Rift. (Rewritten in 2010)

Second winter, Year Three (12th Moon)

It had been a long winter, and it wasn't even halfway over. Kriston was helping his mate collect leaves and branches to make a wreath; this was the one time each year when humans all seemed very intent on bringing the outdoors in. Kriston did not quite understand the tradition, but loved it all the same because it made Damon happy. It was good, the wolfe thought, to see him happy about anything at all. The last three months had felt empty between them.

Damon went out once a week to check the trees for his family's mark. Three months now, and no sign whatsoever. He went alone to look - in the beginning, he'd taken Kaz, but as the younger human's pregnancy had progressed, his desire to be in the cold had decreased dramatically, and so Damon was left to fend for himself in this. Still no sign. Damon went back indoors.

That night, he prayed for a sign to guide him. At dawn, he woke from an uneasy sleep; the morning star looked blue. Damon moved closer to Kriston's side and nuzzled him, smelled his smoky juniper scent. Kris stirred and woke slowly.
"What is it, love?"
Damon paused a long time and Kriston thought he might have fallen back asleep.
"I know where Oz & Charlie are."
Now Kriston was wide awake, sitting bolt upright in the bed and suspiciously examining his mate.
"What?"
There was a trace of panic in his voice. Damon belatedly realized that he probably suspected the worst.
"They are fine; they're unharmed, love. But I know where they are."
Kriston's heart was pounding - half excitement at the possibility of retrieving his children, half fright at his beta's strange behavior. Damon was looking at him intently now.
"I can't get to them, though, Kriston. Not like this. I will need your help."
Fright was morphing into anger.
"Love, you're not making sense. Where are the puppies? If you know something, tell me. Please - tell me!"
Damon exhaled in frustration. His point was not getting through.
"They are with my sister, and she is with our clan. Now, I know where the clan is; or at least, where they might be. But our clan is heavily armored and Alyssa will not allow me simply to take them and come back. She will make me fight, and I cannot win against my entire clan. You can."
Kriston furrowed his brow.
"But you told me - "
"I remember," Damon said, holding one hand up, "What I told you."
Day looked away - was it guilt? and there was a pause; the tension rose.
"What are you suggesting, Damon?"
"I am suggesting that you go and get them."
Kriston felt something in the pit of his stomach.
"Damon...this is..." the wolfe sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed, paced the floor. "This is - I cannot let you - " he swallowed slowly.
"This is not a choice to be made lightly."
Damon smiled a tight smile, stood, and came closer to Kriston. Gently, he kissed his neck, put both hands on his face, refused to allow him to turn; made him meet his eyes.
"They pass the eastern bank in the second moon."

+++

He couldn't sleep beside Kriston any longer after he'd spoken those words - his mate's pensive expression was only a reminder of his own act of betrayal. But he'd had no choice - had he? Foolhardy as he was, he'd brought the whole thing on himself. He wanted to sleep. He couldn't. He made his way to the bathing rooms.

The baths were mostly empty this time of night, but would fill again after the early morning meal. Damon chose a shallow, warm pool underneath the glass ceiling and looked upwards, for his family's star. He couldn't seem to find it.