brightly, so full like filling your belly with milk. That moon felt full again as he stood beside Ana.

He listened as she told him that he scared her at first. A flashback of him charging right at Ana to get the male off. The fear in her eyes when she found him charging like a mad bull. His heart skipped a beat. He didn't mean to scare her, the only thought in his head at that time was to remove that dog on her and it didn't matter to him how he did it. If it wasn't that she meant that scared her maybe it had been the thought of leaving her. When she refused to promise him she won't sneak out of the junkyard again he had thought about leaving her, how easy it would be for him. He remembered how his own mother walked away, ignoring his cries. Dusk knew that Ana wasn't the only one at fault. It was his fault for trying to make her promise something she wouldn't be able to keep. It was his fault for thinking about leaving her. It was also his fault for not looking for her and gaining the courage to be with her. He thought about how she always breaks his wall down, no matter how powerful he makes it she breaks it.

Her last words to him ringed in his head. He was grateful that she wasn't afraid of him anymore. Though he is used of dogs and humans being scared of him. When it comes to Ana, the fearless dog he is breaks along with his powerful wall. Though with Ana it seems pathetically weak. She moved her head away a bit, looking into his eyes. His eyes softened a bit more as he looked in her glowing blue eyes. Dusk loved her eyes, they were the very core to why for weeks he didn't look into them. Those first few weeks to when Ana and him first met had been tough for him, drove him crazy. Her last words told him that she knows what she wants and that she knows he does too. Dusk wondered for a moment what it was that she wants the same as him. Well he wants pups of his own, be a father he never had. Yet he didn't want just any fem to carry his own pups it was Ana he wanted.

Yet he had always figured she didn't want pups of her own. Not yet anyway. She was born a house dog and he knew what kind of life its like. Sure you get to sleep all day, not worry about food or the weather everyday. Though the life sounds great, he was thankful that he wasn't a house dog. He rather be able to choose a mate he wants and have pups when he wants. Through those months with the humans, talking to house dogs, he realized that none of the house dogs really love their mates. How can humans be that cruel, well they create daemons and that so of course it shouldn't be a surprise to him. There is one thing he learned though that not all humans are the same, the human family certainly weren't. Dusk thought about how he wanted pups of his own, how he wanted to be tackled by them and play with them. Also discipline them like a parent does from watching how dogs raised their young ones, loners or in the pack. Dusk wants to be that, to have a family of his own that he never had. Be like the human parents in the human family raising their only son. He wants that.

It made his heart beat excitedly that she wants to have pups too. He can see it in her eyes. Dusk knew she had been with Jewel these past few weeks. He thought about Ana and him making a family together. Them become official mates so no male would ever go after her again. The words from that daemon, telling him that she doesn't belong to him and that she free game. He had kept telling himself that he won't let any male have her. She has his heart, his soul and spirit, he just can't imagine any male having her. Dusk closed his eyes and caressed her cheek and ear like he always did before that accident. "I do want it too," he stopped and looked into her eyes again. "I'll be honest with you Ana, these past few weeks I felt so alone and thought about you every free moments. When I met with the fems joining Morg, I thought about you. I thought about Callie, how much she wanted pups of her own and thought maybe..." He stopped, he can't bare to say it, to say mate that isn't about Ana. "But none of those fems has the one thing you do. Zytka helped me realize, I want pups of my own but not with any fem, just you." He caressed her again before speaking again. "The only mate I want to spend the rest of my life with, is you." He looked into her eyes and waited for her to respond. Dusk knew that he isn't speaking much sense but the way he is telling her this makes so much sense that words can't simply be told out loud.

[::Fox::]

Little thrills ran through Ana's body at Dusk's agreement. Part of it was excitement, the possibility of being a first time mother to none other than Dusk's pups. The other part though, was tainted with a hint of fear. Any unexperienced fae would feel it. Ana had never, well, been intimate with a male. She'd never been pregnant. What if she messed something up and lost her pups? No. That wouldn't happen, she wouldn't let it happen. It just wouldn't. She was young and healthy, there would be no reason for her pups to be harmed. The Morg would look after her, if only for the fact that she was Dusk's mate. More likely than not, she'd be under his constant watch anyway as soon as she began to show. That didn't bother her though, she liked being with Dusk, loved it, it was like an addiction. She'd go to Jewel for help if she really felt so scared. Jewel had carried pups before so, she would know what to look for if all was well or something was wrong.

Everything would be fine.

Anastasia's little cloud nine moment was ruined when Dusk spoke of other faes joining the Morg, including one named Callie. Triangular ears swerved forward, and a small frown formed on Ana's maw. Her tail stopped wagging and a warning storm brewed in the femme's baby blues. It wasn't necessarily anger brewing in her eyes but mostly bitterness. Not just bitterness toward Dusk. She'd expected it really, that another pretty lady would catch his eye. It just sort of stung that it had happened and that both she and Dusk had let it happen. She'd been stupid and let some little tart come in and bat her eyelashes at Dusk. Geez, the black husky was right, Ana had been an idiot, more of an idiot than she'd even realized before.

Looking away from Dusk, Ana stood, taut as a drawn bowstring. Hunt down the fae and "firmly" say Dusk was off limits or let it go...

Ana wasn't the letting go type. Dusk knew that. She held grudges, it was one of her major faults, maybe even the most major. Right now though, her jaws were firmly clenched shut, her silence a hint to the waging war in her mind. Let Dusk off the hook and hope it doesn't happen again or cut it off before it can? His admission stung like someone had poked her with a cattle prod but she hadn't expected any different plus, he had admitted to it. Admissions had to count for something right? Staring at the ground, Ana weighed it in her mind like Ma'at and her scale of souls weighing the heart of the dead against the feather of justice. If it happened once though, could it happen again? Dusk was always quick to assure Ana that she was his one and only, having told her at least three times already in their short conversation with and without words but, could Callie complicate their happy ending? How would she take rejection? Would she get jealous and try to hurt someone because of it? Anastasia was good at defending herself, she'd always be able to put the bitch in her place. But still...doubt tugged at the back of Ana's mind, storming in her light baby blues.

These warring blue eyes looked back at Dusk, lit like blue fire meant to test steel. Her entire body was tense, still caught up in how to handle this particular bit of information. Jaw clenched, Ana let her irritated silence speak for itself before she finally managed to unlock her jaw.

"Guess I should be flattered, some feas are second best to me," Ana said finally, heavy sarcasm in her voice. "You walked away from her, guess I should be grateful. Just, next time Dusk, just lie to me. Some things I'd just rather not know. But at least now I know it can happen."

She bumped her nose against his muzzle, sitting back on her haunches and looking over at the piles of garbage.

She'd spoken the truth. If Dusk cheated, she'd rather be ignorant to it. That sounded out of character for Ana, right? It was but, this whole situation was out of character of damned near anybody. He might not have cheated this time but now Anastasia had her dose of reality that it could happen. All because she'd ignored him, been a fool and ignored him. Almost threw away the best thing that'd ever happened to her. If that "shiny new girl" appeal ever wore off for Dusk, Ana knew she'd rather sit in ignorance with whatever children she bore him. Because really, Ana was a rational girl. She knew better than fairy tale endings. She knew there were vipers and vixens in the world, knew they had their appeal. She wanted faithfulness but, that didn't mean she could have it. They had to meet somewhere in the middle and that was just what Ana was doing. If he chose to cheat, fine, he was a guy after all. Her only request was to be left in the dark about it, lied to, have the wool pulled over her eyes. If she found out, that'd be it and she'd leave him to his vixens and mistresses. If he didn't have them, there wasn't a problem. He'd always have her heart and he should know that very well by now. Even if she up and left, his pups would be the only ones she carried. If it never came to that then fine, they could have their fairy tale ending and this would be something they'd laugh about in a few years.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

Dusk blinked, a tiny bit of surprise in the stone blue depths. He had said that just to comfort her so she wouldn't have to worry that he won't leave her. Of course he almost did it that night after he fought that daemon off. However, he refused to leave her that night, it was his deep feelings for her that wouldn't let him take another step. Through the weeks of being without Ana, every sunset he thought about cuddling up to her. Without her around Dusk had felt like the newborn he had been. Abandoned by its mother, ignoring his cries and leaving him in the open for predators to snatch and take him away. He felt like that weak pup that had been taken in. Dusk could remember some of the moments when he opened his eyes, though blurred he could see the male human that had found him and took him in. He gave him a bottle of what had smelled like warm milk. Those were the days he felt like the man cared about him, feeding him and caressing him every time he was hungry. That man too abandoned him, locking him up in the basement.

He thought about the day he went to the construction site. That was the day he actually went into the basement. He had never went into the basement before that day because it only brought him terrible memories. Callie had followed him and comfort him. The emotions he felt when the liver fem touched him and whispered to him. It felt like a pup being comforted by its mother. He was so emotional that day, he kept his guard up on Callie, not because he felt as if he's betraying Ana, it has nothing to do with that. Dusk doesn't know exactly why but he could only guess that he didn't trust the liver pointer. Sure she was nice and friendly and she wanted pups and a mate... a family. Maybe it was to block her from getting to him because he only wishes Ana to be with him, to cuddle with him.

Anastasia spoke sarcastically, her eyes bitter. Dusk bit back a laugh as he looked at her. Oh how he loves that part of her, every part of her made his heart leap. He thought through the weeks that maybe what he felt was a lie just like that love the man gave him when he was a newborn. Zytka kept him going, telling him that Ana loves him and that it would not change. That love doesn't change direction, it doesn't abandon you, doesn't die or fade away like real love. So what if it looks like obsession to everyone else's eyes, the feelings he have are real. Zytka made him see that. No female will ever have that. Not Jewel, not Delphino, not Hollywood, and certainly not Callie. He wanted to tell Ana that, to tell her he would not dream of cheating on her. Yet he knew that he couldn't change her mind about it, not now. Well maybe he should just prove it, prove that his love for her wasn't fake. All that came to his mind on what to say was only a sentence.

"Well if you catch me doing it, could you hit me in the head then," he growled sarcastically back but hold a lot of amusement in it too. He closed his eyes and smiled, cocking his head to the side. This felt a bit childish but he did it because he knew he would not hide anything from her. Sure she told him if he really does cheat on her that just to lie to her. Nope, sorry Ana he thought, he knew he would never cheat on her. Dusk won't let that happen. He inched closer to her and licked her cheek softly. She felt warm and her scent mingled in the cool air. Part of him was baffled that the junkyard scent hadn't taken her exotic scent away. Ana had been in the junkyard probably longer than most junkyard dogs. All those dogs smell like garbage now. Maybe its just because he is smelling her closely or maybe its just his memory that's keeping the exotic scent alive in him it doesn't really mattered to him. Ana was with him now and it was all that mattered.

He thought about Red, who died from an illness. Axel got upset about it. Sure losing the bloodhound hurt but he knew the old guy wouldn't of wanted the Pack to mourn. Heck, if he was around still Dusk knew he would be snapping at everyone. He thought about Axel, how he told him that the partners had been changed. How he was no longer Vance's partner but Anastasia. Dusk thought about the main command, how the two partners are to be together. He opened his eyes and looked into Anastasia's eyes, "besides I won't be given a chance even if I tried." He smiled softly.

[::Fox::]

It would never cease astounding Ana how much affection Dusk had bottled up behind his "big bad redhead" facade. Sure, she wasn't necessarily surprised that he had affection but, she never got sick of being blown away by it. Blue eyes would usually be called cold but no one could ever accuse Dusk of having cold eyes, not while Ana was around. There was always an emotion there, even when he had his walls up as much as he could manage. Now, Ana felt herself blushing under her fur because of what she saw. Unending love and amusement. Her words had amused him. Sheesh, what a guy. Before Anastasia could wind up and snap at him, he beat her to it. She hadn't been kidding but something told her Dusk wasn't either, telling her to whack him on the head if he tried to find another girl. For a moment, Ana sat there and digested this information. He wasn't kidding, it was obvious in his gaze. But, what if he meant that in the moment but not farther down the road? Then again there was that old argument rearing in her mind that said Dusk wasn't the kind to change his mind. He was as stable and unchangeable as the oldest mountains. Had she been human, Ana would have bitten her lip and blushed scarlet. She knew better.

Making her final decision, the husky/Aussie mix got up. Giving her tri-colored fur a brisk shake, she smiled softly at Dusk. Leaning forward, she skimmed her muzzle along his muzzle and cheek, into the thick fur around his face. He was forgiven for thinking of running off with another woman. Some brutes would kill to have a fae so forgiving. Had he actually come and told her there was a litter on the way with this Callie girl, Ana would have gone ape shit crazy and probably murdered the entire Morg Pack and then some. That, thankfully, wasn't the case so, he was off the hook.

"You're off the hook this time," Ana barked easily, grinning coyly at him with a wicked gleam in her baby blues. "Come on big guy, catch me."

Without any further warning, Ana turned tail and ran. She was technically with her partner so Axel couldn't bitch and holler and if Nadia tried Ana would render her mute for the rest of her pathetic life. They couldn't groan and bellyache when she and Dusk came creeping back in the early hours. It was a bit of a jog out to the typical mate getaways but, Ana and Dusk were both of husky linage. They'd have plenty of stamina to make it there and back. Plus, Ana wasn't going to gamble and have her and Dusk get busted before things got good. There'd be babies in her belly by dawn if Dusk got her drift and chased her.

Panic and excitement flooded Ana at the same time as she dodged the Morg guards and sprinted out into the Harthorn streets. She kept her pace even and measured though, seemingly cool and confident, sure of what was going to happen. This was what she wanted, her and Dusk and their children. She'd give Dusk this and no mangy rapist would be able to use the excuse that she was unclaimed territory. Dusk would have his pups and hopefully many more to come. They'd both be grounded to something more stable and real than the wishy-washy spot-brained Alpha and a crumbling ideal of a pack that was nothing but a bunch of hypocrites all lying to each other. They'd have each other and their children, real and strong, forever calling them home and bringing them together no matter how many battles raged.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

Dusk was glad she wasn't angry with him or bitter anymore. Those baby blues were once again warm and beautiful as he first looked into them. She told him he was off the hook. Dusk was glad too. He didn't mean to make her bitter, part of him told himself that he shouldn't have told her about Callie but another part of him told him it was right. Like it would be wrong not to, what kind of relationship it could be if he kept secrets. Though nothing happened, nothing at all. Well an upside to this he knows that she feels jealous with other girls. For a long time now he was near other fems, especially Zytka and Anastasia didn't care at all about it. Now that he told her about Callie, the instant he told her about the other fems she looked really bitter. He could just picture her going after Callie.

It's amusing really but it made it really his day... well night now. The sun has gone to the other side and the moon was just over the horizon. Dusk wondered where the sun goes when it goes over the horizon, same with the moon. He shook it off as Callie ran off, challenging him to chase her. Dusk smiled and padded after her slowly at first. Near the entrance he saw movement behind him. A black figure watching him that made his skin crawl. He knew who it was at once, the power in her gaze makes his skin crawl sometimes, especially when she spies on him. "You really a pain you know that," Dusk growled roughly, his figure hardened a little. He thought about how Zytka managed to get him to Ana. Though he hates it when she tricks him and that, she is a great friend. His harsh tone lessoned though his body still remained its hard figure. "But you are a great friend, I thank you."

Dusk padded off, stopping to the Station Officer Fighter that was on guard this side of the junkyard. "Ana and I are going out for a bit, be back before sunrise," he told the dog. He nodded to him, showing he heard and understood. Though Dusk could see a little spark in the dog's eyes. Dusk ignored it and padded out of the junkyard, it turned into a run as he tried to catch up to Ana. He smiled, seeing her in the distance. He kicked up speed and was almost to her. His heart leaped and he felt content. Dusk actually felt like he was having fun, being a pup for once, playing a game that he never got to play with another dog. However, this isn't just any dog he is playing with, this is his mate. Yes, after tonight know male would say she is unclaimed, he knew very well what was up ahead of him. Like he told everyone, he isn't a stupid.

[x]____Zytka stayed where she was, hiding behind this huge pile of garbage. She listened to the conversation and smiled. She remembered her own time with Dark, how he makes her feel special and the way the snuggle up to each other at night. Also the way they work together as a team to keep order in the pack. Her heart skipped a beat and she bared her powerful jaw. It still hurt as she watched her beloved alpha and mate die by the daemon. It still angered her for what that human did, if that human hadn't of shot Dark in the leg where he got crippled. If the human didn't do that Dark certainly would of been able to fight off that daemon. Yet he died, leaving Zytka beaten nearly to death as she watched her two remaining pups die by that bastard's fangs. As if it wasn't enough that he had to rape her.____[x]

[x]____Thankfully, she didn't get pregnant from it. She knew if she bore his pups she would be forced to kill the daemon pups. After that day she hated daemons so much that hate isn't a high enough word for her feelings. The only other thing she hates more than daemons are humans. Dusk told her that not all humans are bad, but how can that be. All she ever seen to a human were how pathetic and demonic they are. If it wasn't for them, creating daemons and that human that shot her mate, she would still have her mate and pups. She will never forgive them for the suffering they have breathed in this word... never!____[x]

[x]____She felt the earth thud and looked on one eye at the two love birds. Anastasia was running off, beckoning Dusk to follow her. Dusk follows and Zytka turned away and padded up to the entrance in the shadows. She found Dusk had stopped and noticed her. At once the black fem moved back into the shadows. It didn't help when Dusk started talking which she knew he was talking to her. Still, she didn't come out. He told her she was a big pain, he always tell her she is and she knows she is. Yet she likes being a pain in the rear than nothing else. The next words told her he was thankful to her. Zytka smiled. She forsakened her hiding place and watched as the big lug ran to catch up to Ana. Zytka noticed that the Station Officer fighter looking at her, the one that Dusk spoke to. She stared back, a heartbeat later she winked at him and stick out her tongue a little. The black fem turned half way. The fighter looking back out quickly. Zytka smiled.____[x]

[x]____Zytka turned away from the entrance and padded away slowly, going to her bus. She was so bored and she was a bit jealous that Ana gets to go out finally. Zytka is going to have to work harder to piss Axel off till he breaks and let her go where she wants. Well ok, give her a choice, he would either give her a partner soon, if he doesn't she will annoy him till he begs her to stop. Oh that would be perfect. "Perfect," she went into a defencive stance right when she said that word though her red eyes were sparkling and her voice unmatched to hostility like a dog in the defencive position. She got to her paws again and padded to her bus. She found dog inside and snarled at it to get out. Zytka stared at him in a murderous look and the dog ran with his tail between his legs. She giggled softly, that was a quick win. "And stay out," she whispered, outside of her den. The fem looked at the night sky. Her eyes softened and face sad. Ever since that accident she wondered why she lived while her family did not. Why didn't the daemon just kill her after he raped her, it couldn't be for the pups because if it was he would of tried it again on her a few weeks after. She never seen the bastard after that night he took her family. Zytka told herself that it must be by luck or giving her a chance to take revenge. Yet, what she did for Dusk and Anastasia, bringing them a chance to be back together.... Maybe this was what she was meant to do. Make bring love birds and that together.____[x]