Eli held his breath, feeling the teeth sink into the flesh of his neck. It was extremely gentle considering Liam could probably tear his throat out for fun. While Eli's legs were outstretched and forced to the ground, Liam's were bent and lined against either side of Eli's body as he straddled the small deer's back.

While it felt like forever, Liam quickly removed his teeth from Eli's neck "Don't run..." He said as gently as he could "I'm sorry... if you run they'll find you..."

Eli's breath hitched in his throat as he shook, his body completely restrained under Liam's weight. "I'm not going to hurt you... I told you that, Eli... Please..." Liam's voice was still dark and gruff, but obviously, he was trying his hardest to soothe Eli.

"I..." Eli hesitated and contemplated what he was going to say "...won't run..." He paused again "I promise." The wolf seemingly only wanted to help him. Besides, he said that he would get caught if he ran now.

Weight was almost immediately removed from his back as Liam sighed in relief and climbed off him, carefully removing his claws from Eli's skin. He sat back and watched Eli slowly sit up and meet his eyes once more.

Fear was visible for a split second before Eli calmed once more. He reached up and touched the bite from Liam's his eyes widening when he pulled away and his fingers were coated in blood. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to startle him.

He looked from his fingers to Liam's guilty expression, his golden-colored ears were pressed to his head and his tail was shyly tucked behind him "I'm sorry... I..." He sighed "I panicked and that was the first thing that came to mind." When he didn't get a response from Eli he continued nervously "Well... y'see deer are way more... uh... fragile than wolves. We get physical all the time..." Eli's eyes seemed to trail to Liam's bare chest, landing slowly on all the scars. "I just... wasn't thinking..."

"It's okay..." Liam looked to Eli in a bit of surprise, his ears perking up and his tail starting to wag slightly.

"Really? Are you sure... I did hurt you..." Liam looked down at his paws, before back at Eli's face "...You're... ah... I um... Sorry" He stuttered slightly and shook his head. They both grew quiet, Eli not wanting to leave and get caught by the other wolves, and Liam not wanting to leave this porcelain doll behind for the others to destroy. He began to fidget awkwardly, playing with his long locks of messy blonde hair.

"Why don't you cut it?" Eli spoke up, changing the conversation.

"Cut what?"

"Your hair..." Eli responded before hesitantly scooting closer and reaching up, ignoring Liam's slightly shocked expression. He took a large bundle of Liam's thick blonde hair in his hand "Why don't you cut your hair?"

Liam blinked a few times before fidgeting with the fur on his knees "My father is the alpha in my pack... he believes cutting it is wrong... at least for the future leader..."

Eli huffed and let go, his tail fluttering as he spoke "That sounds annoying. I wouldn't know... I'm still young but I've already been told I'm going to be a pathetic excuse for a buck..." There was barely enough time for Liam to try and say something before Eli continued "Even my mom says I'll never attract a doe... at least not one in her right mind..."

Liam furrowed his brows and tilted his head "Why not try another buck?" He instantly realized what he said and bit his lip, expecting a speech about tradition like usual.

When Eli looked to him in shock he internally told himself off and quickly put his hands up "Sorry I just thought-"

"No no..." Eli laughed awkwardly and gave him a small smile, the tension had seemingly melted away between them "It's just strange to finally meet someone who didn't think that's wrong..." 

Liam blushed and looked up, rubbing the back of his neck "Well... I guess..." He chuckled and looked back to Eli "I kinda feel your pain in that department... males are only supposed to try to mate females... I suppose you were told the same thing?" Eli nodded and Liam sighed, an understanding smile forming on his face "I guess I just assumed it was just us wolves... how strange"

"Indeed..." Eli said while shyly meeting Liam's eyes. Who knew the one person who understood him was the person who was supposed to kill him.