xx dare you, dare me ||

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KASIMIRA

After being unable to sleep the night before, Kasimira had slyly slunk out of the Alpha den and raced from Irrsin's borders with a soft coo slipping off her lips. She needed the freedom, the feeling, the rush of wind in her fur. It seemed so long ago that she had mindlessly flirted a storm with Tortuga, the night that she lept into the waterfall's depths, fallen into something that was forever irreversible. Tortuga was a bold and brave mate--it seemed their reign was just now starting to settle into something calmer. The slaves were all well behaved, Kyren leading by their side as Beta, the pups born-- Snap. Kasimira froze in the pines, peering back into the forest behind her with a narrowed gaze. Probably just a startled rabbit.

Autumn had arrived in Ravenasbrück. Finally. The days were getting shorter and the nights colder but the weather wasn't horribly uncomfortable yet. The Irrsin heirs would have a shot at life yet. Fear prickled against the she-wolf's belly for her pups. They were so innocent, so beautiful. They were the perfect combination of herself and Tortuga. What stories she would be able to tell them in the years come, of their father and her, how they had met, the beginnings of Irrsin... Heh. Kasimira's fur burned red underneath her coat, slightly embarrassed by her sickly sweet thoughts. Who knew she could be such a pushover for those balls of fur?

Snorting, the black female strutted through the lands with ease, prancing as her nose led her down a worn path. For a moment her senses paused, considering the place. Where was she? Kasimira's blue eyes fell over the grassy meadow and the name clicked. The Dominor Pakt. Only wolves of the dominor class were allowed in these hallowed grounds and only in time of great need. She was a dominor of course, anyone with eyes to see that prideful arrogance would notice her status, but she had neither a rhyme nor reason for her visit. Was she violating conduct? Crack. The vixen stopped walking once more, pricking her ears at the noise and spinning angrily on her pads. Who was following her? It was unmistakable now, the creeping sensation that lingered insider the female, that made her fur crawl and her mind panic. She wasn't strong enough to fight off an attacker this soon after labor and Kasimira preferred to return home without a new blemish on her pelt. Growling retribution, Kasimira strode forward, demanding the appearance of her follower.

"And who dares sneak so boldly behind the Irrsin Queen?"

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TORTUGA

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Sometime, earlier that night, the ivory brute stirred.

Cerulean eyes had slid open, vision blurred at first but steadily clearing. The first thing he had noticed, naturally, were the three balls of fur curled at his side. His pups. Softly, he had hummed with pleasure. But it was short lived. Almost immediately, Tortuga had noticed Kasimira's disappearance.

Kasimira. His lovely mate, the Queen of Irrsin, mother of his offspring...the first feeling that hit him was worry, and he stealthily moved to stand, cautious of the sleeping young ones. Quietly he'd stepped from the den, peering around. For a while, there was nothing. But then suddenly, there in the distance, movement. It was hard to detect if it was Kasimira or not, but on the off chance that it was, Tortuga had alerted one of the Skalvin females, Matrid, that both Alphas would be out on this night, and that the pups needed watching. Just in case. Groggily, she had agreed.

Now, the powerful brute found himself loping after his mate, because it was indeed Kasimira that he had spotted. He had long ago inhaled her scent, long ago seen flashes of her dark pelt, difficult to spot as she weaved through the shadows. He himself was more noticeable, coat lit by the moon, eyes shining with curiosity as he crept after his mate. Eventually, it became almost a game to him. Follow Kasimira. Remain quiet, remain concealed. See how long it took her to notice his presence. She was a sharp one, that he knew. He would not remain in secret forever.

She lead him to a mysterious place, one he had never stepped foot in before. Down a worn path he followed her, tail swaying back and forth slowly, ears flicking constantly, working to detect any strange noises. For a while, he managed to carefully follow her. But then, suddenly, he grew careless. Crack! The sharp snap of a twig screamed 'intruder', and Tortuga froze, caught. Kasimira whirled, far enough away that she could not see him, but she was not stupid. She knew that someone was perusing her.

"And who dares sneak so boldly behind the Irrsin Queen?"

Realizing that his little game was over and that there was no longer a point in concealing himself, Tortuga stepped forward, a slow smirk pulling his lips upwards. He moved towards her slowly, stopping so that his face was just inches from her own. Not quite nose-to-nose, but definitely close. When he spoke, his voice was as slow as his gait, a soft rumble.

"Why, simply her Consort, of course."

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KASIMIRA

Slowly, a figure moved from the bushes in front of her. The grasses swayed as the male stepped forward, his glistening eyes like two dying sapphires in the darkness. Kasimira growled playfully as he strode to meet her, his nose coming to stop only inches from her. What a tease.

"Why, simply her Consort, of course."

His voice was smooth as he blinked his innocence at her. The black female, however, narrowed her eyes, a glimmer of wild curiosity breaking from within her. She vainly attempted to keep up a stolid look, her voice a low growl.

"You're late."

Kasimira took the liberty to stride around Tortuga, her gaze looking him over, an intruder in her game of play. One look was all she needed. Dang. In the months of his leadership, Tortuga had grown considerably bulkier--whether from hunting hard for his family or from the mock fights with Kyren, Kasimira cared not. He was a striking wolf, with his snow white coat and crystal eyes. Very regal and proud as he stood before her; the she-wolf couldn't get enough of it. As if to show her worth, Kasimira flexed her muscles, allowing them to roll without much visible effort under her silken coat as she circled before him. Again, she tried to control her emotions, the blazing energy barely restrained. She finally forced her tail to raise, straightened her posture, and flicked her ears dismissively as she came back to his face.

"I'll let it go this time." Kasimira paused dramatically, letting her eyes drift over Tortuga's face. How adorable. "But only 'cause I like you."

Kasimira winked at Tortuga before strutting away, her strides curved and accentuated by the sway of her hips. She said nothing, fully expecting the brute to follow her, even if it was only because she was teasing him with her characteristic features. Privately, she promised to find better ways to keep him intrigued; the seductive look on his face that he always made when she acted like this was to die for.

Her black coat was nearly invisible as she moved steadily along, her eyes surveying the area. The Dominor Pakt was new to her, she had never had a need or use for it. Even now, she wasn't exactly sure of it's purpose. She'd heard that every once in a while all the dominors would meet for secret meetings, but nothing further on the ideas or plans had ever reached her neck of the woods. What would they possible talk about? Pack fights or skirmishes? Pssh, she didn't care to be involved in petty squabbles with the other Alphas. Irrsin was by far the largest pack so far and that was all that mattered for now.

Kasimira turned her chiseled head back to Tortuga, letting her heart flutter at the sight of him. She'd been horribly lucky in just chancing upon him that night. The she-wolf walked up to her mate to plant a quick lick on his muzzle, the adoration in her eyes.

"Never thought I'd say it, but there might just be another wolf out there as flawless as myself."

Even when complimenting, she was feisty and arrogant. It was a wonder he put up with her sometimes. Kasimira nuzzled him gently before she rolled onto her side, gazing up at him from the ground. She scrunched her nose and swatted her paws at him playfully, urging him to join her. Let me stay like this forever.

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TORTUGA

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"You're late."

It took everything Tortuga had not to shiver. Barely managing to keep his body still as she pierced him with her keen gaze, he let a mock apologetic smile grace his muzzle as he dipped his head just slightly. She began to circle him, and almost unconsciously, Tortuga straightened and flexed. The way she slunk around him...whenever she came into view, his eyes were glued to her. He could barely contain himself; for a moment he considered springing forward and pinning her down, but he changed his mind at the last minute, his muscles relaxing just slightly as she came to stand before him once more.

"I'll let it go this time. But only 'cause I like you."

"I'm fortunate that you do. How rude of me, keeping a lady waiting," He said with a smirk, watching her as she shimmied away, shaking her hips as if to tease him. With a soft growl he was off, chasing after her like he knew she expected him to do. He kept close to her, occasionally nipping and nudging her rump suggestively, his eyes never leaving her body as she lead him..wherever. He didn't care where, as long as he was there with her. His mate. The thought made him proud. Every time he laid eyes on her, he was reminded of how lucky he was to be the consort of such a magnificent female. He could perfectly imagine himself ripping the first wolf who harmed her limb from limb. He would jump through hoops for her if she simply whispered the command. Especially when she was moving her hips like that. What could he say? He was a male.

When she stopped, he immediately halted beside her, his heart thrumming as she delicately licked his muzzle. When she spoke, her words made his heart beat even harder, his gaze intently stuck to her as she rolled over onto the grass, swatting at his paws in a way that was both so wonderfully sweet and so deviously playful that he couldn't resist collapsing beside her, his body halfway covering hers as he leaned over her, chest pressed against her side. While he didn't put his full weight onto her, he made sure that he was partially pinning her, playfully asserting dominance.

"As flawless as you?" He repeated, slowly raking his eyes over what he could see of her body. "From what I see, that's impossible. But maybe I come close."

His flirty arrogance was rearing it's head, and he smirked at her as if to say, 'two can play that game'. He dipped his muzzle down, nipping lightly at her shoulder before suddenly turning affectionate in the blink of an eye, craning forward to lick at her muzzle. The whole time his eyes stayed focused on hers, the simple yet intense intimancy of looking into her eyes nearly driving him up the wall. This time, he was unable to stop himself from shivering, and he grinned at her.

"See what you do to me? I can barely control myself around you," he murmured, his voice low as he shifted so that his muzzle was close to her ear. "I'm extremely glad that we've managed to find some alone time."

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KASIMIRA

How had she lived without him before? It was like a douse of cold water, the way Tortuga immediately and instinctively fell into place beside her, and the she-wolf relished it with everything she had. Kasimira's pelt rippled as the feeling sparked through her body, bouncing around her stomach and leaving her mind light and airy. The remaining emotion was what she loved the best; that sweet, lingering sensation that tickled her nose and flared devilishly with her heart. He rested his chest on hers, the twinkling of his blue eyes indicating the overindulgent sexual drive that lingered beneath. Kasimira let a whisper form a soft, cooing growl, nudging her mate's muzzle, if only slightly rougher than before.

"As flawless as you?"

Kasimira watched as Tortuga shot a half-glance over her dark fur; his eyes glittered mischievously and he smirked before replying.

"From what I see, that's impossible. But maybe I come close."

"It's true. Don't you believe me?"

The ebony she-wolf pouted playfully, her face twisting into a strained expression of hurt. He was beautiful in her eyes, lovely with the sway of his pale fur, the striking gaze of those eyes. Ooh, how she adored those eyes! She wanted to lay in that ice-chilled color, embrace the hues and swirls like a friend, flirt with the deeper, frost-ridden variants. She knew she'd let it consume her if she was able, let the color sink into her soul and claim her. As long as she was with him, she'd let her emotions fade into the background of those blissful baby blue skies. Simply gorgeous.

"See what you do to me? I can barely control myself around you. I'm extremely glad that we've managed to find some alone time."

Kasimira's fur blushed red underneath the black exterior, her face getting hot with the male's insistent compliments. She was never one to feel overwhelmingly flattered or inclined to return the feelings as mutual. But Tortuga took her world and shook it around. He threw the pieces to her heart in the chilly-winter air and jumbled them around with his mere presence. It was almost too easy, how even his scent played with her. The scent of pine woods and sweet meadow grasses mixed delicately with his musky, masculine scent and Kasimira was always left stuttering in response. Sigh.

As the two snuggled underneath the lifting twilight, a raven croaked in a nearby tree, sending Kasimira into a shiver. She instinctively snuggled closer to Tortuga, her fur warmed by his dense, Arctic pelt. That was another thing that was a real plus for the cinder she-wolf during the colder, winter months. Tortuga was always blazing with a natural fever, her instant heater when her fur spiked became bitter with nature's chill.

"Me too, love. Me too."

Kasimira's voice was barely a murmur as she shut her eyes to the darkness. Silence fell over the pair, their hushed breathing falling into a type of rhythmic sync with the other. Faintly, the raven called again, quieter this time. Kasimira didn't jolt as she had before, instead peeking open her eyes to grin at Tortuga before settling down again. The only movement was the rising of their chests as they laid together, the billowing fogs of breath like tiny clouds in the two-wolf world they encircled themselves in.

After a few moments of thought, Kasimira mindlessly let a question drift off her lips. She'd wondered about it for a while, but had never quite rallied the courage to ask the white male. Maybe it was because she already knew the answer. Or maybe because she fretted over the reality of a vocal confirmation of her darker thoughts.

"How many she-wolves have you loved?"

She faltered and tried to explain her musings better.

"Like, you know. Loved."

It wasn't so much that it mattered to her, she simply wanted to know. Then again.. Kasimira's insides squirmed at the thought of Tortuga with a female other than herself. Tossing the uncomfortable speculations away, she forced herself to dive into those blue pools, staring into the depths as if she'd find her answers buried within. Sincerity? Did she see it there? Kasimira vainly tried to not hold her breath as she waited for his response.

For once, she found herself dying for the surface.

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TORTUGA

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"It's true. Don't you believe me?"

Her pout was impossible to resist. Wordlessly Tortuga pressed his face into her neck, breathing in her tantalizing scent. He could deny it no longer, she had become everything to him. Kasimira was both the poison and the cure, driving him absolutely wild. His senses were overwhelmed with her; the sight of her nuzzled against him, her familiar scent, the soft sound of her breathing as her sides lifted up and down slowly...he was in heaven, there was no other way to put it.

Wordlessly, Tortuga allowed his eyes to flutter shut, his own breathing even and gentle. How long had it been since Tortuga had felt like he was home? Too long, it seemed. He had almost began to grow hopeless, feeling as if his soul would forever cry out for that which it could not have. But then he had met Kasimira, and she had shown him home. She had shown him many things, and for that, Tortuga was forever grateful. How could he bring himself to ever live without her now that he had fallen so deeply in love with her soft ebony pelt, her blazing blue eyes, her silky, seductive voice, and her whipsmart intelligence? How could he ever manage to survive without seeing affection blazing in her eyes, without feeling the demanding push of her muzzle? It nearly drove him mad thinking about it.

"How many she-wolves have you loved? Like, you know. Loved."

The question took the bleached brute by surprise, and he partially lifted his body from hers, craning his head to stare down into her eyes.

"How many have I spent a night with?" He asked, taking his time while considering his answer. There was no easy way to put his words, no format that sounded gentle or correct. For the first time in quite a while, he fumbled with his thoughts, struggling to place them in order. He felt almost drunk from Kasimira's presence, and it was so very difficult to pull himself together in the face of a serious matter. How did he tell her that during his wanderings, his search for home had lead him past many packs and many loners? How did he tell her that in both of those categories, there seemed to be a she-wolf always willing for a strong, able-bodied brute? No, he hadn't taken advantage of every opportunity, but there had been a few that had been quite tempting...

The way she was gazing at him tempted him to look away, especially when his mouth finally formed words. But he knew that turning from her would hurt her more than anything else, so he stared back at her, despite the way her gaze made his stomach twist and turn.

"Several. But how many did I stay with the next morning? None."

He paused, attempting to form a sentence once more, trying to make her understand.

"How many did I truly love? Just one, and she is lying beneath me."

Then, hoping that she wasn't too terribly angry with him, he attempted a playful smile and a gentle, teasing nudge.

"And how many brutes have you tempted? Surely I can't be the only one. Not with a she-wolf so beautiful as yourself."

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KASIMIRA

"How many have I spent a night with?"

It was the apprehension in his voice that worried Kasimira, her eyes flickering a single thought of distrust. She'd been reckless with him that night, not thinking logically upon a sudden, random meeting with a sudden, random male. It was the way he acted, his outward demeanor that had done it. She'd been so horribly infatuated, there hadn't been the opportunity to escape or think through her options. He'd deceived her, lied. For a moment the blue glared accusingly at Tortuga, a brick wall built over the pain that raged inside.

But why am I blaming him now? Kasimira blinked slowly, her anger abating slightly as he spoke. His voice was still lyrical and stunning to her. His eyes still sparkled the bluest sapphires. So why did she feel this way?

"Several. But how many did I stay with the next morning? None."

The she-wolf laid below her mate in silence, giving up her stares and games to glance above his head, to sort her feelings. It definitely didn't surprise her when he admitted to being with other females throughout his past; it more or less confirmed what she had already predicted. Kasimira tried to picture him as a loner, his white fur kept solitary until he found another to spend the chills of raven-winged nights and the heat of summer dawns with. Swiftly the females came and left his side, as hastily as they'd arrived and like whispers of faint, long forgotten ghosts. Still, something bubbled within her at the images she fantasized on; she wanted to be his everything, the one he always needed at the end of the day.

"How many did I truly love? Just one, and she is lying beneath me."

At those words Kasimira forced herself to meet Tortuga's gaze. She whimpered slightly, her usual fire burned short and left damp under the chill of his temper. She was so quick to judge him. Shame burned her pelt and she gently, slowly licked his muzzle, a sincere apology lingering. Jealousy attacked her fiercely at times and it was only with time and patience that it faded from the arena of her heart. Tortuga nudged her playfully in response, his voice lighter and sweet, back to the brute she adored to love so passionately.

"And how many brutes have you tempted? Surely I can't be the only one. Not with a she-wolf so beautiful as yourself."

Retaliation? Kasimira surveyed Tortuga in silence for a moment, her expression surely unreadable. Her mind hit a blank. What to tell him. Sure, she played the part of a feisty, flirtatious lover with experience aplenty, but at the mention of tempting other brutes, Kasimira froze, her mind trying to back up and find the words to express herself. How could she explain to him the males she'd flirted alongside but never gone very far with in those terms? It was true, she'd had loves. But maybe it would be better labeled infatuation. What she'd felt with those males had been lust and her own sense of freedom. It wasn't love.

She'd always tried to play the female everyone wanted--the one they all strove for but could never obtain. She'd been told by her mother that giving in to the males would make her weak. She would be an item to them then, something they already had, something they could move on from. But if she acted aloof and flirted cautiously, she could keep her admirers. She would be the she-wolf that was no one's toy or doll to rule over or command as most she-wolves were; she would be free and she would be royalty, played first by her own plans and devious nature. The challenge, her mother had said, was what she should exemplify.

Her mother had been right. She'd been given power in the form of unattainable beauty. She was now the gorgeous Alpha, the creature of the night that paraded through males' dreams and kept them awake for her slinking figure. After time, however, she longed for a mate of her own. Maybe that was why she'd fallen for Tortuga so hard. There had been one solitary thing about him... Vainly, Kasimira tried to place a claw on it without luck.

And yet... Kasimira fought herself as she dug out the memories. Amongst all the suitors and courtships, there had been one brute who had taken her mind, her dreams, and her aspirations for a while. He'd played recklessly with her emotions, tugged on her affections like the wind did leaves in the late autumn months. He'd almost reached her heart; she had become shattered, broken, used. He'd left her. Alone. That was the feeling that she loathed so badly, that longing, aching feeling that didn't fade. It had faltered in her howls and eyes, a haunting look that everyone had come to know. It had been months, possibly a year since she'd seen him. The b*stard.

Kasimira closed her blue eyes and pondered how to word what she was thinking. It was almost too much and she shied at the feat. But he had asked and she would answer him with a proper response. Breathing deeply, she started slow, her voice a murmur.

"There were plenty of males. Mainly because I was the she-wolf they never conquered."

Kasimira shot a guilty look at her mate. Her voice grew stronger, her eyes glazing with thought.

"I used them for myself, flirted even though I had no intention of making further steps alongside them. They were things to me. And in the end I gave myself to one male who ended up leaving me. I professed my love and devoted myself. And he left."

Kasimira's voice grew bitter and she stood up, unable to look Tortuga in the face as the emotion cracked at her defenses.

"I waited for two seasons, hoping. Praying he would come back to me. I waited in vain."

The black she-wolf moved away, towards the water. She gently leaned her head over to stare into the pool's depths, her mind quiet. The world had fallen eerily silent for once since he'd left her. She dared not cast a glance at Tortuga for fear of what she would find there. What would he say? More than ever she wanted his fur on hers, the whisper of his voice in her ear. But there had been a purpose for this conversation and the words could not be taken back. Would he still see her the same? She was no longer the proud, confident she-wolf she showed herself to be.

She was just as weak as they rest of them; it was that thought alone that threatened to burn her pride through and through.

ooc-bah. better next time.

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TORTUGA

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When Kasimira had glanced away from him, Tortuga's heart had twisted, but he had pressed on, trying to make her understand. And he did. She turned back to him, whimpered, offered a loving lick. Tortuga's heart twisted again, but for a completely separate reason. She was so beautiful, even when jealousy took hold of her. Not that Tortuga could blame her. He would be jealous of any male that had touched her, as well. Any brute that had gotten to spend even a fraction of their time with Kasimira was very lucky, indeed. Tortuga prayed that they were aware of that.

"There were plenty of males. Mainly because I was the she-wolf they never conquered.

Her voice drew Tortuga's gaze back to her, like a moth to flames. He caught her guilty glance, but he shook his head, his lips twisting into a smile. He had expected as much, and it did not bother him as much as he had originally thought it would. She was a stunning creation. Of course she would flaunt it. The fact that she knew how gorgeous she was only made her that much more desirable. Confidence was charming, after all.

"I used them for myself, flirted even though I had no intention of making further steps alongside them. They were things to me. And in the end I gave myself to one male who ended up leaving me. I professed my love and devoted myself. And he left."

Her words took Tortuga by surprise. He was unable to react for a moment, even as Kasimira stood and moved away from him. When she spoke again, he listened intently, rolling onto his stomach and then getting to his feet.

"I waited for two seasons, hoping. Praying he would come back to me. I waited in vain."

Her frame slowly moved to the waters edge, her head dipping down to gaze into the depths. Tortuga's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. A tornado ripped through his brain, through his heart, throwing his emotions this way, turning his thoughts that way. How can anyone leave her? He wondered, anger pumping through his veins like poison. How could anyone ever have the audacity, the nerve? It nearly drove Tortuga mad, right there where he stood frozen. Who in their right mind would ever? One might say that Tortuga was biased, tainted by the love he felt for her, but they would be wrong. Even on that first magical night, Tortuga had been loath to leave her. When he had discovered that he did not have to, that he could spend his time at her side, he had been ecstatic inside. And who would not have been? Who wouldn't have wanted a life with Kasimira?

Growling softly under his breath, Tortuga moved to stand beside his mate, his sides softly brushing against Kasimira's, ivory softly caressing ebony. He stared into the water as well, attempting to calm his thoughts as he slowly inhaled.

"He was a fool, and I say that not just because I'm your mate, but because I believe it," he began, his voice low as he watched some sort of waterbug skitter across the surface, making tiny little ripples. The bug was so small, the ripples so insignificant..for a moment Tortuga thought himself the bug and the world the water. Every move he made generated a small little ripple, but the water could not care less. He glanced to Kasimira then, offering her a small smile.

"I think it's the worst when someone disappears from your life without an explanation. You're left wondering what you did, why you weren't good enough, and how they could possibly leave you when you felt so strongly attached to them. You're left still desperately holding on, while they're long gone. It has a way of shaking your very foundation that you're built on, doesn't it?"

He shrugged a little then, glancing back to the water. The bug was nowhere in sight, and Tortuga promptly deposited it from his mind. "Anyone who you have ever blessed with your presence is a very lucky creature indeed. Unfortunately, some of us don't know just how lucky we are. This brute who left you may have moved on to what he assumes to be bigger and better things. But I can promise you, right here and now, that whatever he has found does not hold a candle to you.

He moved closer then, his voice lower when he spoke. "You're very strong. Even the best of us can't deal with things like that, nine times out of ten. But you didn't give in, Kasimira, and being strong for yourself is one of the most admirable things anyone can do."

ooc- So sappy and inspirational xDD

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