Pieces

[Lovely]

December 11, 2009
follows: Kiss the cook


What had he done? Slowly rising back into semi-human awareness from the brutal demise of their captive, Nance leaned over the again-bloodied form of the woman to whom he'd intended no harm. The euphoria of their pure destructive force had been carried over - a blinding, drunken bloodlust that clouded everything before him as claws and teeth tore apart not only Tully's former uncle, but the woman he'd claimed to adore above all else including his own immortal life. He'd gone too far, struck out too wildly and in the heat of celebration, he'd been too strong. She was beyond injured and was nearly breathless with death's shadow looming over her now. He was laughing, nearly hysterical and lapping at wounds that would need more help than his own to repair. His bite had already begun to transform her but she was not yet strong enough to heal alone. Even with his help he may have pushed her beyond recovery.

Mitch's anger still roared like the fire onto which the bones that had been unfit to gnaw were tossed. As he poked at the coals, they blackened like his gaze that was diverted only by the rising cry, peppered with laughter and muttered words. He'd followed the fits and cries of anguish, distracted by his own fury to understand fully what Nance was panicked over, though the scent of Savy's blood was unmistakable, remembered from what had been on her clothes and the mat by the fire when they'd first arrived. Nance had pleaded, trusting only Mitch to help him. Mace had offered and lay unconcious at Nance's door for his efforts, deep slashes on his face and a severely blackened eye slowly fading as he slept, draped halfway into the cavern. Mitch moved Mace out of the entry to serve warning to the others and agreed to help mend the girl. He had his doubts that she would survive, but kept them unvoiced, noting Nance's clear insistence that she would.

Savy had been witness to the brutal end of her former master, she'd watched in terrified and curious awe as the wolves delivered him the justice he deserved for his crimes against them and their kin. When it was over and Nance came to scoop her up, she felt her heart racing - the look in his eyes so much more intense than it had been when he'd found and attacked her in the kitchen. Not to mention that he was splattered with blood and gore as were the other wolves, she was scared but reached for him as he lifted her. She hadn't fought him this time as he sought to find her, at least not at first, she'd accepted him and tried to allow him everything he wanted... but she was only a human girl. His teeth and claws tore at her and it became too much for her to bear, she began to fight but he ignored her cries, pleas, and her attempts to make him stop. He was lost in his fury and once again couldn't help himself, this time at least she understood why it was happening. That didn't make it hurt any less and by the time he'd finished and started to come back to his human self, she was torn and broken, her eyes barely open and slipping in and out of waves of blackness. Her cheeks wet from tears, her skin on fire and slicked with red from the numerous slashes and gouges. Her insides felt as if they were burning as well and the only relief from the agony were the dips into the darkness where she felt nothing. Her breath was shallow and she didn't cry out anymore even when she felt Nance's tongue lapping over the wounds, trying to mend her. Now and then her eyes opened, she could hear him muttering and laughing, he sounded hysterical but she couldn't say anything to soothe him though she wanted to. She thought she saw Mitch too and wondered what he was doing there, was she dying? Would they tear her to pieces because she was no longer useful? If she could laugh, it would have sounded as hysterical as Nance's.

Tully had been quiet since the events had unfolded with the demise of her uncle, she sat near Mitch watching him but tried to allow him time for his anger to ebb away before attacking him with her myriad of questions and thoughts. For her it was odd and wonderful to simply be able to sit beside him, without having to say anything though she'd already learned that he liked to talk.. when not this furious. The others had shifted away from the circle, those who'd chosen mates, took the girls to their rooms and there was no mistaking what sort of celebrating was occuring now. She wondered why Mitch didn't take her, but listening as some of the cries changed and watching him stare darkly into the fire, she was grateful for his control. She shifted closer and rested her hand on his leg near his knee and her cheek against the side of his thigh, simply watching the fire with him until he decided he wanted to talk or.. anything. Finally a certain cry caught his attention and he shifted away to follow the sound. Tully wondered if he'd forgotten she was there, she wasn't upset and got up to follow him. She hovered at the door of Nance's room, careful not to step on Mace, though worried that she'd be tossed out in a similar manner. She offered her help, not sure what she could do to assist them but more than willing to help Mitch and his family, she did her best not to show how much the sight of the girl upset her.

[Lovely]

"Bring some water and come in," Mitch said quietly for Tully, hearing her stop at the door. His voice held concern, a deep worry and equally deep determination to help heal the girl. "Some things you learn by watching," he said, turning enough for her to see the red in his gaze before he shifted forms enough to allow him the rough surface of a wolf's tongue. He seemed to smile as he turned back to begin bathing the girl's face and neck with saturated strokes. He kept his fingers and thumbs nimbly human to help move the shreds aside and use them as bandaging while he helped to seal one wound at a time.

Nance's eyes were still wide though he had calmed down somewhat now that Mitch was here and helping, not insisting that she be mercifully released from the misery he'd burdened her with. He stank of fear, afraid she would slip further away and afraid of shifting his form again until he was sure he would not hurt her worse. He tended her carefully and felt how his mouth was becoming sticky and dry, hardly soothing for the cuts he sealed on her hip and thigh. Grateful for the man's help, he grasped Mitch's hand a moment, offering him a nod, unable to say much of anything that made sense. It was just a nod, then a glance to Tully, his eyes begging her to hurry back with the water.

Savy was in no position to protest Mitch seeing her or helping to remove the shreds that remained of her clothing, if she were not so bad off she would be terribly embarrassed but now she was only semi aware and entirely grateful. The gasp might not be all that comforting to hear but it was a sign of life in the otherwise limp girl as the men tended her. Normally bright and sparkling with life her blue eyes opened for a moment, pale and dull with pain, they slipped closed and she made the barest of sound - a small moan.

Tully had much still to learn about Mitch and his pack, she'd be one of them and at his side someday but right now she felt so lost.. so helpless. She returned the seeming smile from the partially changed wolf, she adored him more with each moment and was truly amazed by him. "I'll be right back with the water." She promised, her gaze compassionate as she met Nance's eyes for a few seconds then she turned to hurry off. She found the pail of water and lifted it, stopping only a moment to open one of her chests that were still in the main room and gather an armful to bring with her. She returned to Nance's room and set the water close to the men so they could reach it, the other items she set aside, holding out a few towels and slowly coming closer to help clean and wrap the girl's wounds. "I don't want to be in the way." She spoke quietly and let them know she'd step back again if they thought it best.

Mitch reached up to pull her gently closer with the towel. She wasn't in the way and her help was appreciated. He tossed one of the soaked strips aside and showed her where to place the towel to help stem the bleeding. He licked her hand lightly and returned to mending the wounds on the girl's less intimate areas.

Nance did not mind the help but wondered how Savy would feel being crowded now and smelling faintly of her own fear during the moments she was awake. He also wasn't sure how Tully might feel seeing the savagery he'd committed and now tried to mend in ways best kept private. He could not wait for her commentary or scolding, moving to provide her room to assist them but continuing his careful attention to the cuts and bruises where he'd done the worst damage.

Tully didn't scold and wouldn't, she'd leave that to Mitch if he felt it was needed, right now she felt the best thing she could do was stay quiet and help to wrap Savy's wounds. She'd brought a couple of clean sheets that she thought could be used for the girl's comfort once they'd gotten her cleaned up and healed some, but now she considered perhaps they'd better serve as bandages. "Will she.." Tully paused, looking at some of the marks which appeared to be bites. ".. be like you now?" She wondered whether that helped or hurt the girl worse at the moment, so many tears and blood.

Savy's body fought to heal and against the changes that burned through her, she fought to remain awake and alive. If she slipped too far into the darkness would she be able to find her way back? Her head fell to the side as the others shifted to tend the many marks across her form, she could barely see Nance as he worked lower than Mitch and Tully but her hand was near his face. She couldn't talk yet and still didn't hardly make any sound at all in spite of the enormous pain. She wanted to somehow let him know she was fighting too. It took every ounce of strength and determination she had in her weakened state to twitch her hand and purposely brush her thumb against his cheek. He might not realize it was her moving as it wasn't a very dramatic or heavy touch, she did it again and fought to keep her eyes from slipping closed again, so if he looked up he'd see her looking at him. It was only her thumb and it was the hardest thing she'd ever done.. she moved it one more time, her finger cool against his warm skin.

[Lovely]

Mitch moved back a moment to take a cup of the water to cleanse his tongue. He hadn't noticed the movement until then, how the girl strained to stay with them and reach out for Nance.

The brush startled him. At first he thought it was a twitch from her pain, barely there and a sign that she was losing her battle. A moment later it was stronger and he glanced up, leaning toward the touch. He grasped her hand to hold against his cheek as his eyes slipped closed a moment. "She will be," he replied to Tully's question. "Very, very soon." He gave Savy a less panicked smile and kissed her wrist and the small marks there that would be quick to fade before turning his attention back to the marks at her thighs.

Tully was alarmed for a few seconds as the men moved, her eyes darting over them and the girl until she saw what was happening, then she smiled. The girl was strong, brave, and determined, she had to be to reach out to comfort Nance after he'd done this to her. She let Mitch have his drink but reached to take the cup from him to offer Savy a few sips.

Savy felt a wash of relief as Nance noticed what she was doing and grasped her hand, his cheek was a comforting warmth compared to the fire that coursed through her veins. Her fingers twitched again as she tried to grasp back but it wasn't a tight clench, her mouth moved slightly in an attempt to smile though it wasn't much of one. She promised silently not to give in to the torment that wanted her to slip into oblivion, the pain was immense but she would bear it, so that very soon she would be like him and stay with him as his mate. He let go and went back to tending her deeper marks and she felt Tully at her shoulder and drops of cool water against her lips, she took only a couple sips before the pain made her cry out. The sound of her own voice startled her with it's strength as she arched and tensed, the change rippling in her form and then she collapsed again. Her eyes open and dull with the pain, staring up at the ceiling of the cave, her breathing stronger but rattled with the pain she held onto to keep her anchored here with them.

The wail of pain made Nance growl fiercely. She was changing and her body responding to the wolf that she was becoming. His attention snapped sharply into focus as his own form rippled, his jaw clenched as he shifted completely into his wolfen form before swabbing furiously at the marks, some that had broken open again as she writhed against agony.

Mitch looked over Savy's hands and leaned quickly over her to check her eyes and ensure she was still breathing and not fading into the vague fog of shock. Her breathing continued, ragged but strong and her eyes focused against the dim light. Her fingers, he noted, began to show the signs, the faint elongation of each digit and the darkening and hardening of her fingernails that would become claws. It was definitely starting. He motioned for Tully to give Nance the cup for a drink since he would soon need it.

Seeing what he'd done to this girl he supposedly cared about and how furiously he now lapped at her, Tully was a little nervous to approach Nance with the cup but Mitch wouldn't have her do something that wasn't safe. She trusted him and with a deep breath she approached Nance, holding the cup in a surprisingly steady hand. "Here, you're going to need this."

Savy heard the growl and something inside her responded, her lips curling back a little and her fingers clenching at what was left of the cloth around her. She pulled strength from whatever it was that heard Nance and stirred inside her, a soft low whine replied to the growl. The change wanted to surge over her but she was weak from her injuries and the loss of blood, making it ripple painfully but not completely transform her. She cried out, arched up, and fell back again - this time fresh tears slipped down her cheeks. Savy was scared and it hurt more than she ever imagined anything could yet at the same time she felt oddly stronger with each surge.

Mitch held back as Nance began to do as he'd been taught to try to calm her and coax her by speaking to the creature within her. He'd claimed her and would need to ensure she trusted him not just with conscious thought but with every fiber of her being. There were still wounds to be healed but the marks on her arms were fading, some that they hadn't helped along. Her strength was building. He shifted himself back to the kind and proud man at Tully's side as she tried to give Nance the drink he would need. She wasn't afraid, but was rightly cautious. "She's lost a lot of blood here. We may need to get her more than water to help her. I can continue to help close the wounds but Nance needs to do most of it still."

Nance wasn't hearing the conversation but acknowledged the water cup he was offered. He lapped from it less than daintily, splashing the water without a care but didn't move to hurt Tully or scare her. His tongue washed over his jowls once to each side then resumed his care of the wounds that needed to be sealed quickly before the next surge struck her. His voice tremored and chortled quietly with small grunts and wavering growls as the process progressed and he sensed the changes increasing in her scent and the rusty taste against his tongue.

Tully let Nance drink and then slowly moved away as he turned back to the girl, she turned her attention to Mitch as she set the cup down. "What else does she need? Is it something I can help with?" She wasn't sure of the differences there might be in what a wolf needed and what a simple human did. "They brought some food from my uncle's home.." She gently bit at her lower lip and looked to Mitch for guidance.

Savy was making more noise now as Nance's rough tongue ran over her torn skin, she was more awake and thus feeling the pain and other sensations where before they had been somewhat dulled. Small groans and gasps parted her lips and kept her hands clutching at the bloodied shreds, each pass of his tongue brought either the sharp sting or numbing relief as he moved from mark to mark. Her head turned and she lifted it a bit to try to see him better and then rested back, lifting her hands to stroke and curl into his fur. "Nance.." She didn't know how to say what she needed to and a soft growl came forth in reply to the sounds he made, as if calling to him and telling him she needed him.