Animal Magnetism (Lady Jace x Bunny)

[Lady Jace Beleren]

A week until the full moon. A full week of his skin crawling every time the sun went down. For the rest of the pack, it was worse, of course. They still saw a difference between the human and the wolf, had yet to accept that they were just two halves of the same now. Ash was years past that now.

Ash, no extra complications, was what people thought of as a werewolf. Not the same thing from the horror movies, but close enough to count. There was no changing into a half-man-half-beast and rampaging around town. No, when he changed, he was nothing but a normal wolf with an overdeveloped human mind inside fighting with animal instinct. Parts of it were true enough. The full moon made them change and caused them to give in to animal instinct, but they could control it otherwise. As far as he went, Ash could even hold on during the moon, though it felt like sitting on needles. The rest of the pack, as much as one could call it that, they basically turned into nothing but animals during those nights.

Today, though, he was embracing a little bit of his human side. Newton insisted that Ash go into town every few days to be around people. As a result, most people thought of Ash as a local weirdo. He was always underdressed for the weather, flashed a decent amount of cash, talked little, and seemed to just be distant from everyone and everything. He hated it. But, Newton made the rules for the House and, as long as he kept the pack living an easy life during their human hours, Ash would behave himself.

Newton was a madeup name just as much as Ash was. No one at the House used their real names, even if it was no big secret. Newton got his name for being the brains of the pack and Ash, well his was obvious enough. The rest picked their own and sometimes those names changed. It was just another part of the ever-shifting life of the pack. Some lived there full-time, while others came and went like it was some kind of wolf vacation home. They would party, fuck, give in to the animal inside, and on the nights where they all shed their human form, Ash led them out into the wilds around the House. It was a life and he hated very little about it, aside from his forced interaction with the normal world.

Lately, Ash had begun to feel a new itch, though. A need for something more than just fun and distraction. It might have had something to do with him being in his late twenties, the exact count of years lost to the woods. Maybe it was just boredom at the repeating cycle of things. Most likely, it was because of her.

It had started with just another one of his mandatory trips to town. Rustic as things were, the town was about ten years behind. Even by his standards, or at least the standards he had adjusted to living under Newton's Laws, the place was rather basic. There were shops and restaurants, all the things you would expect to find in a self-sufficient place like this, but major franchises had only begun to tickle the edges of the town, chipping away at family business. The only thing that could be found here that you could not find at every turn off the major highway was the zoo.

Sunrise Rescue was not the normal kind of zoo. No, animals there were treated for injuries or rescued from unsafe homes. Many of them returned to the wild or were placed for adoption at the local shelter once they were healed. The ones that could not return to a normal life were given a place to stay. It was a kindness that Ash found few places in the human world possessed. He found himself visiting often and Newton had made a sizeable donation when he found that Ash had taken a liking to the place. The real reason he returned so often was unrelated to animals, however.

She, name yet unknown, had been taking care of an injured wolf when he first spotted her. Curious, Ash had watched from a distance. The wolf had no hind legs and could only move because of a custom kart attached at the waist. He sat stoic and proud until she entered the enclosure. Then, the wolf broke character, turning and rushing to be at her side. He watched her groom the wolf, adjusting the harness and scratching with a genuine affection that made both his and the old wolf's eyes sparkle. There were no words for her, for the joy she brought the wolf, the beauty Ash saw in her face and in her heart. She was a gorgeous winter wolf in the skin of a human, just like he was, and he knew from that moment that he had to have her.

Before long, it was Ash that was making excuses to go into the town. He always checked Sunrise first, of course. Watching her take care of the animals gave him a small joy, despite the jealousy it began to provoke. When she could not he found there, he searched elsewhere. Sometimes in the little Cafe down the road, sometimes at the stores. Never at the few franchises that popped up. One evening, he had even caught her trail leading to a small apartment building. That had been when things turned.

Ash knew it was wrong, knew every human law and social construct said he was wrong, but he could not resist. Once night came, he would shift, abandoning his human form for the stealth of the wolf. Like everything else in town, the woods skirted the edge of the building. He found a perch on a rock, far enough outside the lights to keep him hidden, but close enough to watch. This was how Ash spent his time, a voyeur looking in on a woman who likely did not know he existed.

He would change that soon. He would have her for himself. For now, he just needed to wait.

 

[Bunny]

The sun struggled to break through the heavy cloud cover and Tamsyn was for one grateful. Even without the sun it was fucking hot. Her long white hair was pulled into a high ponytail, the tips brushing her neck, turning a deeper silver from the sweat beading there. Shifting the bucket's weight she gently nudged the pen to the wolves' open. The squeak of the gate was the last alert they were given, though they had likely heard her coming, humming softly under her breath as she walked. Rolling her shoulders as she set the bucket down she smiled at the pack as they came towards her. "Hello," her voice was soft and sweet as she crooned to them. Kneeling she ruffled Blackbeard's ears, his wheels coming to a stop on the dusty ground near her feet. "Hey handsome, been a good boy?" She knew he'd actually been causing some trouble, but she didn't blame him. She'd have been mischievous too in his place with the newer members of the staff if she could. "You gave Toby quite the fright. He just doesn't know what a big teddy bear you are!" Rising she dusted off her jeans and bent to pick up the bucket. Though she was carrying their food, they didn't jostle her as she made her way to the back of the enclosure. No, her wolves were good boys and girls and waited for their food like perfect gentlemen and ladies.

While they air she reclined in the shade, taking a moment to relax before getting back to work. Working at the Zoo was rewarding, though Zoo was a pitiful term for what they did there. Animal rehabilitation and rescue. That was their real focus. Naturally, some like Blackbeard would never be able to be released. Her eyes flickered to the male, the perfect gold and blue orbs focusing on him. Granted he still acted like a puppy, but he wouldn't make it in the wild. Other wolves or rough terrain... then it came to the likelihood of him feeding himself... No, her boy would be with her until he died and if she had anything to say about it, that would be a long way off. Groaning softly as she looked to the fence line, she had become accustomed to the white haired male who often visited the sanctuary. She'd yet to talk to him, but at times it almost felt like he stalked her from exhibit to exhibit. It hadn't bothered her much, he hadn't done anything that could be seen as untoward and she knew he or.. his family? Supported the zoo.

Stretching she laughed as she felt a wet nose brush against her shoulder. Turning her head she found Blackbeard staring at her, his tail wagging. "Hey." Scratching at his ears she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his nose. He was a wild animal, they all were. But she'd never been afraid of them. She seemed to just have a way with animals, one she'd never once questioned. "Alright, enough lazing about, yeah?" Her hand received a nip and she chuckled as she rose. "Okay, okay, I am going!"

・✦ ʚ♡ɞ ✦ ・​

It was almost eleven before she locked the back gate to the zoo. Staying late wasn't uncommon for her and in truth, Tamsyn was more than happy too. There was one downside however, dinner. She couldn't cook to save her life and she'd been putting off a run to the store for days now and not even a frozen meal waited for her at home. While she didn't normally favor fast-food, it would be the best, scratch that.. the only option if she wanted to eat. Pocketing her keys she began walking toward the main road. Tamsyn didn't drive and she didn't own a bike. It was a nice night though, she could feel the cool night air caressing her skin. It made her close her eyes and give a soft groan of pleasure. The rough gravel gave way to concrete as she walked onto the main road that would take her to the middle of town. The sad little McDonalds would still be open, hoping to tempt weary travelers in for a bite to eat. For her, it was a saving grace in times like this.

It was a moonless night, the stars though still hidden from the light of the small town. It was a pity, Tamsyn thought, but she understood why they had lit the town so well. Humming softly, her progress was leisurely. With no rush to get to where she was going she was enjoying her walk home. Perhaps some would find that odd, when she'd spent most of the day on her feet, but this little bit of time was hers... No one with questions or demands of her. She never minded the animals, but the people could wear on her nerves at times. Even today she had to stop a small child from climbing the porcupine exhibit. He'd have likely been fine... but she hadn't wanted to risk it. Then, she'd been yelled at for a solid fifteen minutes for making the child cry by stopping him when his mother finally had shown up.

No, the peaceful night was the perfect time of the day... nothing could spoil it.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Were Ash to know exactly how much he had been noticed, he might have toned things down for the moment. That Tamsyn knew he was connected to the rest of the pack, or at least Newton, was a big mistake. Of course, Newton was well known and liked by the town. He brought in money that no one could trace, lived in the woods, and disappeared for weeks at a time, but he was bright and personable when it came to the normal humans. If they knew how he acted in the confines of the House, the way he flaunted his power and money to have his way, they might think Ash was the kinder soul.

What truly bothered the white wolf, though, was the way she tended to the older male in captivity. A playful ruffling of fur here, a kiss on the snout there. The wheeled wolf was reveling in her attention and, though Ash could not be certain, seemed to flaunt it whenever he visited the Zoo. Every little gesture of affection, every time the injured wolf locked with her mismatched eyes, it was followed by a glance in Ash's direction. Normally, Ash found more kinship in animals than he did in humans, rode closer to that side of the line all of his kind walker. This wolf, though, managed to make his guts twist with a jealousy that Ash could no longer abide. It would have to be tonight.

----------

It was getting late. Almost midnight by his best guess when he saw that bright white hair catching all the light of the town. She stayed late again, which meant that she would likely stop to get some of that disgusting fast food. Whatever they called meat in those patties did not appeal to his canine senses, not when combined with his human mind. The others likely would have lapped it up in either of their forms, given the chance.

This meant that Ash knew where she would be headed. Still wholly human, he padded on bare feet over the rough ground of the forest floor. His soles were tough enough that none of the little bits of debris hurt, his steps light enough that he would not make any undue noise. Tonight was likely one of the last chances he would have before the leaves began to turn and stealth became complicated. His impatience was turning out to be the correct course. All that was left was to bait the trap.

He hurried ahead, cutting corners through the street when needed. Aside from his bare feet, Ash stood out only because of the brisk night air, his plain black t-shirt and shorts stark against his pale skin. Not that there were many people out this late. He could afford a shortcut or two. Knowing her destination ahead of time, having followed Tamsyn's habits more than he cared to admit, gave him a distinct time advantage. So much so that, by the time his prey passed by a specific road, he was ready.

Ash had discarded the t-shirt and shorts beneath a tree. He would retrieve them later or let them be lost. What mattered was that he needed to shift. It was always a little different, both from person to person and time to time. Some ached before and after, some felt jolts of pain during. For Ash, it was as smooth as breathing. Only during the full moons did it pain him, and only if he resisted. That was the one consistent part, the agony of fighting that pull. Tonight, with the moon still halved, he was an inhale as human, a tightness all over his body as skin pulled over muscle and reshaped, then an exhale as a wolf. His artic colored coat stood out against the bright lights of the town, making him almost glow.

The road he had picked was barely even enough to be called that. It was asphalt that gave way to gravel and finally just became woods. Not even deemed worthy of a sign with a dead president's name. It was, however, where Ash waited to be seen. It went just as planned, almost to his surprise. People were as unpredictable as animals, after all. Less than ten minutes later, his blue orbs met her mismatch and Tamsyn was stepping into a trap that she had no reason to expect.

This part, Ash truly felt sorry for. He knew this had to be done, had seen that this human belonged in his life, but abusing her kindness to so it felt wrong. Still, he went on. Standing with all the dignity of a wolf, Ash left his back leg lifted and slightly curled. He turned away from her and began a slow trot into the forest at the end of the road. Each set of steps had a hiccup of movement as he feigned a limp. She would follow. There was no doubt in his mind.

So, he led deeper into the woods, having to stop on occasion to make sure that her clumsy human feet did not lose their way in the darkness. His fur was like a beacon even in the low moonlight, his limp doing little to detract from the regal appearance of this form. He went deeper, cutting past objects that might be familiar. The very edge of her apartment complex, the large rock he used as his roost when he watched her, a few roads that were so broken and barren that they might well have been game trails. It was a few miles before, finally, it came into view.

The House was a monstrosity of older times. Wider than it was tall, it had a large porch on the front, covering the whole face of the building. Dozens of windows indicated that the inside was much more maze-like than the traditional appearance hinted at. Even more bizarre was how well kept it was, clean and without signs of wear that the design usually came with. Most bizarre was the fact that the front door was opened wide and the white wolf showed no hesitation to enter, glancing behind for one moment to lock eyes again with Tamsyn.

 

[Bunny]

She hadn't been aware of how they were connected or who Newton was. If she'd been asked, she might have been able to form a vague image in her mind and while he was personable, he'd had little to no interaction with Tamsyn herself. All she knew of was the large donation that had been made. It had allowed them to fix some things that had been in need of dire repair. So she'd been grateful to the strange white haired man, though she had never felt the need to thank him. He'd never talked to her and she figured that he preferred his space.

It had been Blackbeard who had first alerted her to his presence and she'd waved, but when it hadn't been returned she had just smiled softly and returned to her work. As to the animosity between the wolves, she hadn't recognized it. Why would she? Her attention was solely on the animals, their care and the affection she could provide. While busy, she noticed changes in their behavior and she hadn't seen anything that was a change in the elder wolf's behavior. Beyond seeing him look at the man a few times.. Even then there had been no hostility she could discern...

・✦ ʚ♡ɞ ✦ ・​

She'd been walking for a bit when she noticed some movement to the side of the road. Pausing she looked at the line of the woods when she spotted one of the most beautiful wolves she'd ever seen. "Hello.." her voice was cautious as her eyes swept along her body. It was odd for a wild wolf to be so close to the town. Not unheard of, but rare. Then she saw the leg and she frowned, her eyes darkening. "Oh, poor baby. How did you get hurt?" Slowly she'd moved closer to him, trying to get a better view, wary enough to not spook him into attacking her. He turned though as she got closer and she swore silently. She hadn't been able to see his leg and while she knew it was foolish to follow him, she couldn't leave him hurt.

He looked healthy enough beyond the leg, but for how long? If she could get close enough, maybe call the animal rescue, they could get him to the zoo and have him healed in no time. She followed him into the dark woods, with little care for her own wellbeing, following his silvery fur through the darkness. He seemed to be leading her somewhere and she couldn't help but wonder if his mate had been hurt, or a pup and he was trying to get help for them. The path was odd, looping in and out of the town at times, even close to her apartment at one time. It didn't worry her too much, as she stumbled after him. While he was almost graceful with his injured leg, she was human and couldn't see the branches as they rose in her path or the dipping holes. Her boots slipped and slid along the decomposing leaves as she followed him.

Her breathing never became ragged but as they neared a looming house in the darkness, she was panting slightly. A house? She had never seen it before, but it wasn't like she often went wandering in the woods after a wolf.. The wolf though had not seemed scared of the human home and even as she got closer, she could tell it was well maintained. Frowning, she slowly approached the handsome house. This was honestly the first time anything in her mind rose in question of exactly what she thought she was doing. Shifting, she pulled her phone from her back pocket, though she didn't go to call anyone, but turned the flashlight on as she neared the porch. "Hello?" Her voice was soft now, unsure as she peered into the doorway, slowly mounting the stairs. Just within she could see the wolf and she shook her head and motioned to him. "Hey, you shouldn't be in there, baby. Come here. let me help you."

She didn't use that silly baby voice some used on animals, she did speak softly, slowly to show she meant no harm, but otherwise she could have been speaking to a human...

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Watching Tamsyn enter the House behind him was a thrill. It had actually worked. The whole idea had been a bit of a gamble, though the risk had been small. While it was her white hair and the almost lupine eye that initially made Ash so interested in her, the kindness that she showed to others, and especially to animals, was what had earned her a place in his affections. She could not ignore an injured wolf, even with all the strangeness of his actions.

The House itself was a bit more modern on the inside. From the entrance, Tamsyn could see the entrance to a living room area, where the wolf stood, a long hallway with various openings to other rooms, and a wide staircase leading up to the next floor. There were half a dozen sets of shoes next to the doorway, a rule meant to keep the House clean despite the residents' habit of turning into wolves at random times. What was lacking was the presence of people, despite obviously being lived in. Ash had been given a little breathing room for his plan.

This plan consisted of luring Tamsyn inside then shifting and overpowering her. Even up to the moment she entered, that had been Ash's intention. It was not until she saw him and spoke to him that his mind changed. Her voice was too soft, too full of the kindness he appreciated so much, for him to simply attack the woman. That would be too much of a betrayal. Despite this sudden attack of morals, he had no intention of giving up. This was where she belonged, he was sure of it.

So, with a few cautious steps forward, now giving up on the ruse of the limp, Ash made his way up to her. This close, the difference in size became more apparent. While she stood taller on her two legs, a full grown wolf still made her look tiny in comparison. The ones she worked with in the zoo had the same effect, but they were used to humans. Ash stood before her as a completely wild animal, and one that had was injured as far as she could tell.

He used this to control the situation. Moving with animal grace, Ash slid around behind her, brushing his body against her leg and side. For the first time, he breathed in her scent at full force. Not diluted by the other animals and people at the zoo, not from a distance as it drifted on the wind, but her full scent. It was lovely, flowery, and his wolf brain, full of human mind, found it intoxicating. Against his will, Ash began to slowly wag his tail, pleased to be this close.

Now behind her, Ash tilted his head and pressed against the small of her back. It started gentle, but insistent. When he got no response, it became more forceful, almost shoving Tasmsyn toward the stairs. He gave her little room to argue, his animal strength and threat of violence working as extra encouragement. Keeping up the pushing even as his nails clicked on the wooden floor, Ash led her up to the top of the stairs.

The second floor was much more open, almost like a dormitory common room. It contained seven doors and a few scatterings of furniture. While the front room was perfectly clean and organized, this room looked more used. The chairs were worn, moved slightly out of their intended positions. The couch had a few small tears and the different colors of fur were visible on it. However, the wolf was once again insistent on where Tamsyn should move. He pushed toward the only open door, in the far corner, which contained another set of stairs.

At the top of these stairs was, for all intents and purposes, a bedroom. It contained all the things one might expect. A large bed, decorated in plain white sheets, a dresser, along with a smaller clone of the dresser topped with a television, and even a large and comfortable looking chair. There were two doors on the back wall of the room. This was their destination.

Without warning, the wolf stopped the insistent pressure on her back. The animal made a small noise, a simple snuff of air as it exhaled sharply. Then, the animal was gone. Before Tamsyn could turn to investigate, the white wolf had taken on the shape of a man again. He stood, fully nude, directly behind her, his height towering over her. The look in his eyes was serious, almost dangerous. He moved quickly, wrapping his arms around her and pinning her own to her sides. His head leaned forward and once again, the man mimicked the wolf and took in a deep breath of her scent. He had her.

 

[Bunny]

While the outside of the home had seemed a bit derelict, the inside was clearly cared for and loved. It was lived in and comfortable and that was obvious even to her in the darkness of the main room. Tamsyn knew he shouldn't be in here... So she'd tried to lure him out with the soft calmness of her voice, but he'd ignored her. At first though, she thought he'd listen as he moved back into her, but that was until he began to herd her carefully. It was odd behavior and the limp seemed... gone. Wolves were not capable of such deception... That was a human trait. So while some alarm bells pealed in her mind she dismissed them. A voice low whispered in her min, he could have been trained to lure her here. That seemed far-fetched. Why would anyone lure her into the middle of the woods? Or take the effort to teach a wild animal to do so... It was clear he was a wolf, a large handsome boy. Not a dog or anything else.. A wolf.

"Hey stop that" She chided as he guided her. Tamsyn wouldn't fight him, but the fact that she was mounting the stairs one after another unwillingly made her nervous. She resisted, but at the moment it was more of a token effort. She didn't want to hurt the wolf. She'd noticed his tail start to wag before he'd begun to herd her.. that had been a bit confusing. Her scent, the one that had caused his tail to wag, was sweet. The delicate florals mingled with something faintly citrus with the heady notes of sandalwood and vanilla. Cresting the top of the stairs she frowned at him, looking around. "We shouldn't be in here..." She would try to move past him, finding the stairs blocked by his bulk. Frowning, she looked around. She wasn't allowed to linger though as he began to herd her once more. He seemed to know exactly where he wanted her and she could feel her heart starting to race. The excuses to this behavior were slipping away and fear was replacing them.

Finding herself inside a room she took in the bed, the television. This seemed an odd place to push her to. It was clear the home was lived in. There was no dust, signs of infestation... the things she'd have expected to see from an abandoned home. Heck everything in this room looked new or highly clean. The pressure at the back of her thighs vanished and she turned at the snuff of air from the wolf, but where there had been a wolf stood a man and she blinked. Large eyes drifted downward and her cheeks filled with bright crimson as her eyes snapped back up. He was naked! That had stunned her for a moment and she hadn't commented or complained as arms closed around her, pinning her arms to her sides. A face was pressed closed and she gave a small squeak as he inhaled her scent.

"What in the fuck?!"

This exclamation was made and she stiffened in his arms as he embraced her from behind. She could feel the closeness of his body, his warm breath curling against her neck. The feeling made her shiver and she tried to pull away to no avail. "Let me go!" The shock of seeing him naked had made his face fade from her mind, but it was coming back and she knew very well who held her in their arms.... sniffing her. He was the white haired man that she would catch watching her from the Zoo... The fact that she recalled him being handsome didn't help the situation. When he didn't release her, she lifted a small foot and brought it down hard on his own, pulling away from him as she backed away from him. Eyes wide she looked around and then made a run for it. Pushing past him she didn't hesitate to make a mad dash for the door and if she made it past the door down the stairs.

There had been a wolf, but this was lost in the fear and confusion. That rational part of her mind was pushing away all thoughts with the only intention to flee. She could still feel his breath on her skin, the way it had curled against her neck and the way it had almost made her want to shive and purr. The feeling had been foreign, odd and it had left her feeling shaken. Hand going into her pocket she tried to frantically enter her password, though the phone was not cooperating and was slick in her suddenly sweaty palms.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

All of his gentle nudging only becamw more insistent as she protested. After all, despite her obvious hesitation to go deeper into the House, he knew best. That was the way of things. While the others had struggled to come to terms with their identity as a wolf, Ash had welcomed it. He had thrown aside humanity and fully embraced the wolf. It had changed him, made him better and worse. Later, when he met Newton, Ash knew it was time to try being human again and find balance. He was sure of his choices and where they would take him. It was why he was the leader of the pack, while Newton only wielded influence through money. So, when he shifted behind Tamsyn, there was no chance it was the wrong choice.

At least, that had been what he thought as his arms wrapped around her, as he breathed in her scent, feeling calm contentment wash over him.

When Tamsyn screamed, it startled him, an animal caught off guard by something that made no sense. When her shoed foot came down hard on his bare one, Ash let out a yelp of pain. It was not what one would expect from a grown man, nor from any human at all. It was a harsh and high noise, like she had just stepped on a pet's foot. Instinct was stronger than thought, forcing him to step back and lean forward, one hand finding the floor as he stood in a three pointed stance, his other hand raised like a claw. He even bared his teeth for a moment.

This stance did not prepare him for what a human would do. Without hesitation, Tamsym pushed past him and ran down the stairs. There was no fight, no attempt to defend herself. Despite being the same species as him, there was no conflict. Instead, she ran like prey. It did make sense, in a way. She was so much smaller, unlikely to be able to best him. What did not make sense was that she felt threatened at all. He had been gentle, shown his affectionate intent. Yet, there she went, down the stairs and through the open door. Clearly, something about his intent had not come through.

However, if she was intending to act like prey, it was not so wise when dealing with an experienced predator. As she ran through the doorway and began to fumble with her phone, Ash jumped forward, extending his arms as if he planned to land flat on his face. In one fluid motion, his body did that impossible change once again. He shrank and grew all at the same time, his hands reaching the floor as paws, never breaking stride as he went from crouching human to bounding wolf.

Ash had the advantage of being familiar with the House. His body moved with the knowledge that he could hug tight to the corner of the doorway and head straight to the next corner, moving in straight lines with his powerful canine body. Tamsyn was glancing back and forth between the room and her phone, trying to get her bearings while working on the device. Before she could make it even half way to the next doorway and the stairs beyond, the white wolf landed with a soundless grace, head held high.

This time, when he shifted once again, he was face-to-face with the white haired woman, their eyes meeting. Even as he became human, his gaze never left her own. With a slow; but persistent; hand, Ash wrapped his fingers around the cell phone, pulling it from her slick fingers with ease. He hoped that she understood now. That she could see this was not simply some crazy and naked man attacking her in a house. He was the wolf who had guided her, through deceit or otherwise.

"You need to stop. Stay. Talk."

His way of speaking was halting, but each word was sharp. There was no lack of intelligence in his wildness, no difficulty communicating. He had simply become weary of wasting time on words when bodies and statements could make things clear.

"No need to be afraid. No more running."

 

[Bunny]

The flinch as she screamed went unnoticed, her fear and panic forefront as she stamped her foot into his. The yelp was perhaps satisfying, but she didn't linger on it as arms released her. His reaction past that wasn't seen, which was likely for the best, for it wouldn't have helped her mental state at the moment. The fact that'd he'd lowered to his fours was ignored as she pushed past him, fleeing. Her mind scrambled to make sense of it, but found the flashes of what had happened, what was happening hard to piece together. His intent, in his mind, had been downright terrifying to the young woman. It wasn't every day a stranger appeared naked before her, pinned her arms to her side and buried his nose in the soft spot where her neck and shoulder met. It was scary to say the least and highly freaky. It was far from normal human behavior. He was human, after all, like her. So she expected him to walk and talk like a human. The differences had not quite dawned on her yet...

Dimly she was aware of the sound of claws clicking along the hardwood floor. Which way had she come in? Spinning in place she turned to just pick a direction when a wolf appeared before her. She'd have known him anywhere, the same wolf she'd followed into this damned house. He jumped from somewhere and while she tried to figure out how to back away from him he shifted. The words that had been coming from her froze in her throat and she made a choking sound. Fingers closed around her phone, her own grip slackened by the shock of what had just happened. It was tugged easily from her grasp and she blinked at him.

He... he'd been a wolf. Her eyes widened and her breathing was coming quickly as she blinked a few times, new panic rising. While in his mind, this should have calmed her. Proven he wasn't some crazed naked man. Yet, all she saw was he'd lured her into this house... His words were halting, but it wasn't like he couldn't speak. His words were clear, she shook her head. once, twice as she backed away from him.

No need to be afraid. No more running.

A slightly hysterical laugh bubbled up from her throat as she backed away another step. "Riiight.." Her words were slow, drawn out before she turned and sprinted through the doorway beside her. Her long white hair rippled behind her as she tried to put as much distance between them as she could. A part of her brain told her how pointless this was, but she couldn't help but try. He'd be a fucking wolf! Then... a human... Her mind struggled to understand it, rejecting the truth of it all. Scrambling through the doorway, she saw the open door she'd come through. Fuck this place, this... man? Putting on a burst of speed she pushed herself harder, trying to clear the doorway before he could stop her. Her breath was coming in sharp spikes, her side burning. The panic and fear made her breath come harder. She could feel the cool night air, a foot out the door and for a moment she wondered if closing the door would do her any good, spinning she turned to close the door. It was perhaps a mistake, but he could turn into a fucking wolf.. And wolves couldn’t open doors, right?

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Humanity still held a few mysteries for Ash. He spoke well enough, though grammar and syntax still eluded him. Hid thoughts while living as a wolf had been enough of a conversation to keep his language skills sharp. Lately, he had even managed to get quite good with turns of phrase thanks to Sunshine, the female wolf with the accent that seemed to be obsessed with him. What truly eluded him was sarcasm. However, even with his limited skills, Ash could detect the sarcasm when Tamsyn said 'Riiight'.

At first, Ash was ready to let the phone fall from his hand as she dashed past him. Again, he thought back to what he had learned from living with humans. If one thing angered them, it was losing their phones, one way or another. So, while Tamsyn was busy stomping down the stairs beyond the doorway, he knelt down and placed the device gently on the floor. While he was concerned that Tamsyn might run away, there was no chance she would get far.

While shoed feet clambered down the wooden stairs, Ash did what came naturally to him in this kind of situation. He let instinct take over and exhaled, letting the shift rock through his body in an instant. Soon, those same nailed paws were clicking down the stairs behind Tamsyn, behind his prey. That was the mindset he was slowly sinking in to as they continued their little chase. It was not intentional, but instinct was a powerful force in his mind. What he did not expect was for Tamsyn to turn and try to slam the door in his face.

The white wolf growled a little, forcing his snout into the doorway as she tried to squeeze it shut. A paw scrabbled at the door for a moment, prying it open just a little. The paw changed shape, fingers gripping the edge of the door as Ash stood to his full human height. In this form, he easily pulled the door free of her hand and advanced a step into the open doorway. He towered over her, aggression naked and inhuman on his face. It was not anger or hate, but the urge to hunt.

Ash was not kind as he moved and took Tamsyn off her feet. His arm went around her waist and he lifted her, taking her ability to fight away as he nearly tackled her to the ground. He was on top of Tamsyn a moment later, straddling her with no regard to his nudity. His hand grasped one wrist, then the other, easily holding both. He pinned them above her head, his other hand moving to her hip. Gently, he pushed at her shirt up the tiniest bit, revealing some of her skin. He growled again, coming out no less wolfish than it had in his other form. He was hungry in so many ways. It was impossible to describe the strange mix of emotion and instinct he was full of.

"No. More. Running."

The words were cool and commanding, the sound of a dominating alpha wolf who was used to getting his way. His hand gripped tighter at her side and he leaned down, letting his nose brush against that spot on her neck again.

 

[Bunny]

She pushed at the door, trying to close it on the paw that was worming through the crack it shifted into a hand, that frankly was only a little larger than the paw than had been there moments ago. Swallowing the scream, she felt him flex the door away from her, the strength behind it making her knees go weak. It was almost mesmerizing, that strength. The small, sane part of her brain found it funny that it was his strength and not his shapeshifting that was standing out in her mind. It was as if she was refusing to see or accept the fact that the man and wolf were the one and the same. She'd seen it, but that didn't help her accept it.

The look on his face made her mouth go dry. She could see the almost animal instincts, knew what the look meant and it wasn't a good look in an animal. Had he still been the wolf, he'd have been very nervous, trying to calm him, show him she wasn't a threat or prey and yet.. she felt like prey as he advanced on her and it took a lot to not whimper, a soft distressed sound. Like that of a rabbit... Slowly backing up away from him she felt her heart pounding in her chest, frantic. Whatever she expected, he seemed to be the best at catching her off guard. She hadn't expected him to tackle her and she did scream then as they fell to the ground. For him, he'd seen the parts of it, the curling of his arm around her waist, but she only saw herself standing and now on the ground, with his body pinning her to the hard earth. Both hands easily caught in one of his larger ones. She pulled at them, finding no give and she did whimper now.

His hand pushed her shirt up some and she shifted, trying to pull away from his touch. She bucked and struggled to no avail. She could feel the cool air on her skin and the rumbling growl that left his throat made her eyes widen and she whimpered again. He told her again no more running. She would always run! How couldn't she?? She shook her head quickly and as he lowered his head back toward her neck, she tried to throw him off. She didn't understand, but she also didn't consent. Pulling at her hands, she tried to limit his access to her neck, but it wouldn't be enough and she felt his warm breath curling along her skin., His hands would leave bruises, her wrists and perhaps even the hand at her waist, holding her down.

She remembered her phone, gone who knew where and she cursed herself for following the wolf... him... Into the house. How could she have been so stupid. She'd only seen him injured, wanted to help and he'd known she'd try and help! Damn him! He'd used her softness against her and she hated him for it. Hated herself for it. She wouldn't change her actions, she was who she was, but she wondered if she'd ever be able to make such a mistake again? “Get off me!” Growling softly, a feminine sound, far from his own more animalistic tone. “The fuck is wrong with you?? WHAT are YOU???”

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

The idea of her was enough to intoxicate Ash. He had watched her from a distance for a while now, intrigued at first by her looks. While he was a stranger to her, Tamsyn was something important in his world. It made her resistance a little painful, though things like emotion were dim in his animal hunger for her. The words were hollow in his ears as she ordered him to get off of her, his nose too full of her scent to focus on anything but that until her volume increased and her body fought harder. It was the growl, though, that caught his attention the most. That was the type of fighting he understood.

Slowly, Ash pulled himself away from her neck, his eyes staring down at her with a touch of confusion. He seemed to realize then, that she had no idea why he wanted her or what was happening. When he spoke, it was slow and pragmatic, like his words were unequivocally fact.

"I am a wolf sometimes, human sometimes too. But, I am both all the time."

Now, feeling he had answered her question enough, Ash descended back down onto her, burying his nose in the crook of her neck again. Her resistance was token at best when compared to his strength and tenacity, his desire to simply be close to her. From this position, he moved his hand from her side to her belly, letting his fingers splay across her skin, feeling the softness of her as he breathed in deeply. From this position, he spoke again, a growling and hungry whisper in her ear.

"I saw your fur, snowy and white like mine. No nasty chemicals to change the color. I could tell. Never saw it before. And so pretty, with such interesting eyes. I wanted you right then. Later, you were with the others, with the old wolf with the wheels. The way they love you, and you love them... I knew you were special. Had to be mine, my mate."

As he spoke, he became more and more ragged in his breathing, in his words. His hand slid up her body more, going from an almost innocent caress to a possessive pin, holding her to the ground even tighter. Bruises and scrapes meant nothing to an animal when it came to play or affection. So, while her pinned her even tighter, his mouth slowly opened. First, it was a small lick, barely the touch of his tongue tip on skin. Then, it was a kiss, accompanied by a desperate little whimper as he finally to to taste her skin. His mouth opened wider, his teeth grazing skin as he wrapped them around her throat. It was wholly inhuman, a gesture made by an animal to dominate and claim. His hand moved up further, dragging her shirt until everything below her breasts was out in the cool outside air. His teeth pressed in a little, applying the lightest pressure to her throat. It seemed like he was ready to attack her, one way or another.

Then, the light from the house became brighter, the door flying open wide. A man stood in the doorway, his features mostly obscured by the shadows created by the contrast of night and inside light. The only things that were clear were the outline of a pair of spectacles and his tall, masculine frame. Words carried out to the pair on the ground, clearly addressed to the wolf.

"Ash, stop it. We don't have time for you to do this outside. The rest will be back soon and I have no idea how they will react to a new female scent. Especially this close to the moon."

The voice was calm and stern. From the first word, the first call of his name, Ash was snarling, growling against her neck and sending vibrations through her. However, as the man spoke, Ash quieted. It seemed that whatever tension existed did nothing to change the truth of the stranger's words. Slowly, Ash pulled away from her throat, seeming to become aware of what he was doing. He even managed to look slightly ashamed as he removed his hand from her body, pulling her shirt down quickly. He did not, however, make any move to release her wrists. It was not until the new man, the soft sound of slippered feet shifting from hard wood to soil, was standing over them, that Ash lifted himself, his grip on her wrists still tight.

"Jesus, Ash. Were you planning to breed her in the front yard? And cause some kind of feral orgy in the dirt. What am I saying? Of course you would."

With that, the new man leaned down, seeming for a moment like he might actually offer to help Tamsyn up. Instead, strong fingers wrapped around her ankles, her wrists still firmly held by Ash. As the two men shifted positions, it became obvious what had caused the comment. Ash was fully erect, swollen to an intimidating size as he held her down. The white haired wolf seemed slightly abashed by the words thrown at him, refusing to meet those shadowy spectacles or the mismatched eyes of the woman below him. He was, however, willing to lift her suddenly, her wrists being pulled up in tandem with her ankles. Like this, the carried a helpless Tamsyn back toward the open door.

Once inside, the other man came into detail. He was crowned with short brown hair, a touch of grey at the temples. He was a few years older than Ash, his face looking a little weary. Unlike his naked companion, the other man wore a buttoned up blue shirt, the sleeves rolled up slightly to show off pale forearms and the bottom tucked into a pair of unassuming tan khakis. He looked like a man who had just come home from work, at least, until you spotted the bright white bunny slippers on his feet. His face, though, was severe and serious, though handsome. His glasses sat on an unremarkable nose, with a pair of remarkable lupine yellow eyes sitting behind them, staring intensely at Tamsyn.

The pair carried her struggling form back up the stairs and into the living room area. From there, they continued to retrace their steps, up the second set of stairs to the attic apartment. With an uncerimonial toss, Tamsyn landed on the bed and the man spoke again.

"Keep an eye on her, Ash. We can let her go if this falls through, but on our terms and..."

"Leave."

"And do not force yourself on her. We are still humans and I won't stand for..."

"LEAVE, NEWTON!"

These words were a roar, anger and authority mixed into something powerful. In that moment, something clicked and the animal dynamic took over the human. Newton's posture changed and he was unable to meet Ash's eyes, the floor suddenly interesting. Not completely cowed, Newton huffed and turned, straightening as he walked down the stairs.

"I mean it, Ash. You will leave the pack if you hurt her."

The door slammed roughly, a metallic click following a moment later.

 

[Bunny]

He explained and yet she couldn't quite wrap her mind around it. It made sense and yet, her mind still tried to refute the idea all together. Wolf and man. This was something from a fairytale or perhaps a nightmare. His mouth and nose pressed back to her neck, inhaling her scent as his hand splayed along her stomach the rougher callouses of his hand made her shiver beneath him and despite herself, she liked the way his hand felt on her skin. Blinking into the night sky she frowned some, listening to him speak about her, her coloring and the way she interacted with the wolves. She would have smiled at the way he mentioned her wolves, for they were hers... had he not been pinning her to the rough earth, inhaling her scent like it was nectar from the gods.

His hand slid higher, almost like a pet and then she felt the wet flick of his tongue against her skin and she gasped. Her neck had always been sensitive and while having his nose buried in it hadn't triggered that erogenous zone, that lick did and she gave a small squirm beneath him, one that was entirely different from her protesting movements. The kiss made her whimper softly, the sound echoing his own. She may not appreciate him pinning her, but her body reacted more than favorably as he licked and kissed her neck. It was confusing and frustrating to say the very least. Eyes closed, she felt her shirt lift further, felt the hot press of his skin to hers and yet they were secondary in her mind. It was the press of his teeth and the desire to feel him bite her. It was far too real and for the moment, she wasn't struggling. She... wanted it.

had she been able to jump, she would have with the voice that carried across the yard to them. At some point she had closed her eyes and now, Tamsyn opened them and squirmed again. While she might have hoped he'd save her, that thought vanished between his words and the possessive, snarling growl. She knew that sound... While it came from a human though, it was very similar to the wolves when they were asserting dominance over something against another. Be it a spot to lay, a toy or even food. It was a sound that she'd never had put herself between, knowing it wouldn't end well for her. That was for them to work out, them to settle. That pack hierarchy. She was a friend to the pack, loved even by them, but she wasn't one of them. She had no place in their power struggles. Yet here she found herself now somehow a part of one. She let loose a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding as he moved away from her neck. He pulled her shirt down, though for a moment, Tamsyn missed the heat of his own skin beside her own. He had been delightfully warm.

He shifted, though didn't release her wrists as the man came closer. She could hear the muffled sound of his footsteps. Shifting herself, she tried to see him. Laying flat on her back she could make him out, but his features were distorted a bit. The comment had her frowning and she shifted, but couldn't quite get Ash into view... then she felt hands around her ankles and she began to struggle again, not that it did her any good. Both their grips were like vices and all she managed to do with her struggling was hurt herself by pulling at her joints. She could see now, the source of the comment and while he seemed to be slightly embarrassed by his state, as he'd not meet anyone's eyes... he didn't release her and it didn't stop the pair from carrying her back to the house. "Put me down!" It was futile, she knew it... and yet she couldn't stop herself from making that almost petulant demand.

Ignored, she was carried like a pig for the spit toward the house and only once they had reached the lights could she make out the man holding her ankles. When her eyes met his, she shot him a furious look and she tried to kick out at him. Damn him for helping this.... Ash. He had a name, though what did his name matter to her? Her protests, huff sniffs and squirming made no impression on the men and it wasn't until she was tossed bodily onto the bed that any real sound left her throat. She shrieked as she was weightless for a moment and then let out a soft oof as she bounced on the bed. Once. twice.

She could hear the argument, but Tamsyn struggled to care as she tried to sit up. Her body hurt from the rough treatment. She was used to hard labor, but that didn't mean her body didn't protest the treatment she put it through and this hadn't even been her doing! Pushing herself up she flinched at the roared response. She pulled herself back from the figure left in the dark room with her, suddenly more afraid than she had been as their words played back to her. Shivering slightly she curled up onto herself, wondering exactly what would happen next. She had some reassurance that she wouldn't be raped, if what they said was true... He also shouldn't.. hurt her... but that left a lot of gray area. Shifting she pulled herself as far from him as she could be, body aching. "You can leave too..." Her voice was far from friendly... Though this time, this anger came from a new place... She could distinctly remember his mouth, tongue and teeth on her skin and her traitorous body's response.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

The little wiggle, that tint bit of body language that said she approved of the way he touched her, was enough to thrill Ash. It had been enough to give him some relief in what had become a bit of a nightmare situation. His mate, the one he had decided was his perfect match, ran from him. It had turned into a hunt more than a courtship. Then, Newton. Ash had requested he stay, known there was a chance he would need the help. However, just hearing another male voice near Tamsyn when he had just coaxed that lovely wiggle from her was too much. It had not helped that Newton was the only one in the pack that could challenge his authority. It had abruptly ended the play he had begun, took the wiggle away. Instead, Tamsyn had fought again, Newton spoke down to him, and all so close to the full moon. Ash was practically vibrating from the anger, the animal rage, when the other male had finally left them alone. Then, Tamsyn had said it, told him to leave. It may as well have been a punch to the gut.

In the darkness of the room, lit only by the moonlight that so prickled his human sensibilities, Ash began to walk. He did not move toward the bed. Instead, he walked to the dresser and pulled open the top drawer. Reaching inside, he removed a pair of basketball shorts, sliding them on to finally cover his nudity. Being naked was in no way a rarity in the House, but it was associated with the wolf, with giving in to instinct and doing what the wanted. He needed to keep as much of his human mind intact as he could. Now partially clothed, Ash moved again, his silence filling the room in the same way his roar had. He flicked a switch on the wall and the room was filled with light, showing the details of the room.

The television was flanked on either side by two different gaming consoles. The chair had a shirt draped over it and a book resting on the cushion. In the far corner, a collection of almost identical black shorts was forming. It was not some sterile room that had been created for Tamsyn. Ash turned sharply, toward the bed this time, and walked, finally breaking the silence.

"This is my room. Not leaving."

When he reached the edge of the bed, he exploded into motion. It was nearly a pounce that brought him closer to Tamsyn. That pounce turned into a tackle and a moment later, he was on top of her. It lacked the vicious intent of the hunt that he had shown before, instead filled with something else, something just as animal but born more out of desperation. Instead of pinning her to the bed, taking her control away, Ash wrapped his arms around her waist and held tight, keeping her from escaping. Just as before, his face found the crook of her neck and he inhaled deeply.

"I didn't mean for it to be this way. Didn't want to force you. Not good with humans, have to keep the secrets for the pack. But, I needed you, knew you were meant for me. So hard to stop myself."

So close to her, those needs bubbled to the surface again. He wanted to claim her, dominate her with an intensity that he had never shown with the females of the pack. And, yes, Newton had been partially right. He wanted her sexually, his wolf hunger for her suggesting that it might not be the worst idea to tear her clothing off and take her right then. His human mind knew better, knew to keep himself in check, though even knowing that did not help control his little urges.
One hand slipped under the back of her shirt, his finger tips running up and down the base of her spine, making little circles and stroking her skin.

"How can I make you understand? Explain how you call to the wolf inside? Only thing that helps, that shows you, is touching. Do you hate it?"

 

[Bunny]

The silence was a palpable thing as it grew between them after her demand he leave. She didn't want him here. No, Tamsyn wanted to sleep.. Escape.. either or and more likely the former at the moment. Gods she hurt. blinking against the light as he turned it on, she averted her eyes from his nudity. While he might be comfortable with his own nudity, she was not. She'd not been naked in front of many people and a stranger? It was his voice made her jump a little, and she frowned at him. His.. room? That meant this was his bed and she shifted a little, suddenly uneasy there. After the talk about breeding her... Tamsyn thought that was more than understandable. Such talk was the stuff of porn and weird erotic writing sites. It wasn't something for real life and not her life. It was neither here or there that she knew where to go for such a kink... Her eyes moved around the room, avoiding him as he moved closer to the bed. He made her nervous, her body's response to him made her uneasy. “I suppose I can’t have my own room?” Something told her Ash wouldn’t let her away from him..

She should have expected it, his body suddenly erupting into motion, finding herself pinned once more. This time at least, she was pinned to the softness of a bed. His arms wrapped around her waist. This time however, her hands pushed at his chest trying to dislodge him from her. His body pressed close despite her clear protests. "Get off me!" Then his mouth found that sensitive spot again and she gave a small whimper. Now it was just his nose pressed there that made her body react. She was clearly broken. There was no other explanation. She heard him speak, his desire to not force her, but how he needed her. Needed her? The concept was foreign to her. She'd never once needed someone in her life. He didn't know her though, all of his reasoning was superficial. Her white hair and perhaps the passing interactions with the wolves. He didn't know anything else about her, or so she thought. He wouldn't know about her habit of undressing and dropping her clothes where she stood. Of her picky eating habits or the way she giggled over the dumbest things. "You don't even know me," she persisted, trying to get him to see that simple fact.

The stroking along her spine made her still and she fought back a soft purr of noise. If nothing else, he seemed to know just what buttons to press to make her melt. She gave a frustrated growl. She wanted to deny that she didn't like the way he touched her... But that was something else Tamsyn did. She didn't lie. Rather than answering him she pushed at his chest again, that solid all of flesh unmoving beneath her palms. His warmth seeped into her, pleasant. "I don't think there is a good way to make someone understand why you kidnapped them.." Her voice was begrudging and she bit back a sigh, letting her hands fall from his chest to the bed, her eyes closing. She called to him? The idea was alien and she sighed again. "So.. werewolves..." She tried to change the subject and Tamsyn was quite proud of herself for not freaking out. She was handling this all rather well, thank you very much.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

The first question Tamsyn asked as he walked toward her was one of those questions that demanded no answer. She would not be allowed that kind of freedom, not be allowed to go unwatched for so long. It was not so much a matter of her escaping. She was surrounded by several miles of woods in all directions and a pack of wolves could track her easily. It was the risk that she might reveal the truth of the residents that filled the House. They were not overly careful to keep the secrets. Who would believe without seeing? That did not mean they liked squashing rumors or moving when there was no need.

As he closed the distance between them, though, he did heed her words, if only a little. Ash did not move his face from her neck, but his arms loosened and he pulled his body away a few inches. The whimper was too intoxicating for Ash to fully release her, to stop touching, but he could give her space to breath if she wanted it. While human sensibility was difficult at times, his ability to read emotion was well-honed. Ash also knew it was not wise to let slip how much he actually did know about her, how he had watched from his perch on the rock. He could only try to make her understand the things that did not make sense to her.

What Ash was also sharp enough to understand was that Tamsyn was avoiding the question of his touch, even as she pushed him a little harder before finally giving up. This felt like implied permission to touch her, though he would try to moderate himself as much as he could with the moon so bright in the sky. This meant that his hands did not explore beneath her clothing, only gently moving her shirt higher to continue stroking the base of her spine. Then, the subject changed from his desire to what he was. This was more familiar ground. He pulled away from her neck and started an explanation he had done probably a dozen times.

"I don't use that word for it. Too many weird ideas. Just wolf. No halfway changing. We are human and we are wolves. Some of it crosses over. My fur, Newton's eyes."

At the mention of his hair, his eyes drifted to her own and he resisted the urge to bury his face in it again. Ash wished so badly that he could explain the need to do these things, the thing that ate at the pit of his stomach, the way he could explain the wolf. Instead, he continued with his little speech, usually given to some terminal patient or runaway kid who found their way to the pack.

"Works like a virus, blood to blood only. Don't worry. But, Newton says science doesn't apply. Says the way it works when we change makes no sense. The full moon makes us want to shift, need to. Makes us more wolf."

The next part was less rehearsed. While he led the pack, Ash cared very little for the numbers. Newton had rules about how many they could take, how often they added new wolves. Ash did not think that far ahead. Not that any of the rules mattered here. As far as Tamsyn went, Ash had overuled every complaint or protest. She was as far from a normal addition as one could be. So, his next words were just as different.

"You could be one of us. Seen you with the wolves, seen how they accept you. You are meant to be with us. It is fun. Never have to work again, live how you like, play and relax. With me. Us."

 

[Bunny]

There was no answer to her question and Tamsyn supposed she should have known the answer. No, she'd not be given the privilege of privacy, least she escape. No, allowing her that freedom would only result in her trying to escape. The fear he and his pack had about her sharing their secrets were unfounded though. While she wasn't happy, far from it, she wouldn't be stupid enough to tell the world about him and his kind. First, even if she was stupid enough, no one would believe her. Monsters were not real, claiming that they were would not be seen in a positive light. Second, she wouldn't want to give them an excuse to harm her. The last little thing was one she resented him for more than anything else. If she escaped, she'd need to keep running. That meant leaving her wolves...

He pulled back at her demand, but only just. It did prevent her from feeling crushed and she breathed in his scent. He smelled greed, herbaceous at first, the scent deepening to something uniquely masculine. Woody, musky... His scent made Tamsyn want to curl her toes and she hated him for it. She didn't want to like anything about him. Not his scent, not the way he touched her. Her body though was a traitor and wanted to melt beneath him. His strong, calloused hands stroked along her spine, the feeling soothing, comforting.. She shifted as if trying to dislodge him, not wanting to find him or his damned touch appealing.

The question had him pulling back some, focusing on answering her, though it was more like a practiced recording than anything else. So no wolfman. Wolf and man. Her eyes flickered to his hair, the bright white and she could recall the other man's eyes. They'd been wolfish, for sure. His eyes moved to her hair, flickered to her eyes and she frowned at him. "I am not a wolf." Maybe if she said it so simply, he'd understand it? She wasn't one of them and then came the other shoe. He could turn her. The don't worry wasn't as comforting as he might have thought. She could understand Newton's stance, for the idea of a man becoming a wolf still seemed like a fantasy, though Tamsyn knew for a fact, it wasn't. She'd seen the shift with her own eyes. The fluid motion of it.. Some of it, though, seemed was accurate. They changed with the moon. She had questions, but showing interest seemed dangerous.

"You could be one of us. Seen you with the wolves, seen how they accept you. You are meant to be with us. It is fun. Never have to work again, live how you like, play and relax. With me. Us."

Those words scared her and she shook her head. "Being good with the wolves doesn't make me one of you." The fear came from the loss of who she was, the offer he made her was as far from appealing than she could express. Not working? She'd never be able to see her wolves.. She shook her head again. "No." That fear overrode all and she pushed at his chest again. That soft touching, the biting wasn't worth this. She needed him to get away from her, and needed to breathe. “Get off me Ash, I can’t breathe..”

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

It seemed that Tamsyn had no intention of going into hysterics at the idea of humans shifting into wolves. There were two types of people. The skeptics who would adamantly deny it even after seeing it and the ones who could face it because they had already seen. Tamsyn was the latter and that made things much easier. There was nothing worse than trying to convince someone to understand when they could not even accept the things they saw with their own eyes. No, Tamsyn accepted things as they were. Unfortunately, she did not have the same feelings about their fated pairing.

She denied being a wolf, which Ash was okay with. He knew she was not one of them. After he and Newton had figured out what to look for, the difference in scent and actions, they could spot one of their own in a crowd with ease. No, Ash did not think she was a wolf. He was certain, though, that she was meant to be one. More importantly, she was meant to be his. It was her hair, yes, but also the way his eyes were drawn to her. The way that his body burned to touch her and feel her skin. Both halves of him wanted her so completely that there was no denying it had become a need. And one thing he had learned in his extended time as a wolf was that instinct existed for a reason.

It was a powerful weapon in the wild, guiding choices with an ease he could not explain. The issue he had, the one that kept him from being exempt from Newton's rules, was that Ash could not separate that instinct from polite human behavior. So, when Tamsyn so vehemently denied him, told him to get away from her, he did not follow her suggestion. No, Ash was temperamental at times, prone to acting rashly when it came to the major needs of the body. He would always claim his food first when they ate together, showed no need for romance and affection when the women of the pack came to him. Now, with the moon high and bright in the sky, he was a powder keg of feral energy. Tamsyn had just ignited it.

At first, it seemed that he was going to heed her request. Ash pulled his hands away from her body. Instead of retreating, they found her shoulders and he put his strength into toppling her over on the bed. Just as he had outside, he was on top of her in an instant, straddling her thighs to keep her legs restrained. This time, he did not grab her wrists. Instead, both of his hands found the edges of her shirt, grabbing tight fistfuls of cloth. He pulled the garment up and over her breasts, releasing the shirt and planting both palms on her belly. There was a small growl from the deepest parts of his chest as he attacked.

His mouth dove down to find neck, wrapping around her throat in that show of dominance from before. This time, he applied pressure, pulling back to gently scrape his teeth along her skin. His hands moved just as eagerly, one moving down to the hip he had held so roughly before. His thumb found the rise of her hip bone and he latched on, digging his fingers into her skin around it, kneading and massaging the spot. The other hand was content to rake his nails down her other side, over her ribs. Once it completed its path down, it returned to that spot just below her breast, running finger tips down the hot scratch marks. He was panting like a male about to mount a female in heat, his mouth finding the side of her throat and going so far as to plant a gentle kiss. He spoke, finally, the violent need dripping in his voice.

"Not blind. I can see how you move. Feel your body twitch and squirm. The animal is you wants me. Feels the same way I do. Tell me you hate this. I'll stop. Say you don't want more."

Everywhere hands did not keep them apart, Ash was like a furnace against her skin. He was fully on now, fully wild. Part of him blamed the moon in that tiny rational section of his brain that still functioned. The rest of him knew it was his hunger for her that fueled this.

 

[Bunny]

That was an understatement. Being fated amounted to love at first sight to Tamsyn and such a thing while sweet in fairytales did not exist out of them. Love for her was something that grew in time. Lust however, that she could believe in at first sight. She felt it with Ash.. while that disturbed her and made her blood boil for more than one reason, she couldn't quite deny the way he made her feel. Even if she had tried, her body was constantly proving her wrong. Reacting as if it had a will of its own and the burning desire that he ignited was more than a little annoying. Her mind was far more rational than her body was and it rebelled at liking being touched by someone who had tricked her and kidnapped her! The duplicitous nature rubbed her the wrong way. She tried to tell herself that it didn't matter how he touched her, how she longed to react... Tried to deny the infuriating appeal of the man pinning her to his own damned bed...

Demanding that he get off her had seemed to work for a moment she she could breath in fresh air void of his scent. She took a greedy breath as his hands pulled away from her heated skin. She moved to sit up now that the space had been created, foolishly thinking she was free. Hands found her shoulders pushing her down to the bed with more force than she would have thought him capable of. She could feel as her back molded to the softness of the bed and she made a sound in her throat of surprise at the sudden action, slowly becoming aware exactly what she awoke in Ash. The weight of his body on top of her now, she could feel the heat of him and she struggled beneath him. His hands pulled at her top, slipping it above her breasts, leaving the cool air to caress the mounds that peaked above her mesh bra. Tamsyn didn't need to wear one, but in the heat of the day as she worked, she always did. The mesh was fine with little hearts all along the fabric. Her mouth parted, perhaps to protest when his hands slid to her belly, the growl cutting off the words.

His mouth brushed her neck, though this time there was a press of teeth and Tamsyn hated herself as her eyes closed and she groaned. That alone made her want to squirm, but the scrape of nails along her skin and his other hand digging into her hip. Tamsyn might have been a small female, sweet even.. but she didn't prefer such things sexually it seemed. The tips of his fingers brushed against the stinging trail his nails had left and she whimpered, the sound, gods she hated it, was soft, needy. His lips, much like his fingers pressed softly to the spot he'd bitten and she squirmed under him. Then he left her with a choice. Tell him to stop. Tell him she didn't like it. One, she could do. Telling him to stop wouldn't take much. The demand that Tamsyn tell him she didn't' like it.. well.. even if she did and damn she was tempted to lie.. they'd both know it for what it was.

"Stop Ash.." Her voice trembled, but the demand was there. She didn't, couldn't deny the reaction her body had to him. She could feel her own excitement warm between her legs. She knew through the soft mesh, he'd feel her hardened nipples against his chest. His warmth in the chill of the room made her want to curl into him like a kitten. Clearing her throat she tried to say something.. anything to get him to release her. "Just because I react, doesn't mean I want you touching me... So stop." It wasn't a lie and she'd neatly skirted around answering the question... mostly.

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Ash was ready for her, ready to push even further and truly make Tamsyn his. All of the signs were there. She was groaning and squirming under his touch, showing him that all of the things he did were bringing her pleasure. Ash felt the tiny peaks of her nipples pressed into his skin, felt her body heating up to match the inferno inside him. Everything was just right. Except, Tamsyn said the one thing that the wolf did not expect. Instead of letting out breathy words of encouragement, finally accepting that this was right, she said something else entirely. Stop.

It was like Ash had been struck by a lightning bolt. His fingers froze in the middle of their attack, his mouth half agape as he prepared for another claiming bite. His eyes flicked between the exposed flesh of her throat and her eyes, almost imploring for her to correct what she had said. Instead, Tamsyn elaborated. It seemed that there truly was something deeply different between the two. Ash had long ago embraced his instinct as the guiding force in his mind, while Tamsyn was simply... too human. She argued with her body, with what it obviously wanted, and that meanted that Ash would have to heed her words. He had to stop.

Slowly, Ash moved his hands to the mattress and lifted himself. The loss of Tamsyn's skin, of her warmth, made the autumn chill bite into his skin for the first time. He could not imagine the expression he would be wearing. Something like an injured puppy, he assumed. Only now, in his rejection, did he process his own feelings, how intense his desire truly was. He had no regrets, even if she had turned him away. However, feelings like that did not go away because someone said stop. Instead, Ash was still a whirlwind of desires, trapped suddenly in a cage. If he stopped to think, to be a little human, he might have been mature. He did not.

With a snarl, Ash almost threw himself from the bed. He was on his feet just as quickly as he had been on Tamsyn. His footsteps were loud on the bare wood as he stomped across the floor. Without a word, he threw the switch, once again filling the room with darkness. With the same intensity, he stalked back to the bed and threw back the covers. It seemed that he was done with his own game. So, in a childish show of temper, he crawled into the bed and pulled the blanket high, nearly covering his face. Only then, his emotions partially hidden, did he speak.

"Talk tomorrow. Talk about you... leaving."

That was all. He ignored her, closing his eyes and bundling himself tightly, like the blanket might protect him from the reality of rejection. It seemed he might have to give up on fate.

---------


The night stretched on in silence, sleep eventually finding them both. What did not sleep was the wolf inside of Ash. He had relaxed from his angry bundle, falling into a calm sleep after Tamsyn had joined him, though only out of necessity for the comfort of a bed. The large bed left plenty of distance between the two, showing that intimacy was not the goal.

This lasted only a few hours. It was impossible to know who broke the stalemate, neither ever waking enough to remember what happened. Ash, slowly being lured by the scent that filled the room, by Tamsyn's scent, he moved closer. Whether it was a desire for warmth or something more primal, Tamsyn had moved to match. They found each other in the middle of the bed, those boiling needs coming out without the conscious mind to temper them.

It began innocently enough, an arm under a pillow so that Ash could lay closer. A shift of the hips to close the distance. Soon, the pair were pressed close together, her shirt a feeble barrier for the warmth they were sharing. Ash's face found the curve of her shoulder, nuzzling in close to be washed in her scent while he slept. That was the fatal move.

Soon, Ash was breathing heavier, his other hand finding Tamsyn's waist. This time there was no Stop, no words at all as they acted somewhere between sleep and waking. His hand found the edge of her shirt, slipping under and upward. He sank fingers into the softness of her skin, the thin mesh of her bra doing nothing to impede sensation as Ash began to massage her breast. This continued until the hardness of her nipple drew his fingers' attention. Soon, he was teasing and caressing the little peak, his breathing even more intense.

These games went on, each escalating their closeness, their eager need, without waking the other. The morning came and passed, Ash's body politely ignoring its internal clock to prolong this enjoyment. It was not until a surging of pleasure struck him that Ash finally opened his eyes.

The white wolf found himself panting softly, his limbs tangled tightly with Tamsyn's. The arm that had been under the pillow was now wrapped gently around the small woman's shoulders, keeping her tight against him. His other hand was bundled into the fabric of her pants and panties, having dragged them down enough to expose a full half of her ass. His own shorts were around his knees, his throbbing erection pressed against the exposed portion of her bottom and her lower back. There was a visible shining streak of precum decorating her skin and, with a jolt, Ash realized he was on the verge of climax. His hips, which had been eagerly grinding a moment ago, stopped completely as he pulled away at least enough to suppress the desire to finish what his body started.

Even as he fought with the need to finish, to not torture himself even more, there was a knock on the door and a sweet voice came through.

"Aaash, I got breakfast for y'all."

 

[Bunny]

Those words had stopped him like a truck hitting a brick wall. She hadn't denied that she was aroused, there had been little point. Her body had eagerly told him exactly how interested in him and his actions she was. Tamsyn though was not driven by instinct and her more primal urges. She'd told him to stop and even though she knew her body craved his touch, wanted more. Above her, Ash stiffened. His body had been rough, but more than willing against her own. His eyes met hers and she stared back up at him, she could see the desire, the pleading look. The silence between them stretched for a moment, she refused to give into her body or his whims.

He pulled himself off her, careful to not even touch her further. The first thing she noticed was the lack of his heat. That warmth that had been so pleasant. her eyes moved back to his face as she pushed herself to sit. Hands pulled her shirt down, covering her midriff. Ash.. was sulking... The snarl made Tamsyn flinch and she pulled away from the aggression and anger within that sound. He stomped along the floor, pacing with barely contained agitation. Darkness fell and she pulled to one side of the bed, wanting as much distance between the two of them as possible. Odd that it was only now that Tamsyn was afraid of Ash.. truly afraid.

The blankets were ripped back and she shifted as they pulled taunt under her to crawl under them. Only after a moment did she toe off her shoes. Normally, as Ash knew, Tamsyn slept naked. She didn't like the feeling of clothing against her skin. It made her toss and turn, feeling trapped. One shoe hit the floor with a thump, then the other as he covered himself with the blanket.

"Talk tomorrow. Talk about you... leaving."

This made closing her eyes easier. She felt him curl in the blanket. Tamsyn didn't protest even as he stole most of them. Rather she tried to sleep, letting the morning come and with it.. her freedom.

-------

In sleep with their guards down, they drifted together. Each seeking out the other in slumber. Who made the first move, neither would know. yet, their limbs and bodies tangled, their scents mingling. Was it Tamsyn or Ash who slipped a leg between the others? Her cheek on his warm chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Her arms around him. In their sleep they twisted and turned as one. Her shirt hand been pulled up her stomach, her back pressed to his front. Pants had been sleepily pulled down at some point was had her panties. Head cushioned on his arm, one arm over his own. His other hand cupping her breast, kneading it.

She didn't wake when he did, the gentle movement of his hips, as he edged himself on her soft backside. The motion hadn't woken her, it was the lack of it that pulled at her tired mind. She shifted against him, a small whimper of displeasure as she pushed back against him, in a sleepy haze. It wasn't until the knock though that she woke. Tamsyn groaned softly, shifting closer to the warmth at her back. Warmth? Startled, she flung herself away from him.

Tamsyn could feel how aroused she was, how badly she wanted to lean back into him. To feel her body get the release it wanted so desperately. Panting she pulled at her panties, her pants. She could feel the slickness along the small of her back and her eyes moved down and she hissed at him in anger. The knock though, the female voice. Her eyes flicked to the door and she frowned. Pulling her top down she scooted away from Ash. She couldn't even blame him, though she wanted to. Badly. "Who is that?" Tamsyn's voice was grumpy and held anger at him and herself..

 

[Lady Jace Beleren]

Ash was panting, his body flushed. He felt so hot, so needy, that he thought their might be steam pouring off him. Everything was a confusing mess inside of his mind. He did not wake like this, groggy and dazed. He was alert and ready, always. Now, all he could think about was the way Tamsyn chased his body with her own, scooting toward his painfully throbbing erection like it held all the answers her body wanted. Someone had knocked and he was sure it was obvious from the voice, but his eyes could only take in the curves of Tamsyn's ass.

Of course, that lasted all of a few seconds. She jolted upright and the accusations in her eyes made him want to shrink away. He had been angry and frustrated, but even Ash was human enough to know not to force himself on a woman. All he could do was adjust himself, pulling his shorts up to his waist. This proved to be pointless, his erection standing in defiance of the fabric and Tamsyn's anger. All he could do was scoot himself to the other side of the bed and pull the blanket over himself, using his knees to conceal the rise. A question. She had asked a question. Who was it?

"Sunshine. Another wolf. Probably begged to bring food, see you."

There was irritation in Ash's voice as he said the name, but not malicious anger. It was the kind of resigned voice someone spoke in when the person in question repeatedly disobeyed, a touch of endearment behind the annoyance. As if to demonstrate what this tone meant, there was a metallic click from the door as the lock came undone, light pouring into the stairwell when the door opened. A figure walked up the stairs, the noon light from the window only providing a vague outline. The light was clicked on a moment later.

Sunshine stood before them, a little tray balance on the side using her hip in that way only experienced servers seemed to understand. She was, unquestionably, beautiful. Everything about her was somewhere between Ash and Tamsyn. She was not tall, but most certainly taller than the other woman. She could be placed easily somewhere in her early twenties, possessing that youthful face men loved. Her body was just as attractive as her face, a small tank top covering her amble breasts and a pair of shorts that rode a line between outerwear and underwear hugged tightly on her hips. It seemed that wearing overmuch clothing was not a popular concept among the wolves. Most striking was her hair, likely the reason for her name to begin with. She wore her bright blonde hair down, letting it pour over her shoulders and into her cleavage in a messy way. Her blue eyes, though, shifted around the room, swallowing every detail with a sharpness that defied any stereotype.

"Morning, you two! Well, noontime, I guess. Y'all slept past breakfast and Newton got a bug in his ass about it, 'cause Ash never sleeps in. Said we gotta take care of our guest and such."

She sauntered across the floor with grace, her hips moving little as she carried the tray, the plates full of eggs and breakfast meats visible now. She placed the tray on the dresser, nudging it with her hip to get it firmly in place. Then, like a switch, Ash's tone became suddenly well founded. Sunshine turned sharply and those blue eyes focused fully on Tamsyn, scouring her body like she were the only glass of water in the desert. She was next to the bed with a hopping step and on her knees on the mattress a second later. Her grin was wild, a bit of animal showing through.

"And aren't you kyuuuute?! I see why you like her, Ash."

After a moment of intense staring, Sunshine's nostrils flared and she took a few deep whiffs of the air. The grin became truly feral and she grabbed a fistful of blanket before yanking it away, revealing Ash's erection in his shorts.

"Sorry, cuties! Did I interrupt when y'all were gonna fuck?"

"Sunshine!"