The 'revered' ones

[Lovely]

December 10, 2009
Evening
Onmadia - Pack's caverns
runs alongside: Not what it seems and Kiss the cook


The horrors the man had bestowed on their kind earned the instant hatred of Mitch and Keller both. His scent alone reeked of the betrayal of their kindred and their followers, alike. The voices had begun to rise and suddenly the woman's was silenced, clenched from the air in the man's grip. The acknowledgment and the decision were instantaneous, the pair agreeing with the rumble of low breath to burst into the room and end the discussion regarding Tullia and the man's intentions for her. Mitch had decided his side of the arguement long before meeting Tully along the road and discovering these new truths he heard from the corridor. No redemption would meet the man tonight as far as he was concerned. Keller was there as witness and thankfully for mercy, however... for now. Amidst the brawl in the trophy room, it was Keller who pulled Mitch aside at first, preventing the man's imminent death. There were better ways to exact their differences of opinion... let him be judged by those who had suffered. They would bring him back to the pack and let them pass their brand of justice onto this man together. The walls and stands were covered with the traces of the man's complete reversal of loyalty. Remnants of furs, snarling heads, beaded lengths of teeth and bones, images and figures, all portraying the diminishing power of the wolves and touting the rise and power of the false lords, the blood drinkers, were littered throughout the room in nauseating display. Simply killing him for these atrocities that surrounded them would not be good enough. Mitch cleared his thoughts, pacing with indecision until he agreed not to kill him here, but to take the broken man to his ultimate humility, bundling him in one of his own 'trophy sacks' meant for bringing back live animals. Mitch grinned wryly before leaving that the 'celebrations' would begin as soon as Keller and Tullia's aunt were safely back at the den, but not to wait too long. He couldn't guarantee the man would be safe for long.

Lola was on the floor of the stable, she'd watched the events unfold with shock that turned to awe as she realized what was happening. Moments before she'd been sure her brother would end her life and now he was being carted off in a sack as she tried to catch her breath and sort it all in her head. They'd been quarrelling as she strongly disagreed with his actions, both regarding thier niece and his shift in loyalty.. she was additionally horrified by his hunting practices and the trophies he kept of the wolves he'd once revered. He'd struck her several times during the argument and being as fiesty as she was, she'd not backed down and struck him in return. He had gotten the upper hand, quite literally with a strong unrelenting grasp on her throat that cut off her air and the flow of her angry words. Her lip bled, her throat hurt, and she'd have a few bruises to show for her efforts but otherwise she was well, thanks to the strangers that now carried her brother away. She glanced up at the one who stayed behind as she dabbed at her lip.

Keller circled the area himself now in long strides, watching her carefully, uncertain about trusting her completely. She smelled of the same blood as the betrayer regardless that she'd fought with him herself and nearly lost that fight. Had she allowed it to happen? Had she allowed him to take the lives of his brothers? Her own blood flowed from the scratches and cuts, drawing him closer. He gleemed all over his lean, smooth and uncovered torso, stepping in and out of the moonlight as he paced around and nearer to her. "He trusts you," he said quietly, speaking about Mitch, though he wasn't convinced it was a wise choice. "What you said, the 'revered' ones... We heard you. You meant the wolves?"

[Lovely]

Lola watched this one, nearly as wary of him as he seemed to be of her, he mentioned the revered ones and her eyes narrowed slightly. He was gorgeous, his well muscled torso was bare and her eyes followed his movements as he paced. If this one was loyal to the vampires than so be it, let him kill her, she'd rather go down being true to what she believed than to be a coward like her brother. "There are no others who should be revered." Despite seeming delicate and injured, she shifted herself up to at least her knees, her chin tilting proudly, her eyes full of fire as she readied to defend herself once again.

He took a deep breath as if offended, but instead it was pride that filled him with the deeper scent she carried. If she lied, she'd learned to lie well. His head tilted. "There are no others worthy of reverance," he agreed, nodding slowly. He stopped his pacing and leaned closer to her. "You nearly died for that belief. Not many alive today would. I'm blessed to know you."

Her eyes studied him intently, her stance relaxing slightly, she was still wary and alert, keeping an eye on the door for others who might come that did not agree with her beliefs. "I would gladly die for it than to be false to what is in my heart and soul. Those who would turn away from the wolves are cowards and deserve painful death." her eyes strayed to the remnants of her brother's 'glorious' achievements and she could not hide her anger or her disgust, it bordered on horror to find he'd sunk so low as to kill the beautiful creatures their family had worshiped for generations. "Not many alive today could admit to it for those who are true have been hunted and butchered." Her voice grew softer with her words and her gaze fell to the ground for a moment before lifting to meet his. "I am blessed to know you.. another believer?"

"Not exactly," he grinned. The smile lit up his features and his eyes shone with a brief flash of crimson as he stepped through another beam of moonlight. "Someone a little closer to them than that." He reached out his hand to her and it appeared to shimmer in shape and form a little as if lifting a palmful of water.

There were clerics once who believed as much in the wolves as many did in vampires today, but something in the way he moved told her it was more. Her eyes followed him in and out of the shafts of moonlight, the brief flash of red in his eyes made her breath catch and her heart race. "Just a little closer?" She whispered, her eyes on his hand, hers poised to reach out but held back as her gaze once again lifted to his face. If he was what her wild thoughts were starting to believe was possible she wasn't worthy of touching him.

"You're afraid." He withdrew his hand and curled his fingers at the rolled top of his trousers at his sculpted hip. After a deep breath and a shake of his head, he began to chuckle. He extended his hand again. "I think we need to follow them back. You're not going to believe me if you keep that up. Relax. I don't bite without very good reason."

"I'm not afraid." She protested quietly with a slight shake of her head though she didn't reach out her hand. Awed, attracted, and not worthy of touching a god.. yes, but she wasn't afraid of him in the least. "What won't I believe if I keep what up?" She actually laughed softly and shook her head again.

"What it is that's making your breath sweet like that and your heart race. I can hear it from here." He leaned closer, challenging her to stay as she was and not shy away. "If not fear, then... I might be very blessed to know you. Trust... what you believe."

"If you are what I believe you to be.. then come closer and tell me yourself." Once challeneged, she challenged him back, inviting him to find out what he wanted to know, not all of it was proper for a lady to say. Lola smiled just slightly, remaining as she was and not shying away as he leaned closer. "I trust you." She whispered, tilting her head to leave a length of lovely neck and shoulder for him to do as he would.

[Lovely]

"I'm not a blood drinker and I have no reason to bite you," he said at her shoulder, reaching to brush her hair back away from the pale skin she revealed. He leaned closer still, lightly brushing his cheek against her neck and taking in her scent. "You trust and you believe what I am, then you know what awaits your brother."

She smiled and he'd feel her slight shiver as he rubbed against her neck, her scent would be stronger with the flavor of attraction to him. Her attraction had started before she knew what he was and though her reverence of his kind carried to him, the desire was purely for the shirtless hunk of man. "Only what he deserves." She replied in a voice that was low and full of the anger and betrayal she felt at her brother's actions. Whatever the wolves did to him, he'd all but begged for by hunting them and bragging of his kills with the trophies he kept.

Keller grinned and left a token of his approval, a soft nip of a kiss below her ear, before standing away from the woman. "What he deserves is to see you towering over him as his world goes black. Help me bring some of these items back to the others and we burn the rest."

Her heart skipped a beat with the soft nipping kiss that very nearly melted her right on the spot. Lola let herself absorb the feeling for a moment and then turned her attention to what Keller asked of her. She reached for one of the beams to help her to her feet and glanced around them. "What do you wish to bring back?"

"Our brothers... whatever is left of them," he said, grimacing with mixed anger and disgust as he picked up a skull. "What they deserve is vengeance and proper ceremony." His expression changed slightly and he sniffed lightly at the skull that seemed familiar to him. "He never knew his father," he muttered, turning the ghostly-white wolf's head in his hand.

She nodded, having figured out he intended to bring some of the trophies back but not that he meant them all, Lola glanced around again and picked up one of the sacks. "I know it doesn't change what has been done.." She stepped up beside Keller, reaching her hand to his as a comfort if it could be so, not thinking of him as a god but as a man who had lost his brethren. "I am sorry for what he's done.."

"Hm. Don't be sorry, it wasn't your doing. As long as you don't pity him for suffering for his mistakes." Keller looked around the items again, then at the sack. He sighed. "Maybe it is better that we leave them and bring my brothers here. The fire will only draw attention to your brother's house and then to us. A few things... this... one or two others and leave the rest for them to come here and gather themselves." Too many items, he realized, might spur the boys into frenzied rage. One or two would be all that was needed tonight to pass final judgement.. and for Taidgh to know the story about the hunters was true. He reached for the sack to put the skull into.

She let go of his hand and shifted the sack for him to put the skull into it, she continued to hold the bag and allowed him to choose the items they would take with them. As she stood there she realized she hadn't even protested when he said 'we' and spoke as if it was decided that she was going with him. "Perhaps it can be torn down and smaller fires made.. when your brothers come.. for even the walls of this place have been stained." She made the suggestion, realizing she'd had much the same thought as Keller when she'd first come out and discovered what was in here, she'd wanted to burn it to the ground.

"Smaller fires, respectul ones," he nodded. He'd gathered only some of the smaller items to bring back, leaving the grotesque figurines and painted images. "They will rebuild it," he promised and put the last of the items in the sack. "How many others are here beside you and your brother?"

[Lovely]

She nodded, smaller fires would draw less attention and might even go unnoticed from the village and anywhere off the main estate. Lola shook her head to his question about how many others were there. "Three. He sent my escorts to the village as soon as I arrived. It is only his gardener, and two servant girls. I am not sure why but he seemed to want as few people here as possible."

Keller grinned, taking a deep breath of the unsavory air. The small number would mean fewer questions and quicker boredom if there was no one else for Mitch or Nance to play with for long. "The gardener... a man? With two young girls or old hens?" His head tilted and he took in the air again. Where was Nance? He caught a mingling of scents from her clothes, unable to discern them well, but was certain Nance had not come past her.

Lola looked away for a moment and seemed to consider the answer, she was not an old hen but she wasn't a young girl. Engaged once upon a time but he'd died before they were wed and once the grieving period had passed she was not a ripe age for courting or recieving marriage offers. She'd been sent to care for an eldery widow and became even less desirable to eligible men.. her thoughts wandered over these things for a moment as she tried not to look at the very attractive, shirtless man who stood so close to her she could feel the warmth of his body. "The gardener is a man.. married to the older girl.. both the girls are younger than myself.. not old hens at all."

Not old at all, he thought to himself, nearly laughing. Younger than herself and she was quite the tender morsel, he thought. "Young women with this beast and only the gardener to protect them?" Now he did laugh, disgusted with the arrangement. No wonder he hadn't seen his pack brothers. What kept her here, he wondered as well. He closed the sack and set it aside. "To protect you? There really is no one, is there?" He asked in a way that held smoke and small fires in his voice.

Her gaze shifted to his face as he spoke and something in his eyes made her pause and swallow, unsure what to make of his words and expression. "Protect me from what? When I arrived, I had no idea I might need protecting from my brother.. or anything else." Her teeth clasped her lower lip and she wondered if he meant she needed to be protected from him.

"To protect you when the master of the house is away," he grinned, shaking his head as he took in her scent more deeply and took a step closer. The rage within him was turning and tumbling with the hunger for her scent, her own anger, her strength and grace. She held a reverence for him and his kind that piqued his curiosity. The master was her brother and the gardener wed to another of the house leaving her and the other girl without an able protector, he concluded, and his two pack brothers remained unseen. He could only guess where they might be. The pride in him pulled his shoulders square and filled his chest. She'd made no effort yet to hide her own curiosity in him as he strolled through the collection of relics. It had been clear in the scent he took in from beside her and in the catch of her lip in her teeth now that he bewildered and delighted her, caught her off guard and yet she did not seem to want to run away. "What if I were to steal you away?"

Her eyes widened a fraction and her breath caught as he pulled himself square, becoming an even more impressive sight. His question threw her and it was clear in the mix of delight, curiosity, and fear in her expression and in the scent which would tell him of her attraction to him. "Why would you want to steal me away? What would you do with me.. if you did?"

"Why wouldn't I want to?" The husky whisper was beside her ear in a breath as he moved quickly. "What would I do? I have no use for sweet innocence, but you?" Keller's words were meant to compliment her lack of giggling naiveity as he snaked himself beside her and reached to clasp her wrists.

He moved quickly, giving her no time to back away - not that she truly wanted to move away from him, he was so warm which made the shiver more intense as he whispered in her ear. Could he possibly find her as attractive as she found him? Her thoughts twisted together and then scattered as her heart raced, reacting to him being so close and the way he clasped her wrists. "Why wouldn't I want you to.. have use for my innocence..?" Her words jumbled in a breathless whisper, his words and her thoughts mixing together to come out with the deeper truth she would not and could not have admitted in polite social circles.

His hands encircled her wrists and he turned and tangled around her in a strange and simple dance that would place him behind her, kissing her shoulder and hair as he crossed her arms around her waist and holding her snugly against him. His whispers traveled over the back of her neck as he held her there. "That would make you not so very sweetly unaware of just how much I want to keep you," he suggested, letting go of one wrist as he slipped his other arm beneath hers at her waist. The stable's hay would make a soft landing for her as he tipped her over his arm and followed her down to indulge in the innocence she offered him.

[Lovely]

*****************************


The hay was deep, but stale, and smelled less of horses than the items Keller suspected had been cushioned in it for transport to this shrine for the master's display. The scents still stung him with dismay though his attention had been diverted more to the capturing of this fine creature he'd set down before him. He'd delved deeply to his own pleasured release and now faced the woman as he had set her back onto her shoulders to gaze up at his full form before he bore into her again. Her wrists were held again, now above her head with one hand as his claws slipped through the lacing of her proper dress to reveal her pale beauty to him completely beneath the ruby lines and streaks where his claws continued over her. The marks were followed by insistent nips and kisses, some to heal, some to stir her more deeply.

Keller's insistence was as clear as his intention to take her completely. She could not sense him in the same ways he did her, but his expression was not malicious and the caresses, though rough, were not intended to damage despite the scratches he left with them, crossing over one another and smearing as he moved with tooth, tongue, claw and every inch of his raw shape along hers. Her scent began to fill him with more vigor, speaking to him of the desires she was still too afraid to voice, but whispered out in the shudder and sweetness of her breaths. If she cried out, he had little fear of anyone being alerted. His pack mates knew the difference and this was not an attack from which they would come to save her. They would leave him his peace with her and envy him instead... unless they had found the others in the home just as appealing and would ignore their play altogether. In Keller's new burst of vigor he'd released her hands finally to steady himself and once she'd finally quenched the thirst he had to completely fulfill her, he'd eased away from her to allow her breath to steady, though he remained above her, panting softly.

Lola had been caught up in sensations and emotions when she whispered her invitation, she had not intended to voice such things even though deep down it was exactly what she wanted. She struggled at first when Keller tumbled her to the hay but her attempts were weak compared with the strength that held her and she realized with the wolf in him and thier ways that she had given him permission to do as he was. She stopped resisting and gripped at the hay beneath her, letting it muffle her cries. Her dress suffered some tears and her body was bruised due to his claws and the strength in his form against her more delicate one. She was flipped from her knees to her back and hardly had a moment to catch her breath but got a good view of him before he continued. He held her hands above her head and something about that excited and stirred her desire for him, though again she wasn't ready to voice such things. He tore her tender skin and she let go small sounds of the pain it caused her but held no anger toward him for that or the way he took her, Lola understood some about his kind and knew his actions were not malicious but were passionate and even tender. Once he'd finished and eased away, she felt herself reach for him to try to keep him from going far, she found him still close and panting himself. Lola was trembling, exhausted, and feeling sore all over from bruising and scratches, some deeper and stinging more than others. She tried to keep from crying but a few tears dampened her cheeks and she bit at her lower lip, her fingers curling around his arm as she tried to once again catch her breath.

[Lovely]

She reached for him as he moved further from her, grasping his arms that were trembling with the fire she'd stoked within him. Keller stopped and moved back down to kiss the tears from her cheek, lifting them away as he settled more gently against her to keep the chill from her. Some of the marks had been deeper than he'd meant to deliver and her pain spoke out in the taste of the tears. He had no apology for her beyond the thin smile where he licked her tears away. She still trembled beneath him and appeared to look for words she did not need to tell him as much as her scent or her reactions had. He'd woken her inner spirit and it shone brightly through her gaze. "That.. was no small fire," he teased, a gracious and pleased rumbling groan of delight coursing though him as he tried to hold her in his embrace.

Despite hurting and being confused by herself, his comment brought a small chuckle from her and she looked up at him with a still curious gaze, only now there was so much more in her eyes. "Do you think it drew too much attention from the village?" She murmured the tease as her fingers brushed over a set of marks in his arm from where she'd clawed him. His marks didn't still seep like hers did and she drew her fingers lightly over them.

"I can hope it did," he grinned, leaning to nuzzle her damp cheek as she inspected the healing marks she'd given him in return. "So they know without a doubt that you are mine."

Her eyes closed and she swallowed against the pain she felt as she tried to shift and curl around him more. Her eyes reopened and she gave him a small tired smile. "Does it matter if they know.. so long as we do?" She paused and ran her fingers over the marks again, forcing herself to move against the ache to kiss them. ".. so long as I know."

"No. All that matters is that you know it without any doubt," he said, curling for her to reach him more easily. His heart beat fast and his breath was already even and calm. The marks were sealing quickly and becoming lighter though it would be a few hours before they'd be gone completely. He was nearly a perfect picture of health and strength under her fingertips and this was only the man in him she was currently shown. The wolf in him was stronger and faster still, and he believed she understood that and had already forgiven that animal for its part in his actions.

Her eyes cast gently over his face and her smile grew a little warmer, her eyes showing the spark of her desire for him. She glanced down and her hand rose to run over a mark on her own chest, near the front of her shoulder. "I know.. without a doubt." She assured him, lifting her fingers to brush over his lips.

He pressed his lips to her fingertip then caught it gently in his teeth a moment. He let go and looked down at the mark he'd made on her. "Grasp my arm, tightly if this hurts. You're still bleeding," he pointed out, forgetting she did not yet have his ability to seal her own wounds. His eyes closed a moment, opening again with the shine of the moons within them as he kissed down her arm to the mark he'd made, lapping over it roughly first to cleanse it, then more gently with each pass.

She did as he said, taking hold of both his arms as he looked to her with the shine in his eyes, her smile quivered with pride to know such a beautiful and strong man wanted her as his own - that she was his. "Aahh." She gasped softly and her fingers dug into his arms a bit as he started to tend the wounds for her. "Will you do the same for the others?" She asked in a hushed whisper as she tried to watch, her fingers slowly loosening thier grasp to merely hold him rather than to clench.

"My brothers and you, yes. Only my family is mine to protect.. of which you are now part," he clarified, licking the wound tenderly until it became numb. He glanced up to find her watching curiously as her fingers loosened from his arm. Which others did she mean? "The others of this house are not my concern," he said coldly, though honestly.

She chuckled again and her head shook slightly, she reached her fingers to his chin to pull him up to a tender kiss. "I meant the other marks."

[Lovely]

He was not used to healing others and he chuckled as well with her clarification. "As many as I can before we go. We're expected and each mark will take time.. and food!" He had not had any appetite with his anger coursing through him, but now he was reminded of the trek here and the activity since. His stomach growled as he mentioned it. Her blood from the marks would hardly satisfy him, but would allow enough to quiet his stomach until they were out in the woods again. Mitch would not allow the poor beast of her brother to be executed before she was in attendance, but as much as he wished, he couldn't selfishly detain her and delay the man's demise, either. Mitch would come back to find them if he took too long with her. "Lay back and let me take care of the worst," he suggested.

At first she thought he growled and her head tipped, the sound was different and he'd mentioned food, her fingers drifted down over his abdomen. Even there against his stomach, she could feel the strength that ran through his form. She listened to his caution that they were expected and she nodded, she hurt where all the marks broke her skin and she would not selfishly ask him to heal them all now. "Only the worst of them.. then we shall go?" She tried to make it sound like it didn't hurt as much as it did and smiled softly.

"As many as I can," he clarified, sitting back to glance over the marks and the ruins of her dress that had soaked up some of the rivulets, though not as much as the hay beneath her. The shine in his gaze swirled and seemed it could nearly light the stable around them as well as the moonlight that had shifted to glisten through the cracks over new pillars that had been emptied of their relics. Keller crawled around and over her to find the worst of the visible marks to seal enough for travel, though he could not give attention to numbing them all. Cleaning away the more gruesome of the smears, he believed she would feel more presentable though still awkwardly weakened and aching from his attention. It would be enough that she could dress again without catching a painful wound and tugging it open at the least. The worst he'd promised to help and he was sure of what she'd intended though her polite nature prevented her again from voicing it. Keller had shifted down to the marks on her abdomen when he paused, seeking her hands to clasp his before moving onward to the deepest pain she'd suffered from him.

Lola gasped softly now and then as Keller moved over and around her to seek the deepest marks and heal them, a few whimpers escaped her parted lips but most she held back. She felt him pause and her head lifted to gaze down at him as he reached to clasp her hands, she understood what he was about to do and her face flushed even before he moved lower. It was to ease her pain, it was healing, but she couldn't help how she reacted to his attention.

He hoped he had no need to explain for her to grasp and pull, tug and tear at him as she wished as his lapping tongue ran lower. He worked slowly, partly to heal and partly to help her sing with more quiet whimpers of delight, his own delight shining from the moonlight in his eyes and the hum against her skin as he savored his task.

At first it was simply painful and her cries reflected that as she arched and her body tried to twist away but she kept telling herself that he was trying to help and forced herself to open up to him again. It was worth the effort and though her fingers remained twisted tightly with his, soon she didn't feel the hurt and another sensation began to take it's place. Her eyes fluttered and her voice sighed out sweetly with delight.

The numbing against the pain would serve to help her endure the attention longer, but he did not want her to be entirely numb yet and have her forget too soon or move too quickly. Her scent was again changing as he attended the ache he could reach. The sigh reached his ears and pulled his attention to hear it closer. "More when we get home," he promised against her cheek.

Her fingers untangled from his at the sound and feel of his whisper against her cheek, her face turned and her eyes opened in slits to nearly glare teasingly at him. He'd awoken so much in her since the moment he'd come through the doors and to her aide, her fingers slipped to the back of his neck and she tried to pull him to her kiss as she nodded to his words. She didn't care about the aches and tears she was sure to recieve, anytime they coupled, if he healed them like this. "Home." She breathed the word out, feeling a shiver of excitement at the thought of returning to his home with him... what would now be her home.

[Lovely]

Keller chuckled and permitted a small kiss though he was already trying to slip away and get them ready to leave this wretched place. "Yes, home. I think you're going to like it there. Smells much better than this place," he mentioned, though he frowned and glanced back to her in the state he'd left her in. "Not nearly as nice as you do right this moment. You're making my head spin. So.. the sooner we get there, the sooner we... can finish what we've started."

Lola pouted a bit in protest of him slipping himself away from her, though she understood the importance of them getting back and not just for the more pleasurable reasons. The pout didn't last long as he spoke of her scent and her making his head spin, a soft smile replaced the frown and she nodded her head a little. "Truth be told, you do the same to me... and if I have my way - we will never be finished, there will always be more." Her cheeks flushed as she voiced the bold and honest remark, her eyes lifted to hold his gaze for a moment before she attempted to cover herself decently. He'd sliced through her laces so she improvised with the shorter bits to keep her dress from falling, she wasn't able to close it up as high on her chest as it had been before and it gave her a deeper plunge of her bodice as the unlaced part folded back over the top of her breasts. It reminded her of the women she'd sometimes see coming from the tavern, draped on the arm of a drunken man... her eyes lifted toward Keller, seeking his approval on the attempt and the state of her dress now. "Not as it once was.." She gestured to the more revealing and tempting 'style' of her dress. ".. but then neither am I." Lola smiled a bit shyly, running her finger over the first mark he'd sealed on her chest, near the front of her shoulder - it was now visible where it would not have been with the way her dress was before.

"It's stunning," he said softly, rising to his feet, though he was still bared. He reached out his hand for her to pull her closer. "With or without the dress. I'll see that it gets mended for your comfort." His own comfort and preference was to be without any human-made stitches, but he did what was necessary. He reached down to grab up the ball of fabric that made up his pants and offered them to her to carry. He would rather return on all fours.

She brought herself closer to him with the gentle tug of his hand, her eyes sparked with life and adoration as she nuzzled to him a little. She took the pants with an arched eyebrow, her fingers gripping and brushing over the fabric as if to get to know the feel of them because they were his. "Aren't you going to put them on?"

"No. Your brother obviously has friends and I want to be ready for them on my own terms. If it's a wolf they want to hunt, let them try me. Let's get your things and go," he said, the moonlight in his eyes gathering a darker sheen as his anger sparked at the thought of anything happening to either of them on the way back.

Her own gaze darkened as he mentioned her brother and his associates who might want to hunt Keller or the others in his family, a soft human toned growl sounded from her and her fingers curled more tightly in the fabric in her hands. "There is nothing I need tonight.. can we come back when I am better able to travel and carry my things? We already have the satchel of remnants... and.. " She motioned to her lower area where he'd healed her but not completely and she could still feel the ache that would make travel quite uncomfortable for her without a load to carry as well.

[Lovely]

"I'd suggest a horse, but...," he grinned, motioning around the stables that appeared not have seen a horse in some time, though it still smelled of them in a stale fashion. "None here and I can't pull a cart and be ready to fight in a breath. A bag can be tied to my shoulders well enough. Most of that, then, I can carry." Before her his visage altered and his form began to warp and contort, looking as though it must be painful for him as his limbs bent and stretched, leaving a handsome and very non-human male before her, standing tall to her waist and covered in a thick pale fur that would hide him well against the snow.

He transformed before she could reply to his remarks and without giving her a clear answer as to what they would do about her things, she was left standing in awe and confusion as she bit at her lip. She had two horses which had been used to draw her carriage here and were likely tethered close to her carriage or to it if her brother hadn't cared enough to have them set loose for the night. "I don't know where we will be going.. and.." She faltered feeling very cut off from communicating with him and wondering if this had simply been his way of ending the discussion.

Keller sensed the confusion and licked her hand. The tranformation reverted slightly and he rose to meet her eye-to-eye though she looked into the face of the wolf at Keller's height which to most would be terrifying at best. His voice was low and gravely. "It was decided we would return. I am sorry I did not make it clear."

Her fingers wiggled with the brush of his wolven tongue over them, she liked the feeling and she smiled down at him only to watch him rise up to face her. Her gasp was soft and clear. her smile didn't fade as she reached her fingers up slowly to stroke over his muzzle. "You are gorgeous in every form you've shown me..." She had to voice the words though he could likely tell from her scent what she thought of him. "I do have two horses here if it will make things easier.. or faster at least in my case."

Again his stomach rumbled. First the exertion and now the tranformations were draining him and he'd been hungry when they arrived. Her words were still spinning his thoughts and the touch on his face tickled wonderfully. He licked her hand again before rearing his head with a chuckle that sounded eerie against the weathered wood around them. "Horses... fair and fine, but be warned they may cower from me. Think you can still keep up if I lead you into the thick of the woods?"

"If I am on foot you will have to go quite slowly.. I'm sure you are used to travelling much faster than I can even without.. certain aches." She blushed at the reason why she ached and couldn't help the small smile that curved her mouth. "I think the horse will be the best option for me and I can also carry the sack, so if we do come across trouble it won't hinder you. We can return for my things later.. though all of this could be mine.. I am my brother's kin." She shrugged, the things her brother owned had little meaning for her but might come to good use for those he'd acted against.

"It is already yours. You know Mitch means to kill him once you're there to witness it. Keep it all, burn it all, does it matter? What gives you comfort you should keep," Keller rambled, checking over the area with eyes and nose. It was all stale except her.

Lola nodded and her gaze lowered for a moment with a soft sigh before she offered a faint smile. "We'll decide what to keep or burn when we return.. after he is dealt with. He had some wealth so perhaps there are things here that can be put to use or bartered for what you and your family needs." She reached for Keller's hand and clenched into it carefully. "Let us fetch the horse and leave this place behind us for now."

"Our family," he corrected, turning to her with the same fire in his gaze though his eyes began to look tired if she looked close. "You are generous, also and we thank you. He chose well with Tullia. I chose better with you," he said, seeming to grin and nod.

[Lovely]

"Our family." She repeated with a nod and a proud smile though she'd only met Keller and Mitch so far, she felt her chest ache a little with the swell of joy in her heart for a moment. That pride and joy grew even stronger and deeper with his last comments and she nuzzled gently to the side of his face again. "You honor me with your choice and flatter me with your words now. I am very lucky to be chosen by you." She slowly turned toward the door, walking in a manner that spoke of the glorious ache he'd left her with. She stopped to reach for the satchel they'd filled before thier tumble into the hay, wondering about the things to come later this night and the family she was now part of.

In this form he could assist her more. He took the bag from her with one clawed half-paw while the other ran down her hip. "Honor isn't often something I hear," he teased in the low rasp as he relieved her of the heavy items for now. He would soon smell the horses, but the horses would also sense him and would become unruly. He didn't have Mitch's way with other animals, especially timid ones.

"Mmmmm.. well you obviously haven't been listening to the right people." She teased him in return, sighing softly as his hand ran down to her hip. She was free of the weight of the bag but aching more with his touch, though not all of it was pain. The horses were not far but this stable simply wasn't used to house them as it had become a house of horrors for Keller's kind.

"I don't listen to many about much, regardless," he said confidently. A harumph of amusement followed as he pulled the bag over his stout shoulder and escorted her toward her horses. He glanced back at the stable and the light that had moved slightly away from the pedastals and other places of what her brother would consider honor. He could easily burn this place without a regret save the use of the place for proper horses once it had been washed down. He hung his head a moment in that thought. No amount of cleansing would eradicate the tarnish of his knowledge of what had happened here. Likely Mitch would not forgive so easily either. Perhaps it was wise to allow his brothers to tear it apart in the memory of their fallen kin afterall. "Were I a horse, I'd prefer to have you on me the whole way," he whispered beside her as they began to walk away from the shrine.

"I see..." She hummed quietly regarding him with a playful but curious gaze. "Will you listen to me much?" She started in a light tone but saw how his gaze and tone changed with his thoughts in regard to the stable. She looked back at it also and sighed, she didn't plan to keep it in any use at all and had already given permission for it to be destroyed. Another stable could be built for the horses if they were to be kept here or return to stay for any length of time. His comments turned in a playful direction and she blushed but considered the thoughts that stirred. "How skittish do the horses get around you? You could ride with me.."

"How skittish would you be around something you knew could eat you, hm?" He chuckled and could not help that his tongue ran over his lips as he mentioned it. "I will be nearby enough for you to follow."

"I know you could eat -me- if you wanted to.." She countered with a quick glimpse of her tongue as it darted out to tease him. "I understand your point though, I'll do my best to follow you and keep up."

[Lovely]

"MMmmm... and maybe I do want to," he teased, but continued on toward the animals he caught the scent of now. He was tiring quickly and the hunger was taking root more solidly now. Perhaps there were food stores they could bring with them. He truly hoped they would not encounter her brother's allies on the way back. The air didn't hold any tension that Mitch had encountered anything close nor had he heard Nance's alarming howl, though Nance was quite occupied enough to have avoided a fight rather than engage in one if anyone had been near the manor, unbenounced to Keller or Mitch. Antony was another matter. Keller caught a faint scent now beyond the horses and wasn't sure what he found in it. His eyes narrowed and he took a deeper inhale of the outside air, growling lightly as the interpretation eluded him with a crosswind. "The others... two women and one man, yes? Where would they be?"

Lola laughed quietly at his tease but then considered that his stomach had growled earlier and he'd mentioned his hunger a few times and she chewed at her lower lip. "You're truly hungry.. I'm sure there is food in the house, if you need something before we go." The growl had her pausing and turning toward him to study his expression. "The girls were in the house.. preparing my room and seeing to a meal for us.. the man, the gardener, I believe was somewhere out in the gardens... why? Is something wrong?"

"There might be. Best we find them. There were two more with us and I'm not sure where they are," he said, still looking toward the manor. He understood her pains, though, so making her hurry was not his intention. "Or, allow me while you ready your horse if you can do that alone. Seems someone is missing," he said, grasping hold of what was disturbing him.

Lola nodded, she was sore and getting her horse ready wouldn't be entirely comfortable for her but she could do it. "I'll manage by myself if you feel it's better for you to go investigate on your own." She reluctantly let go of him, not wanting to be away from him for long but of course she understood that it might be what was needed right now. "Go on and do what you have to. I'll be fine."

A gruff sound like a growl, perhaps a sigh, uttered forth as he stepped away, slipping down to the ground again into his full wolf form. He wondered what had become of three men and two women so nearby to not be seen or heard or have their scent travel along the paths where they should have been. His head shook, layering the thick fur down neatly against his shoulders and back. The tainted scents were shaken from his nostrils as well and his head lifted to again smell the air. He came up beside her, circling around once with a nudge toward her hand, though he did not lick her this time. His senses were filled with enough distraction.

He was as beautiful in wolf form as he was as a man on two legs and she reached gently to curl her fingers in his fur as he nudged her hand. He'd circled around her and transformed once again without speaking to her, she was left confused again, not knowing what the nudge meant. Was it affection, warning, a push for her to go on toward the horses, a signal to stay here, or follow him - Lola was not a wolf and unfortunately couldn't read and didn't know his nonverbal signals and actions well enough yet. She also couldn't smell the scents in the air which confused and distracted him, she didn't know of the fate of the gardener, or the young girl who'd been claimed and carried away while Mitch and Keller rescued her from her brother, or of the older sister who had just been claimed by AJ much like Lola had been by Keller. She glanced toward the house and then toward where the horses were tied, she didn't move in either direction, waiting and hoping Keller would give her a more definite signal.

He circled around again, pushing her knee gently to have her go toward the horses. He sat a few feet away and waited to see if she understood. He'd forgotten again that she did not clearly interpret him as he did her and he felt he should conserve his strengths and not transform himself too often until he'd rested more and eaten. Perhaps the girls in the house had met that fate. Then, what was one more gouge or tear if that was the case? A meal was being prepared, she'd said, though, so perhaps some of that had detained his brothers and if so, he began to think of hurrying before it was gone. Antony alone could eat more than he usually did, and Nance with him would ensure nothing was left to waste. His head swung in a slight nod toward the horses again for her to go and prepare.

[Lovely]

When he pushed her knee and swung his head in the direction of the horses she was able to figure out what he wanted and she nodded her head. "Thank you." She meant for his patience when she wasn't able to understand him and for letting her know in another manner what he wanted her to do. Lola gave him one more glance before she continued walking carefully toward the other animals.

As she turned, he trotted off toward the manor. He did not run, keeping his nose to the paths in search of the scents of the others. He stopped briefly and looked off toward the small shack by the gardens and then toward the deep woods where they'd soon head. His head shook again and he stayed a moment, finding Nance's scent passing by him though it was faint. He was not here and had gone back toward the den it seemed, but the pale scent was muddled with worry and the scent of another's blood.. one of the girls', if he guessed well from the mixture. It was not like Nance to harm anyone without provocation and he wouldn't think a girl could ever provoke him enough to take blood - not a human girl he'd ever met. There was always a first, he reminded himself. He took to the path again and approached the gardens and the scent became thicker with blood and hostility he recognized as Antony's work. The scent of fear was slight - whatever had happened had been quick, but not clean. Keller came upon the remains of what had been a man who appeared simple and plain... likely the gardener. Antony was easier to provoke with simple insults but the insult here was more than clear as he picked up the scents like those in the stable, everywhere in the soil and in the mixture the man had been spreading around the vibrant flowers that reached up to the moonlight, ignorant of the events around them. The man had clearly supported Lola's brother and Keller had no pity for him. However, where was Antony now?

*******************

Keller returned to where he'd left Lola, appearing a little bushier and livelier than when he'd left due to the bread. He stopped and sat near her, looking back toward the house where he'd left Antony and the girl. He was also concerned about Lola's marks that still needed his attention and after a moment, he approached her to ensure she was alright. He still had little strength to change forms again, but his tongue still worked just fine.

Lola was leaning against the rail of the wooden fence that ran around this section of her brother's land, her head tilted down and her eyes closed until she heard the movement of the wolf coming toward her. She still leaned, looking more tired than when he'd left her, a fresh stain of blood along her side, soaking through the fabric of her dress. One of the deeper gashes had pulled open with the movements of getting the horse ready and the exhaustion from the vigorous claiming had caught up with her. She smiled at the site of Keller, glad to have him near again but feeling almost guilty for not being stronger for him. "Did you find what you were looking for?" She asked softly, her eyes casting warmly over him despite the pain she felt.

He'd found more than he'd expected, but he would tell her that soon enough if the others didn't speak volumes for him. Her wounds worried him a little, that maybe he'd cut too deeply. He came up beside her to lick her fingers and encourage her to reach out to him. He sniffed at the damp streak and glanced up to her. Was she in enormous pain? He couldn't tell completely, but sensed that she was struggling with her tasks and was running out of strength as well. Antony wasn't far behind him, thankfully, and could communicate what he could not at the moment.

[Lovely]

No, he wasn't far behind, but he was struggling himself with the shirt still, shrugging and hunching to get it to sit properly. He paid little attention to stealth at the moment, walking too heavily to miss his approach. The scent caught his attention almost as quickly as the horses' did. Who was bleeding? AJ stopped and shook his head a little. Damn that smelled good. He realized with the exertion and smelling meats and tasting appetizing bread, just how hungry he was as he caught that scent tainted with Keller's less-than-gentle assistance. Now was not the time to ignore courtesy. He approached more deliberately now, curious whether his brother had wasted any time waiting for them to follow or had decided to entertain his new friend. Her blood seemed very fresh. He saw them at the fence and his shoulders fell a little, relaxing as much as they could in the snug covering and he chuckled. The damage was already done from the looks of it. He noted how tender Keller was being with her now and rolled his eyes. "Is there any time you're not using your tongue? Sorry. Is that wolf bothering you, miss?" He asked as if it were a puppy and not a merciless killer beside her.

Lola smiled more affectionately as Keller licked her fingers and she lifted her other hand to gently stroke over his muzzle and back into the thicker fur behind his head. "A little tired.. that's all. I'm not used to so much... activity." She tried to reassure him, figuring from the way he sniffed at her side and looked up to her, that he was asking how she was doing. "I tore one open getting the horse ready.. I'm sorry." She whispered as if she'd done something wrong rather than make him think he'd been too rough with her as she didn't want him to see her as weak. Her gaze lifted with the sounds of another approaching and she saw the man coming toward them, she stiffened slightly and glanced down to Keller, who did not seemed disturbed by the man. She couldn't help the small chuckle at AJ's comments once he'd reached them, her head shook lightly. "No.. I rather like this wolf.. thank you." Her eyes and smile were adoring as she looked down to Keller and then warm and friendly as she brought her gaze back to AJ.

"Well, seems it's mutual. I'm sorry for you," he said to her, smiling briefly until he cought sight of the marks that glistened in the moonlight. "No, I'm really sorry. Keller? Don't you think you want to take care of the nice lady, hm?" He scolded slightly, though he was sure his brother was quite aware of the problem. His eyes glimmered similarly to the mark she bore. "Nevermind the horses. I've got it from here. Time to load up and get home for the party."

Keller grumbled and snorted. Yes, he knew. He opened his mouth and tugged gently at her hand.

"Yeah, you better," AJ agreed. "He wants you to go with him and rest for a little bit."

Lola's gaze narrowed as AJ seemed to scold Keller for not taking care of her, when in fact he had done so after claiming her in the stable. She didn't say anything but with Keller so close to her he might sense and notice her reaction and the rise of protective instinct in her. Her expression shifted to pleasant again by the time AJ told her what Keller wanted and she nodded in agreement. Her hand rose to press at her side where she bled as she gently pushed herself up straight from where she'd been leaning on the railing. She'd realized the part of Keller wanting her to go with him from the tug on her hand and AJ filled in the rest. "Thank you." She spoke quietly and sincerly for his help and then moved to go off with Keller.

[Lovely]

"Unless... you, um... want to climb in and claim a spot now? It may make it easier if you can stay still," AJ said, realizing that climbing at all wasn't going to be good for her. "I can help you up."

Keller whimpered a little. Would he make up his mind? Antony was right about jostling herself over and over, though. Until she rested, he couldn't get her well and he could use the rest himself. He sat back and glanced up at her. Her choice - stay and wait for them to load or get up there now and have stuff piled around her.

She did not know what Keller was thinking but had a similar opinion about AJ making up his mind, she sighed as the wolf sat back and she glanced between him and AJ. "Climb in?" She questioned, glacing toward her carriage and then back to the boys, were they bringing her carriage with them? They would need to get the horses set up with it before she could get into it. "Are we bringing my things now? I thought we were returning for them.. or is there something else?" The carriage would be much more comfortable and she might even be able to get a quilt from the house to wrap herself in.

"What carriage?" AJ looked at them both, gesturing to his grumbling cohort for more information, though realizing he wasn't going to get a clear response. "I don't know about any fancy carriage, m'lady, but I was told there's a cart out here and if you have horses, they can pull a cart just as well as a carriage. Sacks and boxes I suppose could fit on a carriage, but it may not be as... elegant... a ride as you're used to."

Keller's expression was all too human and questioning. Did it matter? They were coming back soon enough and she was in pain. Why not take the carriage and allow her and his companion to ride like ladies as much as possible? He growled a little and lowered his head. It was about the food, wasn't it? He looked up, licking over his jowls and yawning. A smart man would figure out that the horses were rested more than any of them and could be brought back for the other vehicle later on. He moved next to Antony, grumbling a series of whines and gurgles.

AJ looked from Keller to Lola and back. "There are only two horses? So what's the problem with taking the cart?" He listened a moment longer as Keller began to pace and explain in his clipped mumbles. "There's a lot of food, that's all I meant. I didn't think she'd ride as comfortably with a sack of roasts as her pillow."

"I don't know of any cart, only the carriage I arrived in." She gestured toward where it sat, not far from where they were gathered with the horses. "I have only been here a few hours myself so I am not familiar with what sort of vehicles or stock my brother keeps but I am sure there are more horses as well. These two are mine, brought with me or rather they brought me here. They can pull a cart just as well but if there is that much food to be trasported with us, would it matter which we took? There would hardly be room for me in the cart and it would be far less elegant a ride than a carriage with crates of food rather than chests behind it.. since you are so concerned with the style in which I travel. Cart or carriage, you two need to make up your minds.. it matters little to me. I was only going to ride so that I could keep up better and we could go at a faster pace than we would if I had to walk."

"He's the one arguing," AJ said, pointing toward Keller as the wolf returned to Lola's side. "He didn't tell me there were more horses. He can't drive either one like that and you can't either with that like it is. Horses don't like me much as it is, so the leaves Tre or we hope that the horses like me enough to get us there. Otherwise it's you and me pulling the ladies home, Kel," he laughed.

The wolf was not amused by the suggestion of pulling anyone's anything, especially if the idea was Antony's. He did agree that the carriage was the better choice regardless. He grumbled something else at his pack brother.

"Hey, if you can talk the horses into it, you do that. Mitch isn't here to sass them and sweeten them up for us."

[Lovely]

Her gaze leveled on AJ and she studied him a moment before nodding her head. "If there is that much to be taken back with us, we should attempt to take both the carriage and the cart." She looked to Keller and gestured to the seeping wound on her side. "Can you seal this one again without having to change forms?" She didn't wish to wear him ragged as she knew he was already tired. "If you can than I'd be fine to drive the carriage if this Tre can manage the cart."

Keller could not say no to her even if he was thoroughly exhausted. He lowered his head in a nod, but she would need to be where he could reach her.

"Alright, get in the carriage and do whatever you need to without me watching. I'll get your team ready first, then whenever you're ready, you're ready. I'll get the other horses for the cart," AJ offered.

Lola sighed softly and smiled a little as she nodded to both Keller and AJ. "Thank you again, I appreciate your consideration." She would wait for AJ to get the team ready and then step into the carriage or even just stay on one side of it to let Keller heal the wound while AJ went off for the other horses. She'd have to undo the makeshift laces to allow Keller to reach the wound and was lady enough to want to wait until AJ had left them to do so.

"It's not consideration," AJ corrected as he turned toward the scent of the horses and started off. "It's that I can't stand watching him lick anything. He enjoys it far too much. I'd rather risk getting kicked in the face," he teased, chuckling a little as he left them alone and he dealt with the animals.

Keller growled quietly as Antony walked off, but his attention was quickly back on Lola and addressing the far more important issue. He couldn't untie her without his thumbs and he'd scratched enough already that he didn't want to use his claws. She would need to direct him to where and how she wanted to have him work on healing the wound.

Lola waited a moment after AJ started off, to make sure he didn't turn back for more teasing, before she started to undo the laces. She saved the small pieces and set them on the seat of the carriage then lowered the top half of her dress down to her waist so Keller could see the gash that had reopened and be able to tend it. She sat herself on the step, moving gingerly and biting her lower lip, her arm wrapped gently over her chest to shield her from the colder breezes that blew now and then. "Can you reach alright, with me here?" She asked Keller, looking to him in his wolfen form. "I'm sorry to be such trouble.." She whispered, feeling as if she was burdening him with her human weakness.

He was no small wolf. As she sank down on the step of the carriage he could reach her easily enough. She was no trouble for him that he hadn't caused and brought on himself. Keller reassured her with a lick to her cheek first then a few more down to the wound itself. She clutched herself to hide from his view and from the chill, though she might need to clutch harder to something as he was sure it would sting more this time. He would keep at the spot until he was certain it could not longer seep no matter how hard she might pull his fur or try to fight him off due to the pain.

[Lovely]

AJ had made himself a nuisance and trouble for the horses already. They shied from him and put up a fuss enough to be heard by the pair at the carriage, but he tried his best to do what Mitch had told them. They needed to know he meant them no harm... no matter how many horses he may have once devoured to keep himself alive. Thankfully they were limited by their tethers and could not run far. AJ talked to them, cooing to them like Mitch would and they began to settle down enough to let him untie them and get them harnessed for their duty. The horse Lola had readied had a very nice sadle and his thoughts were on the possibility of trading it in town, though it was likely familiar to too many in the area. He sighed and pushed the thought away as he set it aside to put in the cart. They would need it later. The carriage would rock a little as he steadied the animals into position on his own and a few minutes later, he rapped the side to let them know they were ready to go. He then went off to find the other horses for the cart.

Lola gasped as Keller's rough tongue swept over the wound the first time, after a few laps she let go of covering herself in favor of clutching at the scruff of his neck with one hand and the other tangled into the bunched fabric of her dress. Her jaw clenched to keep herself quiet though a few quiet groans and whimpers made it out, her legs shifted a bit and she finally started trying to push him away. AJ had rapped the side of the carriage and she assumed he'd moved off to take care of other things, leaving her alone with Keller who she tried to convince that she was better now. "It's not bleeding anymore.." He'd been lapping at her for several minutes now and she was sure the wound was sealed.

Keller continued to lick gently now although she tugged into his fur. The wound was no longer bleeding, but he was enjoying giving her the attention. Helping it heal further, he'd be able to enjoy her even more later on when he'd rested. He watched her face and she might see the toying, teasing mischief lurking there as the licks strayed a little. In this form he would not attempt to entice, but he did hope to help teach her more about many things. A closed wound, for instance, that was not a healed wound. After a few more laps, he did cease and sat back, waiting for her to tell him if she was truly feeling less sore.

Lola knew it wasn't completely healed but hadn't expected him to do that either, she squirmed as he continued and bit at her lower lip as his tngue strayed and tickled her. She swore he was teasing her, looking down to his face and eyes, trying to read his expression in this form. Once he finally let up and sat back she tried to move and sighed with relief at how much better her side felt. It wasn't perfect but was much better than it had been. She lifted her arm to test if she'd be able to drive the carriage and smiled, nodding her head a little. "I think we're about ready.. " She had to pull up her dress, which she started doing, reaching for the laces she'd set aside and smiling warmly at Keller.

Keller watched her relace the dress. It was stained horribly and he sighed, sinking down onto his elbows and resting his chin down over a paw. How was it that she could be so beautiful and elegant even in rags? How was it that he thought such things over a creature he'd only met that afternoon... over and over? He yawned a little and shook the sleep feeling out as much as he could. He'd never been in a carriage that he could remember and the thought perked him up a little. A handsome wolf-prince? He could have laughed. As she worked on the laces, he stood and climbed up a little beside her on the step to peer in.