Dark Obsessions {Sabaoth}

[Roka]

The only words she could use to describe herself were foolish. She had taken her sweet time making up her mind to travel south, following the brute that had made it clear they were to meet again. Despite her best efforts to keep him out of her head, he had firmly implanted himself under her skin. What had begun as a simple irritation had turned into something much more potent. The damn male had made her want him and then just turned to leave. Bloody Bastard. He had broken through all of the walls and made it straight to that part of her that she had left dormant for so long. Worst part was that she wanted to see him again, more than she cared to admit. That part of her that wanted him pulled her further and further south with every step. She didn't doubt that he would track her if she didn't make her way to him, but she did wonder how he would react to seeing her again. A small part of her wanted to rip his damn head off for leaving her in such a state.

After he had left she had been caught up in a swarm of alien emotions and feelings, things that she hadn't known how to deal with. She had tried her best to stamp them down, trying to push them back behind her walls. They hadn't gone so willingly. That part of her knew what it wanted and it made her skin prickle with unkempt desire. With each passing day she became more and more surly, her temper becoming ripe with her inner frustration. That is the state that he left her in. Utterly frustrated. She was more angry at him than she had been during that first encounter. Anger now outweighing the attraction for him that had seemed so potent at the time. Even now it was strong enough to pull her into this hell hole.

It was far too hot for her liking, and she wondered if this was at all worth the trip. The further she followed the hotter the climate seemed to become. Even in this stage of early spring it seemed to swelter, making her hate him all the more. Such passionate emotions seemed to swim around her all centered on one wolf. One male that had made her body come alive under his burning blue gaze. She could still hear those declarations played over and over in her head. Her blatant confession for how much she wanted him. She would need to keep herself better guarded if she was to survive this next encounter without bursting into flames.

This place seemed to be full of life just like the northern part of this continent was. She hadn't gone hungry in her quest, finding enough prey to feed a large pack. The last time she had seen Sabaoth he had been a loner jut like her, but his 'business' here could always change that. As she continued to walk she could feel the dirt beneath her feet, dryer than she was used to. The dry of the north was a vast difference to the dry of the south. Even the wind that ruffled through her fur seemed to carry heat.

She had done her best to follow along after him, tracking his scent when she could find it. As much as she hated him in this moment she was eager to be in his presence again. Eager to feel the thrill and the tension that seemed to spark when he was near. She would remain true to her word. She always came for what was hers.

Sabaoth

[Sabaoth]

Overhead, storm clouds piled in thick, dark layers. With spring came inevitable showers, and it was becoming increasingly clear to the brute that the bruised, luminous sky was readying itself for a storm. Thunder rolled in the distance, momentarily drowning out the heavy thudding of the sizable brutes paws as he maneuvered across the earth. Sand wiggled its way between his toes as Sabaoth moved, his thoughts reflecting upon his swim back to Ina’mos as his pale eyes flicked upwards towards the surly sky. The waves had been mildly irritated upon his swim to the unclaimed territory, but with the storm reaching forward like tendrils, his swim back to his home would be more difficult. Home. He reflected on the word as he moved, muscles rolling and flexing beneath his thick pelt. The strange feelings in his chest associated with Ina’mos were beginning to ease with time, and yet still he found himself itching to wander on this particular day, for there was something that he needed to do. He’d been so consumed by the realization that his brother lived, although it had done very little to lessen the thirst for vengeance that clawed its way up his throat, that he’d nearly forgotten that the bold she-wolf he’d met quite some time ago would not be able to follow his scent to Ina’mos. So it was that the behemoth found himself trotting across the vast expanse of desert, the crackling heat pressing upon him, energized by the approaching storm.

He’d caught her scent briefly some time ago, although it was difficult to follow across the ever-changing sands when the winds blew the granules to and fro. Here and there he’d catch a whiff in passing from the leaves of some newly sprouted plant, and he would be off again across the sand. On one occasion something mottled and small caught his attention in the distance, and he turned toward it with full expectations for it to be her. He’d been sorely disappointed when it had proven to be a coyote instead, and the creature had taken one look at his imposing size before fleeing in a spray of sand and whines. Definitely not Roka, he thought with a snort, continuing on his way.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, he spotted her on the horizon. It was no coyote this time; he was not mistaken. He paused where he was, high atop one of the dunes, content for the moment to gaze down upon her. She was just as he remembered, and the fierce scowl upon her features was no different, either. For a moment he allowed a rush of pleasure to course through him at the realization that she’d behaved and kept her promises. It was with this in mind that he proceeded down the dune in a spray of collapsing sand, trotting confidently towards her until he was at her side. Briefly he allowed himself to crane his neck over her, dipping his head down and using his muzzle to pull her body into the warmth of his large chest. It was an act of possession entirely, and when he stepped away his eyes gleamed with unrestrained triumph as he raked his gaze across her.

”I see that you are adept at following instructions,” he murmured, entirely aware of the thinly concealed anger that swelled beneath her pelt.


Roka

[Roka]

Roka had begun to smell the change in the air that suggested a storm, one that would hopefully bring about some cooler weather. More than likely the storm would bring nothing more than humidity that was worse than the dry heat. Just a bunch of hot water in the air clinging to her skin. Everything about this place seemed to put her on edge, especially the prospect of seeing him again. He was exhilarating to her, making her feel so much more than she had become accustomed to in her solitary life. A thrill that she was just dying to repeat. It made her so mad just how much she allowed him to effect her, but at the very core of everything it was true. If she didn't want any part of this then she could just turn away from him and leave. Inside she knew that she did in fact want him, more than most things she had wanted in her life. Her actions spoke louder than anything she could say to deny the fact. She had left the place that she had come to call her home just to follow him hear. Almost hints at desperation. Roka wasn't what one would traditionally call desperate because she had no need for a mate and no liking for pups. Her inability to deal with the feelings that had sent her on this journey were making her feel some desperation.

She had felt and heard his oncoming approach before she had seen him. Heavy footfalls were followed by a spray of sand and when the dust finally settled around him she saw him. As big as she remembered, imposing and deadly, strong and hers. She growled with satisfaction that after enduring this blasted heat for so long she finally had what she had come for. Him. Her want for him had grown substantially since his departure, festering beneath her skin like a splinter worming deeper and deeper. When he pulled her against his chest in a show of pure possession Roka couldn't help but grin. She had wondered how he would react to seeing her again. She had hoped that it would be a similar meeting to before, but fate had a way of changing things. She hadn't even thought to expect things to go so well, yet already he had initiated contact between them. Her fur began to prickle and tingle, blending with his. Roka liked that heady feeling, of his large and imposing body pressed up against hers. She shivered slightly before he stood back, looking down at her.

She could see the triumph in his eyes, one that was reflected in hers. He had won this round, made her bend to his will, but this small show of submission only brought her closer to getting what she wanted. She had done exactly what he had wanted, following him to the place that she hated most. She hated him for showing her just how much he controlled her future. If he wanted her to follow she would be powerless to resist him, not only because of his behemoth size, but because she wanted to. He had made her want him and now he was pleased to have her in his clutches again. Sabaoth took no time digging his way back under her skin. Arrogant, insufferable brute. Those burning feelings that she had been trying to keep in control were roaring back to life. All at the sight of those burning blue eyes.

She felt a rumble stir up in her chest, fighting to keep it from turning into a growl. He loved to watch her react to him, to see her temper flare. Despite her anger centered on him, she couldn't help but feel a little relief. She had finally found him after her searching and now that she had him she was content to let herself burn. "I told you. I always come for what is mine.", she snapped. She didn't follow instructions from anyone, anyone but him it would seem. Roka didn't want him to see how much power he had over her, how much he could make her do for him.

Sabaoth

[Sabaoth]

”I told you. I always come for what is mine.”

This, accompanied with the gentle rumbling that began in her chest, prompted a flash of ivory teeth in response from the brute. Somewhere between a grin and a snarl, he allowed the fierceness that hummed within his chest to reflect in his pale gaze. ”You seem so certain of your claim. Would you defend it, if need be?” he muttered. Already he was back at his game of provoking her, for there was no other she-wolf who’d caught Sabaoth’s eyes, and yet it was the raw possessiveness in Roka’s gaze that he craved. He knew the feeling all too well, for already he was convinced that she belonged to him. She’d followed him so far, her devotion clear in her actions as she’d left her home for the unknown, all for him. There was no denying it now, and yet as much as he wished to continue to verbally provoke her for the simple amusement of igniting her flames, there were more important matters at hand: Kairos.

”If you are wondering why I’ve traveled so far, I feel as if you deserve to know after your journey,” he informed her, his tone serious and grave. She had come too far now for him to take no as an answer, and yet still he would carefully propose to her the ideas that had been flourishing in his mind. ”I discovered that my elder brother rules over a pack identified as Kairos upon an island not far from here – Ina’mos.” That was as much as he would give her regarding his past, for Sabaoth had no desire to speak of it. ”I have found them, and I have joined their ranks.”

He was silent then, allowing his words to sink in as he studied her, his hot gaze scouring her expression for any emotions that he could detect. Much like she knew little of his past, he knew nothing of hers, and yet there was no other option for her save for the one that he detailed. ”When I must leave again, would you follow me even then?” He asked; he had no desire to depart yet and return to Ina’mos despite her response. He would remain here with her for some time, and yet still, he needed to know before the rest of their encounter progressed. ”Would you join the ranks of Kairos if I asked it of you?”

It was a difficult request to make. Sabaoth could not imagine her there, fitting in among the mass of she-wolves on Ina’mos. He could not picture her coming to stand before Goliath and offering him her allegiance, and yet he would ask regardless. Goliath’s will was perhaps the only one that was stronger than Sabaoth’s, than Roka’s as well, and she would be required to bend to it should she be devoted to the cause of pursuing Sabaoth further. Expectation, dominance, calculation; all of this he allowed to flicker across his expression as he awaited her response.

Roka

[Roka]

Sabaoth's questions would force her to reveal just how devoted to him she was. The only way to avoid it was to lie, and she was no liar. She was caught in a rock and a hard place, unable to decide which was a worse fate. Telling him how much she would actually do to stay by his side or lose him for good. Being stubborn and refusing her would get her nowhere in this situation. He knew that he was asking much of her, yet the gleam in his eye made it clear that was exactly what he wanted. Sabaoth was looking for her submission. He wanted to be sure that she was totally devoted to him. Roka knew that she was, but she didn't want to admit it yet. Her pride was getting in the way of her wants. His questions put her even more on edge, pushing her to her limits to decide what exactly she wanted. The plan had been to get here, past that she hadn't made room for any other expectations. Right here in this moment he was offering her a future, one that she had never anticipated wanting. Would she fight for him? It really depended on who she was fighting. If it was him the she would cut her losses and leave him be because she had too much self respect to chase after something that wasn't an option. Another female on the other hand. Well that was a different story. Even as a child Roka had never taken kindly to sharing and nothing had changed since then. "You don't seem to be disputing my claim. To answer your question: Yes I would fight to keep you."

From invisible foe she would do her best to fight off any and all combatants seeking to take him from her. It had taken her a long time to settle on a male and now that she had, there was nothing that would keep her from making her claim. When he explained his reason for making his way here she couldn't help but feel the tension return. He had come to this land and joined a pack, something he had claimed to avoid. She looked at him warily wondering if he would have joined if the alpha was anyone other than his brother. He knew that she was uncomfortable with the idea of packs to say the least She hadn't delved deep enough into her history to explain the reason for her dislike, she only explained that she was part of no pack. If eh was sticking to the theme of honesty she would remain true to herself. The reason that she hated packs so much was because her last experience with one had left her with lasting memories tainted with fear. She had been too young to know any better. She had learned her lessons then when she had been barely old enough to breed. Learned that coy and shy smiles only made things worse for her. It had been the last time she had allowed herself to feel any sort of trust for a male. Sabaoth was different than those. He didn't try to seduce her with sweet little smiles and pretty lies. He was frank with her, one of the reason she wanted to be near him so much. No matter how much he tried to rile her she felt safe with him. Even with an explosive temper she was more sure of herself. He had proven himself when he had kept his word to her and that gave her enough to build on.

When he finally did ask whether or not she would be willing to join the same ranks that he had pledged himself to, Roka could feel some of the fear returning to her. She had made a vow long ago to never trust pack wolves. They were power hungry and ruthless in obtaining what they felt was the top of the food chain. Roka tried to keep her breathing calm and controlled, taking deep breaths. With each draw it brought his scent into her lungs over and over. Despite his newer pack scent his cologne was a calming presence. If this was what he wanted from her than she would do her best to make it happen. Do her best to keep him. It wouldn't be easy however. She would be fighting her past and her instincts going into this hornets nest. All of her instincts accept one. The one instinct that seemed more primal than the others, that drove her to have him. One that called her to submit to him. "If you ask me to I will follow." It was a forced statement. True words that had to be ripped from her. They had a slight tinge of a whine to them making her feel weak. She didn't want him to see this weakness that she possessed she only wanted to show strength. Her head seemed to bow slightly beneath his intense gaze and she knew that he had won. "I do not...I cannot trust pack wolves. My past doesn't allow me to, but I will put my trust in you." He would have to be her rock in this strange new land. The only wolf that she knew among this pack that Sabaoth now called his home. "I will give my allegiance to your alpha if you want that of me. I will trust him if you do. For now that will have to be enough."

She bared her teeth in return to his grin still pissed that he knew just how much he had won. How deep her want for him ran. She took a step closer to him before looking back into his eyes, wanting to see that burn that made her feel so many things.

Sabaoth

[Sabaoth]

”If you ask me to I will follow.”

The words were like music to his ears, the submission that he’d wanted and craved from the she-wolf finally being delivered to him…and yet despite this, the words that followed sobered Sabaoth. She was agreeing to his requirements, was giving him everything he wanted, and yet she spoke of trust. It was not a thing to be taken lightly, no matter how much he enjoyed riling her up. Their budding relationship, strange as it may have been, would not progress without it. She was willing to place her faith in him – and therefore in Goliath. From what Sabaoth had seen, Goliath treated his followers fairly, and the females of Kairos seemed satisfied with their positions. Roka, however…she was unlike any femme that Sabaoth had encountered before, and he could not be certain that she would find happiness upon Ina’mos. Even considering taking her there was strange; he could not picture her standing upon the shores of his birth land. And yet if she was willing to place her trust in him and his decisions, then it would be done.

”No one will harm you there,” he informed her, craning his head to gaze down at her as she stepped closer, the familiar flame licking through his body and igniting his smoldering gaze. ”I will not allow it.” While he was certain that Roka could fend for herself, Ina’mos was heavily inhabited by wolves with the height and weight to rival his own. The thought of any harm coming to her caused the familiar sickening churn of rage to stir within his belly. He took another colossal step towards her, his chest now only inches from her snout, the need to stake his claim over and over wriggling its way into his mind. Would Goliath be impressed with her, he wondered? She was headstrong and fiercer than any dainty scrap of a she-wolf could ever be, and while Sabaoth was unsure of whether or not females were allowed to serve as warriors within Kairos – he doubted it after seeing how respectfully they were treated – Roka could only be counted as an asset.

”I did not travel to Ina’mos with the intention of joining Kairos. Were it not for my brother, I would have remained a loner,” he informed her. ”It is…not so bad. I think you will enjoy it, with time. But enough about that, for now. There are other things I wish to know.” The gleam in his eyes was predatory as he looked at her, the desire flaring up once more beneath his pelt. He was suddenly glad that the mating season had come to an end, and yet her scent was still tantalizing regardless, simply because it was her own. She was his prize, plain and simple, and it was this knowledge that caused pleasure to rise within him. She was very nearly as desirable the bloodlust when it was upon him. ”Did you have many difficulties on your journey? Any pesky company or undesirable situations?”

Roka

[Roka]

Roka hadn't even thought to worry about her safety within the confines of this pack. If she wasn't able to protect herself then she would have faith that Sabaoth would. It was his brother's pack so she felt safe assuming that she would be safe. Her safety wasn't the thing that she was questioning. If it became in issue then she would leave without looking back and hope that he would follow after her. Her past was the only thing that had kept her from joining a pack up until now, this was a test to see if he was worth overcoming her past. She could see that her response satisfied him. Soothed whatever need there was inside him to see her finally relent to being his. She had taken time to think of him and hers, but she hadn't thought much of belonging to someone. She knew that she would never be one of those wolves who would allow herself to be taken by multiple partners. That would have been her fate if she had decided to stay in her birth pack. She would have been used as nothing more than broodmare forced to breed again and again and again until she was too old to be useful. Roka was older now and understood that bearing young was a part of life, a duty that would secure her heritage. Despite any mixed feelings she might have had about raising pups she felt a little more secure knowing that is had found someone to be proud of. She would be proud to bear this brute's young unlike so many other males she had encountered.

"I don't doubt your words or your intentions, Big wolf. I fear for any wolf that tries to harm me." He was too big a wolf for anyone to risk trying to hurt her, especially if his claim was evident. He claimed that he hadn't traveled here with the express purpose of joining a pack and she believed him. When she had first met him she never would have guessed that he would join a pack, but then again she didn't know the strength of family ties. Her only relative had died long ago living out his wretched days as an omega. She had always wondered why her father had chosen to remain in the pack in such a lowly capacity. His words still echoed in her mind. My life began in this pack and it will end here. A loyal wolf does not pick and choose when to stand by his pack. Those had been the only honorable things her father had ever said in her lifetime. Words that she now wanted to live up to. If she was going to stand by this wolf, devote herself wholly to him then she would do is with absolution. She would be that honorable wolf that her father had always talked about. "I don't have any family so I do not pretend to understand your reasons for joining the pack. If you have chosen this pack as yours then those reasons are good enough for me."

When he asked after her journey Roka couldn't help but chuckle, his curiosity was amusing to her. Mostly because she knew that he wasn't a wolf that would entertain small talk. His words seemed to accompany a rise in that very emotion that she had been seeking. No matter how much he enjoyed riling her temper she knew that this was something that she could only have with him. When he stepped closer she could feel the tension rising between the small space that separated their bodies. The air practically crackling. His smell that seemed to surround her was both soothing and arousing. He was pushing her to that very point where she wouldn't be able to refuse him anything. "My journey was fine. The only pesky company is standing in front of me." She growled low at him again, not in aggression but something else she could place. It felt nice to tease him, even if it was briefly. It made her excitedly anticipate his reaction, to see what her pushing would get her. He liked to see her temper riled, and so did she. Angry was an emotion that she was most familiar with, most comfortable in. Seeing him succumb to that very same emotions was too much of a temptation.

[Sabaoth]

Her words were coyly defiant, the gleam in her eyes impossible to miss. Sabaoth’s own gaze narrowed as he stared down upon her, so close that he could feel her breath wafting against his pelt. She was enjoying toeing the line of his sanity it seemed, pressing at his defenses as he’d pressed at hers. If anything it only made her more desirable to him, for instead of simpering and playing soft like the majority of she-wolves he observed, she instead played the game as ruthlessly and effectively as he did. He was struck by a sudden burst of pride as he observed her; should she truly follow him to Ina’mos, he would be proud to present her as what she wished to be: his.

A growl was his only warning as he stepped forward, tongue licking at his bared teeth as he lowered his head towards hers. No matter how hard he attempted to intimidate her, he found that it only excited her instead, which in turn ignited his own desires. It was a tantalizing game, a battling of wills, and Sabaoth found that he was shameless in his enjoyment. He was tempted to take her by the scruff in that moment, to maneuver atop her and show her just how serious he was. Their size difference would not make the task easy for her, and for a moment he truly considered it, muscles twitching in anticipation. There was no risk of pregnancy as it was, although that would inevitably come later if she returned to Ina’mos with him as his mate. Patience, he chided himself; he did not wish to take her for the first time amidst the irritating sand that clung to his pelt, and he would not give her what she desired so swiftly. His decision was clear on his face despite the need blazing in his gaze, his lips pulling upwards and transforming grimace into grin.

”Interesting that you should say so,” he finally murmured, the deep timbre of his voice not quieted despite the proximity to her auds. ”For I believe it was you that followed me halfway across the continent like a well-behaved little wolf.” There was a pause as he tilted his head, observing her wryly, before adding almost as an afterthought, ”Not that I wouldn’t have enjoyed hunting you. You simply made my task easier.” It was a constant battle with her, back and forth continuously in some attempt to gain higher ground. If he could say nothing else about her – but truly he could have said very much – it would have been that she kept him on his toes unlike anyone else had been able to.

Roka

[Roka]

The growl was the only indicator of his mood as he moved to stand over her. His breath was hot over her head and she could hear his tongue running over his exposed teeth. The fur on her neck began to prickle with the memory of what his teeth had felt like on her neck. When she pushed him too far, took one too many steps over than line he seemed intent on using his size to push back. Mentally and intellectually she was able to dance around this game with him, but physically she wouldn't stand a chance. She did however like when he got physical with her, it reminded her that there were boundaries for her to push. It was all written in his eyes, the thinly veiled control that Roka wanted to break. She had never been interested in the whole finding a mate and settling down, but now that she had found him she knew why females seemed keen on the idea. She was his and he was hers, she would stay committed to him for the rest of her days. As his breath fanned out over her neck and shoulders she itched for that contact with him. His larger size would mean there would be some pain in their coupling, she had no doubt of that. Pain or not it didn't change the fact that she wanted him, wanted to be his in every conceivable way.

Her body tensed in sweet anticipation and she leaned closer wanting to feel their fur intermingling. His voice was deep and rumbled from somewhere deep in his chest. Loud and commanding despite her proximity. "Despite how fun that hunt would have been for both of us, I have found that I quite like having you close." Roka had no doubt that any effort he made to find her would quickly turn predatory and would give them both a sense of satisfaction. When he finally did find her the chances of him being more than savage were stacked in her favor. She could have used that hunt to push him over the edge that she was so obviously poking at. Yet for whatever reason she had decided to follow after him. "Better to surrender of my own will than be defeated in defiance." If she had stayed away he would have hunted her down and dragged her exactly where he wanted her to be. Better for her to make the choice to stay by his side then be forced out of nothing but stubborn pride. As fun as the hunt would have been it would only leave one victorious at the end of it all.

It would have taken too long if she had waited for him to conclude his dealings down here and then venture back to find him. She had allowed her frustrations to fester long enough and now that she had him in her sights she could allow them to be free again. She could allow herself to work through those things that he had brought about. Leaning a little closer she could feel his shoulder she allowed another rumble escape her chest. She supposed that she had made it easier on him by delivering herself here, but easy was not a word she would use to describe them. They were nothing short of explosive when they were together. Reaching out she nipped at his fur giving a good tug before licking it back down flat. It felt good getting a physical dig at him, but she knew that if she dug too far he would return the favor and she was far more breakable at the mercy of his giant paws.

Sabaoth

[Sabaoth]

The sharp sting that rippled along his skin as Roka tugged at the thick fur along his shoulder was entirely unexpected, although not unwelcome. Only moments later her tongue soothed the miniscule jolt of pain, and Sabaoth stood still, allowing it. It was an odd feeling to be touched without it resulting in violence, and one that he was entirely unused to. Even in his youth, before Osani had destroyed everything, he hadn’t formed excessive attachments to anyone, including his family. The gentle brushing of another’s fur along his own had somehow managed to irritate him in the past, his skin itching to be untouched, his personal space so wide that it was nearly impossible for anyone to approach him without the sparks of agitation stirring within him. With Roka, however, Sabaoth found that it was far too easy to dismiss the desire for solidity. Her physical prodding prompted a rumbling deep within his chest, somewhere between warning and pleasure. His muzzle parted to speak, but before his gravelly voice could split the silence, something dark moved off to his right.

Without missing a beat, Sabaoth turned and lunged with a flurry of sand where his large paws landed. He was met with an angry hiss which he promptly ignored, head lowering swiftly, ivory teeth splitting the flesh of the struggling creature beneath him. When the hot taste of coppery blood washed across his tongue he straightened, turning to drop the large, still body of a monitor at Roka’s feet. The dark flesh was dry but not excessively so, suggesting that water was somewhere nearby. It was valuable knowledge, and Sabaoth filed it away for later consideration as he took a step back, lowering himself to his haunches. He did not bother urging her to eat, or asking if she were hungry; it was clear that she was free to help herself, and although Sabaoth’s own hunger had been sated before leaving Ina’mos, the fresh body of the reptile had been too rich to pass up.

”There is interesting prey on Ina’mos,” he informed her, tongue darting out to lick the remaining blood from where it stained his muzzle. ”Snakes and cougars. Crocodiles – they are my favorite to hunt, but not so rewarding to eat.” The tough, leathery hide always proved difficult to penetrate, even with the force of his jaw and the added benefit of his weight. Sabaoth paused here, his thoughts returning to his first meeting with Roka, replaying the conversations that they’d had. After a moment his lips twitched upwards, amusement mingling with the fire in his gaze. ”Do you recall asking if others of my size were within the area? Goliath, my oldest brother, is taller even than I am.” Sabaoth had never been fond of small talk, but if she were to follow him to Ina’mos, he would need to become well acquainted with every aspect of his life – and she with his, no matter how much this galled Sabaoth. Personal conversations had never been his strong suit.

Roka

[Roka]

She had no idea why she had decided tug at his fur, but she didn't regret it. For whatever reason it made her feel more secure being able to cause him pain, even if it was on such a minute scale. Made being his a little more easy to cope with if she had control over a small thing. The rumbling that came after her tugging almost matched the one she had hummed to him. She chuckled low in her throat at his noise of pleasure and warning. Hearing it made her want to push him some more, but before she could nip at another tuft of his fur he had moved away from her. She turned her head rapidly trying to keep her good eye on him. His display had excited her as he had pounced on the creature before it had time to flee. Sand sprayed all around them and in no time at all he had planted a dead creature at her feet. In a way it showed her that he could provide even though she knew that hadn't been his reason for offering the meal. She had never seen anything that resembled it before, it's scaly skin foreign to her. She didn't offer any thanks or ask any permissions before she leaned down to sniff the dead carcass. It was apparent to her that it was meant as a food item, but she wasn't sure if it was actually edible. Only one way to find out. Tearing into the flesh she allowed the taste of it's blood to flow over her tongue. It wasn't all together bad, but it was not on her list of favorite meals.

When he listed the prey items they had in his homeland Roka could only claim familiarity with one of them. She knew that cougars were similar to snow leopards and the thought of killing a few of them made her growl in anticipation. Killing something that resembled the beast that had taken her eye was a thrilling opportunity. "Are there rabbits?" She hadn't even realized that the question had escaped her lips. Rabbits happened to be her favorite prey item and even though she knew that she could live without them some small part of her wanted to cling to them. Wanted to know that something would be on that island to make her feel like she belonged. She would remain by Sabaoth's side for as long as she could fight to remain there, but belonging would feel so much different. At the mention of his brother her ears perked up, his size would have to be mighty indeed to rival Sabaoth. She couldn't picture it in her head, couldn't imagine anything larger than him. "That is hard to beleive." It made sense though, for it would have to be a mighty beast to secure her male's loyalty. Having only known him for a short time she felt confident that he would never pledge himself to a creature who was beneath him. In all honesty it made Roka a little more comfortable accepting him as her alpha. She would be loyal to Sabaoth above all else, but she would pledge her loyalty to his brother as well. He was obviously worthy.

"Will you be taking me there?" Roka didn't want to face something as daunting as his brother, the mighty alpha that was apparently a giant on top of everything. Again she tried to picture this creature that she called brother, but she couldn't think of anything. "Is he similar to you?" Even if he was Roka knew that she wouldn't be tempted from him. He was not only handsome in her eyes, but he also possessed qualities that she valued even more than looks. He was not only strong of mind and body, but he was also strong of will. Similar enough to her that she admired him. "If he is your brother and alpha than I will give him my pledge. Let me be clear though. No matter what I am loyal to you first. Pack or no." She knew that her alpha would expect her loyalty, but with no one else in this pack for her to rely on she would have to give it all to him. "I don't know if I ever mentioned, but I grew up in a pack in my homeland. I am familiar with how they work and to be perfectly honest I vowed never to go back to pack life. If I am wary of this that is the reason why. Some terrible things happened in my youth but I can work past it." She was talking to much about how she felt, a conversation that the dreaded most of the time. They had gotten to the point where it was time to share about each other. He would never understand her if she wasn't willing to give some things up to him. She was also curious about his life on that island and how many other siblings there were running around his precious Ina'mos. As much as the small talk irritated her she also didn't like surprises so it was time for them both to study up.

Sabaoth

[Sabaoth]

"Are there rabbits?"

Sabaoth had been content to watch her devour the monitor in silence until she glanced up, her question prompting a soft laugh from the brute. He’d nearly forgotten about the rabbits, for he scarcely ever hunted them. It would take far too many to fill his belly, and yet he was certain he’d seen them bursting from the underbrush, scurrying for the cover of some hidden hole. ”Yes, there are rabbits,” he informed her. ”Certainly not scrawny ones, either.” Already he was picturing her weaving around Ina’mos, terrified rabbits fleeing from her parted jaws. It was an amusing picture, but Roka’s next question yanked Sabaoth from his daydream.

”Will you be taking me there?”

He took a moment to consider as he gazed at her, before finally shaking his head. ”I must return tonight, but I would not recommend the swim for you at this present time. The storm has upset the waters, and the crossing will be difficult for even a brute of my size. You will wait until the water has calmed, and then come. I doubt it will be more than a day before you can safely cross.” Sabaoth had the suspicion that Goliath would be more impressed with her if she came alone rather than on his heels, anyways. ”As for Goliath…he is similar to me, yes, and yet not. His temper is not so quick to flare, but he is strong-willed and unyielding in all that he does.”

When Roka’s voice filled the silence once more, he listened attentively. He could not deny the rush of pride and satisfaction that rushed through him following her words of loyalty; already she was proving to be more than a suitable choice for his attentions. As she continued, speaking grimly of her previous pack, Sabaoth did not interrupt her, instead listening to her confessions with perked auds. Despite how rarely he spoke of such weighty things, the brute was still able to recognize that what she told him was important. When she’d finished, he said nothing for some time, simply observing her. The solemnness of her tale suggested that she, too, had been victim to a cruel past. He was aware that the obvious thing to do would be to share his own struggles with her, and yet the idea made his stomach coil into hot knots.

”I was born upon Ina’mos,” he informed her after a moment, the words flat and devoid of emotion, forced out between clenched teeth. ”Our pack was small then, and weak. A group of wandering wolves invaded when I was still very young, and my mother forced me, along with my siblings, from the island. I grew with the impression that they were dead, all of them. Clearly that is no longer the case.” This was as far as he would allow himself to go; his lip was curled with distaste, the only sign of rage upon his normally stoic expression. He was desperate to be done with the infuriating subject, instead turning his attentions to Roka once more. ”If you come to join Kairos, then you will be established as my mate.” His voice was a deep, rumbling growl as he gazed down upon her. ”Do you object to this? I know not of the events of your past, but if something occurred that will cause you grievance, you must inform me now.”

Roka

[Roka]

The conversation was growing more and more stale and Roka couldn't take the idle chatter. She never talked unless there was a purpose in her words, and while she felt it was important for them to know about each other she couldn't stand this. If there was something that came up between them then she would be honest, but she saw no point to bring up every aspect of her history. After she had left her pack there wasn't much that occurred in her life. Sabaoth switched to the topic of joining Kairos and Roka thought about what he was asking of her. She would be his, but she hadn't put the label of mate on their relationship yet. She hadn't ever been with another male before so it wasn't like she could claim to be with another. Whatever it was that was sizzling between them it made her want to accept his offer. Would accepting him as her mate finally give her a release for all of this pent up tension? Looking at him in this moment made her think hard about what she had planned for her future. Remaining a loner for the rest of her days no longer held the same kind of excitement it once had. She longed for something else in life, something better than wandering. Could she accept him so readily and join this pack despite her past? Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought about what exactly she wanted to be to him. If she became his mate it would make him her, give that which she was seeking - a hold on him. It would also mean that she was his and his only, she would belong to him and no other. That was far less daunting to her than it would have been a few years ago. "What if I say no? Will you let me just walk away."

She had no intention of walking away from him, but it did help lessen the weight that seemed to be attached to this question. There were things in her past that would grieve her, make her second guess herself. Taking a deep breath she looked into his blazing eyes searching for anything within those depths that would cause her to change her mind. There was nothing. "I know what I want. I admit I am a stubborn creature. I want you and I will have you that is all that matters." If she was going to be declared as his mate then that meant she had him for good, something that gave her a deep sense of satisfaction. She was winning this game, getting the prize that she sought. Roka wondered over the other members of the pack, curious if there was another female within the pack that sought after her male. Going into an unusual place blind worried her a bit, but she would fight to keep him if she had to. No one else would get the chance to take him away. Her past was always going to be something that would live with her, but Sabaoth was so unlike any of the other males she had met. She doubted that he would use her up and leave her broken like her alpha had tried. He wanted to know if there was anything that would cause strife down the road, but Roka knew that it wouldn't matter. She was strong of will, ready to persevere and overcome any obstacle. She would have him even if it meant swimming to his beloved island and facing a hundred giants. "I will find your brother." She knew that if she was going to gain anything in this pack she would need to come up with her own reasons for joining. She couldn't simply join because she wanted Sabaoth. She needed to make up her own mind talking with his brother. Facing him would be the true test of her determination to follow him, if she couldn't console herself to find some degree of agreement within this pack than she couldn't follow. Being his was a benefit of joining the pack, but she would need her own strength to get her there. She could not rely on him to hold her up within those daunting ranks.

Sabaoth

[Sabaoth]

"What if I say no? Will you let me just walk away."

For a long moment Sabaoth gazed at her, the silence stretching as the wind picked up, blowing miniscule pieces of sand around his thick legs. Would he let her go should she wish to depart from him? No, his mind whispered immediately, his chest tightening with fury at the thought. He would drag her to Ina’mos if he had to, binding her to him for the rest of her existence, and yet it seemed as if it would not be necessary. Her next words cooled his stirring anger, for it seemed as if she desired him just as much as he desired her. Their relationship was proving to be a difficult one, the waves of desire only tenuously constrained. It was a captivating game between the two that had somehow become startlingly serious in the blink of an eye.

"I will find your brother."

He nodded in satisfaction, lifting his muzzle towards the sky shortly afterwards. The dark clouds were thickening, the scent of rain carried upon the wind. It would not be long now until the storm was upon them, and if Sabaoth knew what was best, he would need to return to Ina’mos far sooner than he’d expected. Frowning, he glance down at Roka once more. ”I must go. It is moving much swifter than I anticipated, and the ocean will not be gentle with me.” He’d wished for more time with her, and yet at the same time he was glad that their previous conversation had ended. Sabaoth had never cared for sharing his more personal aspects with others, and while it had been necessary with Roka, it had not meant he’d enjoyed it. Wordlessly he stepped towards her until their fur brushed, lowering his head to run his muzzle through the scruff of her neck, determined to leave her reeking of his scent. ”Once you are standing upon the shores, you will see Ina’mos in the distance. Follow the moment that you are able.” His rumbling voice was partially muffled by her scruff; after he’d finished speaking, he stepped away and turned to walk away from her for the second time. He did not allow worry to seep into his brain; Sabaoth knew that she would follow him to his birthland, and then she would be his completely. The thought brought a savage grin to his muzzle as he climbed the nearest sand dune, disappearing over the side.

Roka
NOTES: Went ahead and ended this so you can take her into Ina'mos >)