Pure Moonlight (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"She adores you, Kres." Selena said softly as she watched Luna slumber against her chest in complete contentment. "Absolutely adores her Dad. And you're a good father to them both. The best that I could have ever asked for."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I certainly try... I want us to be everything you are to Ruben, but together... the way it should've been." Kreston slowly drew Luna from her arms, looking down at his beautiful daughter with all the pride and adoration of a father truly in love with his child. "She's going to have me wrapped around her finger..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't lie." Selena said with a laugh as he looked over Luna with all of the awe of a father who was in love with his daughter. "She already has. But you have to learn to be firm as well as loving. She can't get away with murder simply because she's a cute little girl."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I have a feeling she won't be interested in pulling tricks. Ruben, maybe, but not her."

But then he looked up, seeing one of the village elders approaching slowly. It was none other than the head elder, Donan, who had split from the main Golin tribe to lead the Gol Dun. "Elder," Kreston spoke as he rose to face the man who had always been like a grandfather to him, and a dear friend of the Maliar and the Ghis as well since he'd given his aid in the last war.

"Kreston. Selena," the ancient wolf spoke in his soft, almost wispy tone. "I thought I would come to welcome the newest member of the tribe."

"Her name is Luna Ghella Maliar," Kreston told him with a smile.

"Ah, what a beauty..." Donan murmured as he looked down at Luna. "May I?" He held out his hands, and Kreston gently laid the infant in his arms. "Welcome, my dearest Luna, blessed by the moon both in name and in looks." He then looked to Selena. "You must be very proud, my dear."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Very proud. She is a beautiful little girl and very calm most of the time. We've yet to truly hear her cry." Selena said as the elders greeted Luna like she was one of the tribe. "I'm sure when she gets older, she'll find her voice."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The softest voice is often the one to be listened to," Donan murmured with a smile as he looked down at Luna.

"You said that about Ruben the first time you met him," Kreston spoke up, remembering Ruben's first meeting with the elders before Selena had come to the tribe.

"I did. And even if he has found his courage, you should continue to listen. Children say the most wonderful things... some even without words." He laid Luna back in Selena's arms. "I'm very glad you came to join us, Selena. You have been quite an addition to the Maliar, and you and your sister-in-law have made a good friendship between our people and the Ghis. The next time you see King Brogan, do tell him how I appreciate the safety he provides us. With only a few small scares, we have seen more security here than we ever saw with the Golin."

He then turned. "I'm afraid I can't stay. Many people to speak to, and very little time to do it. But let Ruben know that Elder Sha'ar would like to speak with him."

"Thank you, Elder," Kreston bowed his head to the old wolf.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you. I hope that you know the Ghis would protect you all with our dying breath if it came to that." Selena said as Luna was passed back to her father, the little girl looking up at him with those bright eyes before her fingers sank into his thick dark fur. "We will send him to you tomorrow. He is too excited to be of any use today."

 

[KieranSoares]

Donan simply chuckled, "Oh, I'm sure. Good day, dear friends." He made his way away and Kreston smiled to himself.

"Well... I wasn't expecting him to come around. This is the first time in... a year, I think, that he's been able to move around on his own."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's looking well." Selena said with a smile as she leaned over and kissed Kreston first and then Luna. "And I hope that it will continue. He is a wise man and one that the tribe would miss dearly if he were gone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"There's also the issue that he's never chosen a successor. The other Elders are all absorbed in other specific jobs, like Sha'ar being the overseer of the tribe's farms and hunting, and Ollos overseeing the warriors as Taqu'un's mentor... the job of Head Elder is one that a person is supposed to be trained specially for. But I suppose he knows what he's doing... Doesn't stop everyone worrying, though."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's a wise man, Kres. I'm sure that he knows what he's doing." Selena said softly as she smiled at her mate. "Now, let's go get this little lady tucked back into her bed to sleep and then we can go find Ruben and see what trouble he's been up to. I'm sure he's with Taqu'un."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston nodded, carrying Luna in one arm while the other wrapped around Selena. Just as they laid Luna in her crib, Kreston's ears flicked back as he heard something off in the distance. He walked over to the window and opened up the shutters, looking out and then chuckling softly. "Love. Look," he motioned outside and, out on the path that led around the village, she could see a whole pack of werefolk children of all races, even some human children in the mix, all romping about and playing. Ruben was among them, having the time of his life while Taqu'un, Ellen, and some parents watched from the side. It became clear that they were playing some kind of game as a ball popped out from the group of children and they chased after it. "Well... I wouldn't call him shy any more," Kreston murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena laughed softly as she watched Ruben play with the other children. A lump formed in her throat as she watched him lead the pack, the excitement in his golden eyes as he kept up with all of them without hesitation.

"I'll miss my shy little boy." Selena murmured softly as she wrapped her arm around Kreston's waist. "He was all I had for a very long time."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston looked down at her and gave her a smile, though a bit sad for her. "I know, love... but this way, he won't be afraid to see all that life has to offer him. He used to be scared of the world beyond the doorstep, even if you were right beside him. But now, he's growing up into a charismatic and responsible Wolf. I couldn't ask for a better turnout, much as I miss who he used to be too... I might not have gotten much time with that Ruben, but I loved him dearly."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He'll make you proud." Selena said as she heard Kreston talking wistfully about their son. "He certainly helped us through a hard time in our lives. Without him, I don't think I would be standing here with you and you would be without a mate."

 

[KieranSoares]

"True. We came back together for him, and stayed for love," Kreston draped an arm about her waist. "Remind me to thank him one day when he has his own children and will understand." He kissed her lips lightly before letting his head rest against her own.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't even want to think about him having his own children." Selena growled softly, thinking about the day that he met his own mate and moved into his own little home. "No one will ever be good enough for my Ruben."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's his choice. Besides, he looks just like me. Women won't be able to resist him," Kreston teased her quietly with a smile. He didn't love the idea either, but it was a fact that Ruben was proving to be growing into a responsible and able person, and that was attractive in a society of werefolk who relied on good and solid members of the group to survive.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena drove an elbow into Kreston's side as he joked about how much Ruben looked like him. "Don't you ever forget that you're my mate now." Selena said, pulling Kreston down for a kiss that made her toes curl.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston was caught off guard for sure, but was quick to kiss her back just as heatedly. "Careful, Selena," he whispered against her lips. "I wouldn't get the Wolf going so soon when you can't do anything with him."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I forget he exists sometimes." Selena said as he whispered against her lips. "You never let him out to play with me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will, if you think you can handle him," Kreston growled softly. He didn't want to push her after she'd just given birth such a short time ago, but she knew how to get him going.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Give me a few more days to heal and then you can take me on a run in the woods." Selena said, nipping at Kreston's neck as he growled at her. "I like your wolf. I wish you wouldn't hide him away so often."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It wouldn't be a treat if I let him out all the time," Kreston reasoned with a smile before he nippednat her throat in return and at the mark on her shoulder, just barely showing from under Tue neckline of her dress.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena shivered as he nipped at the mark on her shoulder. She let out a long sigh and rested her head against Kreston's own. She was incredibly happy with him and knew that she had made the right decision coming to live with him and his family.

"I love you, Kres." She murmured softly. "Every day even more than the last."