: i should've known the tides were getting higher

we can still survive
& i think we're drowning

Ranjord was growing as of late, and he was thankful for it. His and Marella's litter was too small to fulfill Ranjords end of the bargain for the arranged marriages. He knew that too well. So when an Amberbjorne princess arrived, a soulmate to his Delta, with two nieces of his unknown likely to Tarben, he felt nothing but relief and joy. He however noticed how quiet everything had become. His beloved Marella was off, meeting suitors for the children who'd be tied into this union of Starfall. He was happy to stay behind and watch the pack. The Driftwood King noticed Esmeray was missing it seemed lately, which brought him some suspicion. She was to be married off to Tarbens heir, to become a Queen. Was she getting cold feet? Surely, he understood it might be strange given their distant relation. But since Beartooths death and the rumor of his half sisters disappearance, that left only Kublai to rule. Their tie would be severed without this marriage.

Marella was due back shortly, and he prowled the seas. His body sleek from his Aquatis form in the salty ocean waters. As he surfaced and took in some air, he heard distant chatter. Panicked shouting. He began to move towards it, only swimming faster when he heard his wife call for him. He moved quickly, beaching onto the sandy shores of his kingdom before his back fin shed off into legs. As he trotted up, he noticed the smell of blood and pups, what was . . . "Esmeray," He spoke, his voice laced with frustration.

"What have you done?" He said, hardly above a whisper. "What have you done?! Do you understand you're engaged, promised, and tied to a male of the most bloodiest pack in the realm?! They laid waste to a quarter of Sabertooth in their last war, for a squabble just like this, Esmeray! Sabertooths Queen was killed, the King wounded immensely! Do you wish to have the same outcome for us!? What were you thinking?!" His anger boiled as he yelled, his lips curled in a snarl before he soothed slowly, looking down at the pups. His grandchildren. He paused for a moment or two. A sigh left his jaws. He looked to Marella. "We will not stumble like Sabertooth had. These children will be adopted, we will say we found the litter abandoned on the shores of the mainland. Esmeray will still be promised still to Prince Erik as a wife, and she will be promised to be untouched." He looked to his daughter. "Until you go to meet your fiance, when you're done nursing, and do not smell of pups, you will be forbidden to leave to island. I will set a guard to keep an eye on you at all times until the day comes - Or I will do it myself." He looked between his daughter and his mate. "Am I clear?"

Walk, "Talk", Think.

but our heads are still
above the waves

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