A Wolf Among The Sheep

Ronan had returned to the side of the creek with Teddy. Like Tate, he also fished alongside his daughter, gently encouraging her and helping her get the bait on the end of the hook despite any whines that she could do it herself. He did, however, keep a little bit of space between them, to avoid any further confused or suspicious glances from Tate's direction. Unaware of Anders' decision, the male couldn't wait until they informed everyone of their relationship, wanting nothing more than to be able to be with his daughter like any normal parent.

He glanced up on Anders' approach not long after the two girls had caught their fish, smiling a little but not too much that it would seem odd to Tate, quickly turning his attention back to the water.

Luana also looked up, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the sun as she did so. Upon hearing of his suggestion of sitting down and eating, finally, she peered to the basket that held the fish, hesitating for a moment. She wasn't entirely certain of Tate's plan and if two would even be enough for the six of them. Despite not having breakfast that morning, Luana would have been more than happy to allow Tala and Teddy her part of the meal in order to make sure the pups had enough food. But there was still the rest of the group that needed to be fed.

"I can always go hunt somethin' down too. Fishin' is a bit slow, really. If everyone's gettin' hungry, I can go hunt somethin' down while you're guttin' and cookin' the fish. It can be the beginnin' course." She suggested, chuckling lightly as she looked back to Tate and then back up to Anders.

"You guys can look after Tala while I'm gone. Though she may wanna keep fishin' until the food's done." She smirked, motioning with her head to Tala who seemed so focused on her new skill that she wasn't even listening.

It was enjoyable, just sitting there with them all briefly in their peaceful bubble, but Luana understood where Anders was coming from. Besides, he was sitting by himself watching the rest of them from afar, and she couldn't help but feel a little guilty that she had just left her friend there after their conversation during the hunt for firewood.

"Honestly, I don't mind. It's probably best if we stop for now an' eat. Poor Anders' must be wantin' some company."
 
If he was totally honest with himself, Tate had somewhat forgotten about his brother's presence for the last few minutes. He knew he was sat patiently on the blankets nearby, not wanting to venture too close to the fishing when just the sight of a fish caught on the hook was enough to provoke his sensitivities, but with Tala celebrating her first catch and all the affectionate glances he gave Luana's way (and senses coming his direction too), he had inevitably overlooked his brother.

He hadn't done so purposely and felt the similar pang of guilt that Luana experienced when he saw his little brother approach (even though 'little' was stretching the truth of the matter dramatically; it was a source of genuine annoyance that his youngest brother had grown taller than him in recent years). And so, while he wanted to make the most of fishing at their newfound spot for as long as he could to truly make the most of the day out of pack, he couldn't continue to do so if it meant neglecting Anders.

This was as much his day out as it was Tate's, and if he had to abandon fishing for a little while to give the other some company, he would do so without hesitation.

"Nah, that sounds like a great idea. We can have a taste of the fish for starters and enjoy whatever you hunt for us for the main; I reckon that sounds good," he agreed as he set his rod down and heaved himself up from the ground, retrieving the nearby basket in preparation to gut and cut up the fish inside. He didn't find himself demanding to join in on the hunt alongside Luana; not like how he would have done two years prior when she was new to this world. Back then, some company on a hunt would have been necessary and went without question, but now, he trusted her to know what to do; to know of her limits and take down an animal without need of backup.

He didn't even need to have seen her on a hunt before to know, deep down, just how capable she was.

"I'll leave 'em to fish, don't think it'd be fair to disrupt 'em from it just to take out some innards. Probably too much for them to handle this young," he admitted as he moved towards the centre of the clearing to prepare the fire, sitting at angle whereby Anders wouldn't see the preparation and gutting of their lunch. "You just go and catch us all somethin' tasty, Lu."

"...Just get whatever you can find, I'm not fussy." Anders added with a faint smile as he returned to his spot on the blanket, his eyes straying over to Ronan in the hope he would accompany him. "I, uh... guess some company would be nice-- do you wanna sit down? There's some berries an' snacks if you're-- I dunno, feeling peckish or whatever."
 
Luana glanced between Anders and Tate as they both came to an agreement, pleasantly surprised that they had done so. In all honesty, she had expected at least one of them to disagree and say that the fish was enough and that they ought to just stay in the clearing. However, she was pleased to hear them fleshing out the plan for the rest of the day a little further.

"Might be the case of just a few squirrels or rabbits, but if I catch enough there'll be somethin' for all of us, I'm sure." She shrugged, not really certain that hunting an elk or anything of that size was truly beneficial, "No point wasting a deer or somethin', right?"

A bigger game hunt could wait until later down the line, perhaps on a day where she and Tate could have sometime alone, or if she had an opportunity to prove herself loyal to the pack, which undoubtedly would be called into question when her and Tate's revived relationship came to light.

Luana left the two brothers to return to Tala, leaning down to get the toddler's attention and explain where she was going. Tala briefly became excited at the news, having - even by now - associated a hunt with her mother's wolf side. The toddler, always fascinated by the 'wolfie' that appeared in her mother's stead, immediately provided Luana with her full attention, wanting to see the 'wolfie'. However, her lower lip jutted out as Luana said she would have to see 'wolfie' when she got back. She was no longer as shy about the transitioning and the lack of clothes that accompanied it, but she didn't think it would be wise to shed her clothes in front of Anders and Ronan with Tate being unaware that neither men would be remotely interesting in seeing her naked backside. At least not in the way her mate would believe.

After, she straightened and moved across to Tate, hesitating for a moment before brushing her fingers through his hair again, "I'll be back real soon. Keep an eye on them, hm?" She murmured, smiling quietly before stepping passed him to the treeline to begin her hunt.

Ronan looked up as he realised he was being spoken to, pausing in his checking of his bait. Subtly, his eyes darted to Tate, who say partially turned away from Anders, and then back to his mate. Of course he was slightly wary of accepting any offer that would make Tate question things, but this was his day too. He deserved time with his daughter and his mate in equal measure, just like Tate, Luana and Tala.

Smiling finally as a result, he remove the bait from his hook and carefully put the equipment away. Then, not wishing to leave the two girls fishing near the creek alone, he managed to convince them to leave their own fishing to have a bit of play with one another. From there, he moved to collapse on the blanket next to Anders, once more putting a respectable distance between them. However he propped himself up on his elbow, his hand between his body and Anders' there ready for even the faintest of touches.

"S'been a good day, ain't it?" Ronan asked conversationally, turning his head to look at his mate, "Teddy's done well. I reckon she'll be a master fisher in no time." He then chuckled, eyes moving past Anders to watch the two girls play, "An' Tala got a good one too. They'll both be forces to be reckoned with."
 
"Makes me feel a bit of a wimp, though. Two toddlers can go catchin' fish while I'd just throw up everywhere and freak out if I 'ad to give it a go. It ain't the best for the ego, that," replied Anders in the same conversational tone, smiling (casually, he hoped) across at his mate. He knew he couldn't even risk the affectionate smile he wanted to give him when Tate was the alpha used to observing his pack and picking up on even the littlest detail.

When he was also his older brother who had practically helped to raise him (such was Tate's dedication to caring for his family, even when he had been a child himself), Anders knew he couldn't get away with risking even the smallest moments of the affection he longed to share with his mate. Instead, he had to rely on the casual tone and just hope that Ronan knew that, beneath that, Anders wanted nothing more than to show him the love he had for him.

Even if this was, effectively, going to be how their life was if Anders had his way. He had no intention of revealing anything to anyone, so relying on quick glances and secret smiles when around others was, essentially, how he would live the rest of his days, only able to enjoy a family dynamic and a loving relationship behind the closed doors of a hut he wouldn't even get to share with Ronan. It wasn't the nicest future to look forward to, but... it was the one he was convinced he would just have to get used to living.

"You looked like you were doin' well, though. You seem like a good fisherman," he complimented as he moved to rest back on the blanket, propping himself up with his elbows just to allow himself to bask in the sun. His hand, however, moved a little closer to Ronan's, his little finger brushing against his mate's just for some connection and contact. It was minimal, but just subtle enough to go unnoticed by Tate who, fortunately, paid their conversation no notice - it sounded like the talk between two friends, so he let the words wash over him without taking much of it in.

"I've never been good at all that stuff. My Pa would take my brothers and my sister out fishin' and huntin'; I'd stay back with our Ma. She taught me how to sew, so, uh... I'm no use at hunting but I'm fantastic at patching up a hole in a shirt. I'm the go-to guy for that shit," he continued with a faint snort under his breath - not that he was downplaying the skillset. As important as hunting was, knowing how to sew had its purposes too, even if it wasn't considered as traditionally 'cool' to the pack as hunting down prey was.
 
Ronan snorted softly in amusement, eyes momentarily lingering on Teddy as a fond smile crept over his lips as he watched his daughter explain something animatedly to Tala. "Well, y'know Lu's not all that great at it either. Can catch and eat but anything between that, no chance. Can't stand the guttin' part, honestly, she goes as pale as a ghost." He informed his mate, finally giving Anders his attention again. "So don't be worryin' yourself over it."

While Anders was thinking of a life of secrecy, Ronan was occupied with one where they could just be themselves. Since he was oblivious to the conversation that Anders and Luana had, he was still under the impression that their relationship would eventually be announced to the rest of the pack. And he longed for it.

He couldn't wait to be able to do what Luana and Tate were doing: openly bantering and teasing each other, casually touch one another, just even being able to look at each other with the love that they both knew they held for the other. Then there was Teddy, he wanted to play with his daughter and teach the young girl as openly and confidently as Tate was with Tala. He wanted people to know there was a reason why he paid such close attention to the three-year-old, and that was because he was proud to call her his daughter (albeit adopted). He didn't want to hide in the shadows, sneak kisses behind closed doors. He wanted to have his family all together and out in the open. Regardless of any consequences.

Two years had been long enough, hiding (even if they were apart) that he had a mate for that time had hurt and he wanted nothing more than to return to Anders during it. He didn't ever want to feel that way again.

His heart jumped at the casual brush of skin against skin, but Ronan forced himself to act normal. His own little finger moved slowly and subtly to briefly rest over the top of Anders before he pulled it away.

"S'nothin' wrong with learnin' how to do that, Anders." Ronan immediately responded, sitting up to reach for some of the fruit that had been brought with them, "The amount of times I've had a tear or somethin' in my shirts or trousers but not been able to fix them-- it's driven me nuts. S'lucky Lu was who she was before she got brought here, y'know?" He didn't dare add that it was a good job he had Anders as a mate because of that, gaze briefly glancing to Tate before returning to the bunch of berries in his hand, "Shame you're so squeamish - could've taken those sewing skills into healin' an' helped Daisy with her healin' job. Stitches an' stuff, for the bigger issues."
 
"Nah, she does a decent enough job, she doesn't need me. I'll stick with mending shirts; just the thought of, y'know, sticking a needle into someone--" He paused, not for dramatic emphasis or to playfully exaggerate what would happen if he ever had to face that possibility, but because the thought alone genuinely made him feel sick. How Daisy could stitch up wounds without flinching or growing queasy at the sight of blood or even just at the comprehension of what she was doing would never cease to amaze Anders, who was self-aware enough to know how useless he could be in such a scenario.

His appreciation for her was already overwhelming, but knowing what she dealt with on a regular day and then have to jump to action if someone in the pack got injured and needed that instant care? There was never a day that went past without Anders taking a moment to acknowledge how proud he was of his little sister.

He moved to lay back fully on the blanket, shielding his eyes with his hand just to be able to peer up at Ronan and continue devoting his attention to him - these moments were important, after all. They might not be in private where he could pull him down beside him into his embrace, but they were still away from the prying eyes of the pack, where the risk at being discovered was far greater. The more people around, the more eyes there were to spot a loving smile or a gentle touch, thus the clearing provided a chance to relax with Ronan and not be as on edge as he would be back home.

...Though he still couldn't fully do everything he wanted, not with Tate nearby, and he knew his older brother well enough to know that he might be focused on cutting the fish and appearing uninterested in the conversation, but he would be taking their words in regardless. Continuing the casual conversation, with its neutral tone, was, therefore, imperative.

"You gonna be stickin' around here then? I mean, Lu's gonna move back, I don't think either of us fancy being apart from one another again, but you ain't got any ties to our pack-- no official ties, at least. That said, your Lu's friend an' Tala's... uncle, so... you're welcome to stay if you wanted. You can have the hut Lu's been stayin' in," the alpha abruptly spoke as he lifted his eyes to focus across on Ronan. He wasn't the man's biggest fan, but he could see just how dearly Luana valued him and how much Tala cared for him - he wouldn't be doing himself any favours if he forced Ronan to return to his pack.

"Think it over, if you gotta, but the offer's there; I ain't gonna retract it, dude. You might end up likin' it here. You could find yourself a nice girl, huh? Settle down, start a family, join in on hunts, make this place your home. I'd, ah-- I'd recommend it. Tala wants you in her life an' I want her happy. If you make her happy-- you can stay."

Anders fell silent as his brother talked, the open invitation for Ronan to remain amongst them being something he had thought would be music to his ears - but how could it be when Tate was inviting him under the impression that Ronan would start his life 'properly' with them? The expectation of a proper life in a pack, aside form contributing with work and socialisation, was to find a mate and biologically have kids. It wasn't anything like what Anders had with him - they were as much a family as anyone else, but it wasn't the 'traditional' one that fit their conventions.

Was it any wonder he wanted to keep quiet and keep what he and Ronan had secret when he knew the response to what they had would either be blatantly negative, or shocked and confused. Either way, it would hurt and he didn't want to see his mate and daughter be subjected to any of it.

"...I think it'd be neat if you lived with the pack permanently. Tala loves 'ya an'... Teddy's taking a shine to you, it'd be a shame if you left," he murmured as neutrally as he could, not needing to show his eagerness when he figured Ronan already knew how he felt about it. "An' it's always good to add another hunter to the pack. You look strong, so... I ain't got any objections."
 
Ronan looked across to Tate, not bothering to hide his surprise at the offer. His eyebrows lifted and his lips parted in response to Tate's words, uncertain as to what to say for a moment. Of course he knew he would be sticking around regardless of what happened between his friend (and alpha) and her mate, Anders' forgiveness and acceptance of their relationship having seen to that. But Tate's verbal proposition of him continuing to live in the hut that he and Luana had been staying in was... unexpected at best.

"Uh... uh yeah-- yeah thanks." Ronan eventually replied, sitting up at the sudden seriousness of the conversation. He rubbed the back of his neck, knowing he had to act as though the thought hadn't yet before crossed his mind. To Tate, Ronan wouldn't have anything really to stay for, except Luana and Tala, and even then, with them both happy now and with Tate to protect them, why would he need to stick around?

He knew he and the male alpha hadn't exactly had the best of starts, which is why the offer for him to take one of the huts was such a shock, albeit a pleasant one.

"L-Look I uh... I appreciate the offer. Tala's become like family to me, an' Luana, for that matter, 'specially since I don't h-have... any that I talk to, now." Ronan confessed awkwardly, hand moving from the back of his neck to his head, rubbing at his hair. "I-- uh-- I didn't always belong to Lu's family's pack. They took me in after they found me wanderin' around when I was 15."

Ronan took a moment, knowing what he had to explain but finding it difficult to formulate the words. Especially since it would be the first time Anders would hear the story too.

"I know you-- I know you thought that Lu an' I were a thing, but honestly, man... me an' Lu? She's like a sister to me. Look, I...I-- uh... I don't... like girls... if you-- if you get what I mean. I... ah... I'm-- uh-- I'm... well, y'know. Gay. My parents... they-- they couldn't accept that, turned me out... s'why Lu's old pack found me walkin' around all by myself. So if-- if Lu's stayin' here... an'... an' if your... your offer stills stands... I'd... I'd like to stay here, where she is. She's... I like to think of her as my family now. Her an' Tala."

He had begun to click his knuckles, but not because he expected a fight, but as a nervous habit as he watched the alpha. He knew this confession would probably change the dynamic between him and Anders now, but it was something he had to get off his chest. One, because he didn't want to stick around if Tate still had that concern of him and Lu being a thing, despite her reaction the other day, and two... because he didn't want Tate to go on and on about how meeting a girl at the pack could be a good reason why he should stay.
 
"You're-- gay. Right. Okay. That's... somethin' I didn't know," came Tate's eventual response, silence having fallen over him at the confession; one he hadn't anticipated coming and therefore rendered him silent as he tried to comprehend just what he was being told. If he was to believe that the admission was the truth (and he had no reason to doubt its sincerity), then it immediately dampened the doubts he had over Ronan's feelings towards Luana merely being platonic.

It was hard to see how close they were without assuming something was going on, if only feelings that were one-sided - an he assumed, for as long as he had known about Ronan, that he was the one harbouring those. He couldn't see them being friends that were that close without also assuming that there was some romantic longing at play. Evidently, such an assertion had been deeply and inherently incorrect, which was partially why the alpha was struggling to reassess the beliefs he had been so certain of for so long. His refusal to get to know and like Ronan had been partly because he thought the man was in love with Luana, after all - seeing him in a new light offered up the chance to correct that.

Though he was also silent in realisation that he didn't exactly... know how to respond. He liked to think he was an open and accepting person, someone who didn't expect everyone in his pack to fit a certain, expected mould, and he certainly wasn't going to hate Ronan after his confession... but it wasn't news he could just take in without feeling a bit confused; a fact he couldn't quite disguise from his expression as he peered back down at his work to avoid following up with further remarks.

He didn't know what to say and with the threat of inadvertently saying something to offend Ronan (when he really didn't want that to be the case), he opted to keep his mouth shut instead.

Similarly silent, albeit for different reasons, Anders pushed himself up from his laid-out position on the blankets, unable to pull his eyes away from Ronan. The story he had never heard from him before was more than enough to silence him, though not just because he felt immense sympathy for his mate. Rather, the fact he didn't know something so person to him didn't really sit well - this was his mate, the man he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with (and was looking forward to doing so) yet he didn't know... that much about him; not as much as he perhaps ought to.

The confession itself was something that similarly provoked different reactions in him. Seeing his mate be brave enough to come out was something he felt immensely proud of... but on the other hand, seeing the reaction Tate had to the news as he barely concealed his confusion, Anders couldn't help but wish the other had kept his mouth shut. All his admission did was reinforce Anders' decision to stay quiet and keep his lips shut, knowing he wouldn't be able to take in the looks of confusion (like Tate's) and possibly even disbelief that the pack would display in return.

It was just easier to say nothing and not be faced with that disappointment.

"You can stay, sure. I ain't rescindin'' the offer just 'cos you're... y'know... I ain't gonna do that," the alpha continued once the silence became too painful to sit through. He managed a smile across to Ronan just to be polite, though the glance away and the refusal to say anything else more or less compounded his awkwardness.

"I'm gonna-- I'm going for a walk," blurted Anders as he pushed himself up to his feet, brushing the creases from his t-shirt. "I don't want the fish anyway so-- don't save me any, I ain't gonna eat that without throwing up, s-so... just... keep me back some of what Luana catches, I'll 'ave that. Don't wait for me, I'll-- I just need some time to myself, I think."
 
"Uh... yeah-- yeah. Well, it ain't somethin' I make well known, y'know, just cause of... what happened the first time 'round. I mean, don't get me wrong... that pack knows 'cause I had to explainin' to do as a kid but... s'not somethin' I just... tell anyone." Ronan answered awkwardly, not daring to look in Anders direction for the time being. Instead, he cleared his throat softly, the palms of his hands rubbing against his thighs, "S'just... thought you ought to know, make sure you... well... y'know."

Ronan didn't dare explain himself, he too not wanting to offend the other. In no way did he think that badly of the other, and he understood the confusion on Tate's expression. But he didn't want to take the alpha up on his offer under false pretences. Especially with what was about to be announced (or so he thought) later down the line.

Then there was Anders. He didn't intend for his mate to find out even the short story of his background in the way that he did. In an ideal world, he and Anders could have gotten to know one another properly as mates did. Such personal, hurtful tales could be told privately in the comfort of their own hut or at least within one another's arms. Instead, it came out this way.

"Not to mention I uh... I couldn't let you keep thinkin' there was somethin' goin' on between me an' Lu. I mean, funny as it is... I don't think you guys need any extra shit in your lives." Ronan attempted to joke, a weak and awkward smile accompanying it after Tate went silent and looked away.

However, at his mate's abrupt departure, his brow creased in his own confusion at the reaction. Immediately he began to worry if he had done something wrong, even in just his own personal confession. He had never meant to make Anders' feel uncomfortable, but his truth needed to be told so he was on fair footing with Tate. He didn't want the alpha to feel as though he had let someone in who hadn't been entirely honest with him (for the most part) and did really want to start fresh with the man who was the mate to someone he considered his sister.

It pained him that he couldn't immediately get up himself and chase down his mate, knowing that doing so would most likely only cause suspicion or perhaps some discomfort. Besides, deep down, Ronan feared what Anders had to 'think about' during his brief seclusion. He had no idea what he may have triggered within his mate, and detested not being able to figure out why.

Hastily, he turned back and reached for another berry to chew on, in order to occupy himself. "Seriously though, man... I uh... I appreciate the offer an'... an' I'd like to take you up on it, if-- if you're sure."

His eyes moved passed Tate to movement from the bushes behind the alpha, smiling a little again at the familiar wolf form of Luana. The female werewolf carried three rabbits in her mouth, ears pricked forward as sharp eyes moved between the two, clearly wondering what was going on. She continued forward and dropped her prizes besides her mate where he sat gutting the fish. She then gently nudged his upper arm with her snout, head and neck softly rubbing against it soon after as that innate side briefly clouded her better judgement.

"Mumma!" Tala came barrelling forward, crashing into Luana's side and the wolf playfully fell to the ground. The toddler giggled, rolling with the furry form.
 
Anders' abrupt departure didn't confuse Tate - though he wasn't party to the information about his brother that Ronan was. He wasn't to know that the man's confession would cause concern for Anders regarding his and Ronan's future - his mate being brave enough to come out didn't make him feel great when he knew he wasn't going to be able to do the same and live up to the promise he had made. Similarly, Tate had no idea that Ronan letting him know about a personal moment from his past just so he could join this pack with as much honesty as he was allowed to divulge would, again, concern Anders; cause fears that he barely knew his own mate to fester and form.

He wasn't surprised by his brother's departure, therefore, because he simply assumed that he had caught a glance at the preparation of their lunch and needed a walk in the woods to quell his nausea. It was precisely the sort of thing Anders would do, and so Tate could only smile in equal parts sympathy and brotherly derision as the younger sibling quickly abandoned the clearing in favour of the solitude the deeper parts of the woods provided him with.

"Ah, dude, seriously, it's-- fine. I'll be honest, I thought there was somethin' going on between you and Lu, but... she means a lot to me, I was always gonna get paranoid. You're cool to stay, that's fine. I, uh-- thanks for tellin' me, anyway. I ain't gonna pretend I know what to say when this ain't somethin' I've... had any experience with in the pack, but, uh... yeah. It's fine," he clarified as his eyes strayed back across to Ronan. He knew that communicating his confusion and emphasising the fact he didn't really know how to approach the conversation when it made him awkward might not be great... but he at least wanted the other to know that he wasn't judging him, nor being disparaging of his lifestyle.

He felt awkward, sure, but only because he didn't know what to really say - but he knew he could learn. If Ronan meant something to Tala and Luana, if he was going to become a part of the pack that Tate protected and cared for, he was going to make that effort... however confused he was by it all.

His attention drifted upon the return of Luana (a welcome interruption from the awkwardness that threatened to linger), not hesitating to bring her close upon her nearing proximity to him in order to run his free hand through the fur behind her ear. The abundance of affection when they might have only just got their relationship back on tracks might be soon... but this was also one of the only spaces they could enjoy that affection without judgement. He was, inevitably, going to make the most of it while he could.

"Where's-- my Pa? Why isn't-- wh-why isn't he here?" Teddy mumbled, her usually loud and chipper voice little more than a whisper as she abandoned her own fishing in order to approach the happy scene. She had only known her cousin a short while but had grown to love and care deeply for her - though this was one moment where she visibly resented her, her frown growing in unsubtle jealousy that she was able to play so openly with her parents. In contrast, Anders was nowhere to be found and she couldn't even acknowledge Ronan as her parent, let alone play with him.

"Ah, he just went for a walk, sweetheart-- he'll be back when we get these rabbits cooked." Tate answered as he carefully took the rabbits to start preparing them, smiling appreciatively at how well they had been killed. With something so small, it was easy to bite too hard and ruin the meat - so Luana bringing them back in near perfect condition was evidence, if there needed to be any, of her skill. "Go an' sit, it won't be too long."
 
A soft rumble of appreciation would provide confirmation of Luana's approval at the affection from her mate. The wolf's head having tilted slightly into his hand and eyes fluttering closed as Tala, either uncaring or not noticing the brief exchange, continued to clamber over her mother's form. Luana laid near Tate's side, albeit facing away from the gore of fish guts (soon to be accompanied by the offal of rabbit), not quite entirely pressed up against him but her fur lightly brushing his thigh and hip.

She occupied herself with distracting Tala, who had always loved her mother's wolf side (as mentioned by the toddler, she was 'floofy'). There had been many occasion where Luana had been forced to help Tala fall back to sleep after a nightmare or a storm by shifting into her wolf form, so the toddler could bury herself into the warmth and comfort of her mother's fur. So Luana sat patiently and still as the two-year-old clambered over her body, licking her daughter's face whenever she got close enough or fingers when she reached out - the latter often earning her a squeal.

Her head raised at Teddy's quiet voice, then realising that Anders was missing. Immediately she looked to Tate and Ronan, but felt more comfortable at Tate's explanation, relaxing at the prospect that a second kidnapping scenario wasn't about to happen.

However, the other girl's voice didn't sit well with Luana, a faint whine proving just that. Her snout gently nudged Tala in the direction of her cousin before she stood herself to pad across to the little girl. In an effort to distract Teddy from whatever thoughts she was having, Luana licked her cheek and then the palm of her hand too.

"Mumma'll play-- see? See Ted? Mumma'll play." Tala explained with a broad smile, clapping her own hands together before reaching out to take her cousin's hand.

As the wolf's tail began to wag, ears pricked forward to focus on Teddy, Luana's gaze moved to observe Ronan to see if his expression would give anything away about Anders' sudden disappearance. Instead, the male just shook his head and shrugged, leaving Luana to huff a sigh.

"Do ya... do ya want any help? Two pair of hands'll be quicker than one." Ronan eventually offered Tate, standing up to take a few steps across to him, leaving Luana to distract the two girls. "For the... uh... for the record, if ya ever have any questions... about, y'know... then don't feel like you can't ask them. If we're goin' be around each other more often now... now point feelin' awkward, yeah?"
 
Playing with someone she knew as a new auntie of hers wasn't unappealing and Teddy quietly approached in order to get involved, but it wasn't as comparable as playing with her fathers would be. The unfairness of her situation had always been there, reluctantly acknowledged by the young girl who kept quiet to show her fathers she could be trusted, but it was starting to grate and irritate her the longer she had to keep the secret... particularly when she had to watch her cousin enjoy the moment with both her parents while Teddy, currently, had no chance to enjoy anything with either of hers.

But the distraction worked well enough for the time being, her mood and spirits gradually easing as she ran alongside her cousin and enjoyed the moment for what it was worth. Her bitterness would inevitably return the next time she was forced to witness Tala -or any other kid back at the pack- play with their parents or just have the freedom to cuddle up on their lap, but for now, with Luana doing a good job at distracting her, she was freed of the heaviness such upsetting thoughts consumed her with.

In her distraction, Tate was happy to proceed with preparing the lunch. He might be alpha whose responsibilities didn't usually include cooking, but he valued the ability to prepare a meal. His mother had always taken to the duty with such pride and encouraged each of her children to learn the craft - besides Anders, whose propensity for hurling up his guts had exempted him from the lessons.

He found himself smiling at the memory as he proceeded to skin the rabbits, the fish now cut up and frying over the fire. Content enough in the duty and not expecting a conversation to continue with Ronan, he couldn't disguise the surprise that hit him when the other approached, seemingly intent on repairing a bridge that had never been constructed between them in the first place. Being eager to try and get along with someone who Luana evidently cared a great deal for, Tate smiled in appreciation and held up one of the unprepared rabbits, the other hand offering a knife to accompany the duty.

"Yeah, I could do with the help, cheers. Luana's busy an'-- Anders is terrible at this shit so yeah, some help would be great," he grinned as he returned to the skinning, keeping his eyes focused to avoid inadvertently cutting himself though he had heard every word the other had said, simply taking his time to consider how to respond before actually preparing to do so.

"I guess I'm just-- unused to it. Ain't been anyone in the pack who... said they were... y'know, like you. I dunno if I'm sayin' the wrong thing or what, but it just... confuses me? I dunno, dude. Like, I guess... I was brought up knowing that a guy would mate with a girl, have some kids, do that whole thing. Never heard of a guy not being interested in a girl, it-- kinda just... not shocked me, but... it's new for me, I ain't ever even thought about that sorta stuff, never had to before," he admitted, deciding to take the open invitation for a discussion. He didn't want to inadvertently offend him, but he couldn't pretend not to be taken aback by the confession when it was completely new to him.

"Is that rude? Like I said, man, I don't...mean to offend 'ya. Does, uh...Does Lu know? I'm guessin' she does, huh?"
 
Ronan took the rabbit and knife, grateful that the offer had actually been taken. With Lu and Tate now being on good terms, and their relationship seemingly on the mend, he knew he couldn't afford to keep having the negative interactions he had so far had with Tate. He had to repair the foundation and begin building a bridge. Not to mention... it would hopefully make things easier for when he and Anders announced things to the pack, since he was still under the impression that would be happening.

Clearing his throat, he settled opposite Tate on the other side of the fire to begin with the chore. He remained silent as he waited for the other to respond, and then eventually get through, his uncertainty. Ronan's confession had certainly gone better than he had hoped, quietly pleased that Tate had simply accepted the facts and hadn't done what his old pack had done - told him it was just a phase, that he was confused, before things got nastier.

"Everyone was brought up to think that way. Hell, I couldn't accept any of this for a while. I first really noticed when I was 13... the others my age were crushin' on girls an', y'know, dealin' with that sort of thing. But I just... I realised that I wasn't attracted to girls in the way they were an' I... had crushes on the boys I hung out with." Ronan murmured, keeping his own eyes on his rabbit, "I didn't want to acknowledge it, cause, like you said... we're told that we're... supposed to find our mate in a girl, pop out a few kids an' that's life. But... that's not really how it is."

He smiled a little, shaking his head, "Ya ain't offendin' me, don't worry. S'why I wanted to talk to you about it... to maybe... help you understand it, y'know? That way... that way you do understand it... in case it happens again in the future." He paused, busying himself briefly with checking all the innards had been removed.

Ronan did hope that if he could help Tate understand and become used to the idea that not all mates were what they had been taught, then it may help ease Anders' own announcement later down the line.

"I was lucky, before gettin' to Lu's old pack. Her parents had already... taken in a some others that'd been kicked out of their old packs for the same reason. One mated pair and a girl. An' uh... yeah... yeah Lu knows. She's known for ages."
 
"In case it happens again-- like, someone in the pack feelin' like you do? I-- hadn't considered tha'," the alpha admitted as he momentarily disrupted his work, unable to focus on it completely when Ronan's words had, evidently, had an effect. The thought of anyone in his pack feeling the way they were and being unable to live the life they wanted to in fear of rejection or judgement horrified him - he might be confused through his lack of awareness, but he wanted to learn and support the people he cared about.

He might be the alpha who had a reputation as being tough and stubborn... but he was also the alpha who supported each and every single member of his pack; the alpha who went out of his way to protect them and allow them to live their lives freely with feelings of security and safety. He wasn't the type to judge and criticise difference; he might not necessarily understand it at first but he wouldn't disparage and demean anyone for something he at least understood was natural and simply who they were.

Anders had misconstrued his brother's confusion for disgust and judgement when, in fact, he was just... caught off guard by an admission he hadn't anticipated. Granted, the younger brother's fears of the pack's reaction were valid (particularly when there were some members who clearly had no reservations in acting out violently to those they disagreed with) but his concerns of his family turning on him weren't, even if only Tate and Daisy currently knew.

If Tate could accept and show support to Ronan, a man he hadn't got on with whatsoever, then he would clearly do the same for Anders - as would the rest of the family.

"...That's a good point, yeah. I don't want 'em to, uh... think that they'd get thrown out, I ain't gonna do that. Just 'cos I ain't had experience with all this doesn't mean I... I'm against it, y'know? It's just new is all. I'm-- fine with it. It's just who you are, ain't it?" He eventually concluded as he retrieved the now skinned rabbit to proceed to cut the meat from the bone, a smile gradually growing on his lips the more he considered how ludicrous his past fears had been.

"God, I genuinely thought you an' Lu were-- you must 'ave thought I was nuts, huh? Accusing you both of being together? God, I'm real sorry for that, pal. I tend to just... say shit without thinkin'. One of my many flaws."
 
"I mean, don't beat yourself up about it. Lots'of people don't consider it 'cause it's not exactly talked about like it's an option, y'know? We're always told that boy meets girl, they mark each other, they endure the heat, the pop out pups an' it's happily ever after. We're never... told anythin' different." Ronan shrugged, not wanting Tate to feel bad about something he hadn't even considered before. No one in their way of life had, as far as Ronan was concerned. Except maybe for Luana's pack. Though he suspected there was some history to that, maybe an alpha's kid or relative.

Finished with the offal, Ronan began on the skin, peeling back the fur with precision, "You're keepin' the fur, righ'? Could make a nice pair of fur winter boots for the girls-- or gloves or somethin'." He suggested, so the conversation wasn't too heavy.

He paused briefly in his work, readjusting his grip on the rabbit and the knife as he studied the alpha. He listened carefully to his words, trying to decipher any hint of deception or disgust within the response. Given his history, Ronan liked to think he was good at being able to detect how people really felt towards him and who he was. So, given their history, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Tate meant every word. It therefore made him even more relieved and confident that things may actually go well when he and Anders announced their relationship. Although he knew confessing he was gay was a lot less personal to Tate than confessing he was his brother's mate.

"I never thought you would," Ronan murmured, sincere with his response, "An' if you're fine with it... I find the rest of the pack tends to be too. Animosity only rears it's head when leaders show it first. You're the one everyone looks to for guidance an' leadership, they fear what you fear an' hate what you hate." The male then shrugged again, returning his attention to the skinning of the rabbit, "I'm just... glad to hear you're open-minded to it... a lot of folks ain't."

He then snorted, eyebrow quirking but eyes remaining on the rabbit, "S'not me you really need to be directin' the apology too. I found it hilarious, besides, what were you goin' think when you didn't know about me? I think you're more nuts for thinkin' she'd ever move on from you. The last two years... well, none'f'that matters now. You're all back together." He smiled, quickly glancing to Tate before pulling the fur from the rabbit's body to begin on cutting away at the meat.
 
"You say that, that they'd be fine with shit I'm fine with, but-- they know how I feel about Lu. They know that I'd always... care about her, and they still went an' attacked her. They're individuals, y'know, they have their own opinions an'-- I can't guarantee they'll be as acceptin' as I am, I guess. I'll tell 'em to be respectful if they ever 'ave a go at 'ya, but-- don't go expectin' everyone to welcome you in with open arms, mate. But Lu's gonna defend 'ya, she'll always stick up for you, I can tell you that much - and I'll do what I can to help. If you're a member of this pack now, you get my protection and my support, that's-- it comes with the territory. 'Specially when you're my kid's uncle," he nodded for emphasis, his eyes straying absently across to Tala in quiet -albeit unsubtle- pride.

He would be willing to give Ronan a chance for Luana alone: anyone that meant a lot to her was someone he felt he wanted to try and get alone with. He especially wanted to make it work and to establish some civility and amicability with Ronan if he was now a member of the pack, that alone meaning he had Tate's support. But the fact he meant so much to his daughter, the fact he was considered an uncle to her and had such a huge role in helping raise her for two years?

Any problem he had with Ronan could be chalked off as inconsequential now he had fully acknowledged the good job he had done in helping Tala; raising her into the happy, fun-loving toddler she was. It wasn't easy to accept the fact he had missed out on those two years of firsts... but knowing she had a loving mother like Luana and someone as nice as Ronan around was of some comfort to him.

Because Ronan was a decent guy and harbouring a grudge against him for paranoia that wasn't even relevant anymore was ridiculous; even someone as stubborn as Tate was could see that.

"...You're gettin' on with Anders, then? I saw you guys talking, you seemed to get along well," he absently murmured as he set the skinned furs aside, happy to take Ronan's suggestion - the thought of making pairs of gloves for Tala and Teddy was too cute of an idea not to follow up on. He offered a quiet smile at the sudden change in conversation, deciding something lighter to chat about would help... obviously oblivious to the fact that Anders wasn't just some new friend for Ronan to casually chat with.

"I dunno where he's wandered off too but I promise, it ain't anythin' you've said. He just overthinks sometimes; he's always done it. He was always wandering about as a kid, clearin' his mind or whatever. Used to drive our Pa nuts."
 
"A-Anders? Uh... yeah... we're okay. Cleared the air an' all that, y'know, after everythin' that happened." Ronan responded, caught slightly off-guard at the question regarding his secret mate. He should have been prepared for it really, but he didn't expected Tate to really continue the conversation, let alone bring Anders into it. "We get along well... Lu's the mutual point of call again, I guess. Not to mention, Lu named him as one of Tala's godparents... so thought it'd be a good idea to get along with him too, like with you."

Ronan wasn't aware that Luana hadn't mentioned the whole 'godparent' situation to Tate yet. She still needed to speak to him about all that, and inform him she had named Daisy and Anders as two godparents, but wanted to name a third just for extra precaution. Besides, Ronan didn't see Anders being named one of Tala's godparents as a bad thing. He had done a brilliant job with Teddy, and so couldn't think of anyone better for the job.

He shrugged at Tate's apology for Anders, downplaying the real anxiety he felt about his mate's disappearance. He knew that nothing would happen to Anders, but that didn't mean the natural worry for one's mate easily went away.

"S'fine. I just assumed... he's a sensitive soul, right? I just thought he got upset with... y'know... hearin' about my parents. You guys are all so close here, you an' your siblin's, I mean. I won't hold it against him." He smiled easily, continuing to hide the truth of the matter.

Luana soon left the two toddlers to play and tumble around together, pleased that her distraction method worked, and plodded across to where she had left her clothes behind a nearby tree. The smell of the cooking fish had her stomach growling and she sneezed impatiently before ducking behind the trunk. The cracking and grinding of bone and snapping of tendons and flesh sounded for a handful of minutes, a lingering pause afterwards suggesting she was dressing, and Luana finally stepped back out to join the rest of the party.

She smile warmly, stopping just behind Ronan to playfully ruffle his hair like a sister would to a younger brother, grinning at his warning growl as he reached up to fix the mess she created. "How's it goin' you two? Glad to see neither of you have killed the other yet... does this mean you're gettin' along nicely?" She teased, already knowing that there seemed to be a slight shifted between the two men. Both from the body language, tone of voice, and from the occasional sentence or word she gained from eavesdropping.
 
"Sensitive soul-- yeah, s'pose he is. Bit of an understatement but it's more or less accurate. Doesn't look it; you'd think he'd be the toughest guy going yet he can't even catch a fuckin' fish without freaking out," he grunted with a roll of his eyes, albeit without malice or genuine discontentment. If anything, he found his brother's sensitivity to be endearing and wouldn't change any aspect of him if he could (perhaps aside from his tendency to overthink, given how often it messed him up and left him upset about things that hadn't even happened).

He had purposely left the godparents remark aside - not just because he didn't want to put Ronan in an awkward position of blurting something that Tate had yet to know, but also because it didn't bother him in the slightest. Would he have liked to be involved in the conversation regarding something as momentous as the naming of his daughter's godparents? Indisputably - but he also knew he would have come up with the same answer.

In truth, it would have been between Gio or Anders, seeing arguments to back up both of his younger brothers taking that role, but at a push, he too would have opted for Anders. He might not take advantage of his height or strength to really demand the respect he deserved... but he didn't need to be the tough guy in order to raise a child because all of his other attributes made him a great choice - he was sensitive, loving, caring and becoming a father had been the making of him, and Tate had seen himself that despite his brother's quieter demeanour, he could defend himself (and those he loved) if he truly had to.

There wasn't a better choice for a godparent, so acknowledging the remark and making it obvious he had yet to be told that information when he had no real issue with Luana's choice would only provoke awkwardness he was eager to avoid now he and Ronan had, surprisingly, started to get along.

It was a fact he was happy to reveal when Luana approached, smiling quickly up at her as he started to dish out the cooked pieces of fish between the five of them, using the same pan to start cooking up the fresh rabbit meat swiftly after.

"Don't sound so surprised, I'm a decent guy - and so's Ronan. We're getting on great, I reckon," he grinned as he caught Teddy's eye and beckoned both her and Tala to sit down beside the fire and enjoy the fish they had individually caught. "He told me some stuff, we talked it through-- I invited him to move into the pack, call it his new home, so-- I'd call that gettin' along, yeah Ronan?"
 
Luana's smile turned warmer and broader at the words from her mate, immensely pleased and surprised at the change of events. She was extremely grateful that the two were finally getting along, if unsure as to what happened to kickstart such a feat. However, she wasn't about to question it or become suspicious, instead, she would allow things to happen as they were. She wasn't about to start meddling or asking if they were sure. This was her mate being amicable with one of her dearest friends (and unknowingly to Tate, his brother's mate).

She moved from around Ronan to sit besides the two girls, helping dish up the fish they had both caught and handing the meat (once it had cooled enough) to both of them. Ronan, meanwhile, nodded in response to his question, "Tate knows now... about me. Like, me me, Lu."

The woman glanced between them both, blinking at the news before smiling once more, "That's good." She said softly, reaching out to squeeze his knee before pulling back again. It was slightly disappointing, however, that clearly not everything had been told to Tate, or so she guessed because of Anders' missing presence. So she wondered what had happened, and if Anders had been around for Ronan's confession in the first place. The history of his family and pack wasn't exactly a pleasant one, and she didn't think that would really help with Anders' mindset of being anxious about people's reactions.

Ronan handed the rabbit meat to Tate finally, smiling a little to his friend as he placed the bones to the side. His eyes then raised to survey the treeline, withholding the frown that wanted to take over his features at Anders' continued lack of appearance.

"Thank you for offerin' for him to stay. It means a lot to me that you have, y'know? He helped me through a lot, over the last yet, an' I did the same for him." Luana then murmured to her mate, a hand reaching around to hold Tala to her as the toddler leaned into her side as she tucked into the chunks of fish. "Bet you feel like a right idiot now though... thinkin' we were a thing." She smirked after, her other hand moving to rub at Teddy's back.
 
"Oh god, are you gonna bring that up to embarrass me all the time now? I feel like an idiot, it was... a moment of stupidity to accuse 'ya. Mind you, at least it showed I cared about 'ya, hm? That I was pretty jealous at the thought of you being with someone else who wasn't me? Guess it gave me a moment of considerin' how you must have felt when you came back but we don't have to focus on that; not now everything's back on track, the way it should be," came the alpha's response as he adjusted his position midway between the fireplace and the others, in order to continue keeping an eye on the simmering meat whilst also giving the others his attention to avoid feeling left out or forced to remain on the periphery.

The realisation that Anders had probably felt that way for the duration of the fishing earlier in the afternoon, sat metres away by himself while the others proceeded to bond and have fun, did cause a slight guilt to arise once more. He couldn't have changed much about the situation when he had wanted to help his daughter and share in that moment with her, and Anders wasn't likely to approach and join in when he had made it abundantly clear that he didn't have the strength for it, but it didn't stop guilt swirling uncomfortably within him.

This was a day out for Anders as much as it was for the rest of them, so knowing he had probably felt left out and now had wandered off, thereby missing them all gathered together for lunch... Tate couldn't hide the frown from settling on his face.

His own eyes had moved to the treeline in the hopes of spotting the younger man emerging from the foliage, though peered away again when the meat began to sizzle and demanded his attention instead. It was when he glanced away, however, that he noticed how... desperately Ronan seemed to be searching the treelines too. Had that been an isolated incident, Tate would have brushed it aside and even found it quite warming to know Ronan, who he thought to be a stranger to Anders, was displaying this amount of concern for his whereabouts.

But it wasn't in isolation. Tate was observant (being alpha, he had to be) so he could draw on the other instances that had caught his attention that day, whether it be the ease in which Ronan had played about with Teddy or his earlier stammering when Anders was brought up into their conversation, shortly after Ronan had made it obvious that anyone else in the pack could, potentially, speak up with revelations about their sexuality like he had.

Alone, isolated from one another, the alpha had barely arched an eyebrow - but together? It was hard not to waive it aside when gradually, he was starting to put two and two together. He couldn't be certain and even if he was, Anders didn't have to tell him everything... but he felt inclined too know something this momentous, especially if it was causing his brother to stress out and worry himself unnecessarily.

"...You don't have to go tellin' me every one of your secrets, I ain't gonna make you do that nor do I wanna cause trouble for 'ya, but, uh... let's not name names or say anything specific, let's keep it vague to avoid drama. Let's say you 'ave a mate, hypothetically speaking. An' that mate was someone I... was close to; someone I cared a lot about. Like a brother or somethin'. You'd look after him, yeah? An' you'd... make him happy? Wouldn't go hurtin' him?"
 
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