DotW RP: Glow (Dahlia x Silvanus)

The bite of the chilly winter air excited Dahlia as she glided across the blanket of snow covering Vale's territory. She had always loved winter ever since witnessing her first one as a young pup. Something about the crisp in the air as snow flakes drifted to the ground enchanted her endlessly, but this winter held a whole new meaning for her.

For weeks she had debated, gone back and forth  with herself trying to determine if her suspicions where true, but bodies did not lie and her's was signaling loud an clear. She was pregnant. The discovery filled her whole being with glee and the she wolf could hardly contain her desire to tell her mate, but when she'd roused this morning he was gone. Dahlia wasn't fazed in the least knowing the priest was likely preforming early prayers, but her patience was starting to wane.

Where was he? She wanted to tell him as soon as possible, so she'd sprinted from the den and tracked endlessly across Vale until she'd caught his scent. Her excitement once again rocketed as she found him and Dahlia let out a delighted cry as she bounded toward him."Silvanus!" Her pace slowed as she approached him, and the she wolf felt her tail wag wildly as she softly butted her head against his chest.

Finally she settled beside him and did her best to hold back her excitement as she smiled at the silver male, "My priest, I have wondrous news!

---

Silvanus found himself standing on a small slope near the edge of Vale at the crack of dawn. He felt groggy. Dazed. Did he remember leaving the den? Had he completed his morning prayer ritual? He must have... He looked around him to gain his bearings, blinking in the early morning sun.

His confusion was quickly a memory as he was distracted by the voice of his mate in the distance. He turned to see her coming over a low rise, her earthy coat seemed to glow in the young daylight. All of his trouble seemed to melt away as she flew to him, touching her head to his chest.

"My flower," he rumbled, leaning his head down on hers. "What do you have to tell me? What news?"

---

As he happily returned her affection Dahlia couldn't help a small whine of happiness though it was quickly ended as the she-wolf's original purpose rolled back to the forefront of her thoughts. Just seconds before she could barely contain the words she wished to reveal to him, but now faced with his actual presence Dahlia hesitated. Would he be happy with her report? Or would the priest see her words as a burden? Never before had she doubted their love, or her trust in him, but this was so new for the she-wolf that she couldn't help her hesitance.

What was there to worry for? Silvanus loved her, and she him. Of course he would accept her and anything she had to give. Reaffirming her confidence, Dahlia rubbed further into his thick ruff and whispered. "It's a miracle, the gods have blessed us with children...I'm pregnant." They hadn't really planned it, nor had the two ever talked about handling pups, but with the way they'd worked together to raise Evander, Dahlia was sure that they would be more than adequate parents. Even still that didn't mean he wanted to be a father again. Hesitantly the she-wolf broke contact and looked away, "This is joyous new I-I hope?"

---

For a moment, he didn't process the words Dahlia said. He simply savored her voice and her touch, only realizing what she said when her voice echoed around in his head for a first and second time.

He drew his head back in surprise, searching her eyes and expression. His mouth was agape, his formidable vocabulary completely failing him.

"You're... wait- you're pregnant?" His eyes were wide and golden like a startled owl.

"That's..." he breathed. Pausing.

After a moment of being frozen still, stupefied, he sprang into motion. His hindquarters fell onto his haunches as he lifted his front paws to grasp Dahlia in an embrace.

"That's... the most joyous news I could imagine. Oh, Dahlia. I'm so happy."

---

Dahlia

Dahlia's body held tight with tension as Silvanus processed her news, suddenly he sprang up wrapping her with his presence. Her tail went wild at his elation, sweeping the rapidly against the chilled ground. Her laughter echoed as her weight shifted sending them down onto the padded sheets below. She captured Silvanus in her own hug as he came down on top of her and gave his face several slow swipes with her tongue.

She never imagined she'd ever be this happy, she imagined she must be glowing with it as she peered lovingly at her stomach. Dahlia knew she wouldn't show much for a while, but even the beginnings of the small bump filled her with pride. She looked back to her mate, love burning fiercely in her eyes. "As am I, I could not imagine a better sire! We will have to pick deserving names for them."

---

He placed a paw on her belly; it was such a profound feeling to know that the love of his life was carrying life within her- life or lives that he would cherish for the rest of his. For a moment, the visible weight of his losses, and the toll of his ailments vanished from him, he vibrated with excited energy.

"Indeed! We need good, strong names, we need to tell Faust, Ira, and Evander, I need to make you a den fit for a queen, there's so much to do," He pulled away as if immediately moving to set out on what he needed to do, he trotted excitedly in place as he tried to decide what to do first. "Dahlia, I've never seen you more beautiful."

He shook his head and took a deep breath, smiling sheepishly at his own excitement, "What am I thinking? First thing's first- we need to celebrate."