Another face in the CROWD

[smilies]

The waddling figure of Almira could be made out through the shadows of the trees. Even from a distance it was easy to see that she was another pregnant female, clearly on the verge of giving birth within a week or so. Most would be happy at the thought of giving birth to little bundles of fur but if given a closer look the scowl displayed on her face was more than noticeable. Yes, part of her was excited about having pups but another part found it absolutely disgusting. This being said, it didn't mean that she would disown them. No, never that. This was her choice and therefore she'd live up to responsibilities as a mother.

A shudder made it's way down her spine at the thought. She hoped that the gestation period would be the worst. So far she couldn't imagine anything worse than this. She hated being tired and fat all the time. She hated being alone and most of all she hated being vulnerable. In this state what fight would she be if a predator were to come along? The thought sent a growl ripping through the air. This would be her second time being a mother. But the first time, she hadn't exactly stuck around to raise them. Truthfully, she was scared going into this situation, but then again she was a bit anxious for it. She wasn't exactly the motherly type and she was curious to see how this would playout.

When she'd found a spot, free of slush, she lowered herself to the ground until the light feathery fur of her stomach touched the damp earth. With a heavy sigh she rested her head on her paws, the scowl still evident on her face. She wasn't exactly sure why she'd decided to become a mother. Was it because of Zach? Or was it that she just wanted to have something new in her life? She assumed it was a little of both. Either way this was probably the stupidest thing she'd ever done. She wasn't sure she could be a mother, let alone, if she actually wanted to be one.

Adding more to her worries, she had no clue where Zach was. She hadn't spoken to him for days, maybe weeks. Maybe he'd broken his promise and left. Surprisingly that thought didn't send any pangs of pain to her heart. Instead there was a feeling of acceptance. She may have had moments where she felt she could trust Zach, but deep down she beginning to accept that she'd never be able to fully trust. She couldn't bring herself to break down every barrier within her. It was impossible. She hadn't been raised to let wolves in and hurt.
With a flick of her ears she dropped that thought. Quite honestly, she wasn't sure she even wanted Zach to see her like this. Almira had always had her beauty to accompany her, and now she was a pregnant dog.

Where was the beauty in that?

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[Malo]

OOC: Mind if I join?

[smilies]

Ooc;; Surre. :]

[Malo]

OOC: Yay! Fallon will finally get to see her pregnant mama...sparks will fly! Anyways...

IC: A slender, feminine figure slid through No Man's Land at a brisk pace, oblivious to anyone and anything. Her coat of mixed colors shone in the spring sun with every step she took, and her green eyes hinted at boredom. Fallon yawned as she trotted on, white paws hitting the ground lightly. She wasn't in the mood to do much of anything right now, except think. Think about what had happened to her father and siblings, think about getting the position as beta because it had been her birth right, thinking about Justyn and how he irked her...in more ways than one. So much to think about, it made her sick. And that's when it hit her.

It made her stop in her tracks. A familiar scent she knew all too well, a smell that now disgusted her. A smell she could remember knowing even before her eyes had opened to observe this wretched world for the first time. A smell that had meant comfort and safety at one point in her life, but now meant hatred and the burning desire to cause the source harm-either mentally or physically. The smell that belonged to her mother. Almira was nearby.

A growl rumbled into Fallon's throat, and her eyes that were once filled with boredom now brimmed with anger and annoyance. What the hell was her mother doing out here, of all places? Fallon knew she at one point had probably joined Falling Moon again, but it didn't mean she had to see her. But now, here they were in the same general area, not too far apart. The wind picked up and changed direction, and Fallon knew her mother would recognize her and know she was there. There was no point in avoiding her now, she might as well see what the female was up to. She sighed, tried to make her anger subside but to no avail. She hated her mother for what she did to her and the rest of their family. Still, she took a few deep breaths and turned, heading in Almira's direction.

It didn't take long for Fallon to find her. She could see Almira in the distance, but didn't bother to make her presence known with a bark or other greeting. As she got closer, her eyes caught something that made her do a double take. She squinted her eyes to make sure she was seeing what she saw, shaking her head in disbelief. Her mother looked...fat. And Fallon recognized this "fat" as not being overweight, or just being bloated from a nice meal of caribou. This "fat" was pregnancy fat. A snarl erupted from her. ||What the hell? How COULD she?|| She stared daggers at her mother, who still remained lying on the ground scowling as if the world had done her wrong. ||I wonder what unlucky bastard knocked her up..||

She stopped moving when she finally stood over Almira, looking down her nose at her with a disgusted look. She wished she could just swipe her mother across the face with her paw, or rip her apart with her teeth. But she knew she couldn't, she would never be able to for the simple fact that the pathetic creature beneath her was her own flesh and blood. She snorted. Well, well, well. I never thought I'd see the day when mommy dearest would be carrying more bundles of joy into the world. Tell me mother, are you going to abandon them for themselves too, like you did me and my sister and brothers? I see their father didn't stick around like Josiah did. A look of disgust stayed on her face, as if it was permanently attached, and she spat the words like venom. She didn't care who the daddy was, but if he had left Almira by herself, it was what she deserved. She snorted again. You've really let yourself go mom, she added in an irritated tone.

[smilies]

Her daughter's scent had reached her long before she arrived. Within the short moments it took for her daughter's form to appear she began to think about how she'd paid her dues. She'd apologized with all her heart, sincerely, and she wondered if Fallon would come to ridicule her or just spend time with her long lost mother. She hoped it was the second one. In her state she didn't much feel like fighting, verbally or physically. But when Fallon arrived, it became clear to her that there would be no happy mother-daughter bonding today. No, there'd probably never be that. Even after she'd thrown out her apologies, her admittance of being stupid, selfish and inconsiderate. None of it seemed to matter. Her daughter was holding a grudge and, well, it was to be expected. Almira would do the same thing if she was in Fallon's position. After all they were both Moon wolves. Holding grudges was in the job description.

A heavy sigh was heaved into her chest and then removed from her lungs. This was more of a sigh of frustration than guilt. She was sick of being guilty for something she'd apologized for, over and over again. What else did Fallon want her to do? Almira patiently let Fallon's words penetrate her ears, her expression remaining one of indifference, even when she so subtly mentioned Zach. Yes, she was as shocked as Fallon was. Not. She's expected Zach to leave. Almira had done just that when she'd gotten herself settled down and with a family, the seperation anxiety towards the loner lifestyle too much for her to bear.
She wasn't interested in what Fallon had to say, despite the fact that she was her daughter. Fallon was old enough now to enemies with whomever she pleased, and Almira was clearly an enemy. Unfortunately for Almira this was excruciatingly bad time to draw enemies that could rip her, and her unborn pups to shreds just before their birth. She wasn't in the state to fight and Fallon knew that.

Even with the high tension eminating from each wolf, Almira felt the need to make this interaction as lighthearted as possible. "You and me, both," she said with a fake sheepish grin, her reply to Fallon's first comment. Almira was feeling a little giddy now, the guilty she'd felt towards her family days before was beginning to subside. She'd apologized, it had gotten shot down and now there was nothing left to do but act how she wanted to act. She knew the lighthearted comments would anger Fallon...But honestly, it'd why she was doing it.
"Fallon, sweetie, if it would make you feel more equal to these pups, then I'd be glad to abandon them as well," she said with another understanding, yet fake grin, speaking to her daughter as though she was trying to soothe her after a playground argument which she'd clearly lost.
"Yes, well, their father seems to have more common sense," she said, tilting her head to the side as if trying to get a point across.

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[Malo]

Fallon knew her mother all too well; her words were meant to anger her daughter, and despite Fallon trying to suppress the rage, it worked. Her mother's casual approach at the situation was meant to send her into a fit, and her cheeks grew hot under her fur. She flexed her toes, realizing she could take out the pests and her mother right now if she wanted to. But what good would that do? Fallon knew that if she killed her mother now, she would have that hanging over her head for the rest of her life, and it was not a weight she felt like being bothered to carry. And she knew her father, where ever he was, wouldn't approve; Fallon respected and loved him far too much to do anything that he would frown upon.

She glared at her mother, distaste clear on her face. Almira's bulging stomach was just pathetic, and Fallon wondered just how many brats were in there. Maybe they'd die at birth, and Fallon wouldn't have to deal with them later. But maybe that was wishful thinking. At the mention of them being equal, Fallon's green eyes flashed with emotion, mostly rage, disgust, and the want to swipe her mother. Those runts will never be equal to me, she spat.

The tension was rising, and Fallon was starting to get an itch. She wanted to dig her claws into Almira's side, and clamp her teeth into her neck and just shake until she felt no resistance. When she heard the comment about the pup's anonymous father, she was angered even more. You b*tch. Josiah stayed because he loved you, and he was our father. Obviously your tastes in males is flawed if you were stupid enough to get pregnant by some male who could give a damn. Or maybe that's what makes you happy, I don't know or care. Josiah was smart, but he was a fool to let someone as undeserving as you capture his heart. Pathetic. She looked away, her nose scrunched up. Her mother stunk like different males and too many loners. Why Duke let her back into the pack Fallon had no clue. But she wished he hadn't; she was just going to end up in No Man's Land anyway, like today. She didn't deserve to be in the pack.

[smilies]

Almira could see her daughter getting angry, and she was successful in hiding the pleasure she felt towards this. Her expression remained blnk, leaving her daughter to ponder what emotions and thoughts were running through her. But with each word Fallon spoke she found it harder and harder to keep this conversation light. Fallon could tell herself differently, but inside Almira had tried and still wanted to try to make things right between them. Maybe her attitude wasn't helping it very much, but she was pregnant and her emotions were astir and she just wanted to prove to her daughter that she did care, that she had loved Josiah. But her daughter was being difficult and this whole conversation was getting absolutely nowhere, except getting everyone angry.

She snarled from her spot on the ground, not feeling the energy to push herself to her feet. "Will you please stop it?" she snapped viciously. "I gave you my apologies, I told you my reasons, my stories, my regrets about leaving you," she added, her voice icy and angry, wishing she had the strength to get up. She felt so small lying on the ground, and as if her words were making no effect. "I've paid my dues by apologizing and the fact that you're still here, tormenting me and rubbing my face in the mistakes I've made..." She paused to take a shaky breath. "It really shows how small you are," she finished, her teeth bared by the end of the sentence. "Why are you here, what else do you want from me?" she questioned, sincerely wishing she could take back everything, all the mistakes she'd made, all the regrets she had. She wished she'd never come to this valley.

She took a deep breath, looking away from her daughter. Almira had loved Josiah, he'd had her heart just as she'd had his. But another larger part had also taken posession of her heart, and that part was fear. Call her coward, and she wouldn't deny it. It's what she was. She could admit to herself but she didn't need her daughter to rub it in her face anymore. It was time she took a stand.

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[Malo]

Fallon almost laughed in her mother's face, despite the daggers she was shooting at her. Instead she snarled back, her own teeth bared now. Forgive me for being just a tad bitter. After all, you did kick us to the curb for your own benefit. I may be being small, but I'm a Falling Moon mother, born and raised. You should know by now taking the low road and being an ass comes with the territory. You've displayed that yourself. Her tone was sharp, eyes cold.

Bitterness rose in her, and a scowl appeared on her face. Your 'I'm sorry' doesn't cut it Almira. That was the first time she had called her mother by her name, a sign of the respect she had lost in just a few short months. You say you regret it...but you didn't have to deal with what I went through. You weren't the one who had to go through early puphood with a broken family. You didn't have to take care of three siblings and a father who couldn't provide for you-not because he didn't care, but because he couldn't. I taught myself everything, because there was no mother figure in my life. You walked out on your family and learned everything, most likely-I was forced to survive. And here I am now, all grown up, with my only surviving family member being my mother who was too much of a coward to stay with her family. And who had tha audacity to get knocked up again. It's a joke, that's what it is. She turned away, her mother had done the same. She felt that if she looked at her again, she really would lunge for her.

She didn't know why she had bothered to come. Her mother meant nothing but a bad time now. Until she proved she wasn't a waste, Fallon wanted nothing to do with her. Yet she had still been drawn to Almira. Why? She shook her head, a moan escaping her mouth.

[smilies]

Almira sighed and looked away. What else was she supposed to say? Everything Fallon accused her of was true. It wasn't as if she could deny it. Part of her wanted to argue with her, but really there was nothing that she could say that would make Fallon forgive her and Almira was sick of trying, sick of trying to make amends with someone who just didn't give a damn. There was one more thing she wanted to say. She wasn't sure if it would help but it should at the very least leave her daugther with something to think about.

"Unless you've lived my life, you have absolutely no right to judge me because you don't know, never have, and never will know every little think and detail about me," she said, staring at her daughter's back. Almira was sick of feeling guilty. She didn't want to hear any more of Fallon's complaints. She should be thanking Almira. She'd made her strong, just as Almira's mother had made her. The world was a cruel place and by doing what she did, she was preparing for Fallon what was sure to come. "I said I'm sorry. I can't give you anything more than that." A growl was still evident in her throat.

"If you've got nothing more to say, other than rubbing my face in my mistakes that I'm already perfectly aware of, I suggest you leave." She turned her head away from her daughter just then and lay them on her outstretched paws. She was sick of arguing, sick of trying to make amends. Fallon's petty words no longer hurt her. She was done with this.

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[zacharias]

OoC. BAM xD Feel free to delete this post if you don't want him to jump in a screw stuff up =/ It's mainly a bunch of waffling due to build-up of Zachmuse

The day had been young when his lids had first opened over his silver eyes, the sun had not even made it above the horizon. Sleep seemed to avoid him in a place like this, he fell asleep later and awoke earlier than he ever had before. His mind was constantly busy, noisy, chaotic but at the same time completely absent. It had been funny how the days seemed to just move without him, it felt like he was just standing there whilst the seasons changed and the whole world left him behind like a soundless black and white movie. His existence had now taken a turn down a new path, a more constructive path yet a harder path. The life of a pack member was not what he had expected to obtain so soon. The image of Duke still remained in his mind 'welcome back to hell' he had spat at Almira on their arrival.

His back muscles clenched at the thought of the arrogant canine filth that he now called his alpha. At least he thought he called him alpha. At the time, he hadn't been completely sure that Duke had accepted him. Of course he accepted Almira, but there was no clear gesture toward Zach to let him know that he could follow her. Despite his doubts, he followed her onto the lands owned by the Moons. He had been keeping a low profile since then, still anxious that he would be thrown out or attacked for trespassing.

Almira had disappeared since then. He hadn't seen her for days now; he had assumed that returning to her pack bought with an array of duties... this would explain her absence. Or maybe upon her return she had realised her mistake in falling for him. He shook his head as the thought drove a blunt stab into his chest. He cleared his voice and held his eyes shut for a moment before turning his nose to the skies and drawing another long breath. He had caught Almira'a scent on the boarder a day or so ago and had been swiftly tracking her ever since. He could feel that she was close, somewhere around the general area.

His ears twitched forward at the sound of distant voices. He couldn't make out any words or who the voices belonged to but they were a start. His hackles raised and his heart began to pump a little louder in his ears at the thought of the only female to have ever captured his heart. After a few minutes his pace slowed, he could begin to make out sections of words, they were loud... yelling. He growled and began to walk forward until he caught wind of more of the conversation. He froze in his tracks to listen. Obviously your tastes in males is flawed if you were stupid enough to get pregnant by some male who could give a damn. were they talking about him? Who did this angered voice belong to? He heard her name, Almira, it hung in his head but his paws anchored him to the earth. More words, more and more and more. Each one hit him like a mallet.

He swallowed hard and evaluated what he could possibly be stepping into. Any other time he would have jumped in to defend his dignity and that of his female. His female, well that was all a big joke now wasn't it. Now he was the male that couldn't give a damn. The thought send a shuddering wave of adrenalin through his body and it was this that forced his to finish what he had come here to do. The hulking black beast moved with surprising grace through the remaining scrub. He came to a halt a fair distance from the two females and stood quite still, he cleared his voice out of habit and took in the scene before him.

He didn't come any closer; he remained at a distance - a mere black shadow against the contrast of the outlands. His lips were tightly pressed together but his head was still held high despite what these two probably thought of him. Suddenly that wave of adrenalin disintegrated within him and he was left with nothing but the silence. His silver eyes fell to the unknown female, she was younger than himself, apparently Almira's daughter - or so he had assumed by going off what he had just heard. Then, reluctantly, they came to rest on the swollen body of Almira. He fought to hold the strength in his face, for, now there was no more room in this wolf for emotion. The urge to nuzzle her and see if she was okay was ferociously guarded by what he had just overheard.

He shut his eyes briefly before looking away from her, weakened by the sudden hurt, his body released a short sigh. Squaring his shoulders and keeping his chin elevated his hard, silver eyes watched the two, waiting for the words which would determine his future in this god-forsaken pack. He was now aware of why he had remained in solitude for so long, this was overwhelming for him - let alone Almira who was pregnant. His stomach clenched and he glanced back to her with remorse. Still, he has been disciplined by his own pride for so many years and old habits die hard. He wasn't going to run to her, not while they were with such undesirable company.

[smilies]

The scent had reached her before anything else, making her aware of his arrival. A wave of familiar warmth rolled through her, and her heart's speed began to pick up pace. And although she was grateful for his presence, she wished he'd come a little later. He would make the atmosphere between her and her daughter so much more tense and quite truthfully she wasn't sure she could take anymore from Fallon as of right now. She slowly lifted her head off her paws and turned to look at Zach, a smug grin etched clearly on her slender maw. "Come to join the party?" she questioned, her gaze shooting to Fallon in honest curiousity to how she was taking all of this. In her mind, she was rubbing it in her daughter's face that Zach hadn't abandoned her and the pups. She wouldn't say it aloud, because there was still plenty of time for that and she wouldn't jinx herself by saying it. If Zach was anything like her, he'd be gone by the time the pups were born.

She studied him carefully, as if trying to prove herself that he really was there, right in front of her. He wasn't an apparition. Still it was hard for her to believe. This was the first time she'd seen him since being accepted into Falling Moon. She shot him a warm smile to assure him that she was glad he was there. Not only for his company but also if Fallon decided to attack, she'd have some line of defense. She was secretly bracing herself for harsh comments that were sure to come from her daughter. Zach had probably heard snippets of conversation before he'd arrived, so he probably knew who she was. After all their verbal fight had probably been loud, and attention drawing to say the least.

"Zach, this if Fallon," she said, introducing them anyway. Part of her mind wanted to ad my daughter to that sentence, but another part just wasn't in the mood. She was treating her mother like sh*t even after she'd apologized over and over again. "Fallon, this is Zach," she said, her voice more hard now that she was talking to her daughter.
She looked at Zach again, wanting him to come closer but not willing to make the gesture that would put him into movement. Like him, her pride kept her at bay, pushing her strong emotions away. They weren't the average couple. In fact, they'd never even completely commited themselves as mates. There wasn't a name for the relationship they had. But then again, they knew their feelings for one another.

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[Malo]

OOC: HIIIII PANIX! xD

IC:Fallon had smelled the male before he even made his appearance, but she had been too preoccupied in her argument with her mother to care. She still didn't care when he actually showed his face, that is until her mother acknowledged him. An eyebrow raised as she saw the smile her mother shot him. So this was the fool who had done it. She scrunched up her nose to hide laughter. He wasn't much to look at, that was for sure. And he obviously wasn't too bright either. If he hadn't been bigger than her, Fallon probably would have went for his neck. See what her mother thought about that.

It was obvious that Almira was glad Zach was here, which made it obvious to Fallon he was the father of the little pests leeching away in her mother's stomach. A bunch of half siblings from this pair were the last thing Fallon wanted. Her face kept an annoyed look as her mother introduced the two. Rolling her eyes, Fallon snorted at Zach, not really caring who he was. Brow raised, she dared him to come closer. Hello...Zach.

The name was bitter and tasted sour on her tongue. She did not like this male, not at all. Her mother hadn't been here long enough to even attract a mate, and Fallon took a bet that he was nothing like her father. Who had cared for Almira, would put his life on the line for her and their pups. This brute, couldn't do that. His scent rank of No Man's Land, and he had no distinct pack smell. A loner, how disgusting. Almira had lowered herself to mate with a useless waste of space, who would be gone before the morning. She almost felt sorry for her unborn brothers and sisters. So mommy dearest, this is your chosen mate, baby daddy, whatever you call him? How...depressing. She shook her head. It's not like she would have been happier if Almira had stayed within the pack, but at least it wouldn't have been quite as embarrassing. What a shame.

[zacharias]

Zach released a subtle sigh as Almira's mug was graced with a pleased smile. Thank heavens, she hadn't lost hope in him. He hesitated for a moment as she spoke, Fallon this is Zach. His silver eyes met her gaze sternly as they were introduced and he waited for a reply, curious to see how she would take his sudden appearance. Hopefully him being here would put her in her place, where she belonged. Her reaction was what he was expecting but rather than infuriate him it seemed to be somewhat amusing. Two against one, hell, the odds were in his favor so why not use it to his advantage. As the younger female spat his name, the corner of his lip lifted "Zacharias," He corrected her, snorting smugly.

He turned his attention from Fallon quite quickly and settled it back on Almira. Without any more delay the black beast moved forward a few steps to close the distance between himself and his lover. His pace did not slow as he came within a short distance, in fact it could have even sped up. The long wait to see Almira again, coupled with Fallon's presence only made him more eager to be with her. Clonk! His head connected with hers and he nuzzled her briefly before lifting his lips to her ear "Hello beautiful." He made sure that his words were soft, only so that she could hear them. They were teasing, playing on her obvious insecurities concerning her new baby body. He drew his head away from her, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Zach's eyes lifted back to meet Fallon's as more nasty words left her lips. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly before taking a short breath to speak "Almira," He said gruffly, his deep voice quite an unfavorable contrast against the high, female voices of Almira and her daughter "You should have taught this pup a few more manners." He tut tutted, playing down Fallon's seriousness with his own blunt sarcasm. She deserved nothing but disrespect in his eyes, so that's what she would get.

OOC: I'm so sorry that this is so late and so terrible! ):
*slaps wrist*

[smilies]

Almira couldn't help but laugh at the pair's introduction, even though laughing seemed like the worst possible expression of emotion at a time like this. Her abandoned daughter was meeting the male that she'd picked up along the way back to Falling Moon and was probably one of the most awkward positions she thought she'd ever be in. She felt partly guilty for Zach showing up in front of Fallon, and truthfully Almira didn't even want to think about how Fallon was feeling about all of this. After all, the pups inside of her were technically her half siblings. But her guilt was slowly beginning to fade. The fact that Fallon was even here showed that she was clearly on the verge of forgiving her truthfully sorry mother. At least Almira thought she was.
She hadn't expected them to get along, but considering their personalities it was a relief they weren't shedding blood by now. She figured it was going well for the situation they were all in. In a way, Zach and Fallon's personalities matched. They both had a smug, sarcastic nature to them, both of them disliked the other.

"Stop being so nasty Fallon...No one's here to pick a fight with you," she said, her voice stern, but her amused smile still lingering on her blackened lips. The order was not meant to be a motherly one, it was just an order in general that any common bystander would give if she was acting the same way with them. Her daughter seemed to want to pick a fight with anyone who had relations with her, and she was getting sick of it. Just because Almira had made a mistake didn't mean she had to make her mother's life pure hell.

As she spoke to her daughter, she could see Zach's dark form lumbering towards her out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head, her heart fluttering more from the awkwardness than the overwhelming emotion of him just being here. When his head hit hers, his presence became so much more real, physical contact awakening her to the real world and the realness of...Them. For a brief moment she forgot about' Fallon's presence and let the emotions envelope most of her that wasn't guarded by the invisible wall inside of her. A smile began to play at her lips as his words gently tickled the short hairs of her ears.
Like most things, however, she wasn't able to enjoy the moment for long. Her sense came back and once more she was aware of Fallon. She tore the smile from her face for her daughter's sake. Almira knew it must be hard for her especially with the death of her father, her mother's sudden return with a full stomach and a male at her side. She quietly cleared her throat and pulled away from him, the guilt slowly beginning to seep back into the crevices of her swollen and torn heart.

"I should've done a lot of things," she said just as gruffly as Zach. She gazed at her daughter, sorrow plain and clear in her eyes as if sending her a secret message, just between the two of them. Fallon may not want to believe it, but her mere presence her was growing on Almira. She loved her daughter and would go to the ends of the earth for her. Unfortunately she just wasn't sure how to display and tell her these things. She just wanted Fallon to forgive her and for this whole awkward situation to blow over. She wanted to attempt to form a real mother, daugther bond. Things were never that easy, though, and Almira was completely aware of the fact that a normal relationship between them may never happen. Fallon may not have the heart to forgive her mother...Nor should she. Almira didn't deserve a second chance, but she wanted one more than anything.

She tore her gaze away from Fallon and turned to Zach her expression blank. "So, where've you been?" she asked, her tone curious, not demanding. They hadn't put a name on their relationship and Almira had no intention of being the clingy one in this. Zach had every right to leave if he wanted to. There was no commitment....Fortunately, that was just the way she wanted it to be.

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