Lonewolf's Fleeting Moments...

Lonewolf lay awake. He couldn't sleep. The reality of the whole situation had just barely started to sink in. He still wasn't completely sure that it wasn't all just a dream; a very, very intense and realistic dream. He lay on his side supporting his head with one hand, the other resting on Wildstar's midsection. Lacily he traced small nonsense patterns on her skin with his fingers. He had a faraway look in his eyes as he looked upon the belly that already held their unborn child. Wildstar would not begin to grow for some time yet, almost a full turn of the seasons, but already there was a tiny life growing inside her. Lonewolf marvelled at the thought of it.

"Who are you, little one?" he asked in a low whisper.

"Who will you become?"

"What will you become?"

"Will you be a mighty hunter or a scared ravvit?"

Lonewolf smiled to himself. "No, with your parentage you certainly won't be a ravvit." Then his expression hardened somewhat.

"You will have a great responsibility when you grow up, my unborn. You will be a leader of many. A chief." Lonewolf sighed.

"The good of a whole tribe will one day be upon your shoulders, like it is now upon those of your mother."

The hand on Wildstar's belly shivered ever so slightly, and its owner pulled it back and clenched it into a fist.

"I swear," mumbled Lonewolf. "I swear that I will always be here for you, my little one. I swear that as long as I draw breath you will never have to be alone. I will teach you everything I know, and I will guide and protect you when the need arises. I will be the best father that I can to you. And I will stand by you no mater what.

"This is my oath to you, my unborn child. And I swear it upon all the things that I cherish. I swear it upon all the passed chiefs, your ancestors. I swear it upon my name and that of my father. But most of all, I swear it upon the powers of the Recognition that brought your mother and I together."

Slowly and very carefully Lonewolf leaned over and nuzzled his mate's belly. His mate - Wildstar was his mate. He still had trouble believing it. Wildstar was his mate and inside her their child was already growing. He closed his eyes and rested his head on her belly. Within moments he drifted off.

"No!"

The wolf cub totally ignored her bond's command. Lonewolf grabbed her by the neck and lifted her off the ground. Bite growled and glared defiantly at him.

"I said no!" Lonewolf repeated. His voice was calm, but there was definitely anger in it. With some difficulty he managed to loosen the chewed remains of what was once his right boot from the cub's jaws.

**I've told you time and time again,** he sent, locking eyes with his wolf-friend. **Ball made out of leather straps, yours. Boots, MINE.**

The wolf cub tilted her head, looked at him with her large eyes and barked playfully.

Lonewolf shook his head and smiled. **It's impossible to stay mad at you, Bite.**

The two fighters circled each other, eyes locked in challenge. The male’s lip twitched as he let out a low growl. Slowly the circle got smaller and smaller. The two were only a wolf length apart now. Finding a weak spot, the female charged. The male blocked just in time, but was knocked off balance. The female continued her onslaught, going for the head. The male ducked and rolled away.

Quickly getting to his feet, the male gambled everything on one blow. Putting all his weight behind it, he tightened his grip on the spear and charged. He was certain that his weapon would hit its mark. But at the last moment the female side stepped, allowed the male to pass her and retaliated with a blow to his neck with the blunt end of her own weapon.

The male fell, rolled over and met Snowspear’s eyes. She grinned down at him.

**I told you, Lonewolf. Nobody is better than me with the spear.**

**And I believed you,** Lonewolf sent back with a smile. **But it’s still fun. I’ll get you eventually. Just wait and see.**

**Only in your dreams, my friend, only in your dreams.**