With Every Heartbeat [Katari]

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The cold nights spent in the mountains were over. Winter was gone, and it was Summit’s favorite season. The flowers were blooming everywhere he turned while he was hunting. The vivid colors were rather distracting, but the brute had been successful in his search for fresh meat. He had unearthed a large stoat, fattened by the abundance of the season. As he retraced his paw prints, a sudden sound caught his attention. The snowy brute froze in his steps, eyes wide as he scanned the area for the source of the sound. He saw only a pair of birds pecking around among the leaves strewn along the forest floor, paying the large wolf no heed. The distinct scent of salt was heavy in the humid air, which meant the ocean was near. This part of the continent was much warmer than the places Summit had wandered with Katari, and since his love preferred the sunshine, then Summit was happy to stay there. The lands were not claimed by any pack, but that didn’t mean all was safe and secure.

He was growing cautious, more aware of what could be lurking nearby. Before, he had been rather careless about where he wandered. He had wandered into claimed territory back then – a pompous brute called Ryker had soured his opinion of packs and alphas in an instant. Summit was not privy to the news of Anikira, about which packs were thriving and which ones had ceased to exist all together, in the same way that Summit’s natal pack had gone extinct. Even the mightiest packs had fallen away. Nothing was certain – except Katari. She was waiting for his return, and with his prize clutched in his jaws, he began to pick his way back to her side.

Every day felt surreal. Summit was happier than ever, impossibly happy and annoyingly cheerful. For the first time, it felt as if all the pieces were falling together – every misfortune suffered, every tragedy and loss – all of it had brought him this far, to this place. He thought about the first time he had encountered Katari, what felt like a lifetime ago, talking to thin air. The Arctic brute had learned the very first day to accept Ren for what he was – a source of comfort for Katari, and a beloved old friend that had helped her through countless traumas. Even if no one else could see Ren, he meant something to Katari, and so he meant something to Summit. He never questioned Ren. Sometimes Ren was present, and Katari spoke to him and he spoke to her. Other times, he was entirely absent, and Summit never knew why. He no longer viewed these behaviors as strange. Like everything else about Katari, it was one more quirk that he relished. Without a doubt, there was no one else alive quite like his mate. For better or worse, he would always return to her.

But where would they go next? Now, he had a potential family to consider. It had been a long time since he had any live relatives, and it would be his first time siring a litter… If it had worked, anyway, Summit was not too savvy about this sort of thing. But he knew without a doubt that a litter of pups would change everything about their lives. Would their constant wandering be unhealthy for little pups? Could he manage to keep them all safe in a dangerous world, filled with too many dangers to count? The nagging worry had dampened his enthusiasm… barely.

”Here!” He announced his presence through a mouthful of stoat fur when Katari came into view once more.  "'s for you."

words: 618
tag: @katari
ooc: new thread for
further Sutari love<3

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"...And the sky was black and endless and the moon was so big and close. I swear I could have jumped and touched it." She rolled over in the grass, letting the sun warm her other side and turning to look at Ren, "You missed a lot, it's a shame you didn't come. By the way, where did  you go while we traversed through the mountains?" He too was lazed on his side a few feet away, watching her with kind and encouraging eyes. She had missed the warm weather, missed the sluggish afternoons laying on the warmed earth. It was bliss.

"It seems I did miss something quite extraordinary, though I do know the things you speak of. I've traveled the mountains before." He smirked at her wide eyed expression, poking her playfully with his foot, "Not all my journeys are boring, you know. This time, for example, I traveled west to the hot springs. I would have gone farther, to see the volcano there, but I feared that would be too far. You know I always like coming back after a while." His eyes wandered over to the direction Summit had left, and he let out a contented sigh, "Even if you are in good hands." 

Katari grinned stupidly at his words, feeling warmer than she had before. Ren had always been so good to her. She often felt spoiled in his presence alone, as if him simply being around her was an extravagant gift. Not that she would ever tell him this. To them, I love yous where implied, silent. They were shown through understanding and compassion, knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. She didn't feel the need to say the words out loud, and neither did he. It was different with Summit. Katari wanted to scream the words, to let the entire earth know until every last sapling knew of the wonders they were. She twisted her head, looking where he had disappeared. She already missed him. She couldn't get enough of being around him. Summit was the puzzle piece she never knew she needed, the bright light in a fog she had not noticed before. She thought of the times before him, when Ren was the only one who mattered. It had been enough, but now she couldn't imagine living in that world. She would notice his absence, feel the space he used to take up by her side. She wouldn't be able to bear it. 

They fell silent, the only sound the gentle breeze gentle tousling their fur and leaves alike. It was peaceful and quiet, and the silence only made Katari want Summit more. It was an eternity before she heard his footsteps through the grass, heard his fur softly scraping against low lying branches and shrubs. She jumped to her feet, earning herself a dizzying moment of discombobulation as the blood rushed out of her head. Blinking away the spots clouding her vision, she broke into a beaming grin, wiggling enthusiastically. "Summit" she squealed, dancing around the still laying Ren, who smiled sheepishly and shook his head at her antics. 

"You look more excited for him than for the food." Ren teased, to which she graced only with a stuck out tongue and an indignant "I am!" She skipped towards him, the warm weather noticeably improving her mood. She gave a quick nuzzle to Summit before inspecting what he brought back, nosing it curiously, "Oh thank you!" she murmured, glancing at Ren, who just shook his head. It was a silent exchange, but one that they both understood. Katari already knew Ren didn't like eating in front of other people, but it was just habit and politeness that had made her offer. That, and the fact that she felt like she could fly infinitely with the mood she was in, made no subtlety go unsaid. Everything had to be perfect, and everything was. 

Words: 654
Ooc: Sutari fluff gives me life. Also I had no idea how to end it.... so that happened. yeah XD

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The kill dropped from his mouth, its taste lingering in his mouth, but he could ignore his own hunger for now. He didn’t mind waiting for his turn. The snowy male was beaming even before his mate thanked him for his catch, hazel eyes fixed upon the feminine features of the wolf he loved as she approached with an affectionate touch. He would never get tired of the little things like that – a soft nuzzle, her scent invading his senses, intoxicating and addictive. The happy little moments were so frequent, some days it felt as if he was walking around in a dream. ”If you want more, just say the word. These are free lands, and there is plenty left to hunt. I couldn’t smell anyone else nearby recently. It’s really nice here. I think spring is my favorite season,” Summit mused aloud, always the type to notice the beautiful things that surrounded him. Instead of a desire for blood and glory, Summit was content with blue skies and good company. He couldn’t imagine anyone better for that than Katari.

”We can go any direction we want to from here. As long as the lands aren’t claimed by some pack.” His dark nose wrinkled in distaste as he spoke. Once, he had relished the pack that held his loyalty. Now, he possessed a low opinion of packs. They weren’t all bad, but he didn’t like the notion of claiming lands – who could own the dirt beneath their paws? Who could claim the trees and the forests for themselves? It seemed absurd to Summit, but that was the world of the wolf. For now, it was avoidable, and Summit was grateful for their freedom. ”It’ll just keep getting warmer,” he lamented, his shedding fur a testament to the approaching dry summer. The change in seasons was good for Katari, who craved the warmth and the sunshine – it the altered weather was not so great for the Arctic brute. His heavy coat made the wolf prone to overheating, but he had been raised in the humidity of the jungle, so he was accustomed to the discomfort of being a wolf born for winter in a land embraced by the summer. He paused to shake the dust from his pelt, creating a small cloud of ivory fur in the air surrounding him.

There were more important questions – unconsciously, his eyes fell to the female’s side for any hint that she had gained weight in the passing weeks. In his mind, her belly did look a little different, but maybe it was all wishful thinking, the product of his anxious imagination. He wanted to ask… but then, he didn’t want to ask, because he wasn’t sure how she would react. Would she be as excited as Summit was at the prospect of a new family? She had wanted something more that night, weeks ago, when the stars were impossibly bright overhead and the world felt blissful and surreal. Either way, it was a pretty big deal for Summit, but for Katari – well, the male understood that the pain and the suffering would be hers to endure, and he would be utterly helpless, if and when the day came. But the thought of it scared him. There was always a chance that everything would go horribly wrong, too many uncertainties.

Clearing his throat, his focus traveled back to her honey-hued eyes. His breath hitched in his throat. ”What do you think… I mean, what would be the best place to go if – “ His muzzle dipped in her direction, a sheepish smile growing. ”You know, if – Well, it’s up to you either way. I don't know anything, really. I’ll follow any direction you like.”

words: 646

tag: @katari

ooc: He's all nervous <3

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Katari grinned up at him warmly before eating, making sure to save some for Summit. No matter her hunger, which thankfully wasn't too unbearable at the moment, she never took more than her share, especially when it was him who had brought her the food. It just didn't feel right. If she could survive on nothing she would make him eat all of it, and then search for more. Summit deserved no less than the moon and stars above them. He deserved to bathe in the waters of holy springs, to breathe air untouched by any other creature. Katari often stayed awake at night, feeling him against her back, wondering how it was she could give him all that he deserved. They were simply two wolves in an infinite world, and yet, all the earth's treasures couldn't by his presence from her side. 

"Spring..." she mused, between mouthfuls, sitting back on her haunches before tilting her head in thought, "Spring is nice. Cool sometimes, warm others. Sunny, rainy, windy. It is a mix of everything. I like it as well."  Her eyes roamed the earth around them, finding no direction particularly interesting. As long as she had Summit, everything would be okay. "Any direction sounds fine with me" She giggled, "Or should we purposely 'stumble' onto some pack lands. That would cause quite a stir." She feigned fear, her eyes widening despite her vain attempts to withhold laughter, "Oh heaven forbid it! How dare we tread this earth like-  like it is not owned by someone else. The nerve of some wolves." She shook her head mockingly. She knew of Summits feeling regarding 'owned' pack lands, and while part of her agreed with him, the other part longed for a land to call their own, if only for the sake of their pups. Once upon a time she could never imagine being chained to a single area, but now that she had found what she had been missing in her life, what she was searching for without realizing, a change of heart would not be that difficult. 


It was days like today that felt like everything was falling into place seamlessly. The fear of the unknown, the nervousness of what the future would bring, it all felt petty and harmless. She had all she had ever wanted or needed, and the prospect of more lingered constantly at the back of her mind. It terrified her, the thought of being a mother. Summits nervous words stirred her from her spot, and she chewed lightly on her tongue, trying to find her own voice. "I don't know where we should go. I don't know what I should do." She felt her mood worsening, which was weird considering how happy she had been mere moments before, "I don't know anything. I'm scared Summit. Happy, yes, but so so scared." She cast her eyes downward, not wanting to meet his eyes or Ren's, who was watching with gentle concern. Neither of them had to actually say the words to know what they were talking about. The memory of the night under the stars was still fresh in her mind, and she looked upon it with love and nostalgia.  "I'm scared I'm not going to be enough. Not smart enough, not strong enough, not careful enough, not something enough. I just... I just don't want to fail. I couldn't handle it. I don't know what to do."

Words: 571
Ooc: This reply... It is so late... I am sorry my child. But also eek they are both super nervous poor Kat. Also, mood swings FTW