Thornhedge RP

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Keeva shook out her pelt before laying back down beside him, her side pressed against his as she got comfy. “You think so? It’s only been two days.” She told him finding it kind of surprising but a bit of care and grooming went a long way for wounds and rough fur. “Honestly, yes. They don’t sting like they use to at least not all the time. Sometimes they will ache but only when I turn or twist too much, stretching the sensitive tissue.” explaining, Keeva treated him like she would a healer with his questions about her wounds. Laying there as he groomed her wounds and her back overall, Keeva tended to her front legs and paws before moving to her chest, cleaning her fur to the best of her ability. Pausing for a moment she looked to the male, “I think I may have an idea… regarding our escape.” She murmured to him as softly as she could, “It’s a long shot and we’d probably have to do it of a night when the caretakers are not around but… I think it may work.” she explained laying her head down while she watched him groom her. “I think if we get the attention of an outsider, another lupin or other creature.. If we can get them to remove our collars or figure out a way to remove the magic from them we should all be able to escape quickly and effectively.” She murmured to him.

Ninaine sighed smiling at the beast, “Wish they were like normal dogs, having a dog that big would be so nice to cuddle with, not to mention a great guard dog.” she smiled down at the animals with an innocent look in her eyes. “So her majesty wants puppies from them? I bet the pups are adorable…” the young adult said as she smiled at the creatures. “She won't let you near her? Have you tried sending a new face in to see her?” the young woman asked, “Or if that is truly not an option, why don’t you use a mild sedative and restrain the others with their collars, can’t the mage do that?” She asked as she walked back over to the table and sat down in the adjacent chair. Her Uncle explained the trust issue and that caused the girl to sigh, “Well, can I go in? They don’t recognize me maybe they will be less hostile?” She asked him as she picked up her mug of hot non alcoholic cider. The cold winter winds this evening were starting to pick up but her winter furs were keeping the majority of her warm along with the cider. “Hmm..” Elijah’s niece hummed as she tried to think of any spells she’d learned that would work. “Why don’t we use a concealment spell? You can focus on the herbs and simply conceal their presence.” She questioned. When her uncle suggested putting a pup aside for her she was over the moon with excitement, “Are you serious?! I would love that!” She beamed and squealed softly, “Can you imagine having one of those beasts all to yourself!? I don’t think I’d ever feel worried again with one of them at my side.”

The Other Side

First shrugged as he worked gently, peeling off and spitting away bits of necrotic scabbing or damaged fur tufts, along with the occasional but rare flea. “Two days can do a lot, at least with looking more fresh. I think your wounds have been untreated altogether, and since they weren’t kept clean, they didn’t heal properly which is why they still hurt. Reopening them and letting them air and be cleaned with water and our own mouths has helped to reseal them permanently. It’s still looking gnarly, but you look much better compared to when we first saw you.” He gave a few affectionate licks to her ear with a smile, nibbling on her cheek fluff playfully before returning to his work. She began to work on her front legs and paws, and after a few minutes of it all, Keeva brought up a plan she was sorting out in her head. He played it out in his head, humming in thought. “I could see maybe one collar coming off, but I’m not sure how they are locked in place, especially with magic in them. Removing that magic altogether even for one collar may be difficult, with an outsider even harder. I am pretty sure they aren’t all connected together, one collar off meaning all of them. Your mistress is too clever for that.” He touched his nose to the collar, wincing at the power radiating from it. He was growing used to his, but he didn’t like it regardless. “We could try playing around with them some night, to see if any of us can grasp the idea, but all of our magic is tethered. Do you have any ideas for how to get an outsider to remove them, or how to get them all off in a single night?” He glanced over across the clearing to his sister and her family, all snuggled together for the night with her pups hidden from view. Getting all of them out safely without the puppies interfering would be another problem…if something happened, one of the puppies could accidentally alert one of the caretakers and have them investigating. Or, even worse, the pups would be injured during the transfer. It sent a chill down his back, and he looked back down to Keeva to ignore the intrusive thoughts.

Elijah nodded, his gaze wandering from lupa to lupa as they all curled together. He took a journal out from his coat pocket and began to jot down the pairs and units he saw, knowing the information could be useful for later. “The queen’s pet has had a litter or litters before, but none were as successful as she wished they would be. Breeding with a pure lupa stud like the one she is with now would be very beneficial, and provide more powerful pups to use. The pups are quite cute when young, and very easy to manipulate.” He chuckled beneath his breath, continuing to listen to his niece fawn over the wolf creatures below. Her ideas though…he frowned at trying to use them. They weren’t the most attractive ideas, but maybe he could formulate it to its true purpose. The man tapped the end of his pencil on his scruffy chin, pondering the plan. “We could possibly use magic to sedate them, however Keeva is rather powerful and fights hard. She’s always restrained greater than usual simply because of the innate strength she has. Getting her calm enough for anything is difficult without injuring her, which would be difficult to do when we are trying to do the opposite. However, we may be able to send some sort of signal to the collars to keep them in place and unmoving when we send you in. The only problem I see is if it wears off too quickly before you can get to her - I don’t want you hurt at all.” His eyes narrowed at the thought. “I don’t care what the queen thinks, but I would kill those beasts before I see a hair hurt on your head. We would need every precaution taken in order to achieve your safety. Once inside, you could use a spelled pendant or something similar to apply to the collar that can send healing to the rest of her body, without you needing the spell prepared yourself. I know you are still learning the spells of the beastkeepers. As for the concealment spell? You can make anything invisible, but the smell still remains.” Elijah lifted his pocket journal and cast a spell, making it invisible for a few seconds before it reappears. “The item isn’t gone from this realm, so the smell still remains. The herbs may not be visible, but the scent would be enough to deter them, especially with their heightened senses. If, however, we conceal the scent and keep feeding them untainted meat for long enough, they will stop checking and consume whatever we give them if it doesn’t smell bad. We could even do it to a portion of the meat, as we know they separate it currently. They trust the nontainted meat, that still contains the season-starter, and we are in business. The only problem is getting that spell, or that capability, in the first place. I wish we could just shove potions down their throats, but that, as you can imagine, would end poorly.” Watching his niece, he grinned to see her so excited about having her own lupa, and he gestured to the caves currently being occupied by the two families with puppies. “You wouldn’t have anything to fear at all. You’re welcome to keep your eyes on one you’d like, and I’ll make sure to tag it so we can know to put it aside and train it just for you. Consider it an early birthday present from me. You will make an excellent denmaster one day, and taming your own lupa will prove to everyone just how capable you are.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

“The most that was ever put on my wounds was a salve that didn’t do anything aside from meek bugs and rats away.” she told him as he pulled a tuft of hair away with scabbing it made the female grit her teeth, she wasn’t really for the sudden sharp pain, but as always she was strong and didn’t squeak a peep. “That is better than nothing” She smiled at her friend before he licked her ear and she returned it and added a playful swat of her paw. Missing in her attempt to swat him, she rolled over unintentionally, belly up paws bent at her chest. First tugged at her cheek fur playfully, she returned the favor by nipping the underside of his jaw and neck area, softly growling as she did so, playfully of course. Of course, their play subsided and she rolled back over, luckily where they were at it wasn’t only dirt, the grass was fresh and lush preventing dry dirt from getting in the sensitive raw tissues. Now that she was rolled over, Keeva was right up against him more so then she was before. “Well, that is a very large possibility… They used to all be connected but they have indeed changed since then I’m sure. The Queen has learned a thing or two during my stay here.” She admitted the woman probably learned from her unintentionally over the years. Sighing she plopped her head down, “Back to drawing pictures in the sand.” She murmured disappointed in herself for the poor idea. She was full and tired so it was bound to be a rough day for questions. “If we could befriend a caretaker, get them over on our side… we just might get to be free then.” she told him before chuckling and shaking her head , “But that is even more unlikely to happen then the later.” she groaned softly before returning a bit of dthe grooming processes to First. She started at his paws and slowly began working her way up to her chest and neck, flea biting here and there to get any loose fur removed or mats in her friend's fur. As she sat there grooming him thinking about their options she listened to First make his suggestion. “Maybe, I have thought about trying to pry them off with the help of a stick or low tree limb. But we’d have to do it in the cover of night and I’m not sure how we would cover up the lack of a collar if we couldn’t get everyone’s collars off in the same night.” She told him, “I really do wish we could get someone from the inside ot help us… but I can’t see that ever happening… they are all power-crazed fools.” she continued to keep her voice down as to not attract attention by the others or by the caretakers, looking to him for a response she could see the worry that began to take over his face, the fear. “First, we will find a way, there are plenty of us to carry pups and get them out quickly. I’m not sure how we would get an outsider to free us from all of our collars, but maybe they could get reinforcements or something to figure out the situation. She murmured to him still trying to figure out how everything would work or even be planned out. “Besides, once we are freed from our collars… I will not hold back to keep us safe, I’ll make sure they all pay for what they’ve done to us.” she whispered to him, her eyes glistening in the moonlight.


“Yeah, I heard rumors about it… the Queen was rather devastated over it.” She said as she stirred her cider adding a mint leaf to further flavor the drink. “I can’t wait to see them, Uncle.” she said with a giddy smile on her face. Getting her excitement under control, Ninaine took notice of her Uncle's dissatisfaction, obviously he wasn’t fond of her suggestions. Fiddling with her cider after seeing his expression she waited for him to get done pondering her ideas. After a few moments, he finally mentioned magic sedation. Lifting her eyes from her drink she listened intently to her Uncle and his own ideas playing off her own suggestions. “Oh Uncle you worry too much, I’d be quick… I’m also training to be a mage, I do have knowledge in protection spells.” She was truly confident in current skills. “Besides dear Uncle, if you killed the Queen’s Lupin’s over me… I’m afraid she’d have you executed on the spot. She’s so hell bent on them, they probably guarantee her victory more then we realize.” she told her uncle her assumptions. Ninaine didn’t like her Uncle talking about killing the beautiful creatures, they honestly deserved so much better than they were getting here. But she also understood his fear of losing his only niece, and dealing with her fathers wrath and agony after. Her Uncle Elijah mentioned the concealment spell making the young woman nod her head in understanding, “Yes, I should have thought about that…” She said before tapping her chin as she thought. “What about an illusion spell?” She asked him, “If we could insure it would completely trick the mind, they wouldn’t be able to smell or taste it due to their minds being under the illusion.” Pulling out one of her books from her studies she began flipping through the pages to see if there was possibly anything else she could bring to the table for her Uncle and the Queen. Picking up her cider she took a sip as she searched quietly across from her uncle. “Have you spoken with the Queen’s herbalist yet? Maybe they know of a way to render down the herbs, preserving their season bringing qualities. Then maybe they could be mixed with another compound that would hide the scent and flavor?” Ninaine suggested as she came across a section on herbology. Sighing at her Uncle's frustration, the young woman looked at him, “Yeah, I don’t think they’d be too keen on that. Not to mention the stress it would bring on, it probably would cause to much stress for the animals.” she sighed as she finished off her cider and leaned back in her chair for a moment. “Oh Uncle thank you! That is so sweet of you, you know my birthday isn’t that far behind.” She told him a giggle leaving her, “I hope so, I simply adore the creatures they are amazing.” she toldl him as she placed her book on the table and gazed over at them as the sun was setting.

The Other Side

First huffed quietly at the mention of the salve given to her - not that he was surprised by its quality. Her mistress would have kept them untreated entirely if it wasn’t for the value she found in her ‘pet’. It was however quite shocking the state she was in for supposedly being so important to her owner. He was glad to see Keeva improving though, even giving him a few swats and playing with him momentarily before she settled down and began to groom him in return. It tickled at first to have her teeth and tongue at his fur and skin, but he quickly got used to it and allowed her to roam as needed. “I don’t think it’s a bad idea to be thinking about plans. Brainstorming with others will allow us to come up with a plan eventually. Tomorrow morning, I could have my father call a meeting, and we could all gather to discuss it. That way everyone contributes.” Keeva didn’t have poor suggestions, but he did want everyone to hear her side and pitch in if they wished. Some of their members did come from the outside, and they might have a different view of it all. None of them had escaped slavery that he knew of, but…there was no telling. “I wish we had an insider too. It would make things much simpler. But, I don’t think there are any lupins we can call to, or any other species that would know our primal language. Speaking common is obviously out of the question. If we could get even one collar off, and have one of the less conspicuous members escape, maybe they could track their way back to our territory and find someone. Clare does have an…acquaintance near our territory that may be able to help. Then again, it’s getting that one collar off that’s tricky. Your mistress is smart…but not unbeatable.” Keeva swore her promise to him and his pack, and he bowed his head, “I have no doubts the revenge you will put upon your mistress and her allies. I have complete faith in you.”

Elijah clicked his tongue to hear his niece’s confidence, but she wasn’t wrong. Her training was coming along well as he was told, and was quick to learn. She would probably be evasive enough to elude the pack, but it still worried him to put her at such a high risk. Keeva especially was a massive pin in his side and blocked many avenues he would have taken otherwise with the lupin pack. “I know, I know. She’s so keen over that pet that I swear she may love it more than her husband. But, I am only exaggerating. Nobody will die in this venture if my hand is in it, so I will not be quick to kill the lupa unless necessary. It would be a shame to lose your Uncle Elijah.” He winked at her with a short laugh, before she continued to speak about her spell ideas and other ventures from her studies. She had obviously studied different paths than him, which led to clever - and rather obvious - solutions to his problems. “You’re quite smart, Nin,” he complimented, peering over at her book. “Using spells on them would be tricky, as we wouldn’t want to spoil that trust as I mentioned prior. But, the overwhelming compound may be a good idea. If we use the extra substance as a base, and apply it to the meat, they will get used to that one and realize that it is not harmful if we play our cards right. We just need the right thing to add, and if it’s in a good enough dose alongside overpowering the season ones, then we have our victory. They won’t know the new herb and won’t be too suspicious of it hopefully, or we could trick them with a spell at first to ease them into it before its applied to their regular minds. Hm, not a terrible plan, Ninaine. If you can speak with the herbalist tonight, I will speak to the queen first thing in the morning. I’ll find a spell to trick them for the first or second times they have the new herb, then we are golden to move forward with it all. The easier this is for us, the easier it is on the queen, and the easy jobs we will have in the future. Well done for listening well and researching keenly. I told you that you would be a great denmaster.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

As the sky became dark with the dying sun, First and Keeva spoke about the ideas she had, bringing together the pack to brainstorm in a larger group, and wishing for an outsider ally. In time they would find the way out, they would beat the Queen at her own game and free themselves. They were not dumb beasts, they were smarter than most in this kingdom gave them credit for. “We will get our freedom,” Keeva agreed before returning to grooming her friend’s chest fur, her pale blue hues glancing up at him every once in a while. Finishing up with her groom, Keeva smiled at the young male and curled into him, seeking his warmth as she laid there watching her group across the pasture.

Ninaine couldn’t help but chuckle from her Uncle's comment about the Queen, “Uncle Elijah, “ She spoke with a playful scolding voice before agreeing even though he was teasing, “I wouldn’t want to lose you, Uncle. It’s bad enough I hardly ever get to see my father anymore.” she told him clearly she didn’t like not having her father in her life like before but she loved her Uncle all the same, and he was a wonderful second father if she were to ever have one. She was glad he wasn’t being serious about killing all the lupin however if she were to get harmed. She loved the beasts, they were one of the creatures she’d focused a lot of her studying towards through school and is why she was there at the enclosure now, learning to be a caretaker of the Lupin’s. “Thank you, Uncle.” She smiled up at him, pleased to be complimented. “You’ve taught me more than my father ever has, so I’d like to say it’s thanks to you.” she gazed at her Uncle proud to call him such and more than happy to have him in her life. “True…” She murmured as she listened, understanding any spell no matter how good that spell would be, it could fail and ruin the trust they’ve managed to gain thus far. However, he liked the herbal compound, “Perfect, will head that way then” She told her uncle as she put her book back in her satchel to prepare for the journey back to the castle.

(Two Days Later)

With the herbal compound coming along wonderfully, Ninaine was finally tasked with going into the enclosure to put the healing pendant on Keeva’s collar. “Okay, I’m ready when you are Uncle.” the young woman said, she was dressed in tight clothing, easy to move and run in just in case anything was to go wrong. “I have the pendant and my protection ward you insisted on along with my own barrier spells.” She smiled up at the man as she placed the pendant safely in a small pocket before buttoning it shut on her chest. Looking at the enclosure, it was still rather early in the morning, the Sun was barely peeking through the tree line in the distance. “It’s now or never, I love you Uncle Ellijah!” She said before standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek. Racing off to the gate she waited for the gatekeeper to open it as little as possible so as to not disturb the sleeping Lupins. They opened the gate just enough for the young woman to slip in, Keeva was sleeping near the tree with her assumed mate. Giving a nod to her Uncle to activate the restraint spell on their collars. Once the spell was enacted, the young woman started her quick journey across the pasture to Keeva.

The Other Side

Elijah was more than pleased to see Ninaine step up to her position and, alongside implementing the protective measures he wished, was ready to heal the queen’s pet and get her prepared for the season they would be bringing her into. With her wounds cured and heat solidified, the queen could be assured that she would have a successful, proud litter to use for her own. His hands were folded behind his back as he escorted his excited niece to the enclosure very early in the morning and administer the healing pendant to the pet’s collar. She bounced on her toes as they began to open the door, and she raced over to kiss his cheek before she rushed ahead into the enclosure, quiet as a mouse. “I love you too,” he murmured after her, moving to the side to watch her every move in the space. Any wrong move, and the lupins would regret it. He concentrated on his restraint spell, keeping the lupins from shifting far from their position. They wouldn’t be able to walk any closer to her nor make any physical attack, but even if the spell wore off or was ineffective, the other measures would protect his beloved family member. Though his heart raced in his chest, he knew she would keep herself safe. She had to.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Watching her every step, Ninaine, kept herself hidden as best she could among the tall grasses, watching as to not step on anything that would awaken the sleeping creatures. It didn’t take her too long and she was just yards away from Keeva, she didn’t realize just how massive these canines were compared to a human. Stunned as she stood there in front of the creature she’d almost forgotten what she was there for. Making her way over, she quietly unbuttoned her pocket before taking the pendant out of its safe place. As she was about to place the pendant on the large lupa’s collar she opened her eyes. Ninaine’s breath hitched as Keeva’s pale hues stared into her soul.

Stirring as an unfamiliar scent reached her nose, Keeva was pulled from her slumber only to meet the small eyes of a human before her. For a moment, the young woman stared at her both of them silent as they met eyes. However, the surprise between them didn’t last long as the female's eyes dropped to the thing in the young human’s hands. “Sh-shhh, I’m trying to help you.” Ninaine murmured to the wolf. Keeva at that point let out a low growl, warning the human to back off. Ninaine jerked nervously but still moved forward knowing she was safe as long as the ward didn’t fail before she was able to attach the pendant. “It will heal your wounds.” the young human woman told her, Kee realized then she couldn’t move, what was going on? Shifting her eyes towards First, she was worried, scared even but that fear left as a sudden relief in the stinging pain of her back began to subside immensely. Not only was it healing the wounds but it was mending her coarse fur, becoming smooth and bright again. Why was this human girl helping them? Surly it was all part of a larger plan but the girl seemed so innocent, so pure, not evil like the others, it was amazing that someone of her age was so clear of heart. Looking to First once more, Keeva gave him a look that everything was alright before watching the girl step back from her and start back to the gate. Keeva watched her until she was mostly back to the gate before looking back . First, “She’s mended me…” she told him, “She may be our ticket…I don’t think she’s corrupt like the rest of them.” she shared with him, sure she knew this had to be something else the slavers were preparing them for but the girl herself seemed, different from the others. Reaching the gate, Ninaine exited the enclosure with ease, “I did it, Uncle!” She smiled up at him eager to receive his praise.

The Other Side

First could sense something was wrong when Keeva’s scent shifted next to him. Even in his slumber, he could tell that something had changed, and he quickly awoke to see a young human female standing before Keeva. He stood up to stand over her with a loud, thundering growl, ready to pounce on her and make her regret threatening his friend, but he realized very quickly that he could not move further - and Keeva was not threatened. Though still terrified, he watched the female reach forward and touch an object to Keeva’s collar, her wounds mending and her fur brightening, smoothening. Was he dreaming? Still growling, unable to quiet his voice, he tried to wake from his sleep to find nothing was changing, and that everything was real. He didn’t stop until the girl fled from his friend’s side, and he was released from his frightening taut prison. He could actually move freely again. The rest of the pack somehow remained asleep, but First was wide awake with his heart pounding in his ears. He hardly noticed Keeva’s words until he noticed her staring up at him. “Don’t think she’s corrupt? The man she just ran to was the one who escorted your mistress here,” he growled, sitting down but keeping his eyes on the humans clouded in early shadows. “They healed you for something. If I’ve learned anything being here this week, it’s that everything has a purpose. They wouldn’t do this because they felt bad.” Huffing, he plopped down next to her, glaring at her nice smooth pelt before sighing and dipping his muzzle to it. It was quite soft…much healthier than the dull and oily covering it was before. It was shocking to feel a difference. He had gotten used to her fur before, but now…now it was prettier, and really showed her strength. It caused First’s tail to wag behind him slightly. “How…how do you feel?”

Elijah grinned brightly upon his niece’s safe return, getting the job done safely and quickly as discussed. He released the spell binding the pack and embraced her in a hug, his anxieties calming now that it was finished. “I am so proud of you, Nin! I couldn’t have asked anyone else to do such a splendidly efficient job.” He gave her a small squeeze before releasing her. “The queen will be so pleased with your work too. Now that she’s on board with our plan, we’ve got all the freedom in the world. Which includes you getting to choose your puppy.” He grinned wider, gesturing to the enclosure. “As soon as you’re sure of which one you want, the queen has approved you choosing a puppy. You keep up your diligence, and as soon as the puppies are weaned, you can pick which one you like best and start training it to be your pet and protector.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Keeva’s eyes shifted to First as he stood growling at the girl who had just healed her. He was being protective and had little trust for anyone from the outside, which she understood. The girl was surprised from the male’s growl, but she kept her clam and quickly removed the pendant from her pocket to heal Keeva. The young woman fled from the enclosure as soon as she was finished, something about her just said she was no threat to the Lupa. Chuckling at Friend she sighed gently before standing up and licking his cheek, a gesture to calm his fearful soul. “I know, but that doesn’t mean she’s just as nasty as they are. We can’t judge someone by the people they are surrounded by.” She told him calmly as she laid back down, still tried from the previous day. “True, but the girl herself just seemed very different, much kinder than the others we’ve encountered.” She shared with him before giving him another nuzzle, her tail wagging contently as she laid beside him, “I feel wonderful honestly.” She told him, “There’s no more pain and my coat feels so much lighter and less stiff, I smell better too.” She blushed at her last comment embarrassed from her previous odor. “Why don’t we go to the pond and get a drink?’ She asked him before licking his neck and jumping up to her paws, she started towards the pond while everyone was still asleep. Maybe they could enjoy a bit more company before the day started.

Ninaine soaked up her Uncles praise, hugging him back with just as tight of a hug, “Thank you, Uncle. I did my research and prepared accordingly.” She beamed up at him before stepping away and looking towards the female Lupin who was now disappearing down the small hill in the middle of the pasture. “Really? Oh, I can’t wait. I wanted to get a glance at them when I was there but I didn’t want to take the risk.” Nina told her uncle knowing just how risky it was for her to be in there. “Are there any that look like the Queen’s female? Or even that red male? They are just so beautiful.” She asked her uncle what the pups looked like, eager to pick one.

The Other Side

First knew that Keeva was right, but it was still difficult to believe that the young girl could be trusted. Considering that she snuck in so easily was a threat, especially with the spell put over them to prevent their intrusion. “She kept up from moving and snuck in without our notice…that is concerning to me,” he murmured to her, but allowed her calm to ebb onto him as he let out a long breath and watched her get up to shake off the night’s debris. He was happy however that he seemed to be feeling better. The male smiled at her and gave her a few licks to show his excitement for her and her new pelt and painfree body. “That’s wonderful, Keeva! I can’t imagine the difference that makes. The girl coming in out of the blue to do it still concerns me, but knowing you’re actually healed is a big relief.” He stood to stand beside her and stretched himself out fully before he wagged his tail at her suggestion. “A pond visit would be wonderful, I’d be happy to accompany you.” He trotted after her, looking forward to spending more time with a happier, more content Keeva at his side.

Elijah nodded, pressing a hand to her back to lead her from the enclosure back to the inner dens so they could check on the compound and discuss more of it privately. “You know, I’m not too certain. I haven’t seen them up close and personal enough to know their specific coats, especially since they haven’t grown into their juvenile coat. But, I can have my denkeepers observe them as they are now, and let you know if any look like either the queen’s pet or her mate. It may be harder to have a puppy from them two specifically to get that color you’re looking for, but I imagine there’s something close enough. Do let me know if you want a male or a female too, since we can get something specific as well. I want my niece happy with her special present.” Giving her a side hug, they walked into the barns, where quiet noises of offspring arose from the stalls and enclosures within. “Now, show me what you know so far of lupins, and I will share my input.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Listening to the First express his concern she nodded her head in agreement as she shook her pelt free of any debris as she walked across the pasture. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, it is very concerning but right now I’m not sure what we can physically do to prevent such visits into the enclosure by the humans.” Once he had arrived at her side she started to trott brushing her side up against him as they traveled and then brushing her tail under his chin as she raced towards the pond, seemingly unaware of what she did. “I know, I’m thankful!” She barked back at him as she raced off to the pond giggling relieved to be pain free and excited to play in the shallow pond with her friend. As she raced towards the water she could feel the breeze brushing through her soft smooth fur, the skin beneath breathing instead of stinging and weeping.

Walking with her Uncle as he lead her away from the cage and into the building where they could speak privately she smiled at him, “Well I guess I’ll make my decision then.If they do get to see them, can you have them send me some paintings of them?” she asked him as she folded her hands behind her back. “Oh, well, I think I would want a male, they seem to be rather protective." She told him recalling how the male next to keeva was reacting to her presence. From there Ninaine went on to tell him her knowledge of Lupin.

As the day turned into night, and night into day over and over again, the effects of the herb was showing, those who ate it were in season and keeping the males and females apart was becoming quite difficult. It didn't help that Keeva herself was becoming touch one moment and snuggling the next with her 'friend' First.

The Other Side

It was becoming increasingly difficult for First to keep his growing desire for Keeva shoved under his skin and out of sight. It had felt like everything was becoming out of his control, and combined with the separation of the younger males and females, his head was beginning to become unhinged from his shoulders. It didn’t help that Keeva herself had become more and more affectionate, going so far as to twirl her tail with his or brush it under his chin, her scent consuming him every time. The whole situation was driving him mad. He couldn’t tell if the female was intentionally flirting with him, seeing what she could do to get a rise out of him, or maybe it was all a big test, to see if he would actually pursue her. He had a feeling she knew he could be interested in her due to their time spent so close together, and was making sure he wasn’t going to step over her boundaries. But he didn’t like having the possibility of shoving her away entirely to rid himself of his itch. Sitting next to her now across the enclosure, away from the testy young adults and teens that flirted with each other across the yard and were doing their absolute best to get to one another, his back paw tapped anxiously as he tried to once more shove down that desire to use his tail, to be alluring, to even attempt to union with her. It was a feeling he wished he had felt before, so he could have prepared for this moment. Keeva was going to rip his manhood from his body and leave him to bleed out, he was sure of it.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Keeva was on her guard, the girls becoming more restless and flirty by the day, the hormones in the area were overwhelming. Barking left and right at girls to keep them from sneaking over, it had begun, a lot worse than she had ever imagined it would be… But she was dealing with a pack of females. She just wanted to get through this next three weeks and enjoy time with First. Her tail wagged at the thought of him, she yearned for his body next to hers, his warmth warming her on the coldest of nights. Shaking her head she huffed, all the pheromones were getting to her head apparently. Giving a low warning growl “Get back over there!” Keeva snapped at the teen who had attempted to sneak past her. At this rate, she wasn’t going to even be able to get a drink with how unpredictable these girls were being. Moments later there was a strong scent of fresh meat in the air, “Food already?” turning her back on the females for a moment she looked towards the gate watching as they delivered two large crates this time. Was it another trick? The last delivery was mostly herbs, with how grumpy some of the pack was getting it was time they got some worthwhile food. Looking towards Cloven she waited to see if he wanted to step away from the young ladies to check the meat this time or if he’d prefer her to go. He had to be getting overwhelmed by the scent wafting through the air as well, he was a male after all those things were a lot more noticeable to them then it was to the females themselves.

Ninaine watched as the meat was pushed through from the observatory, sipping yet another cup of cider. As she sat there she contemplated what they were doing. All her life she’d known slavery was the way of her people was the way of the kingdom but she'd also studied other kingdoms and palaces… of course this was taboo in Mellowfork so she kept these types of things to herself… she couldn’t help but notice though that those kingdoms were thriving so much better than theirs. The land looked healthy and the air fresh.. Was what they were currently doing just as wrong? Taking another sip of her hot cider she turn in her chair to go back to studying her spells and learning the skills of the Denmaster, it was her future after all. Or did she have more of a purpose than this life she was leading.

The Other Side

Cloven grumbled a ‘finally’ under his breath as he saw the arrival of food, a larger delivery than normal. Perhaps the caretakers were finally realizing that they’d start losing pack members if they weren’t fed appropriately, and would have to answer to the queen if anyone perished. He was placed with the males to allow his son a break, but they were getting testier, even with all his respect and power he had over them. They continuously tried to toe the line just to get to their females and he was having enough of it. The alpha suspected something was going on besides the young adults, as his own mates were starting to carry the familiar season scent around and First was a lot more taut than usual. It was driving the older male mad. Exchanging a glance with Keeva, he began to go towards the crates to investigate when one of the younger males tried to get his opportunity and speed past his alpha. He forgot, however, the reason Cloven was the alpha in the first place. Even in his older years the male could be nimble and control his pack. Cloven whipped around as fast as storm winds and delivered a swift bite to the smaller male’s shoulder, causing him to yelp with shock. The older gray male spoke a few choice words and curses before shoving him back towards the cave, a growl of final warning sending after him. “You dare test me again, and you will find my teeth around your throat. I’ve had enough of you and your games!” He released his glamor temporarily to show the brunt of his raging hetero eyes, and the younger male whimpered and retreated back into the cave. Cloven huffed with approval before he swiftly trotted to the crates as best as his older bones would allow before investigating the meat provided. No scent of the herbs…none at all. In fact, there was no residue of the herbs at all, and they were given a clean and filling meal once again. He let out a sigh of relief, “Our meal is clean! Everyone can have their share, mothers and Keeva first, myself and my mates second, everyone else third.” The pack began to speak louder amongst themselves, members coming forward to take meat to the nursing mothers while Cloven found a bigger carcass to take to Keeva. However in doing so, he saw First come up instead, picking a more medium sized rabbit from the pile. “First? What are you doing?” The father looked at his son with inquisitive eyes, studying him closely. The red male held the animal in his mouth for a long time, staring at the crates before them before replying, “I’m testing a theory.” Clutching the rabbit tighter, First bounded across the enclosure towards Keeva, who was working alongside Clare to separate the necessary reckless youth. He made sure things were handled at that moment before he placed the rabbit at her feet, ears tucking back and tail under his body just slightly in case things went awry. “For you,” he said softly, ignoring Clare’s shocked expression in his peripheral.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Catching Cloven’s glance the female returned her attention to the other females making sure no one managed to sneak past her while focused on the food crates. It was then that she heard Cloven snap at another male for getting out of line, and it seemed things were getting rather tough over there too. Sighing, Keeva wished they could all get a break, a good nights rest under the moon with each other close together… Shaking her head as she realized where her mind was going she huffed, ‘this is getting ridiculous…’ she thought to herself, getting annoyed at her own imagination. Thinking about it, more than those who were originally affected were acting… seasoned. Had they been tricked again or had more eaten the herbs then originally assumed? About that time Cloven had managed to make his way to the food announcing it was clean, was it truly clean? Concern had filled her chest, but hunger was eating at her stomach at a much faster rate then the worry at her mind. Starting towards the carcass pile, the female was soon halted by First. Feeling her cheeks burn as he came towards her, her tail wagging quickly behind her as he got closer, her heart beginning to race, what was going on? Surly, she was just excited to see him, they’d been having to spend less and less time together due to the seasoned females, keeping them in line. In his mouth, First carried a Medium sized rabbit, was he wanting her to check the food… or was he asking her something? “What's up?” She asked him as she eyed the rabbit then brought her eyes up to his, her pale blues looking for the answer as he laid it at her paws. His soft tone of voice just sent more confusion to the female, her heart racing even more. Thinking logically, as logically as she could at the moment, “A-Are you trying to a-ask me something more than checking the meat for herbs?” she asked him, glancing at his sister before returning her eyes to his. She was genuinely not sure how to feel at the moment part of her was excited, wanting him even, however, the other part of her was confused, maybe even scared? Not scared of him but scared to accept this feeling she’d always shut down, this feeling she’d always pushed back when it came around unnaturally, she wasn’t even sure if it was true love or simple lust brought on by the pheromones.

The Other Side

Swallowing the knot threatening to close off his air altogether, First took some deep breaths as he waited for Keeva’s response to hopefully ease the pounding in his head and have the confidence needed for whatever lay ahead of him. He had never done this type of thing before - at least, not intentionally - and trying to get his point across may be a tricky and very slanted slope. But he was going to lose his mind if he didn’t get some closure, some clarity soon. Seeing her tail wag was helpful, but even so… She asked if he had a question, and the male nodded slowly, pushing the rabbit slightly closer to her paws. “I…I know there’s been a lot going on,” he started, looking around at the anxious younger pack members around them. “It’s not been easy for anyone. But…But I feel we’ve been growing more attached recently aside from it all, and I know, very well, that this type of situation is…is sensitive to you.” Clearing his throat, he stepped forward, lowering his head to give her the choice in this conversation of whatever she wished to do. “I just…I didn’t know if you wanted to be…more than we are. Not-Not full on mates or anything like that, not right away anyways, but just…closer, I guess. Able to rely on each other just a bit more and, um, I guess just…being more open about us? I-If you don’t feel the same way, I-I completely understand. I-I won’t bring it up again and we will act as if this conversation never happened. You won’t have to fear me doing anything out of line.” His ears pinned against his head as he lowered himself to the ground, knowing that males, especially alpha heirs, were supposed to be confident and assuring in their words but also knowing that Keeva may very well show her distaste if need be and he’d rather protect himself the most while deferring to her own decisions in the matter. “I still won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable, that would be like..what is going on between the seasoned members, I-I promise. Anything in that area will always be under your jurisdiction. But…it would be nice to have you at my side, I guess, in a more…affectionate way.” His dark brown eyes gazed up into her pale blues, fear shining behind his but trying to keep whatever thin thread of confidence he had to not completely run away from it all, nor go too far and risk breaking their trust altogether.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Seeing how nervous he was, Keeva tilted her head confused at first but soon realized his nerves were stemming from what he was trying to ask her. Looking at the kill before her and then up at him, she realized all at once he was asking her if they could properly court. Keeva’s heart was now beating in her ears, part of her was screaming yes, accept his proposal but the other side of her was cowering and backing away. He was her closest friend, her closest ally in this enclosure, if she rejected him now… she wouldn’t have that friend that company's her anymore. As the gears turned, thinking over what she should do, the young adult came to the conclusion that even with all those factors, the pros and cons, the pros outweighed the bad and he did clarify they could take things slow. Watching him lay down before her, showing he meant what he said along with his own fear of rejections and possible mutilation. Kee finally came to her conclusion, though nervous herself she inhaled and exhaled softly trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. “First… I’m not sure if I’m ready for this step, but I want to try.” She told him, she wanted to be honest with him. Keeva didn’t want to reject him, she knew they couldn’t be simple friends after such a rejection so she knew she should at least try and push past her fears because she knew there were far more pro’s than con’s to being within a relationship with Fir. Still wagging her tail, her ears down at the sides, clearly shy. “I want to try courting you.” she told him, accepting his proposal and nuzzling him where he lay before her with more affection then she’s done before. Her nuzzles were quickly followed by affectionate licks to First’s muzzle, cheeks, and neck. Soon enough she was rubbing her side against his, her tail brushing under his chin before circling him to complete rubbing her scent on him, sort of marking her territory in a sense. Soon enough, they’d have a pack of jealous eyes on them, but right now Keeva just wanted to stay next to her newly proclaimed partner.

The Other Side

The first part of Keeva’s response had stopped his heart, but it began beating a moment after as soon as she accepted that she did want to court him, although she was nervous about everything she did want to try. The relief flooded him as his tail began to wag behind him, faster as she began to lick him all over and circle his side to press her scent into his coat. First could not be more happy than to have her at his side. He whined happily and gave many kisses to her neck, his tail pounding the ground as he pressed against her and nuzzled his cheek against hers. The females close by began complaining, but his sister Clarify quickly silenced them with a snap of her teeth and loud growls, warning them to back off the two. She herded them back into their den to allow the two some sense of quiet, even if the complaints still echoed. “I meant my promise,” First murmured to Keeva, licking her ear a few times. “We will take this one step a-at a time. And once this is all over, we can have all the time in the world to ourselves.” He grabbed her rabbit and pulled it over, setting it in her paws. “Y-You should still eat though, wouldn’t want it to go to waste a-after all. My father ensured its cleanness. I’ll get mine in a little bit. I-I’d rather not get up so quickly.” He grinned a little sheepishly, but was just content to have her warmth at his side. Now they could spend every night under their tree and not worry about intentions or the seasons. They could snuggle together and be comforted by each other’s presence, even with everything else going on. Their struggles outside the enclosure were, for now, forgotten from his mind.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Laying down beside him she leaned against First as she felt surprisingly elated from their new relationship. Maybe this was something she’d been wanting, to find a Lupin she felt comfortable with. Still, the thought of falling madly in love with him, him being her imprint, and then losing him… that possible future terrified her. Losing him was something she never wanted to experience though, no matter what their relationship was. Laying there against him, she was reminded of the food he had brought her, her tail thumping against the earth beneath them, “Oh, Thank you.” She said before licking his cheek. He murmured to her, telling her he meant every word of his promise, “I know you do, First.” She softly spoke back to him, once again nuzzling into him, breathing in his scent and simply enjoying his company before enjoying her meal. This time around, she tried to eat slower than she normally did, but even so she had the rabbit dismantled and bones cleaned before much time had passed. Licking her lips, the Lupa looked at him a bit concerned, “Are you sure? I can go get you something if you’d like.” She told him feeling a bit displeased with herself over eating nearly all the rabbit and not leaving him much of anything.

The Other Side

First watched her eat, content with the results of his anxieties regardless of how much it had caused before. He still felt those deeper desires for her, the ones she would kill him over…but it would be easier to keep them down when he had different ways of expressing his affections for her. Aside from her pelt and wounds being healed, she was filling out better as well, not as scrawny nor as weak physically which was a nice sight to see as well. She was starting to show she could hold her own more than just having her words to back herself up. Anyone would be frightened by her, but he wouldn’t be so terrified anymore. She had claimed him as her own, and nobody would dare mess with her with her chosen one around. When she had picked the rabbit clean, he licked her muzzle of all the blood still on it before smiling warmly down at her at her concern. “I will be alright. I have to wait for my father and mothers to eat alongside the mothers before I get my choice anyways, so I am alright to wait. We just laid down anyways, getting up would be a chore.” He licked her forehead, settling one of his paws next to hers. “Also, I know this is a bit off topic…but we do have a moment to talk privately. I’ve been thinking about the issues with our collars.” He pricked an ear, listening for anyone incoming. “What if we used some of the meat, just a little bit, to distribute around the edges of the enclosure? We could even pretend to make piles, leaving just a tiny bit on the bones but covering it with the pelt and bones to make bait for creatures nearby. We might have better success if they can smell dead prey nearby, accessible prey. We might have to put more meat out initially, but on days like this where we have enough to spare, it could be possible to take a carcass or two to hide and entice something to come close enough to help. It’s a long shot, but it would be a step to at least cross off anything that doesn’t end up succeeding.”

The group of slavers whipped their horses as they sped through the dusk and darkening forests, thundering hooves crushing grasses beneath them as they weaved through the trees. They followed their red and black pelted lupa slave, who was tracking the scent of a few lupins first noticed in the territory a few days prior. It had been an incredible discovery for Elijah when he heard of the news, having been chasing a particular pack for years. Lupa packs were hard to find, but now that the queen’s plantations were being foiled and destroyed, it was becoming increasingly difficult to put them on the bottom of the priority list. The queen’s teams had managed to capture an entire pack - now they had the leverage to do whatever was necessary to bring in more. Elijah’s team sped through the woods after Ander, the young male told to follow the scent, or be whipped at any distraction. Blood flew off his back at the few he already received, but he kept running, running until an overwhelming scent hit his nose and he stumbled, flinging dirt and mud as he slammed to a halt. Horses and riders reared behind him with shouts of anger, and one raised a whip to punish, but Ander growled and pricked his ears forward. They had reached their destination. Elijah dismounted and walked over to the male, clutching his spelled pendant in hand as he walked over and looked at where Ander was standing. A patrol had been nearby recently, marking the trees to begin the entrance to the territory, and give a warning to anyone who came near. The last marking patrol had been only days ago, meaning they were well alert, and when Ander communicated in very basic taught common to the group, Elijah was beyond pleased. “Good work, hound. You’re becoming more handy by the day.” He chuckled and turned to his men. “Time to catch our prize.” He mounted again and whispered a command into the pendant, watching Ander’s eyes glow for a moment before they turned and began to spread out where the territory line was, keeping away from the eyelines and downwind of any patrols. Ander was left alone as he stepped over the line and into the new, strange territory, immediately howling a faked distress call as he began to pretend and limp on a front paw, using his inflicted wounds to his advantage as he stumbled further into the territory. Though the lupins would be far off, their base camp impossible to infiltrate, he could lure them out enough to start the effective capture and surrender of the pack.

“Alpha Maugrim.” A male rushed into the alpha’s den, panting hard with a few members behind him. “A loner has wandered into our territory, and we smell Mellowfork’s taint on him. He’s wounded a couple miles from here. We need your help.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Before she could even manage to lick herself clean, First was quick to groom her, cleaning any bits of meat and blood from her muzzle from the immediate area. Hearing his response made her whine at him, she wanted him to be able to eat now, however, she also understood there were rules he had to follow and right now his Father wasn’t the male to cross. Lastly, he mentioned getting up would be a chore and how he wanted to stay laying there with her. It caused her to raise a bit of a brow but maybe it was better she didn’t know the true reason why he didn’t want to get up yet. Laying her head down on his paws she listened to him start to speak to her again. At first, she thought maybe he was going to talk to her about their relationship a bit more, instead, he surprised her with a mentioning their collars. Lifting her head, she perked her ears, completely alert to him and what he had to say about them. “We can try.” She told him softly, “In this area, nothing is going to turn down a free meal.” She murmured making sure no one was eavesdropping as she spoke.

Standing there, the sky beginning to darken, Maugrim was about to begin a short meeting with his team of night raiders. It was time they attacked another plantation, slowly working their way up to the ones closer to Mellowfork. However, his conversation had to be halted as one of his patrol Lupins came forward panting heavily, out of breath from their run. “Mellowfork… Wounded…” Maugrim growled to himself he didn’t trust it, no one escaped from Mellowfork without help. Elmira stepped up beside the Alpha who contemplated what to do. “Maugrim, would you like me to go and see what the situation is?” She asked him quickly the beast shook his head, “No, David would have my head.” he murmured to her. “Then what do you suppose we do, the stranger is within your territory… if they are actually injured, we shouldn't turn them away.” Elmira advised before listening to the male huff, “Then what do you suggest we do, Maugrim?” El said as she crossed her arms, “Mink, go investigate… Raiders, be on your toes and stay hidden until the right moment.” He ordered in a whisper, not trusting they were alone. Looking to another Scout, Maugrim ordered him to warn the rest of the pack of the growing development. “I want everyone within Davids kingdom to know about this… visitor. Maliha is welcome to inform David as well..” “Maliha isn’t with David.” “What?!” Maugrim’s ears pinned, “What do you mean she’s not with David?” his hackles raised as he looked towards the woods, “She went for a run, she said she wanted to collect some herbs for Alyana since the healer wasn’t able to travel the deeper woods.” the second scout explained. Maugrim’s heart sank, his niece was out there. “Damn it!” He snarled before starting towards the forest. “El find her!” He demanded, he wasn’t about to lose his niece too. The woman didn’t have to be told twice, shifting into her centaur form she raced off into the forest, tracking any paw prints that resemble the young females along with searching the areas Maliha had frequented.

Following a lunar butterfly, Maliha chuckled as she swatted at it, the lighting bugs begging to illuminate the night as the moon rose into the sky. “Soon, they will be showing soon.” She thought to herself as she waited for the lunar mushrooms to appear on the old pine trees before her. She didn’t know about the stranger being down wind from them she was completely oblivious to the lurking ‘guests’

The Other Side

The alpha heir nodded, surveying the outskirts of the enclosure from where they sat. “It’s not a full-proof plan, but at least it’s something to do to be productive. Better than losing our minds and voices corralling the youth.” He rolled his eyes and rested his chin on his paws with a sigh. “There’s got to be some better way to get out of here…my family is running out of space to breathe alongside the rest of the pack, and if we somehow have new members arriving, that space will lessen too. But, I’m thankful you are here, as I always am.” He licked her cheek with a small smile. “Having you around is really comforting, I hope you know that. I know I say those things a lot but, I do mean them, I always have. When we get out of here…I know you probably have a family to go home to. I just hope you consider my pack part of your family too when that time comes, and we can still be together. If that’s what you decide you want, anyways.”

Mink nodded as soon as the alpha gave his orders, barking to the rest of his patrol and shaking off his breathlessness as much as he could before sprinting back into the forest to find where they found the injured male. Their territory was widespread, but hopefully the landmarks were not lost in their frantic state to get back and inform Maugrim. The alpha was rightfully worried, especially about the king and his niece, and the patrol did not want to let him down or lose any valuable members. Everyone was now on high alert, every pack member doing their part to protect the pack and secure the borders. If any other Mellowfork ‘escapists’ found themselves close enough, they would not have long to savor their newfound freedom.

Ander was more than surprised to find that no lupins had come towards him, and no scents even came his way to guide him. He growled beneath his breath, the pressure of luring the pack biting at the back of his mouth. The fury under his skin was tougher to keep down, wanting a complete rebellion against the traitors who took him from his family and forced him to find another to force into the same fate. He could not be the reason for his pack’s demise, he just couldn’t. But there was nothing he could do, and he had to watch his own body be the one to follow the spell’s orders and suffer its consequences, or be killed himself. Turning on his master would do him no good, and he would be sent right back into the fray with worse injuries to face. His soul weeped in anger, but his face was bent in determination, a facade as he gave another howl to the darkening sky. He yelped at the end, a sharp noise to echo through the forest to be heard even more. Ander knew the blood was seeping from his wounds, leaving a trail of blood to follow for his captors, which meant there was no escape. The pack would be captured, or he would die.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

“We will try whatever we can… we can’t lose hope, First.” She nuzzled him licking him back just as lovingly, reminding him that they still had time. “Let's give your idea a shot… we can’t lose anything, only gain.” She told him before pushing her scraps to the side for later disposal. Perking her ears at her new partner as he spoke, Keeva smiled at his kind words following his concern about space. “ First, I do, I promise I do.” She reassured him with a quick lick to his nose and a nip at his ear, before focusing on his mentioning of their two separate packs… about when they finally do become free again. Her ears lowered a bit before a sigh left her pawing at a small bone before them she struggled on finding the words she needed to for First. “I do, I have a pack I’m to succeed just as you have.” She murmured to him, ears drooped with the unfortunate realization. “Don’t take that as I don’t want to be with you and your pack, I miss mine greatly… I want to return to them and if you’ll allow me to, I would like to leave when I’m good and ready.” she told him as gently as she could, “I don’t want to leave you, I also don’t want to leave my family after possibly getting them back… I just don’t know what to do honestly.” she confided in him as she let out a soft whine conflicted by the what if and when topic. Pushing the uncomfortable thought to the side, Keeva looked to her partner with a new topic, “With everyone occupied with eating, would you like to go down by the pond? We can scout out suitable areas to place scraps while we get a quick drink.” she suggested, knowing that their pack members were very focused on their food rather than sneaking off to do the deed.

Maliah giggled as the lunar moth landed on her nose, “Oh if only David was out here he’d enjoy this.” She murmured to herself as she put her front paws on a nearby tree to retrieve some glowing mushrooms for the healer. However, as she was about to grab the mushroom she caught the sight of a figure in the distance, ‘who is that?’ she thought silently to herself as she slowly lowered herself from the tree. Curiously, the young female began trotting towards the individual. As she got closer, the female could tell something was wrong, they were limping… and as the wind picked up the foul odor of MellowFork rolled from the Lupa’s pelt. Was it Keeva? “K-Keeva?” She murmured for a moment excitement flooded the girls heart as she raced forward, “H-Hey!” She called out unable to find the true words she was looking for. Once close enough though that excitement fell, this wasn’t Keeva… it was in fact a male stranger. With the towering trees casting their shadows from the bright luminous moon, she couldn’t see their face. “W-Who are you?” She asked as she caught the scent of blood, “You-you’re hurt.” She murmured to them as she started to step forward. She could now see the Lupin was missing an ear, blood seemed to be slowly dripping off his pelt from a wound across his back, however he was a bit taller then her so that was an assumption. “L-let me get you some hel-”

About that time Elmira had rushed into the scene, knowing the female had mentioned wanting to gather mushrooms for Alyana earlier in the day. “Maliha, step away from them now!” She demanded, the woman was dressed in armor across her chest, a blade in hand, along with equine armor across her centaur body. “You’re to return with me…” She warned the female as Maliha whipped her head around, her ears flipping up to Elmira, “He’s injured, we need to help him!” She told the centaur only watching as El shook her head, her Uncle was to reason for this, it was rare Elmira didn’t speak her mind and clearly this one was one she didn’t agree with but the woman wouldn’t speak out against Maliha’s Uncle. Before long Elmira was made aware of the other Lupin’s, they were hidden but she knew they were around. For now it was only the scouts but that was better backup then none, they were skilled fighters but were better suited for speed.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

First’s reassurance meant a lot to the Lupa, he made sure her worries could rest easy for the time being and that things would eventually fall into place. Delivering a few licks to her jaw and ear, Keeva’s tail wagged, fanning her scent amongst the air around the two. “You’re right, I shouldn’t worry about it now, we will figure something out when the times comes.” she murmured back to him as she laid her head down for a moment. Standing up with him, nuzzling him in return, the lupa watched as her partner walked back to the kill pile, his tail tucked. Tilting her head confused, she watched him for a while but decided to keep it to herself. Once he was back at her side, food in his mouth, the two began their journey to the small pond that was within the enclosure. The water wasn’t the best quality but it was all they had, lowering her head to the water, Keeva lapped up a bit of it to quench her thirst and wash down her meal. She noticed a look of embarrassment on his muzzle and couldn’t help but chuckle and ask “What’s wrong? “ She asked curiously before licking her lips free of any water droplets.

Things happened so fast, Elmira had just got done telling her to stay away from the male when he suddenly attacked the centaur, El was quick on her hooves but not quick enough to avoid his canines biting into her armor. She truly didn’t want to hurt the lupin but she had no choice. After flinging him off by reflect she readied herself for another attack. Maliha’s head jerking back as she heard the sound of something flying through the air. Her eyes landed on a dart glistening in the moonlight, Maliha muzzle darkened “You’re not alone are you.” She whined before throwing her head back letting out an echoing howl to the rest of the pack and neighboring packs if anywhere near, it was a warning. Her voice carried on the moonlite breeze. The sound of paws beating against the forest floor could be heard but not seen as the rest of the Raid pack was circling in not exactly sure what they were up against. “Maliha, return to David now!” Elmira ordered the young female as she ended her howl ready to run. The two scouts that had accompanied El quickly shifted into their bipedal forms, each roaring with determination to end the threat that lurked in the darkness passed the strange Lupin.Something wasn’t right though, El’s eyes had also caught the dart… was this a trap? By now Maugrim wasn’t far behind his howl for backup rang throughout the forest, shaking the immediate area he raced through to get to his niece and El. “Light the forest… “ Elmira murmured her eyes resting on the lupin that was now back on his paws, she was ready to strike him but she didn’t want to kill him. With his next attack she blocked his teeth using the back side of her sword. “Why are you doing this?!” She demanded, that was when she noticed his collar, was this attack not his choice? Again, she thought about the dart briefly, gripping her blade she once again spoke, this time, yelling her command “Light the damn forest!” She demanded before some other beastfolk hiding lit torches and others simply used their magic to help light the darkest areas of the forest where the moon was struggling to illuminate. Clearly, this poor male wasn't the aggressor but the victim. It wasn’t clear how many there were, but the sound of horses was evident, she could see them in the distance, a man on a wagon…

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

His response caused her to smirk, "Then why were you embarrassed?" She asked him a bit of a brow raised as she did. Laying down beside him, her paws dipped in the water for a moment before she rolled over onto her back to sun bathing her stomach. Since that morning her stomach hadn't been too happy, cramping and mild discomfort, she assumed it was due to hunger but it was still bothering her even now, not enough to complain though. "I know you're eating, but your tail has been tucked nearly all day and you keep getting this sheepish look on your muzzle…" she told him as she rolled over onto her side, her back against him. She was starting to worry he was scared of her…

Elmira had her attention pulled from the lupa due to an incoming attack, the slavers running through the trees on horseback, some even on their own two feet. The clank of metal on metal, rang in the night air while the flames burned through the sleeping trees. El fought hard, dropping her attackers with her swords as an opening appeared. She had at least dropped two when she noticed the head man of the operation, holding something in his hand and voicing a command.

Maliah was overwhelmed by the scene unfolding before her, before she knew it El had commanded the trees be lit a flame. It was only after did the lupa understand why. The slavers were there, in their territory, hunting them. Her eyes were wide with terror. Backing up as her focus fell on the male looming towards her, her eyes locked with his. A feeling within overwhelmed her, it took her breath, before she could catch it scenes of her future with him flashed before her very eyes. Everything within her made her want to be with him, protect him, love him, live the rest of her days with him and only him at her side. They had found each other, finally, her Imprint was standing before her… Before she could process what had just happened, the male had knocked her to the earth, her eyes wide with fear and pain, not a physical pain, but a pain that only she could feel. She was about to die at the teeth of her imprint… Yet, it seemed he was able to break free of whatever was controlling his mind at the last moment. "Behind you!" Maliha barked as the slavers and his horse came forward ready to trample the both of them. Backing up, unwilling to leave her imprint the Lupa snarled at the man on the horse as he aimed his crossbow at her. About to shift into her bipedal form, the male Lupa leaped into action after picking himself up from the near trampling. Lunging at the man with the crossbow, her imprint knocked the man off focus, causing him to drop his crossbow, shooting an arrow into the earth carrying a dart. She watched as the two fell from the horses back into the grass beneath their paws. The frightened stead coming right at her, she allowed it to pass, its hooves carrying it towards Folgario. If the Kingdom they were allied with didn't know from the flames, they would know as a Mellowfork stead rushed through the village… it was as her eyes had followed the horse that she seen her Uncle, rage and worry across his muzzle. He was ready to kill and she had to stop him from harming her Imprint. Ander was in the midst of apologizing, looking back at him, seeing the slaver with his weapon… her Uncle borrowing in. "Not the time to apologize and i'm not leaving you!" She barked. About that time Elmira plowed into the leaded of the operation, slamming him to the ground with her shoulder as she charged in. Being shoved into a run she had no other choice, she ran, looking over her shoulder at the male with quick glanced making sure he was still with her. It wasn't long till Maugrim her Uncle leaped over the two, right unto the action. He had seen the way his niece didn't want to leave the strange Lupin, that familiar look in her eye gave him a hunch as to what had happened while he was away. Landing between the young Lupa's and the human slaver, Maugrim roared trembling the earth beneath their paws. About that time Elmira had slammed into the Slaver, she obviously didn't realize he was so close. "About time you got your ass here Grim!" She yelled at him as she got ready for the man to pick himself up his weapon flung from his reach from impact. "I got this b*stard" she told the alpha before allowing him to go after the ones who had captured some of his companions. Any slaver he came across he sunk his fangs into them, some de-armed, where others weren't so lucky, heads rolled on the forest floor. He was bound and determined to get his pack mates back.

Meanwhile, Maliha pushed herself onward with her imprint close behind. "Get to the castle," pausing from a coughing fit, " Da-David needs to know what's happening!" She told him unable to explain anything at that moment. Tears were in her eyes, worry overwhelming her as she tried to take in all that happened. At least it seemed nature was on their side, there was no wind, hopefully the fire wouldn't run rampant before things could be reversed.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Laying there, her significant other fell silent. With her eyes resting on his reflection in the still pond her ear flicked before she rolled over to look at him with her own eyes. He for a moment seemed to not want to tell her, wrestling with his inner mind he struggled to find the words to explain what it was to her. First finally broke the silence with gentle licks to her ear, of course she still had her brow raised wanting an answer, she didn't want secrets between them. Clearing his throat, the male lupin parted his lips, starting to explain his… predicament. As the explanation rolled out into the open, Keeva’s eyes widened a bit, heat shot to her cheeks as she muttered "O-Oh…" at this point First was hiding his face with his paws. The want to union part caused the female to look away from him not out of fear but out of embarrassment for pushing him to explain. She hadn't a clue he was experiencing such desires, her father wasn't the best at explaining the ends and out of mateship and what she'd experienced this far well, it should have made her aware but none of the males waited for an answer, they listened to their lust… no matter how much she fought back.  Shaking those memories from her mind, Keeva brought her face back to First. "First, if its to hard for me to be beside you… we can distance ourselves." She whined with him as she stood and backed away from him a few steps, not wanting him to suffer from. "I'm a bit surprised though… I didn't think you'd be this wanting of me without the herb or... natural heat." She murmured the last part putting two and two together. Her heart sank, there was no way, was she really coming into heat on her own?! What was the year, the date?! Panic rushed over the females face as she quickly flipped her hind quarters towards the pond and abruptly sat down in the water and pond mud. "I… I think I'm… coming into season. Im so sorry, I didn't realize…" she had a look of shame covering her face. Was this why she was being so flirty with him, why she was happy to accept him even? Did natural heat have that much of a paw over logical thinking? No, she had love for him, a want to never be without him without the hormonal drive. What were they going to do now though… this was just going to get harder now.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Keeva watched as he shrunk within himself, becoming more and more ashamed of his earning for her. Whimpering at the sight, the Lupa had to turn her back to him; she felt horrible for not wanting what he currently desired. It wasn’t his fault, nor hers… it was nature and the damn queen’s fault for her fears, her traumas. Sighing out the female lowered her ears against her head as he agreed with her, distance was the best option. She didn’t want to hear that but it was what it was and had to be. “I don’t blame you…” She murmured to him staring at her reflection in the rippling water around her. Mentioning his sister, Keeva perked her ears back at him rotating them as she glanced over her shoulder at him, “She is, I could spend time with her in the meantime… “ She nodded her head, clearly disappointed with the outcome but happy to have at least one Lupin to talk to in the meantime. “Of all times for nature to take her course…” she grumbled softly as she sat in the cold water, clearly pouting. His licks helped ease her displeasure with the situation, her tail attempting to wag under the water. She nuzzled him back before sighing softly, “Three weeks….” She groaned, “From what my Aunt told me, we females stay in heat for three weeks… The first week generally, we’re just flirty… a bit moody.” she pawed at the water a bit before glancing up at him, her pale blues looking into his deep browns for a second. “Then there is the second week… “ She struggled to continue getting fidgety, “We females um… well, we get rather accepting of our new found urges and um… its also the time in which pup bearing is normally performed.” She stammered as her eyes looked towards the sky avoiding his for the moment as he licked her neck. He wasn’t making this very easy but she couldn’t get herself to get away from him “The last we- week we generally calm down to a moderate level of excitement…” She tried to find the right words as best she could without further embarrassing the two of them. Her heart was racing as he got closer to her, his affection drawing her in more and more… How long had she been in her first season? She hadn’t noticed until today, but she had been questioning herself about her actions before now. Was she coming into the second week? She knew it wasn’t the herbs, they caused such an intense urge, this was much too subtle.

Elmira smirked at him as he cried out in rage, profanities flying towards the centaur. Swinging her sword at him, the man managed to block her attack with his crossbow. Gritting her teeth she tried to yank it out as she raced alongside the new found horse he’d crawled up on previously. With both their weapons being yanked from their hands in the struggle, Elmira quickly pulled out her second blade. It was slightly shorter than her long sword but still perfectly usable. "I'll never bow to your pompous Queen, nor will I fall by your blade!" She snapped confidently before taking her chance to swing her blade at him. Making contact it sunk into his shoulder, she scowled as it had not gone past and into his neck. Pulling the blade from his shoulder and arm she got ready for another attack as he riggled in pain. "Face me b*stard, and fight like a man!" She spat as she ran her blade across his steeds hind leg, disabling the animal for a moment on its adrenaline it continued to run until that smooth stride fell into a lame stumble, El watched the horse and its rider closely as to not fall with the stead as it fell to the forest floor. Running passed the two she turned quickly to face him as he would have to pull himself up off the ground.

Bursting through the doors, startling all the stable hands and gaurds as they rushed through the castle, not waiting for anyone to carry her message to David, Maliha heaved, her body trembling with every step. Her imprint collapse beside her as they entered the study, "David!" Maliha cried out for him her common voice shaking. "Sla-slavers in our forest!" She choked from the smoke inhalation. "Mau- Grim… El- " she struggled clearly terrified, fearful for her Conrad's her Uncle, the lack of oxygen was making her vision blurry before finally dropping to her stomach on the floor next to her imprint whines left her body as she tried to catch her breath. "H-help" she managed to say before fainting.

The Other Side

Of course it had to be three weeks, an agonizing amount of time. He was beginning to understand the younger pack members’ intensity and yearning, and he didn’t like it at all. Keeva proceeded to list each week and its symptoms, and his face burned as he continued to groom her and preoccupy himself. Since this was supposedly the first week…the next would only get harder. He whimpered, her scent surrounding her and making it all the more difficult to be in her presence. What was he going to do? Suffer in isolation? It was the only thing they could do…not unless she ripped off his manhood altogether. It wasn’t the worst idea to think of all things considered, but a last resort nonetheless. Shifting into his bipedal form was also not going to happen, as it would conceal far less, but he didn’t want to be shoved from her side. “So…this will be our last time together, for three weeks,” he grumbled, tensing everything in his body to not throw himself atop her then. He let out a disgruntled sigh, pressing the side of his head against hers. “I hate this…I really do. The world doesn’t like us together. But there’s nothing we can do. We just have to sit and let it pass.”

Elijah screamed as the sword sank into his shoulder, slicing clean to the bone as the horse beneath him lunged away and started charging away from the fight. He held on as much as he could, at this point wanting to just get out alive, but the steed had slowed until it collapsed onto the burning ground. Everything was betraying him today. He grit back his pain, needing to finish this once and for all. The centaur loomed over him and he growled up at her, taking an arrow from his quiver and holding it meekly in his other hand, which was beginning to swell and lose all its strength. What a cruel beast. She swung her sword again, hoping to land a final blow, when he lunged out of the way and jumped to her side where he slammed his arrow into her lower leg, the poison shooting in from the dart before he was shoved aside and hit once more. “Stupid, pathetic beasts!” The centaur couldn’t move as fast as his smaller form, and when she turned to strike again, he evaded her attack and braced his sword in his hand before plunging it into her side, blood rushing down the blade and coating the ground beneath them.

David jumped out of his seat when Maliha burst into his room, covered in ash and shouting about slavers in the forest, Maugrim was involved, and…El. Elmira was in the fight. His heart dropped to his chest as quickly as she and the other unrecognizable lupa did, and he rushed out of the room, shouting commands to take the two to the infirmary and alert his guards to take arms and follow him. He had little time to don an entire set of plate armor, but he teleported into his quarters and threw on his navy studded leather armor and grabbed his sword before whisking himself back to the stables and mounting his best warhorse. “Alert the patrols to the fire! Surround the territory and evacuate the nearby citizens! We must contain the slavers!” Squeezing his mare’s side, he galloped out into the forest, a team of radars and guards following behind him with another patrol weaving out from them to contain the fires that raged. He could see the smoke rising and his panic rose. Elmira had to be okay, she just had to be…what was she doing out here in the middle of the night?!

“Crown Healer! We need the Crown Healer!” Guards rushed into the infirmary care room where beds were lined against the back wall, laying the two on separate beds and immediately laid them on their side, placing a damp towel near their mouths to inhale and using wet towels to rub their bodies of smoke, especially focusing on the lash wounds the male had. One ran to Legion and Alyana’s suite and knocked, ringing the emergency signal for them both. “We need help! Slavers have attacked and we need medical assistance urgently!”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

“If we can manage it… yes.” She murmured softly to him as he tensed beside her pressing himself against her. Oh he was making this difficult, things seemed to be a bit different with him being a male she knew let alone liked. She was sure just a week ago she would push even First away… but now, now she wasn’t so sure. “Though, I’m not entirely sure how far into my heat I am to be honest.” She told him, “I just sort of put two and two together a moment ago.” She murmured embarrassed to have not realized what her body was going through until now. Sighing with him she licked his cheek brushing her cheek alongside his neck and under his jaw, “All we can do is.. Try to hang in there.” she told him her heart was racing, this was maddening. “Do- do you want to attempt to stay beside one another? Until it gets too unbearable? “ She asked curiously knowing they had already agreed to stay apart, she really didn’t want to stay away from him.

Ready to kill him once and for all, Elmira held her sword up ready to sink it deep into his chest. Unfortunately, her strike missed as he dodged her killing blow. Cursing under her breath, Elmira tried to move quickly to regain the upper hand yet, she was too slow. The man managed to stab an arrow into her lower leg, a yelp left her from the sudden pain she felt. It stung from the wound, and burned from whatever was injected into it. Lifting the leg from the pain she kicked out a couple of times, her nerves reacting to remove the pain that filled it. The man took that time to plunge his sword into her side, in that moment, time slowed the sound of blood pouring from her stomach made her eyes widen as she looked to see the damage. The slaver still had his hands on the sword, swinging her hind end away from him, stumbling as she did due to her lame leg. She choked, blood began to drip from the edge of her mouth, the wound was serious… She had to kill him, it was now or never. Bracing her sword in both her hands she swung at him however, she missed as she fell to her knees. She was losing too much blood… Was she going to die? Laying flat on her side now, the sword sticking out of the oozing wound, her ears were filled with the sound of the fire crackling around her, the man's figure looming over her, everything becoming a blur, a loud buzzing began to ring in her ears. She should have practiced more… shouldn’t have gotten cocky. It didn’t take much longer for Maugrim to notice El wasn’t in the immediate vicinity when he’d wiped out the enemy in his area, retrieving his comrades that had been captured and thrown in the wagon. Help had arrive just in time to chase down the ones who had managed to escape Maugrim. He’d gotten his companions back which had been his main goal at the time. “Hunt the others down!” Maugrim demanded as he let out a vicious growl with his command. His eyes shifted around the forest, “Where’s Elmira..” He murmured before following her scent and the smell of blood.

Alyana sat up in their bed, panting, a horrible pain was inside, the dream.. No, the vision was so vivid. Seeing a glow in the night sky from her and Legion’s window, the smell of smoke on the breeze. Alyana jumped to her feet covering herself with her robe as she looked out the window. It was a full moon night… the night she’d seen one of their own injured badly. “Legion…I need to get to the medical wing!” She said quickly no time to explain. About to open the door there was a knock the frantic voices of those sent to get her. “I’m coming!” She said as she opened the door, not worried about being in her nightwear at the moment. Running into the infirmary Alyana seen the two lupins one being Maliha the other a stranger to her. She hadn’t done much interacting with them given her fears of the individuals were rather great. But, she would manage. “Thank you for getting started.” Alyana thanked the assistance before beginning to mix up a poultice to clear the airways. It was a quick herbal remedy to make, placing it in front of their muzzles she quickly get to work cleaning the male’s wounds, her hands were as gentle as they could be around such raw, open wounds. “Get me a scalpel, boiled water, suitchers, and some wound salve and bandages.” ordered as she continued to gently clean the wound as the assistant had began before. While cleaning the wounds she looked to Legion. “We don't have a large enough bed in here…” she told him, knowing that probably didn’t make sense to him there were multiple beds in her medical room. She could see horse legs, Elmira’s pelt color… it had to be her and being in her centaur form, they wouldn’t be able to easily lift her onto a bed let alone position her right on one of these smaller beds. “I need someone to prepare a sterilized horse stall please.” She looked to her husband, fear was in her eyes but she tried to stay focused. As tears threatened to leave her eyes she shook her head and grabbed Legions hands, “David’s going to need you, go to him and please stay safe.” she told him before sending him on his way with a kiss to his cheek before focusing on her patients.

The Other Side

First wasn’t sure how they were going to manage any more time together, considering they could hardly be beside each other at that very moment. He hated every part of this. He lifted his head to groom her ears, unsure of anything he needed to do. His own ears pinned back against his head. “It’s almost unbearable now, isn’t it?” He swallowed, tucking his tail in tighter. “If that’s what’s going on, my…my instinct won’t die down either, not just in a day like I had suspected before… I really don’t want to hurt you. If the second week is now or next week, I may not be able to keep apart from you. This is more intense than I’ve ever felt. You said the herbs make you uncontrollable…what if I accidentally ate some? What if I’m going to get worse? I can’t put you in danger.” He nibbled her cheek fur, taking in her soft fur and her presence while he could. It would be lacking for a while. “I guess I should have waited to ask you to be mine, huh…”

Elijah heaved heavy breaths, his vision blurring with the blood pooling from his wounds. He had succeeded in downing the beast, but his men…he looked around at the clearing and saw none of them alive - none that had been able to flee, anyways. He cursed under his breath, knowing the pain that was going to swarm him later was going to be killer. He looked down at the centaur again as her breathing slowed, and he had to let out a small chuckle at the sight. “To think you thought yourself so high and mighty…” Spitting on her hoof, he trudged over to the wagon where the horses reared and whinnied, trying to escape their burning tack and burdens. He ripped the tack off as swiftly as he could off both and galloped away from the scene, staying as conscious as he could to get to a safe point. If he didn’t lose too much blood, he could get to Mellowfork, or one of the plantations even…he would be safe there.

“Elmira!” David raced towards the smoke, already feeling the warmth of the fires as his horse’s hooves pounded on the ground. “Elmira!!!” He was meant to be the brave and powerful king, put up a face of confidence…but he couldn’t. Not when it came to El. Tears of panic stained his ashen cheeks as he swerved dangerously through the trees, looking for any sign of the woman. She had to be somewhere, he had to pull her out. The flames consumed Maugrim’s land, edging ever closer to the center of camp where raid members worked to overpower the last slavers and protect the camp from the flames. Not wanting to risk stopping, he sped towards the densest fire against his guards’ wishes and called for her again. There was no answer. The sound of more hooves vanished behind the smoke, and he knew it was likely someone escaped, but it was no matter. He saw the dead and burning bodies of other slavers, the raiders that were fleeing back towards the center or the castle. None of them were his El. ”Elmira!” His horse reared, unwilling to go any further, and he had to swing off and go on foot through the deepening fire. It was becoming harder and harder to breathe, to see…but then he saw it. The flash of a cream pelt, with deep red staining. His heart stopped in his chest as he ran over to see Elmira in her centaur form, bleeding out into the black grass. He could hardly hear himself scream as he ran to her, pulling her human body to him as he trembled. She still breathed, but barely… “Help!” David screamed, hoping his guards could hear him. “Help me, please! Elmira’s down!” He couldn’t lose her, he couldn’t lose anyone, not again… The mere thought sent him reeling, sobbing as he clutched her close. There wasn’t anything anyone could do…but he would be here. He would stay with her and do everything he could to keep her alive, or die with her in the flames. “I can’t lose you Elmira, please, please stay with me.”

Legion was shot awake with Alyana’s sudden panic, and wasn’t even out of bed by the time she had rushed from the bedroom. Shoving on the closest ensemble of clothes he could find, he raced after her, running down the halls and hearing the explanation from the guards and his wife’s vision. He remembered that anxiety she had before their honeymoon, the vision she had relating to Elmira. His stomach sank as they ran into the infirmary and Alyana began giving directions, helping to soothe and heal the giant lupins before her. She had done so well acclimating to them, willing to heal them regardless of her fear of animals. If it wasn’t in the middle of a battle, he would have told her as such. But before he could help himself, even rolling up his sleeves to assist, she came over and kissed his cheek, telling him to be with David. He hated to leave her alone, but with the guards attending and assisting, she had some sort of protection around her, and he nodded, kissing her forehead before he rushed out the door and toward the stables, where Stallion was tacked and ready. Knowing Alyana meant Elmira when she asked for the stall, he grabbed a few rolls of large leather strip and tied them quickly to Stallion’s saddle before he chased after the rising smoke plume in the sky, hoping and praying that not only would his wife would be safe, but David and Elmira too.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Keeva sighed, he was right, it was already becoming so much more miserable then it had been before. Huffing irritatedly, the female pulled from First and started to walk away. “The female body sucks.” She grumbled her ears back as she pouted. Shaking her fur free of the water that clung to her lower half she lifted her trail awkwardly from how heavy it was with the water. With one more good shake she was dry enough to be comfortable to continue on her way. “I’m not mad at you.” She quickly said, “Just annoyed at my body is all.” she growled more to herself than anything. “I guess… I’ll see you across the pasture.” she whined as she looked back at him once more, he didn’t want to accidentally hurt her and she didn’t want that either… Answering his final comment, “No, I wouldn’t have wanted you to wait… If you waited any longer I would have worked up the nerve.” She told him her tail wagging at that, “Maybe, one of these days I’ll be comfortable with such activities, as long as, they are with you anyways.” she told him, blushing madly before turning back towards the group of females. How was she going to keep everyone in line with her own hormones running rampant?

Struggling to open her eyes, she watched as his figure left her, thinking she was well on her way to the grave and honestly, she wasn’t sure… Laying there heaving, wheezing even in the smoke laden forest she tried to find that vial Alyana gave to her to keep on her at all times.. She couldn’t find it though, she could hardly move and her eyes were not on her side. The scent of iron filled the air, more and more, her breathing shallowing. She hoped someone would find her soon, Maugrim, David, anyone… closing her eyes she waited for the help she prayed for as she tried to stay awake. A short amount of time had passed, a familiar voice was calling out to her, louder, and louder it grew until finally someone was pulling her human half into their lap, “Shh-shh.” she hushed him, as she managed to form some sort of vocals. “G-Get … m- … Ar-...more … off.” She stammered as she tried to lift her arms to motion towards the heavy metal. It would help her breath to be free of it, may slow the bleeding too she wasn’t sure. “M-my ….. B- …ag” She choked as she tried to direct him to her bag that was hidden under her plate armor just at her centaur shoulder. As she struggled to speak to David, Maugrim rushed to the scene, he had followed her scent. Quickly the Lupin shifted into his bipedal form, he could lift a horse in this form, maybe not easily but he could do it. “Someone find a wagon in decent shape!” he yelled over the flames to some other lupins that had arrived with him. They rushed off ready to help the centaur in any way that they could. “David, Get a hold of yourself… You can sob if she dies! She’s still breathing she’s still alive, let's move!” He told him as Rudra and his younger brother arrived with a wagon. Helping David remove the centaurs armor, Maugrim prepared to carefully and quickly move the woman. “Ride in the wagon with her, we will pull it.” Maugrim told him as he prepared to move the woman once all armor was left on the forest floor. Getting her in the wagon, he motioned for David to hurry into the wagon and then he and his pack members began pulling them back to the castle, taking the clearest route possible moving as quickly as they could without further injuring the woman who still had a sword in her side.

Having finished her work on the two lupin, Alyana found herself in the stable. She was antsy and wanted to meet them, it was taking too long and her heart was aching for her friends' well being. “Make sure that is entirely ready for when I return!” Alyana shouted to the assistance before rushing out of the stable into the night, out stretching her wings and taking off into the dark of the night, the moon only lighting her way. Through the glow of the forest fire, she could see them, bursting from the tree line heading towards the castle, Legion was there, and Elmira was in the wagon, she wasn’t doing well from what she could see from above. “Take her to the stables!” Alyana called from above before she gently landed on the moving wagon seat, her feathers, hair, and eyes illuminated in the night. “My medical wing beds can’t accommodate a centaur body so it’s best to work on her in the stables. I have everything I could need out there for her.” she explained to them as they traveled. Examining the woman's wounds from where she sat on the wagon, she knew she was going to need sutures, however, the damage on the inside was going to be a mystery until she was able to get in there and see what was all damaged. By the god she prayed the woman would get off lucky. The wound on her back leg would heal easier than her main wound and would be the least important on her list of repairs for her.

The Other Side

First hated every bit of it all, and he knew how much Keeva hated her season and how she felt…she’d probably rip out her own organs if she could just to never experience it again. His body brushed up against hers as she rose from the water, and she assured him that his timing was alright, but the sadness behind her eyes killed him. His ears tucked against his head as he watched her leave, sulking by the pond as he curled up and stared into the water. Three weeks without Keeva…one day was hard enough. Even though she said she’d be comfortable one day, which made his body burn and ache worse, it still felt like forever until he could be at her side again without the affects of hormones making them insane.
Clarify had watched the interaction from afar, the two becoming awfully close to one another…until it was suddenly split apart and Keeva was coming back to the females, tail hanging low as she came inside the den. “Keeva?” She looked over to her brother, who was sulking by the pond. “Did something happen? Is everything okay?” She sat by what she hopefully could call her friend and noticed the hint of heat on her, shocked by its appearance. Keeva hadn’t taken any of the herb meat, had she come into it naturally? Was that causing the sudden divide compared to earlier today?

There was nothing David could do to help. He had no healing potions, no herbs, and he was fully and utterly exhausted from staying up late nights on end. He regretted not resting enough. Holding her tightly, Elmira began to gesture to her bag, to the sword in her side, a sight that almost made him gag. But he had to do what he could to help her. He was about to shuffle through the bag, tears blurring his vision, when Maugrim lunged into the clearing and growled commands at those around him, including the king. The comment stung hard, and David glared at the man as he held onto Elmira tightly. He was going to retort at the lupa, throw it right back at him, but found he had no strength for a rebuttal and simply stayed silent as they loaded him and El into the back of a wagon and raced towards the castle. They couldn’t take out the sword, not until it was properly accessed and her insides were properly cauterized, and her other arrow wound was bleeding but not majorly - the arrow hadn’t gone deep enough to stay. Riding in the back of the bumpy wagon, David reached into the bag the centaur had spoken of and found a bottle of paste, pulling it out and showing it to her. His tears refused to stop, as did his heart, but he did his best to hold her and ensure her life. “The paste, you had paste in your bag,” he sobbed, clutching it tightly in his hand. “What is it for?”

Ander could feel pain searing down his back in the darkness, and with a roll of his shoulders, he growled loudly and heard the stumbling back of steps temporarily before he suddenly felt something around his muzzle and the continuation of the burning. He was not versed in common, and with their incoherent speech and unfamiliar environment, he growled louder and began to try and shove himself to his feet. But the medics refused, shoving him back down. “Let me go! Where’s my imprint?!” he shouted in lupa, but nobody could understand him. He wasn’t facing her, and he was beginning to think he was back in Mellowfork, being healed just to go out and fight again. He struggled against his restraints, trying to get a hold of what was around his muzzle to no avail. He needed to make sure his imprint was okay, that he was safe, but nothing felt right. His hackles were raised and he continued to thrash, feeling the wounds on his back rip open again as the people around him tried to soothe him. He wouldn’t be taken back to Mellowfork, he couldn’t, and he wouldn’t be subject to their ‘experiments’ again. “Let me out!” He snapped at one of the guards, a young tiefling woman, and she gave him a small swat, as though shooing away a fly. The gesture shocked him so much that they were able to tighten his restraints, and he growled again, now unable to move further. “Where is she?! Where have you taken her?! Let me go!!”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

“Hmm?” Keeva hummed as she sulked her way into the den flopping down beside Clare in her dark corner. “Everything is… alright.” She told her, huffing from disappointment. “Sort of…” She grumbled, her ears flat against her head as she itched to go back out there with First, part of her wanted to tackle him in that pond. Seeing the look on the female's face said it all, only making Keeva sigh a hard and drawn out one at that. “You know… coming into season use to be a celebration in my pack… Never in my life did I think I’d loath it this much… False heat sure but this, this is down right the worst timing.” she growled lowly to herself. All she wanted was to be with First and her flipping body was preventing that. Her internal and external complaints made the adult woman sound like a rioting teen but she couldn’t help it. What was even worse, once this heat was completed she’d find out if her imprint was among the wolves here.. If it was First or not … What will she do if it’s not him? What will she do if she finds her imprint in the future and has a happy family with First… oh this was not good. Her mind was racing, causing her ears to sink further and further down the sides of her head. She was refraining from whining but it was obvious she wanted to. The female never looked so meek before, so many things on her mind Keeva couldn’t keep up appearances.

Maugrim knew his words were harsh, but he had to say it to snap the man into action. Before long the group was on the move, Elmira in the wagon, two Lupin in their bipedal forms pulled the wagon while Maugrim surveyed the immediate area for any dangers that may come charging at them. They were breaking the tree line when Alyana flew down to meet them, landing on the wagon to examine Elmira’s wounds and to direct them on where they needed to go. The young healer looked David in his tear ridden eyes, “There is hope.” She tried to reassure him as he showed her the paste in the jar. Her eyes lit up, El had been carrying it on her the entire time. Opening the jar she quickly made El open her mouth, “Elmira, try to swallow this please… it will help you.” she told her the woman was hanging in there but barely. Her eyes were struggling to stay open, struggling to focus on any one soul in the wagon. Once the woman finally registered she needed to open her mouth and swallow what was placed inside, Alyana seemed to be brighter, more hopeful for the situation they were facing. “The paste is a herbal concoction I made months ago to aid in internal healing, as well as, external… “ She spoke to David, “It’ll slow the bleeding and start the healing process.” She explained. As she pulled some linen from her satchel she never left home without. Wrapping the equine’s knee, she made sure to help stop the bleeding there, they needed to save as much of her blood as she could. Blood was a tricky thing, with how much had already pooled in the wagon, she couldn’t tell if the sword had come out on the other side or not. Gently, while they moved she placed as much clean linens around the sword’s blade, doing her best to stop the blooding from around the blade and to better stabilize it while on the bumpy ride home. She didn’t need the blade cutting her open downwards through her gut or anything… if that were to happen she’d die there in the wagon for sure. Once those tasks were done, Alyana looked to the night sky, lifting her wings as she spoke a prayer, she was asking the gods for assistance in keeping the centaur alive, keeping her life blood within her body, and protecting her through the trials that were yet to come within the stables. The golden light of the Aasimar was beginning to work, the bleeding was slowing but it was taking a toll on Alyana, she wasn’t used to using her abilities and it took a lot of energy. Lowering her wings after a few moments, “I’ve done what I can from the wagon, if I push my abilities any longer I won't be able to mend her wounds properly if at all.” She sighed, feeling disappointed in herself, she wanted to be more useful as her Aasimar self. Arriving at the Stables she quickly exited the wagon before running into the stables to direct Maugrim where to put Elmira. “In here.” Maugrim was quick to pick the horse woman up, gently as he could. The Lupin packed her into the stall, laying her down as easily as he could before looking up at the odd slings hanging from the rafters. “Are you… going to hang her from the ceiling?” The Lupin asked as he backed out of the stall. “Yup, now get out.” She pushed him out before sanitizing her hands in a bucket of hot water, cleansing them with soap and then rinsing them the same way in a separate bucket. “Heat the blades, please.” Alyana ordered before hog tying El’s legs both her front legs and back together to make it easier on her and safer for the both of them. Quickly she grabbed her pain suppressant tonic mixing the powder extremely well over an open flame before grabbing her syringe and filling it with the liquid. Letting the syringe cool she treated the open wounds externally for now numbing the wounds so she can work on the immediate area cauterizing the major vessels while cleansing the wound. Noticing David still in the stables, Alyana focused on her work but spoke to him, “If you’d like to stay you are welcome too…” She told him. Doing what she could on the floor of the stall, she motioned for the stable hands to pull her up towards the ceiling, the ropes whining from the tension. Once she was up to the height Alyana needed her at, which was only a couple feet off the ground, about at the young woman's stomach/chest area, she had the tallest of her assistance to run wider straps made of more comfortable materials to support the majority of the horses weight to take some of the strain off her legs and equine ankles, as well as one for her human half so she wasn’t just dangling there. Grabbing the injection now that it had cooled, she flipped it from side to side before finding the best vein to inject it into. It would remove any pain she felt and keep her asleep for the surgery, at least for the time being.


Coming too, Maliha stirred on the bed she was in as she could hear her imprinted one panicking voice. “Shhh- shhh, I’m h-here.” She murmured, her voice was hoarse from the smoke she’d inhaled during their escape. “They are trying to help you.” She managed to tell him before sitting up and trying to get out of her bed to go to him. Of course, she’d just woke up from passing out due to exhaustion so it wasn’t exactly advised but the poor male was in such an upset the assistance allowed her to move, with their help of course. Jumping up on his bed, she curled up the best she could with him, laying her head on top of his to comfort him. “It’s alright… I promise, they are only wanting to help us. We are safe in Folgario… in their infirmary.” She told him her voice cleared up as she woke up more. Her tail wagged as she was finally able to be up against her bound one. He’d popped a few stitches from the looks of his back but, the work Alyana had done was amazing, if he behaved, he may only have very light scars with her help.

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Lifting her head she narrowed her brow at first at Clare and her suggestion but that semi hostile look fell as she listened. "I know, I'm jist afraid of everything because of my past. I'm afraid of being intimate, im afraid of having pups and then them being ripped from my side… like they've done in the past." She murmured a whine left her at the memory her eyes becoming glossy as tears rushed to them. Closing her eyes she tried to not think about it. "Not only that but… if we happen to be stuck here the entire duration of my possible pregnancy, it may make it harder to make the journey home or even the escape." She murmured her concerns her fears. Their pregnancies lasted about a year, sje prayed they would be out of here before a year was up but… there was a chance they'd still be here. Perking her ears to Clare’s story about her secret mate she lifted herbhead from its drooping state. She was surprised, she didn't think Clare would be the kind to give in to her desires let alone with a male 0utside of her pack. "He's just a… desire buddy?" She asked curiously at a murmur. Her tail thumped the cave floor as her curiosity rose. Clare continued to share bits about her relationship to the stranger but she ended the topic with a question to Keeva. "I'm not sure if that would work… but it may be worth a shot… possibly if I can manage my fears." She muttered as she laid her head back down on her paws thinking about her options.

Alyana felt remorse for David, but she couldn't allow herself to crumble at the sight of her friend before her, this was a life or death situation. With the Centaur suspended in the air, Alyana got to work as quickly as she could. Using her spells she'd learned to help guide her way with the surgery, the healer sealed off major vessels that were out of reac, it was tedious but necessary to save her friend's life. Finally she had the sword the most of the way out, mending her deep wound as the area was gradually revealed by the swords absence. By the end of the long surgery, three vials of sedation, and a lot of willpower and help from her assistance, Alyana had finally finished the surgery. The sun broke through the closed shutters on the stables, aiding in her question about the time. "Quickly, remove the bloody straw and cleanse the area… " she gave her assistance one final order. "Make sure to give her a thick bedding, thicker than the brood mare stalls. Lay a sheet down as well, make sure it covers all of the straw, her wounds must stay as clean as possible. Bring her a nice warm blanket too." Alyana sighed relieved to be done as she cleaned her hands of the blood that clung to her. When everything was finished, the stall cleaned, the centaurs leg mended and finally a sanitary bandage and linen blanket laid over the woman, it was time to rest. Their friend and beloved chief was breathing steady, resting easy under the sedation. "Wake me if there are any changes, please." She told her assistance and then remembered the Lupins she left in the infirmary. "Oh, how are the lupins? Maliha and the one with the.. " she motioned at her neck struggling to find the words at first. " collar ? " she finally found it before getting her answer, "There was a bit of a struggle… bit things are much better now, they are resting. " an assistant answered. Pleased with the answer, Alyana nodded her head tiredly before finally making her way to David, taking off her medical apron, handing off to a passing helper. She crouched down to David. Taking one of her hands she squeezed it to help comfort him. "She's made it through, but she needs to rest. There was quite a bit of damage, a lot of blood loss but She's alive and should make a full recovery." She shared, "You can stay here with her if you'd like." She told him gently before standing up and taking Legion's hand. "If she happens to wake up, its best to have a familiar face around." She encouraged him to stay before looking at Legion ready to return to their room.

His struggles were understandable, he was terrified she could feel it, let alone probably worried about her. He attempted to fight briefly after she’d laid with him, her head over his neck as they both laid on the table. “They truly don’t want to hurt you… “ She murmured to him, before giggling softly, “And if you keep moving around you’re going to knock me to the floor, like you did back in the forest.” She teased him gently, trying to comfort him and calm him. When he finally settled, only flinching at the pricks of the needle, Maliha listened to him say the name of her allied kingdom, “Yes, Folgario. This is David’s kingdom, and my pack’s ally in the war against Slavery of Beast Folk.” she explained, her tail thumping the bed with excitement. Hearing his thank you, she smiled, “You’re welcome, I’m sorry I wasn’t awake earlier. I would have moved over here sooner, to comfort you.” She told him her tail tapping the bed in small happy, yet quick pats. When an assistant accidentally jabbed his wound, Maliha sat up quickly raising her lips in a warning, “Be more careful! Alyana would have never let that happen!” She barked before looking down at his wound and beginning to lick it before being shooed away from the wound so it could be resanitized by a different assistant. Huffing, Maliha allowed for the action to be forgiven before perking her ears at her imprints question, “My name is Maliha” She told him softly as she laid down beside him, inching her way up beside him so he could see her more easily. A chuckle left her, “Yeah, I’ll never forget our first time our eyes locked.” She giggled before lovingly grooming his face, “And… what’s your name?” She paused only to wait for his answer.

The Other Side

Clare tilted her head as she listened, half-understanding the fears Keeva had as she explained. Grooming her in the meantime to settle her anxieties, she sighed softly as she sorted through her own thoughts on the matter. “We won’t allow them to take our pups from us. You already helped us make the deal to keep our pups, to raise them properly. Yes, that could change, but…you know our pack. You know First. Even if they did somehow take them, we would get them back. There is nothing stronger than the bond between a mother and her litter.” She licked her cheek a few times, pressing up to the female’s side. “Also, I highly doubt that you would be the only pregnant female if that were to happen.” She gestured across the enclosure, where the two families and their litters stayed mostly hidden from view. “My sister, for one, will be alongside you. We’d have to carry her butt through it all too, and we’d be happy to do it if it meant we were saving not just one life, but multiple. You’re not alone anymore, Keeva. You have an entire pack willing to fight for you, defend you and your family. We would do whatever it took to get you and your family out free. What if we escaped tomorrow? You think we would grip and complain about carrying eight puppies with us? Not a single one of us would complain, save the young ones who couldn’t be bothered.” Clare heard some complaints behind her and grinned, laughing under her breath. “But to answer your other question, yes, you could say a desire buddy. Because he’s not considered part of our pack, we can’t consider ourselves mates, so having puppies would really throw it into a mess…besides, he’s got a couple females he meanders with anyways. We find our fulfillment during that time and it helps. There’s nothing wrong with allowing yourself that intimacy with First, even if you’re not aiming for a litter. There are ways.” Grinning at the female, she groomed her a bit longer, tail wagging behind her. “I think you both are so hyped up on heats that your emotions are all out of whack. You should just go for it, get some boundaries set up before you run into one of the dens and have at it. Put out the fire you’re both adding wood to.” She grinned wider, “well, I guess First would be the only real wood being added, but you get it.”

After long hours of surgery and rushing around, dawn began to peak over the horizon as David’s tears had finally slowed. His fear had not diminished, but Legion had stayed with him throughout the procedure, only leaving temporarily when needed to assist his wife. Eventually Alyana had Elmira stable, and the stall was quickly changed to a suitable comfort level before Elmira was lowered carefully and positioned to heal and rest. David wanted to rush inside, but he knew it would only make it worse, and his healer would throw him out of the stables entirely if he wasn’t on his best behavior. Speaking of her, Alyana came over and took his hand, reassuring him of the woman’s condition and allowing him to rest with her so she could wake up with someone she knew. His eyes lit up at the offer, and he peered past her as he stood to see the stablehands already setting up a cot against the furthest stall wall to give him his own place in the meantime while the centaur recovered. He nodded a thank you and squeezed his friend’s hand before he rushed inside quietly, sitting on the cot that faced Elmira and watching her carefully. He knew she wouldn’t wake up for some time, and he was tipping the point of exhaustion to where he would soon collapse, but he needed to take her in. Needed proof that she was alive and okay, and that she would stay alive through the coming hours and days. He wrapped his provided blanket around himself and kept watch, the stall door closing to envelope the two in silence and allow them rest for the coming day.
Once Alyana was back at his side and slipped her hand into his, Legion smiled softly down at her and pressed a kiss to her temple as he walked with her out of the stables and into the castle where she could get cleaned up and take a rest for the day. After such an event, and the guards reconvening about the attack and keeping watch on the territory, there was no rush to proceed with trivial matters of the kingdom. The king was disposed and would not be in office indefinitely, and Maugrim needed to repair his center, meaning it would be at least a day before anything productive got done. As long as the citizens and castle were safe, everyone involved could rest until the next day. That was always the protocol David implemented on such occasions. Usually it was only when his direct family was involved…and Legion knew the man needed to get past feelings long buried within himself. “You did a wonderful job,” he murmured to his wife, his tail curling around her wrist with pride. “You knew exactly what to do and kept a steady head. I am always amazed to watch you, so focused and determined with your work. I am the luckiest man to have married someone like you.” He kissed her temple again, pulling her close to his side. “Are you wanting to check on the lupins before we go back to bed? Or go clean up and sleep?”

Ander was amused by her teasing, and although the assistants’ work made it hard for him to fully focus on her, her presence alone made it easier to bear. “I won’t shove you like that again, I promise. I’ve had a spell on me since I…since I was taken from my pack. It was used to control my movements. He wanted me to bring you to him, to be another slave, but our imprint…it somehow broke the bond. I still have this d*mn collar, but that’s a problem for later.” He listened to her further explain their position, and though he was still unfamiliar with the kingdom, he was relieved that they helped slaves and didn’t take them right back to Mellowfork’s hands. He’d have to fully investigate before he could make a decision of trust, but if his imprint before him was trusting, then maybe he could be too. “It’s not your fault. I’ve been thrown around a lot recently, even before my pack was captured…I’m not a favored male. I wouldn’t have even expected you to come to my side. I thought I was back in Mellowfork, that they were just healing me to put the spell over me again. Nothing really makes sense, I need time to adjust…” She finally introduced herself as he finished, and his ears perked up, facing her as much as he could to see her face and connect it to her call. “Maliha.” It brought a smile to his face to say it, and he wished he could offer some solidification of it, maybe a nuzzle or a lick, but their positions and his muzzle and restraints made it difficult to do so. He would have to wait until his stitches and wounds were considered healed enough to remove him from his binds. He understood them - any moment could cause him to lash uncontrollably, and if Maliha trusted these individuals, he didn’t want to get on their bad side. It seemed, however, that they trusted her, as even with her protective outburst they merely brushed her off and weren’t intimidated by her growls nor her teeth. She didn’t even receive a whip or a slap to the face for it. She asked for his name, and he swlalowed, knowing it was coming but not knowing how to face it properly. How did one explain your childhood name to your imprint without them dying in laughter? “In my pack, we are named after a significant moment in our youth. Often a nickname is placed with it, to have a more simplified version to use. My name is Ander…my full name, is, um…Salamander. It was the first thing I caught as a pup.” A sheepish look came over his muzzle as he avoided her gaze. “My parents were always like that, more creative than generic. But I’ve gone only by Ander for most of my life. It’s much less embarrassing for a male.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Sighing, Keeva knew she was right, even if she did get pregnant it would take a long while before the pups would arrive and if Lupus was on their side they’d have the time to escape before the pups arrive. “You’re right… “ She whined a bit as the female licked her cheek comfortingly. “You’re right with that topic too… Keeping everyone on their own side has been getting harder and harder by the day.” She grumbled but smirked. “If I fall pregnant, everyone else will hold such grudges. “ She murmured knowing how jealous everyone would be of her getting to gain that much wanted relief of the season’s desires. Listening more as the female spoke, Keeva nodded her head in understanding and knowing that the female was right all the way around. The mention of her ‘Desire Buddy’ had the female giggling, “My Clare, I didn’t think you were the type to sneak off and find such a male. Let alone a male that’s spoken for… do you think his other mates know about you?” She asked her in a curious whisper. Sure, many lupin’s had multiple mates however, having a secret lover outside of your unit was quite scandalous, let alone out of your pack. Flicking her ear at her mention of ‘ways’ she tilted her head, however, she didn’t ask about these ‘ways’ she spoke about. “Probably, the pheromoans are practically floating through the air here.” She chuckled as she laid her head back down. Clare encouraged the desire that female was experiencing, the itch growing at her suggestions. “Maybe, I’ll speak to First… “ She murmured to her before becoming bashful at Clare’s joke, “Clare!” She covered her face at the female's words and was too embarrassed to say anything else at that moment. A giggle was leaving her though, she couldn’t help but feel amused. It was a good teasing joke.

(4 hours later)

The sun had set, the moon was high in the night sky, standing up from her resting spot beside Clare, the female snuck out of the females cave. Turning around she made sure everyone was accounted for before sneaking off. She was going to find First, she hadn’t had the chance to speak with him earlier about the topic her and Clare had… that want to be with him was driving her up the wall. “First.” She called out softly as she tried to stay out of sight of anyone that could possibly be awake aside from her partner.

(A full day later)

It wasn’t until the following day that Elmira finally opened her eyes, she woke with a panic in her eyes as she looked around the stall, pain rushing through her gut as the medicine had worn off. Pain fell over her face as she had attempted to sit up. A groaning cry came from her lungs from the sudden pain that shot through her equine body. She didn’t know where she was, disoriented from the light, the pain, and having just woke it was all so much to take in it overwhelmed her. “Wh-Where am I!” She demanded to know through her pain tears streaming down her face from the pain. Laying there she tried to recall what had happened the day before… oh yes, she’d been stabbed… in the side.

Alyana looked to Legion as he praised her, “You think so?” She asked him, she was shaking now that she was done, exhausted and worried for her friend. “I hope she will survive, the damage was pretty extensive, Legion.” She told him now that they were out of the stables and nearing their room, it wasn’t often that she doubted her own skills but this was her friend, a woman that meant a lot to the king and the kingdom… It was a lot of pressure and above all else she loved Elmira as a friend, a comrade, and someone she even looked up to on occasion. “No, the Lupin’s will be good till morning with just my assistance.” She told him softly as she hugged herself, “I need to get cleaned up and some rest.” She told him before giving him a kiss to the cheek and walking into their room. She’d get cleaned up and sleep for a couple hours before checking in on Elmira like clockwork every two hours.

(A full day later)

Awake and exhausted from the nights work, Alyana rolled over to face Legion, she kissed his forehead before slowly sliding out of the bed. Putting a hand to her forehead she sighed, her head hurt and her stomach was spinning. Standing to her feet she had to catch herself on the bedpost to keep from falling over as she was hit with a dizzy spell, most likely from the lack of sleep. Once balanced, she went to their bathroom to get ready for the day and to check on Elmira. The woman did very well through the night, she was alive and breathing, she never took a turn for the worst, which the Aassimar was very thankful for. Again, a wave of nausea washed over her, it was fine she’d get dressed and get to work it would pass. “Legion I have to check on Elmira, I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.” She spoke to him as she got dressed in her medical attire. Grabbing her back she started towards the door of their suit.


Maliha chuckled, “You better not.” She told him, her giggling continuing. “I know you couldn’t control it, imprints can’t help but love their bonded one.” She happily forgave him for his earlier actions before listening to his story about what happened. “Maybe the King and his people can figure out how to remove it.” She wagged her tail hopeful for her mate and their future.“Things will be better here… especially now that we are together.” She said softly as she licked his face in a comforting nature. Her whines calmed however as he mentioned his name, it was… different. Clearly, he was embarrassed by it so in an attempt not to hurt his feelings she did her best not to giggle from it. “O-Oh, well… It’s a nice catch for a pup. Salamanders are quite slippery critters.” she tried to make him feel better about his earned name. “It’s nice to meet you, Ander.” She smiled at him before nuzzling into his restrained body and laying her head back down on top of his.

(A day later)

Waking up next to her Imprint, Maliha stood on the bed and jumped down as she heard the assistance were ready to allow Ander his freedom. Up until now he had to be lead out to use the restroom and what not by a tethered lead so he wouldn’t injure himself, however, now Alyana felt it was time he could walk around with Maliha freely as long as he promised not to overdo it. Knowing the Lupin’s tendency to roll and such, the healer made sure to bind his midsection to cover all of his whip wounds. “Are you ready to go meet some of my pack?” She asked her tail wagging as she watched him in all his wrapped up glory. She really wanted to introduce him to David, however, that wasn't exactly an option given the news she over heard earlier.

The Other Side

Clare shrugged, knowing there would be some grudges but nothing anyone could do. They all, for the most part, were experiencing seasons before their due time, which meant danger for any pups produced. Keeva, as far as she and everyone else was aware, was old enough to make her own decisions on the matter. “Yes, but they’d have to deal with it. They can wait their proper turn, and it’ll be all the worthwhile.” She grinned softly as Keeva perked her ears at the talk of Clare’s male, and she giggled softly. “I couldn’t tell you. I’ve seen them from afar, they’re attractive females, but they’re not around when we meet. I tend to know when my season is and will leave a sign at our meeting place that’ll let him know it’s around the corner. Then we meet there whenever it’s that time, and we enjoy each other’s company.” She winked down at the female, “But other than that, our interactions are slim. We give each other satisfaction, and that just helps get through the worst of it when no other males have stepped up to claim you.” Watching Keeva continue to grumble made the female giggle again, so miserable over such an easy solution in Clare’s mind. Even the tease had hit his mark, and the two ended up giggling away in the den among the other females as the hours passed through the day.

Four hours later, First was laying at a far tree on the other side of the enclosure near the pond, missing Keeva’s presence beside him but unable to stand being shoved with the young males and their prods. Their rambunctious behaviors were getting on a nerve, so Cloven placed an older female in his stead to allow him to get one night of reprieve. It was hard to keep away from his new partner, especially when he had been excited to be closer to her, but his timing could not have been worse. He was laying flat on his side a few feet from the outside of the one lone cave when his name came whispering over the grasses. He pricked an ear in his sleep, slowly awakening, when he heard his name again and perked his head up. He scanned the pasture around him to see Keeva, and he woofed very quietly to allow her to catch his figure, standing to his feet slowly. He wasn’t sure why she was awake, but he wasn’t opposed to seeing her alone, and his tail deceivingly wagged behind him.

David shot awake as though he had been punched at Elmira’s cries, the woman groaning and shifting in new pain as everything came back to her. He was very tired, hardly sleeping with his sleep filled with nightmares, but was thankful to see her awake and alive. “Shh, shh, it’s okay El, I’m here.” He grabbed the pain injection that Alyana had left and instructed him to use in case of intense pain for the centaur and went to the spot directed, giving it as quickly as he could. “You were wounded in Maugrim’ territory, Alyana had to do surgery. But she says you will heal fine.” He tried to hold the stammer in his voice, his eyelids hard to keep open, but he had to comfort El any way he could. He made his way over and wiped a damp cloth over her brow, cooling her as the medicine would do its work. He went over and pulled the makeshift curtains across the walls of the stall, hoping they would ease her even if they weren’t foolproof - he had done many things to fix her accommodations in his lack of sleep just to do something to help. Nothing that Alyana would kill him over, but enough that Elmira would feel more at ease while she recovered. “I’ll wait until the pain eases, and then get you some food and water. Nothing too big, but enough to keep you sustained.” He replaced the cloth with another and made broad strokes down her face and arms, eyes set intensely on her.

Legion was enjoying his sleep beside his wife, still as elated to spend each night with her as he was the first, but every day had to start eventually and Alyana was, for once, up earlier than he was and he only knew when she told him where she was going and left the suite, leaving him to wake up to an empty room. He frowned and pushed his hand over to her side, feeling its fading warmth before he pushed himself up and yawned. He assumed that it would be likely he may be called to help, or to take over David’s necessary work for the day, so he slipped out of bed and got himself dressed before going to the kitchen and making himself some tea. Flashes of Elmira’s surgery, of David’s grief, still fluttered around in his mind, but he knew things had to work themselves out. The gods hated David, but they wouldn’t give him the same punishment twice in his life. There was no explanation for such a thing.

Ander had been fully embarrassed and ashamed by his treatment, having to be leashed and monitored to do any private business and having what seemed like ten thousand checks of his wounds happening constantly with cleaning cloths, pastes, and ointments slathered over them before eventually they were wrapped securely for a few hours to allow him time with Maliha. Maybe the injuries were healing better than expected, but regardless, he didn’t feel like a strong and dutiful male for his imprint. First his ear was taken, and now his dignity, and he hated that this was the first impression her mate got aside from literally attacking her the moment they met eyes. A shiver went down his spine as he stood in front of her now, being released with warnings only for a short while, until Maliha spoke about her excitement to meet her pack. The pack that he was surprised hadn’t come after him to finish the slaver’s job. “I don’t know if I’d ever be ready,” he mumbled, “But you’re sure they won’t kill me? They won’t attack me, make me do a rite of passage or something? It’s going to be hard enough to explain the collar, let alone our imprint or when I led slavers into their territory…” His ears - or well, one and a quarter ears - pinned down as he whined, worried about what they’d say about him in general. Who would accept a male like him in?

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Hearing the softest of woofs Keeva’s ears perked in her crouched position in the tall grasses. Following his voice, the Lupin found her partner laying near the stand alone cave, neighboring the pond they often liked to venture to. Wagging her tail she quickly but quietly made her way to him, “I wanted to talk to you.” She whispered as she arrived before him. Nuzzling up against him she gently tugged his ear before slipping into the cave so she wouldn’t be noticed across the pasture with him out in the open. Her tail slipped under his chin as she passed him. Looking around the cave, Keeva took in it’s emptiness, it didn’t even have straw in it, either it was forgotten by the caretakers or was simply left unattended due to all the wolves being at the other dens. That was fine though, this could be their little hide away from all the rest of the lupins. Sitting down at the back of the cave, the young hybrid blushed at her partner, her bashful posture announced it was so. “I think I want what you want…” She murmured as she looked at her paws bringing her eyes up to see him slowly. “You’re not like the others, clearly… and I believe it would be nice to be bonded in such a close way to further solidify our partnership… or rather mate ship if you’re ready for that… with me.” she spoke softly, stammering about the topic she was trying to speak to him about. She wasn’t nervous to indulge in him per say, she was just nervous to ask… this was new to her. She never had the luxury of being able to ask for such a thing rather than it being snatched for the taking by the horrid males of the past.

Her eyes met David as he spoke to her, oh thank goodness, she was in Folgario… She was in the stables? Closing her eyes for a moment she let out a sigh of relief, even though the pain was wanting to eat her up. “Oh you have no idea how happy I am to see your face.” She quickly said through her pain. Tears slid down her cheeks, “W-where’s Maliha? Is she alright?” She asked worry filled her pain ridden voice. The sudden prick to her body wasn’t one she was prepared for but it didn’t amount to much of anything given the pain she was in. Whatever was in the injection however, it began to sooth her rather quickly. Elmira’s wriggling had calmed, her breathing less rigid, and her speaking was beginning to slow to a normal speed. “I remember now… For the most part.” She murmured half way waiting for the questions to start rolling in. “Did she say how long it will take?” She asked curiously trying to avoid any questioning for the time being. However, David at the moment didn’t have questions, rather he was exhausted. How long had she been out for? The man dabbed a damn cloth across her brow and pulled some curtain closed around the opening of the stall walls before returning and wiping down her face and arms with it as well. “I didn’t realize Alyana had a stall for emergency centaur surgery.” She smiled weakly trying to lighten the mood as the pain meds worked their magic. Seeing the fear in his tired eyes, the worry, the concern for her, Elmira gently took hold of his hand that caringly cleaned her, “David, I’m ok, I’m sorry for worrying you.” She spoke to him gently. She wanted to hug him like she had in the past, hold him close and never let go but she was afraid she’d be over setting a line. She knew things were becoming rocky with Fraeya but that didn’t mean she could jump in with all four hooves and take the elfs place. She wasn’t even entirely sure if he loved her in that way, she knew he cared for her as a friend but not as a lover thus far.

Alyana slowly made her way to the Stables, however, on the way she had to stop her stomach was eating her alive. Covering her mouth the woman went into the nearest restroom, puking up nothing but stomach acid. The woman was beginning to be concerned she was actually ill rather than sleep deprived. Cleaning herself up she popped a couple mint leaves in her mouth to help a bit and then attempted to continue on to see Elmira. However, once again she had to stop her journey, this time she was able to sit down on a hall way bench, closing her eyes for a moment. She tried to get a hold on her nausea before continuing down the hall to the stables.

Maliha giggled at his embarrassment this time, “Oh don’t be ashamed Ander,” She told him, giving the male a quick lick to the cheek. “Oh, once they know you’re my imprint you’ll get all the respect, after all the Alpha is my uncle… We have a law, no imprint is to be touched and me being Maugrims Niece well, that just gives you extra safe points.” She grinned at him excited to get a move on, her tail wagging like crazy behind her. “They will love you once they get to know you, I’m sure of it!” She gently pulled his cheek fur before trotting ahead of him, her tail brushing under his chin as she padded away. However, the female paused knowing he was rather worried about this meeting, “Ander, It’ll be okay, I won't let them touch you no matter what they say… David will protect you too even after the fact.” She told him before turning all the way around to lick his face and neck before nuzzling him. “Come on, I want to visit Elmira later as well... She did save us from that man, I want to thank her.”

The Other Side

Though still surprised to see Keeva, First was more than happy to have her in front of him again, facing him against their earlier concerns and tribulations. She expressed her wish to talk to him, and he opened his mouth to respond, but she nuzzled up against his fur before pulling him straight into the cave he was laying near. His heart began to pound as he wondered what this was about, entering the den fully to watch her go to the back and sit submissively. Her scent filled the cave, and when she said she wanted what he did, he felt as though the world was falling beneath his paws. Was he dreaming? Was this just her season talking, luring him into a trap that she would kill him for later? No, she had control over herself earlier, and she was aware of her season… He couldn’t help but smile however, his tail wagging eagerly behind him to possibly have her as his mate. He stepped up closer to her, hidden from the barrier as he brushed his cheek against hers. “I would love nothing more than to be your mate, Keeva,” he spoke, trying to keep his excitement lessened so as to not wake up anyone else in the enclosure nor make her uncomfortable. Even if this was a dream, he preferred to lean into it. “If that’s what you wish for us to be, then I would be delighted.” He whined and began licking her cheeks and neck, tail still speeding behind him.

As Elmira began to awaken, she asked David questions about what had happened, about the others, and took his hand holding the cloth. She could probably feel him trembling, but he gave her a wobbly smile regardless, trying to hold himself together. Her tease did make things a bit better, even if only slightly. “She, she um, she had this prepared for you for your surgery, she knew from her vision you would be involved but when Maliha came and told me something happened, I-I rushed out there with my guards. I don’t know how long your recovery will take, but I imagine she will be here soon to check on you. Someone’s been coming in on the hour to check your vitals when I’m not awake to do it myself.” He took the cloth from his held hand and put it aside, returning to give her his attention as his eyes flashed between one and the other of hers. “Maliha is safe, she arrived with a lupa that was very wounded…I know they’re healing and stable but that’s all I know.” Reaching out a hand, he cupped her cheek as a tear rolled down his own, breathing in sharply to try and push back his grief that threatened to swallow him again. There was no end to its torture. “”You-You don’t have to apologize, El. I knew something was going to happen but didn’t accept it, and wasn’t there when you needed me most. I’m just glad you’re alive.” Another tear dripped down and he sniffed, brushing it aside with his free hand. “I was so worried that I had lost you, that I would never get to see you again. Seeing you lying in the flames, it just…” He sighed our shakily, stepping forward to wrap her in a hug. Her human half wasn’t injured, at least not to the same extent, and he held her tightly as she could manage. “I can’t lose you.”

It was far earlier than she wanted to be up when Keraa made her way down the stairs, tired and groggy but unable to get back to sleep. Tossing and turning next to Kochab was only going to wake him up, and she wasn’t about to deal with that too. She ran her hands through her tangled hair before she made her way towards the kitchen - and promptly forgot what she was going to the kitchen for, or where she had ended up. She blinked a few times to find herself going towards the stables, with none other than Alyana sitting on a bench in the hall. “Alyana?” She blinked again, rubbing her eyes as she approached her. “You’re still up? You should be back in bed,” she mused in a motherly tone, not quite up to speed with all that had happened the night previous. She came over and sat next to her, yawning as she braced her hands on the edges of the seat. “You need your rest.”

Hearing that his imprint’s uncle was the alpha of her pack made Ander’s head spin wildly. He was going to face her own family as the alpha? He could have rolled onto his back right now and given up had it not been for the bandages on his back, and the pain associated with them. Maliha was so confident though. She showered him in licks and tail wags, pulling him along to meet her pack and all who were involved. It was a terrifying predicament, almost as much as being pulled away from his own pack. Would they respect him like she said? Would he get the sympathy and protection he wished to have? What about getting back to his family? Would they help him rescue and save his pack, even if his own pack rejected him? His head hung low as he kept at her side, trying to keep positive but worried about his actions. If her pack rejected him too…he’d have no choice to leave and live on his own the rest of his days. He could never pull Maliha away from her family, imprint or not. She brushed her tail under his chin as she passed by, and it pulled his head up just a bit, and she tried to reassure him again as she gave many licks and brushed her fur against his. It was a calming gesture, and although he was terrified of what was to come, he did give her a bit of a tail wag and a lick to the cheek in return. “I hope so, Maliha,” he murmured to her. “I will visit her too. How far is your pack, though?”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Wagging her tail at his response, she stood up and began nuzzling up against him. “I believe that is what I want.” She murmured to him, “I think it would be better to be with someone I know and trust rather than what I’ve experienced in the past.” She shared with him how she felt after some consideration. Rubbing her side up against him before circling around him to his other side, Keeva murmured softly to him, “I just ask you be slow and gentle with me… So I don’t snap at you out of reaction due to my past.” she gave him a small warning, a heads up really to be mindful of her and her past. “If I say stop, then stop… If I tell you no more I expect you to understand I need you to back off…” she told him softly as she nuzzled his neck licking his chin in a submissive manner, showing him she felt ready to accept him, all of him.

David reassured her that Maliha was safe, that Alyana had set up this stall to perform her surgery and that she didn’t need to apologize to him. He was trembling, tears sliding down his face… “Oh David..” She wrapped her arms around him as he crumbled and wrapped her in his own arms before her own could envelope him. “I’m okay… I’m not going anywhere.” she told him softly as she stroked his hair and later patted his back comfortingly. “I shouldn’t have been there.. I should have listened to Alyana’s vision… I ignored it and it was a fools choice.” She told him, “I heard Maliha was out there and I rushed to protect her upon hearing about the slavers' arrival." She shared the main story steering clear of the true reason she was in the forest. "I'm glad she's safe." El spoke her relief to hear the young female Lupa was alright and with the injured male. However, with David in her arms as he was her focus on the others wasn't for long. Her heart raced as she held him, his tears dripping down her shoulder. Elmira’s own eyes filled with tears, "You're not going to David." She told him as she held him close to herself. She loved him so much and wanted to tell him, but she couldn't all she could do was hold him tightly to herself.

Sitting on the bench Alya was startled from Kerra's voice carrying down the hall towards her. "Oh! Kerra.. y-yes I've been tending to Elmira. She was injured quite badly, I've been tending to her ever two hours and my assistants have been doing so during the time I am not there." She told her. The woman expressed her concern for the healer, but she had to ignore her request for her to rest. "I will after I tend to Elmira." She told her, however, her rest would only come in 2 hour bursts as it had been. "I need to be getting that way…" she said as she stood up, once again she was hit with a dizzy spell nearly falling over from it. In her attempt to catch herself she knocked a decorative vase from its pedestal causing it to shatter across the floor. Sighing, Alyana looked at Keraa and returned to her to sit back down. "Maybe I should have someone else tend to El for a few more hours…" the healer admitted. Before getting hit with another horrible wave of nauseous. Covering her mouth she felt like she was about to puke again, she really didn't want to puke all over the hall… but standing up was kinda dangerous at the moment. Unable to fight it back any longer the healer retched off to the side, hiding the unsightly scene from Keraa.

Walking along side him she could tell he was still quite nervous about meeting her pack her family… but maybe conversation would help ease that. "Its a bit of a walk.. so tell me about you ear, what happened to it?" She asked with all her curiosity bouncing about them in the air. "Oh they are in the village, we were going through a large pack move the day before I met you. Most of our pack is all within the castle village learning how to behave around other humanoids and learning not to attack pets or start fights amongst the kings people..
Its a large learning curve for everyone bit so far there hasn't been any huge issues this far." She rambled on as they walked only pausing when he spoke.

The Other Side

First’s tail was unstoppable behind him as she brushed her pelt against his, confirming that she did wish him to be her mate, just warning him to be gentle. He smiled down at her and returned her nuzzles and licks. “I’ll be as gentle as I can be. I will believe you if you tell me to stop.” He chuckled softly and nuzzled his nose into her neck fur before he glanced back over his shoulder at the dark enclosure beyond. “I’m delighted to be chosen as your mate, Kee.” They’d finally get their alone time. Tail curled high, he brushed off his earlier tiredness and let himself enjoy the rest of the night with Keeva, to finally unite as mates.
It wasn’t until the sun was higher than usual over the skies when First awoke, hearing more chatter than usual even from across the pasture. His ears pricked to the commotion, but he stayed resting beside Keeva, curled around her to keep her warmth as close to him as possible. He felt so at ease for the first time since their arrival in the enclosure, and now with Keeva as his solidified mate, there would be no bouncing around or questions between them. They could enjoy each other’s company as much as they wanted. He nuzzled his face into her neck fur to hide his face from the slight bit of sun peering into the concrete cave, wanting to rest as much as possible before it was time to deal with the aggravating teens across the way.

David squeezed El harder as he tried to fight tears, but it was pointless. He had watched her die in his arms over and over again the night prior, and to even have her alive with him now was something he still couldn't believe still. To watch her bleed out from the forest to the stables, to watch her entire surgery, to being terrified the night prior she would take her last breath in his presence, it was all too much to shoulder and he didn’t know what to do with it. He knew, deep down, the reasons behind his terror, beyond his past, but there was only so much he could do. Even this much vulnerability was stepping over a line. But there was hardly anything he could do. Fraeya had been out of reach for months, his bond with El before him only growing stronger with their work with the lupins and slave liberation, and he was in over his head trying to solve a loneliness that never ended. Losing El would mean the end of life for him as he knew it, and he knew it wasn’t right. It shouldn’t be that way. He should be longing for Fraeya, desperate to be sure she wouldn’t be killed like her family…but he had known her for a handful of time compared to the decade he had with Elmira. “I-I shouldn’t be putting my own emotions before yours, you need to heal a-and I’m just making it worse.” He sniffed again, but made no effort to detach himself from her embrace. It was so soothing, so warm, despite all the trauma she had suffered the night prior. He would take what he could get. “I’m just so, so thankful you’re safe, El.” He whispered something under his breath, but couldn’t get himself to say anything louder as he continued to hold her, grounding himself that she was here, that she was alive, and that she was going to be okay.

Keraa listened to Alyana explain before nodding slowly, digesting the information as much as she could for just waking up. Elmira was injured, but luckily stable…it seemed Alyana was working herself a long night to try and keep her that way. Keraa was about to get up to accompany the aasimar when she fell back, stumbling and crashing a vase onto the floor. “Woah, woah, easy there,” she said, catching Alyana when she came back to the bench to sit her down securely. She looked over her worriedly, checking her forehead for fever and her pulse from her wrist. “Yes, you shouldn’t be so disoriented. Are you feeling ill?” Before she could get an answer, Alyana emptied her stomach to the side, and Keraa winced in sympathy. “Yeah, that answers my question…you need to get back to bed to let Legion take care of you for a while. I’ll go check on Elmira and have someone inform you. I’m not you, but you’ve taught me a bit, so your assistants can fill me in and I’ll do what I can in your absence. It doesn’t do us any good to have you under the weather and trying to help a more serious case.” She took the edge of her shirt and cleaned the corners of Alyana’s mouth gently, before gesturing over a guard and asking them to fetch Legion to carry his wife back to their quarters, and another to get some ginger tea. Once that was done, she looked back to the healer and sighed softly. “If anything serious happens, we will have David teleport you himself back and forth if that is what it takes. But we won’t have you working while indisposed. Is this new? You weren’t feeling quite this bad yesterday, at least, not that I saw.”

Mentioning his ear sent a jolt of fear down Ander’s spine, and he halted temporarily as he tried to get past the memories surrounding it. But he tried to muster the courage as she spoke of the pack, and he followed her as they made their way from the infirmary towards the foyer of the castle. Ander took in everything that they passed, everything that could be useful in case he needed to hide or run, but he couldn’t imagine he would get far with the scattered guards and the others he could smell, but could not see. “My ear…” he started, tucking his tail underneath him. “I…I made someone upset. I’ve been through a lot recently and it just kinda boiled to the surface. I made a mistake and it was stupid, so I got punished for it.” He pressed himself against her slightly as they walked, finding comfort in the softness of her fur compared to his own. “I’m sure I can come up with a better story though for your pack, maybe fighting off a bear or something.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Laying comfortably against her mate, Keeva groaned as the sound of commotion amongst the pack caught her attention, waking her from her slumber. "Wh-what time is it?" She asked as she slowly opened her eyes somewhat curious about what was going on but overall she didn't want to get up and leave her mate. Their time together was wonderful, it was the first time she felt cherished and wanted in more than a lustful way. A bit of time passed before Keeva finally sighed, becoming a bit irritated and concerned about the chatter outside "We should probably see what the noise is about…." She murmured to him as she pulled herself up into an upright position. Keeva was concerned about the judgment to come, she honestly didn't intend to stay with him all night but… how could she not after declaring him her mate and doing what the birds and the bees do. She was still experiencing that itch for him, it just wasn't as intense now, they could possibly stand to be within a fair distance of each other now without being distracted by one anothers raging hormones. Licking his face, nuzzling into him, the female sighed one last time before finally standing to her paws. “It’s time to step out into the light I suppose.” She told him as she looked towards the blinding light of the day and started towards the opening.


David’s arms tightened around her, squeezing her tightly as if trying to solidify that she was alive and truly breathing in his arms rather than a figment of his imagination. Her grip on him didn’t faulter however, she held him tightly as he continued to hold her. The centaurs' own tears fell, she wanted to tell him how she felt towards him, how she’s always felt towards him… and eventually about Seala. However, this was not the time nor would it ever be… He didn’t love her like that and he also had Fraeya. She was sure their distance wouldn’t be the end of them given how passionate they were, afterall the two were to be wed. David finally spoke to her, telling her he shouldn’t be putting his emotions before hers. “It’s okay David, “ She murmured to him through her own tears. “Shhh…” She shushed him gently as she patted his bad comfortingly. “You’re not making anything worse… I promise.” She told him as she continued to sooth the crumbling man before her. “I am too… “ She murmured to him before hearing him whisper something, however she couldn’t make it out, “Hmm?” She hummed, questioning what he had said curiously as she sniffed.

Putting hand to her head Alyana sighed softly, upset with herself for somehow becoming ill. How had she contracted an illness and of all times to be sick… She was so embarrassed for getting sick before Keraa, the castle hands were going to have to deal with the stomach turning mess. Keraa was quick to clear Alyana of her medical work after seeing her become ill. “But I- “ Stopping her complaint, Alyana knew she needed to take care of herself, the sooner she got to feeling better the sooner she could tend to her patients again. “Alright… please keep me updated on her condition.” She told Keraa, though the Healer didn’t let it affect her work, she cared a lot about Elmira and worried for the mother in her current state. “Thank you, I appreciated that.” She murmured to the woman as she felt another wave of nausea hit her. “Yes, It seems to have come on after I worked on Elmira.. I haven’t used much of my spells dealing in healing until last night. Or at least not for as long as I have in the past so I’m assuming it has to do with that.” She told Keraa as she waited for the Ginger tea and her husband to arrive to take her back to their room.

Pausing as Ander did, Maliha looked back at him a tilt of her head following as she looked at him confused and worried, “Whats wrong?” She asked him as she nuzzling him lovingly. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have brought it up… “ She said, her ears low and her tail tucked for bringing back painful memories to her mate. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought up such bad memories..” She apologized, keeping her ears down. The two began to walk again, Ander pressing himself up against her as they traveled. Eventually, her ears began to perk up again chuckling at his mention of making a better story up. “No Ander, there is no need to lie to my pack. We will just avoid that topic for now.” She told him softly licking his good ear before playfully nipping his cheek furr and trotting ahead of him, her tail brushing under his chin as she walked ahead of him. A faint sweet scent trailing her every move.

The Other Side

First yawned with bright teeth as Keeva awoke beside him, seemingly as irritated as he was that they were not risen naturally but by the sounds of the pack beyond. “I have no idea what time it is. Too early if you ask me.” He gave her face a few licks before she stood, and he stood beside her with a long, slow stretch to wake his legs for the day. Her pelt was always the brightest during the earliest hours of the morning, and he smiled to see the sun cascading over her. Maybe it was the hormones talking, but she was prettier than she ever was before, and his tail began to wag fervently behind him as he walked beside her to the pack. His ears perked up to hear what was ahead, and found his father barking at the youth, most of them with ears and tails tucked beneath them. Two stood in front of him, quivering before their alpha as he snapped and growled before nipping them both in the shoulder as punishment and sending them on their way. They were promptly separated, and sent to isolated corners for the day without food. Which, as First pulled over the hill, noticed it was missing entirely. Cloven whipped around to see him and Keeva and growled, but once their scents rolled over to him, he merely huffed and stalked back to his mates who were watching carefully from the sidelines. First saw his sister Piece walk with the terrified teen female, while Clare walked up to him with a roll of her eyes. “First of all, you missed the commotion.” She grinned, clearly not as bothered by the situation as their father was. “Second, I had a feeling this would happen.” She plopped her rear on the ground triumphantly. “You’re not the only two who decided to sneak off - somehow two of the teens got caught early this dawn. Nobody knows how they did it, but they managed. So, understandably, Dad threw an absolute hissy fit. It’s all taken care of now. The only problem remaining is the meat supply - it’s almost middle-sun and there hasn’t been a trace of our caretakers.”

David held Elmira for a long while, continuing to ground himself in knowing she was here, and her grip was still strong enough to hold him in return. He pressed himself close just to feel her warmth, her heartbeat. Eventually when he spoke, she asked what he had whispered, but he shook his head and gave her one final squeeze before pulling away from her and brushing tears away with his sleeve. “I-It’s not important. What is important, though, is getting you some food and water. That wound won’t heal itself without some sustenance to fuel it.” He climbed precariously through the deep hay and covering of the stall, not being a very stable surface for a sleep-deprived king, but once he reached the door he opened it to see a stablehand standing there with a pitcher of clean water and a plate of crackers. “Oh, thank you.” He wasn’t expecting anything to be provided for. He took them with a small smile before he walked back to Elmira, the boy closing the door behind them as he poured her a glass and raised it to her. “If you need my help, I’m not leaving your side until you’re cleared to be unmonitored. I’ll be right here.”

Keraa was about to argue with the healer, defending her position on the matter, but the woman was quick to relent and understand that her quality of work would lack if she was not at her best. Sighing in relief, she pat her shoulder gently with a nod. “I’ll keep you updated with everything I can. Vitals, overall condition, wound status, anything that can fit on a piece of parchment. You’ll be sick of my updates.” Smiling softly, she then listened as Alyana tried to find the source of her illness, and what could have caused it. Keraa tilted her head as she thought about it as well. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the overuse of your spells after a long dry spell was the culprit. Your body wasn’t used to using so much in one day, let along not getting any sleep to recoup it either.” The woman flexed a hand before placing it gently on the back of Alyana’s neck, creating a soothing cool touch to allow her to relax. It was a few minutes before the tea was brought out, and the woman handed it to the healer carefully as the steam rolled through the air. “There, you drink that whole cup. I don’t have to tell you how to care for yourself, but I know Legion and I will make sure you don’t neglect your own health.” Speaking of the male, she heard loud hoofsteps down the hallway, and she giggled softly when she saw the tiefling race around the corner and up to the two of them, not even out of breath. “Alya, my love.” He was frantic before, but with Keraa in the vicinity, he composed himself to not be such a panicked male as he took in the scene before him with a frown. She really was sick. “I will take you to our suite. You will rest there until you are yourself again.” He stepped forward to take her when Keraa stood to her feet, pushing the male back a step. “Woah, easy there lupa. You’re going to spill her tea, and make her spill her innards while you’re at it.” She smirked, loving to see the male’s disgruntled expression down at her. “Let her drink all her tea, make sure she’s not nauseous, and then you can take her back to your love nest. You males and your eagerness.” Rolling her eyes, she looked back at Alyana with a smile, “And don’t let him step out of line. You may not feel well, but you use that to your full advantage. Sugar coat the crap out of your needs and really get Legion fawning over you. I do the same with Kochab, and it is too fun to be waited on hand and foot.” Winking, she strode past the two towards the stables, leaving Legion to growl after her before he seated himself carefully next to his wife, his tail curling securely around her waist. “I will wait as I am told,” he spoke, watching a few of the attendants of the castle clean up the messes around them without a word. “It is rather early to be up, and I was worried you would not be used to the constant awakenings. Are you feeling alright? Is there anything I can do?”

Ander didn’t want her to apologize, it wasn’t her fault, and he expressed as much as they walked through the castle and eventually through the front door where the fresh air blew across his fur. He relaxed slightly to be back in his natural environment as he watched Maliha pass him, her tail brushing under his chin and leaving a rather sweet scent following her. Though he wasn’t sure what the scent was, it did cause his heart to beat a bit faster, and a blush formed across his cheeks as he bounded up to walk next to her. He would ask about it but feared the answer. “Are…are your pack members spread out? Or have they settled in one area?” he asked, staying pinned to her side as they walked past people in the courtyard and into the town streets. It was terrifying to be around so many people, and he growled at a few that got too close, but they must have seen him with Maliha and known of the adjustments she had mentioned earlier that their fear wasn’t nearly the height he expected it to be. He didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. It was worse to not even understand what was being discussed around him, but he would manage. His imprint and mate was at his side, and he could make it through anything with her help. “I’m shocked you all know common too…I guess it’s called that for a reason but my pack was always so isolated from people until our capture. I don’t know a single thing they’re saying, and I don’t like it very much.” Sighing, he looked back to her, into her wide curious eyes, and smirked just slightly. “Maybe you could become my translator, though, if I’m going to be positive about this.”

Keeva,The Queen’s Pet

Seeing the light ahead of them as they stepped out of the den, Keeva chuckled at First’s answer, “Too early? It looks like it’s mid-day.” She chuckled as he showered her in kisses. “Come on, let's get this day moving I suppose…. And see what all the fuss is about.” She rolled her eyes a bit with a smile on her muzzle. Surely, Cloven was just done with the teens and their hormonal outbursts. “Seems Cloven has had it with the teens.” She murmured as she too caught on to the alpha’s voice snapping at the youths. Getting to the top of the hill, Keeva tilted her head as she noticed there was no new crates… Looking to the enclosure gate, “Where are the caretakers?” She murmured to First before trotting towards the group with her mate. Arrive beside her mate just after Cloven’s growl, Keeva sighed, “I knew at least one person wouldn’t be thrilled with us…” She murmured to him. The Lupa’s eyes watched as one of her mates' sisters lead a female teen back to her group. ‘Oh no… ‘ looking at Clare, Keeva was ready to listen to what the female had to say about the scene they missed. Sighing Keeva growled annoyed with herself for allowing something to happen. “Of course they did…” She grumbled, “Unfortunately, they will have to learn the hard way I suppose.” She shook her head disappointed in the youth as well as herself for allowing to dive so deep into her desires rather than her job to the pack. Perking her ears at the news, Keeva once again looked to the gate, “That’s not like them at all… I’ll go see if I can hear any commotion in the barn.” the she-wolf told them as she started to step away to go to the gate.

Held tightly against David's chest, Elmira could feel his heart beating out of his chest, his warmth, his scent, she missed this closeness from him… truly she yearned for it . The woman continued to rub his back as she held him close to her. Elmira’s curiosity rose as David rubbed off what he said as being nothing, but she wasn’t going to push it, he may have just been saying a small prayer or something, though that didn’t seem like him at all to her. With that, David had loosened his grip causing the injured woman to frown slightly. She missed having him so close, it made her heart ache but it was time she rested and got something to eat and drink, she had only just awake from being under anesthetic for a couple minutes after all. “You’re right.” She murmured as she watched him climb through the deep straw, she hadn’t even realized she was on straw until now. It was covered with a thick linen which made it a lot more comfortable then she thought it would be. Looking back at her wound she sighed, it was seeping, probably because it had to be left open enough to allow for drainage. Recalling the sword being plunged into her body… it was a wonder it didn’t come out the otherside. Looking at her leg that was also wrapped up she studied it, was she still able to use it? Moving her ankle she nodded her head reassured the leg wasn’t crippled from the stab wound it endured. “I hope that beastly man bleeds out in the woods.” She spat to herself hatefully towards the man who did this to her, who tried to harm her friends and those she knew. Soon enough David came back with a plate of crackers, a glass, and a pitcher of fresh water. “Oh, that was a lot faster than expected.” She spoke softly, still in some pain and also rather exhausted in all honesty. “Thank you.” She spoke to him as she held the glass while he poured her a glass. Putting the cup to her lips she nearly drank the entire glass in one go, she was rather thirsty to her surprise and the hunger pains hit quickly after. However, she ate slowly, knowing if she ate too fast it would probably upset her mending organs. “Do you know when I’ll be able to eat more than crackers?” She asked him curiously as she picked one up to enjoy. She ate with just as much etiquette as she had back in the red light district, a habit that never left her, one of many actually. Looking up at David as he told her he wasn’t leaving her side she looked at him with some surprise in her eyes before a bit of a blush took her pale cheeks. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She murmured, not willing to argue the subject, rather she wanted him there. “Don’t neglect yourself however, alright?” She spoke to him softly before lifting her empty glass for another refill.


Alyana lifted her eyes to Keraa as she reassured her, “Thank you, I wouldn’t have it… any other way.” she paused as she was being hit with another wave of nausea. She truly just wanted to get back to her room at this point. Nodding her head at Keraa’s next comment, Alya was pretty sure that was the reason for her illness. “Yes, just a days rest should be enough, I - would imagine.” She dry heaved covering her mouth as she feared she was about to wretch all over again. She had nothing in her stomach at all, not even a glass of water she didn’t understand how she could even manage to puke again. The cool touch to the back of her neck was helpful, it took her mind off the nausea in the stomach for the moment, relaxing more than before. The smell of tea filled the air which caused the ill healer to perk up just a touch as she gently took the hot cup of ginger tea to drink. “Thank you, I’ll drink it all don’t worry.” She smiled at her kind friend before blowing on the tea gently and taking a sip. “I have no intention of neglecting myself.” She told her before taking another drink. “Not now that I’m rather incapable of carrying on.” she added between her sips. Hearing Legion’s hoove steps, Alyana looked up and forced a smile through her paling completion. “Legion my love, I am not feeling the best… “ She told him softly embarrassed at the mess just off to the side that was in the process of being cleaned up. “Yes, she’s right I need to finish my tea before we head back to the room. It’ll help settled my stomach at least a touch.” she shared, “Which is something I’d give anything for at this moment.” She briefly chuckled, her smile faded rather quickly however. Keraa’s next comment didn’t get much of a relation out of Alyana, she wasn’t feeling well enough to blush or really say anything in response. “I’ll - keep that … in mind.” She murmured before groaning and holding her stomach. It was not pleased with the ginger like she was in hopes of it being or maybe she was simply hungry now. Quickly, the woman took down the rest of the tea, ready to be back home in bed, “Take me home please.” She asked Legion as she gripped the sleeve of his shirt. “I feel horrible…” She muttered to him. When his tail curled about her waist she felt more discomfort, placing her free hand on his tail gently, she carefully pulled it away. “I’m sorry my love… my stomach is just too upset for your tail to be around my waist.” She murmured softly to him. “Just take me back to our home please.” she murmured in response to his question about helping her.

“Sort of, the fire last night probably has a lot of the druids within the forest mending it… I will have to go out there too at some point but for now I will stay with you.” She told him, her tail wagging as he made it to her side, “Those that can’t help with the damages to the forest will be here in town. My Uncle will be one of them.” She told him before nuzzling up against him, checking his bandages very briefly as she did. Hearing his growls however, Maliha bumped his head gently, not wanting to aggravate his bound wounds, “You’ll scare them Ander, they mean no harm I promise.” She told him before licking his muzzle in a comforting manner. “Oh, my pack has known how to speak common for generations. It was our founder's mission to make sure his pack understood the outside world. That way they could understand their enemies and now ,of course, our friends and allies.” the Lupa informed him before looking at him, “Then I’ll teach you, that way you can understand them, so you’re not so unsettled by their presence.” She suggested before nodding her head, “For now yes, I’ll be your translator.” She giggled nipping his cheek tuff before hearing a familiar voice. “Maliha? Who’s that?” The younger male stood there wide eyed to see her so touchy touchy with the stranger. “Oh Roan, this is Ander, my imprint. Ander this is Roan, he is one of our apprentice fighters.” She introduced the two but Roan simply looked hurt before growling lowly and muttering “Well, when you get the chance you need to help with the forest.” he growled once more telling them, “Congratulations..” in a rather hateful manner. Sighing, Maliha looked to Ander, “Don't think much of him… he’s had a crush on me for a long time but I’ve never had an interest in the male.” She told him unphased by the unsightly encounter. As they traveled a bit further a couple children from the village ran up to them giggling, “Maliha!” the little ones echoed in unison as they ran up to the lupa smothering her in hugs and kisses, Maliha giggling with them, pawing at the children, careful not to hurt them, “You two need to get back to your parents… It’s lunch time isn’t it?” she reminded the felines before watching them bound off back home. Her tail wagged as she watched them run away waving goodbye as quickly as they had ran in with their kind affections. “The children in this village love us Lupa… never ever growl or snap at them. They mean no harm at all.” She told her imprint, “If you ever hurt a child here it will not go unpunished by the pack or by David.” she warned him for future reference. Smiling at him she pawed at his muzzle playfully before motioning for him to continued with her, “If you need to stop for a rest let me know.” She happily told him her tail wagging quickly.