Hunter reborn.

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste felt something - the nudge and she was drawn from her thoughts instead to see something all too familiar. She of course couldn't help but stare in shock - for the moment her thoughts gone - blank.

And then Kira was just...there. She came back into her human form and as she was drawn toward her, Celeste stiffened - not sure of what she was to make of the situation..even as she heard what the plan had been.

"Kira.." She smiled somewhat, and when she finished...with the worrying and all, Celeste was quiet literally clinging to her, wrapping her arms around her neck.

"I'm so sorry..I..I didn't want you to leave and I had tried..I'd tried to get him away from you I didn't know there was already a plan.." Her voice was quiet - laced with guilt. Did she always take everything upon herself? Blame herself? Of course.

But she still didn't say what was wrong. She couldn't simply tell the girl - no. No one could know - and of course as far as she knew, no one did know.

"I'm fine..I was worried about you..I was..worried you wouldn't be back or..something terrible would happen to you and Michael would have been so upset..it would have been so much easier for me to have been taken..not you..but you're back.."

She shook her head, pressing her forehead against the girl's shoulder. She wanted someone to cling to..someone to hold her and tell her that everything was going to be okay..someone comforting - but how could someone comfort her when she refused to tell anyone what was happening.

"..I'm so sorry.." Her voice was so quiet, and she sighed heavily, shutting her eyes. "..I...I just didn't sleep well...I suppose I'm just not myself.." She laughed, doing her best to joke about it - to hide everything - and she was doing a rather good job. "I'll be better tomorrow..I just wanted to clear my head..but..now that you're back.."

Pulling back slightly, Celeste tilted her head. "You should go and tell everyone that you're back of course..That you're fine..they'll all be so thrilled.." And of course that would give her back her wonderful alone time.

 

[dryfter]

Kira chuckled softly, leaning forward to nuzzle Celeste's neck.....the girl's scent all around her....and just as alluring as it had been not so long ago.

"There hadn't been a plan, love. At least not right away. While you stomped off upset, Michael convened with the rest of us. Who'd have thought....Siobhan.....crazy."

Her looked turned more serious at Celeste's mention of taking her placing being better....

"Now why would you say that? You're Master's favorite right now, just look at all the attention you're getting. Do you really think you'll be treated with such love and respect with the Fox clan?"

Kira snorted derisively.

"Let me tell you something, Celeste. They made it a point to show me their breeding rooms, and made it quite clear that I was going to be spending a lot fo time in there.....servicing any male who wanted to take me once the seed his bastard of a son took root inside of me. Those women have none of the freedoms we enjoy here......they're little more than meat.....meat used for the pleasure and enjoyment of the males. Justin doesn't even NEED more in his clan, its so large.....some of his own personal whores have been.....fixed."

Kira shuddered, her eyes closing slightly.

"Fixed....just like Siobhan was....its sick. Just look at what its done to her. I...I don't ever want to be like that, Celeste."

A soft arm wrapped around her....hugging her in closer as the auburn haired lycan clung to her softly....lamenting her lack of sleep.

"Shhhh.....its ok. I know how to get you to sleep....honest. Here.....follow me."

Silently, she led them both out of the garden....completely innocent of Celeste's fabrication. Fortunately, the coast was clear....the two of them slipping through the myriad of rooms between them and the stairs. As the door to Celeste's room opened before them....the scent of Siobhan greeted Kira almost immediately.....though the catgirl was nowhere to be seen.

"Siobhan wasn't in Master's room? You must have been bad off. Here you go, love...."

Gently, Kira nudged Celeste towards the bed, mindful of the dress she still wore.

"It's lovely, dear....but I do hope you're not intending to sleep in it. From the looks of it, you've tried once already, and that's probably your problem right there."

Without another word, the slender blonde reached up and around.....her breasts pressed firmly against Celeste's own....her nipples still hardened from the chill morning air.....

Fingers sought out and found the string of buttons that held the bodice to the fox mate's curvy body. With a soft sigh....Kira watched as the garment fell away, revealing the girl before her in all her glory once more.

"You really are beautiful, do you know that?"

She was close....dangerously close. And without thinking, Kira leaned in.....her lips brushing tenderly against the auburn haired lycan's own. And yet what seemed so innocent rapidly grew into something more, as the cheetah girl stepped forward, arms eagerly encircling Celeste as she pressed herself tightly against her....insistant tongue finding a moment of surprise to dive deep inside the new mate's waiting mouth.....

Tongues danced for a moment....her breath coming just a little quicker with the excitement of the illicit act. Several nudging steps towards the bed more than subtlety called for.

When Kira finally broke away, she hoped Celeste could see what she intended, deep within her eyes.

If the little fox girl was having problems sleeping......Kira knew exactly how to fix that.....

 

[TieMeTightly]

Poor thing..Celeste figured it was some sort of remedy..some sort of drink perhaps..not this. She was still so naive of what was to happen as she was led back to her room..the wonderful haven was something that she certainly needed.

Amber eyes focused easily upon her...feeling Kira so suddenly presed to her and her lips parted in obvious confusion, her eyes widening somewhat. This wasn't good..this wasn't..what she had been expecting.

"Kira.." Nothing seemed to happen..her dress was gone, lost somewhere upon the ground, her heartbeat rapid and throbbing against her chest - she didn't want to be without clothes...not in front of anyone.

It wasn't that she was showing - because she wasn't, it was simply because she was so suddenly self conscious..and having another female against her - it made her shudder. Siobhan's want to bring her downstairs was bad enough - but this?

There were lips against her own, unyielding - and her body was reacting far too quickly for her mind. She kissed her - her own tongue dancing to a wild melody for what seemed to be too short a time, colour flooding her cheeks as she stepped back, more or less staggered backward actually.

"We..I..I can't.." What was happening..why all of the sudden? No - it wasn't all of the sudden, but it was so suddenly happening that she couldn't concentrate. And at that moment she wanted Michael..the protection and reassurance of a male against her..not a female.

"I..it's not..it's not that I don't think you're lovely.."

Her gaze darted from corner to corner and she pried herself away, moving away from her and lifting the dress from the ground. "I think I can..fall asleep on my own.."

And at that moment..she wanted to be alone again - but was nowhere safe?

She wavered for a moment, her eyes shutting before Celeste was in the bathroom, the door shut. She wasn't hiding..she was ill..and someone was in the room so close..too close - and she knew she would be unable to hide what was happening..but she could lock the door - which of course she did.

She relieved herself of the need to vomit, once again leaning over the damned toilet for minutes after she probably had to..how long had she been in there? Did Kira notice...and did she go tell anyone? Oh god that would be the last thing that she needed - have someone notice..have Michael there? She listened then, struggling to hear and see if there was anyone else in her room besides the cheetah. If there was...she would just stay in there locked in the room. Such a simple way to deal with the issue.

 

[dryfter]

At first it seemed to be going so well. Kira's heart thrilled softly at the feeling of Celeste responding....her body warming to her touch.....her own tongue dancing with her soon to be lover's....

And then she was gone.

"Kira..."

The were-cheetah gave Celeste a sultry smile, letting her hips saunter slightly as she advanced. Kira didn't miss the slightly scared look in her eyes, but she didn't let it bother her either. After all....Nastaja had looked at her the same way once.....and now....now it was the same Nastaja who had seduced Angel in just such a manner. Celeste truly had no idea how much fun the two of them were about to have.....

"We...I...I can't..."

"You're so cute, Celeste...."

"I...it's not...it's not that I don't think you're lovely...I think I can...fall asleep on my own..."

If the words didn't sink in right away, the actions certainly did. With frightening speed, Celeste had snatched her dress back up, hiding her more delectable parts from Kira's predatory gaze....

Was I wrong? Is it too soon for this? Damn Celeste.....you've no idea how much I want you right now.....need you just once....before.....

Her breath caught in her throat for just a second.....her eyes closing for a moment as she wrestled with her own body.....the inferno that was building inside of her even now. Should she run? Hide herself away? She had promised Michael that she wouldn't.....but now....it was almost as if it were a second instinct. He would need her.....he was the only male.....who would help him protect.....?

Fortunately, the decision was made for her as the bathroom door slammed. And yet it wasn't nearly as heart rending to be distanced from the object of her desire.....as it was to hear her retching in the room beyond. Having no way of knowing the true cause of Celeste's illness.....Kira came to her own conclusions.....her face a true mask of horror, shame, and self loathing.

"I...it's not...it's not that I don't think you're lovely...

A strangled cry echoed throughout the hallway, the only evidence of her passing as she fled them all. She could let him find her now.....even though.....even though he might be able to ease the fresh pain in her heart. The cost was too great.....

Perhaps she could face them all again in a couple of days.....explain her absence with another lame excuse.....and be safe again for a few more months.

But Celeste.....

It was a crazy thing, that......how a simple sound can kill emotion.....especially one as strong as lust. But now knowing that was what the fox mate truly thought of her.....should make it easier to resist her presence......the memory itself bringing a fresh stab of pain.....a steady stream of tears flowing down her ruddy cheeks as meadow and clearing whipped past her. Not even the feeling of the wind in her hair eased her mind this morn.....

And yet somehow, she knew better......that she'd be drawn to her again and again......just like she had the others.

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste was out again..only coming out when she was certain that there was no one waiting for her.

She hadn't bothered to make herself look lovely..instead pulling on a nightgown..she still had a need for clothes- for something to cover herself. Did they not understand that? They didn't seem to think that she needed the clothes..that she was beautiful..he didn't want it - the beauty.

It wasn't something that she craved..she craved so many different things at the moment, and it was only moments before she was up again, shaking her head as she moved away from her room.

Celeste moved as stealthily as she could, tapping her stomach as she entered the kitchen. She could smell the food..and she needed something. But what? What in the world was she craving?

She was digging, smelling the air, slender fingers easily snatching up something..rabbit. With a slight snarl - not even moving away from where she had found it - and the meat was gone within minutes.

She had been ignoring sounds..and overlooked it. The sound of footsteps that were certainly meant to be silent - breathing..it wasn't Siobhan..and she actually hoped that it was Michael - that she could tell him that she wanted to rest with him..needed to rest with him.

With an incredible reluctance she turned, fearing the worst. Fearing that Kira would find her or one of the other females. She didn't want any of them around her, her amber eyes wide and blinking to see who had actually come to find her only to sigh quietly - not really liking a mystery.

"Michael?"

No title..she wasn't concentrating..she was so incredibly out of it - and desperately needing actual rest instead of the terrible restless sleep that she had gotten - her eyes darting around the room as her back pressed easily against the nearest wall. She needed something to lean against and a wall was the safest - and most inconspicuous. If she had gone out of her way to sit in a chair, it would have given her away.

 

[dryfter]

"Michael?"

He had been trying to be silent....slipping through the shadows of his own hallowed home before the morning sun rose enough to chase them all away. It seemed he wasn't the only one restless this morning.

When his gaze finally settled on her, his own stocky frame slipping eerily into view, Michael decided she'd looked better. And to make matters worse, Celeste's current state was probably his fault.

"Yes?"

He drifted towards the meat locker. How long had it been since he had eaten? Since he had hunted? A simple jerk of the stainless steel doors revealed all.....

While he had been lax in his duties.....the appetites of his mates never seemed to wane. He would have to hunt for them soon....

His eyes drifted to his left, back to where she stood. A small smile marring his face, no warmth shown from the simple action.

"So you've decided you don't hate me anymore, and you've come out of your room? I suppose that means Kira's home and around here somewhere too?"

For a fleeting moment, he looked carefully at Celeste.....desperately reading her for any sign that might be there, showing him he was right. Try as he may, he'd been completely unable to sleep, driven near to insanity by his presumed failure......a failure that might have actually been a success if he'd just believed a little more. But no....it was so much easier to let the odds weigh on him.....he'd be less disappointed that way. The cheetah actually escaping, even with his trickery, was probably slim to nil.

"We coated her body......before she left."

He could feel her eyes on him then, boring into his soul as if weighing him.....or so he thought.

"If his brats are anything like him, they like to break down their mates.....dominate them in every way. So Kira would probably be in for a long bout of foreplay before they even staked their claim in her. Remember those sedatives, Siobhan gave you to knock you out? I'm afraid you don't have to worry about them anymore.....I had her crush them into a fine powder......a little honey-water to make her sticky enough.....a fine dusting while Kira was still moist enough to dissolve just a little....."

A wry grin crossed his face, Michael imagining the fox whelp......so confident on his conquest.

"Any taste of her would put him out like a light for at least fifteen minutes. And if you know Kira at all.....that's all she needs to get a good running start."

Removing a severed arm from the confines of the freezer, Michael chewed absently....sharp teeth tearing off a huge chunk of human flesh.

"I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I just....didn't want you to think I wasn't doing anything. I can't beat him, Celeste......never in a million years. And so...I have to do what Justin thinks is the impossible. I have to outsmart him."

Yet when he glanced at her again, he could see the stiffness in her posture.....the discomfort.

"And you? What has you up so early this morning? You should be getting your rest. Was it Justin? Did he say something to upset you?"

 

[TieMeTightly]

She sighed heavily. It had been him.

If it had been anyone else it was quite obvious that she would have run back to the confines of her room..a room that he had even given her. It didn't matter..simply because it was him..and no one else.

At the mention of Kira being back she flinched, but her face remained blank as her gaze drifted to the ground. "Yes,..she is here.." That was all that she said. She was cautious - careful not to say anything that would give away how she was feeling..or her cravings for odd foods..odd meats.

The smell of the human arm made her cringe, flinching away from it - but she held herself there in order to keep him from knowing anything.

"I wasn't..mad at you.." That was an incredible lie that they both knew..but she couldn't actually admit it - not right now. "..I was just..I thought you were going to lose her..and...I was upset..that you would risk someone..that you had been with..someone who had been part of your family for however long..because of your own selfish reasons."

She paused, shaking her head.

"I had gone after him..I tried to give myself instead..to take her place.." Her eyes were shut as she concentrated on anything but the smell of his meal.

"He didn't want me..I..was upset because I..couldn't help her. Because I couldn't keep her with her clan and because..I felt like..if anyone should have gone it should have been me.."

Why was she admitting such things?

When he asked what had her awake she glanced up at him - though flinched at the mere mention of the name..at the question of him saying something to her..something to upset her.

Celeste shook her head, looking like a guilty child as she did so. He knew her eyes too well - and she quickly averted her gaze, once more finding the ground a suitable companion to glare at.

"..I wanted to sleep with you.." That was true. There - she didn't have to lie about everything. "I sleep..better...when I can hear your heartbeat." There was another pause before she shook her head, pushing her hair from her face. "I..I'm sorry...I'll go back upstairs.."

God he must have thought her some incredibly lovesick girl. And really she shouldn't be sleeping anywhere near him in case nausea struck. If it did..she certainly would be able to hide nothing.

"I think my bed is more comfortable than yours anyway.."

It was an offhand comment as she walked away from him. Some part of her wanted him to stop her..to let her sleep and hold her..but the other knew better..and warned her to keep her distance. She had to stay away from all of them..but she ached so much to just have him near her - and really it was up to him what he did..and where she slept.

If he told her to be in his room..she would be in a heartbeat..if he said he would be in hers..thrilling. It didn't matter what he said - she would do it, and she knew that if he didn't stay with her while she slept she wouldn't be sleeping very much at all so of course..the need for him to stop her from retreating by herself seemed to weigh upon her as well.

 

[dryfter]

"Yes...she is here..."

He had never been one to show his emotions well.....at least....emotions other than anger. Yet, hearing her words, Michael's relief was almost palpable. It had worked! For a second, the most fleeting of smiles flit across his face.

It was short lived however, as he contined to listen. Such a liar.....her anger at him had been obvious to all of them, though few understood the real reason for her sudden show of fury.....

And yet that was nothing compared to what came next. Michael swallowed hard, a lump of flesh seizing up in his throat as he heard of how Celeste had offered herself in Kira's place....as if were the most natural thing in the world for her to do. For the life of him.....he had no fucking clue why Justin would turn her down....it wasn't like Celeste wasn't drop dead gorgeous. Did his own kind bore him? Or was it Kira's other special abilities....?

"It's not your place to help her."

Finally, the food had gone down....and with it, he could finally breathe again. His newest mate showed a disturbing lack of faith in him....

"...I wanted to sleep with you...I sleep...better...when I can hear your heartbeat."

There was more too it than that, he could tell. And as he drew closer, the scent of her mild arousal greeted him, though slightly different this time....a subtle shift from the norm that confused him only as long as he let himself think about it. But who was he to ask questions, her lycanthropic change had left her pretty much looking like a sex goddess.....was acting like one all that unusual for a fox?

"I...I'm sorry...I'll go back upstairs...I think my bed is more comfortable than yours anyway..."

Thick fingers closed around an unsuspecting and slender wrist, pulling her backwards towards him.....her slight body crashing into his thicker one as the sudden change of direction caused her to stumble.

"Any bed with you in it is bound to be more comfortable."

He wanted to take her right then.....to ease the ache that had begun to heat both of them. Fortunately, with all he'd been through in the last 24 hours, his mind was a lot sharper than his body was. She'd tense up....scared to death that someone else would come into the kitchen for breakfast. She wasn't alone here, like she was in his room....or the basement.....he doubted such an encounter would be very relaxing for either of them.

And so he lead the way, pausing at the foot of the steps to scoop her tiny body up into his arms and carry her. Who cares if anyone noticed them, she was his.....and there was no mistake about what they were going to do when they reached their destination. The feel of her snuggling in against him....was it love....or embarrassment.....perhaps a neutral submission? She had to know what was coming after all....

Her bedroom door closed behind them, gently....and with a quietness that took a great deal of control from him. Striding over to the bed, Michael gently lowered Celeste onto its plush mattress....

"Don't ever.....ever.....do that again."

His touch was gentle....thrilling the very edges of her soft flesh with the barest of touches. He was teasing her deliberately, coaxing her to the point where he himself was.....a point made all the more poignant by the feel of her shifting ever so slightly across his hardened body as they ascended the stairs. Now that they were here.....

"Justin doesn't deserve you."

He didn't....the man was a bastard, who enjoyed pushing the smaller clans around. Thought it was his right as a trueborn. Eager hands danced across her hips....dipping low to her thighs.....his palms running across her smooth curves.....delighting in just how sexy she was.

"Spread yourself, mate.....and let me reassure you who your master is.....as well as just how much he needs you here."

 

[TieMeTightly]

It was true, him grabbing her wrist and tugging her back to him sent her stumbling, her breathing somewhat uneven just from the movement.

This was not what she meant by sleeping - but how was he to know? And of course why was he to care? This was her purpose, as stated. She was meant only to please him, and to increase the numbers of the clan - both of which she seemed to be doing swimmingly despite the fact that she was hiding it from them all.

"M..Master.." He led her from the kitchen only to lift her - her instincts kicking in before she could think better of it. Immediately she had pressed herself against him, curling up in his arms with an incredibly heavy sigh as he lifted her drawing her far from her comfort of sleep to a place where she probably did not want to be.

It was moments before her back was against the mattress and she stared up at him with wide eyes at the brief comment. What was she supposed to do? It wasn't as though she had actually known that a plan - whether randomly realized or not - was actually in place?

He said it was not her place to help her and she could not disagree more but for the sake of her position in the clan she had just remained silent.

If the option came up again she would of course do the same exact thing. She didn't belong with them yet. This was nearly still a trial period for her and what was she to do?

She would of course think that Michael would choose Kira over her any day simply because of what she had done to him before all this had happened - but she didn't even know anymore. Everything about her past life was rapidly becoming a blur thanks to the fact that this life was so much more vivid...so much more interesting.

At the little touches her body would arch toward them, whimpers escaping her lips when he pulled from her. She heard the command and her legs spread immediately though she probably should have thought better.

Would he be able to smell it on her? Being with child? She knew she smelled different..the sweetness to her body's perfume altered somewhat but did any of them figure it out? Maybe he would be too lustful this night to realize...and she could sneak away before any stomach ailments found her.

 

[dryfter]

Michael moved then.....sliding easily between her offered thighs towards his true goal. And yet, just as Celeste must have been so certain she was going to get another brutal fucking, the were-panther dropped suddenly to his knees....leaning in close to taste his newest mate....his tongue eagerly collecting the dew that had already begun to form on her tender folds.

With a soft him, he reached for her....thumbs spreading her petals wide as the next rough lick of he tongue ran her moist length, giving her taut little clit a jarring flick as it finished. Turning his head slightly, he gave her a wickedly playful little nip, finding the exact spot where he had marked her that first time....a time that was beginning to feel like so long ago.....

Michael did his best to keep her off guard, not allowing Celeste to know what was going to happen next. Even as she began to adjust to his tender bites, a long finger traced her feminine groove.....plunging inside her with little warning at all to twist and writhe deep inside of her foxy tightness.

She was his. Her body craved him, even if she herself did not yet. And yet that part....that was on him....as a master. Eventually, she would come to accept the others, just as they had accepted her......for the most part. Nastaja seemed to have some form of grudging acceptance that he hadn't figured out quite yet. Perhaps she would need some further attention as well.....

For now however, he focused on this one singular task.....a task that involved forcing Celeste ever higher.....an ascension that she seemed all too willing to undergo. His mouth returned to her, suckling her sweet little lovebutton as his finger continued to stroke her insides. He could feel her trembling.....twisting a little as if her body was unsure whether to accept the feelings that were building, or to flee them.....

At the first shudder, he retreated.....leaving her gasping for breath, a thin sweet layer of sweat giving her tanned skin a slight sheen of allure. He wasn't gone for long however.....his own cockhead returning to press against her cunt....demanding entry.

She would cum....he would allow it.....but on his terms. And right now, all he wanted was to feel her explode around him.....to heighten his own experience and remind him why he put up with the stupid decisions she made......like.....

He didn't want to think of Justin now. With a growl, he lunged forward, piercing Celeste deeply as if doing so once more proved his dominance over her.....a dominance that even Justin had respected......

 

[TieMeTightly]

It was a correct assumption that she was shying away from any sort of emotions. This was really not the best time to be emotional and yet here he was, doing nothing other than trying to please her - make her entire self crave more.

It was less than fair.

She whimpered as his tongue and fingers went to work, the skilled digit and moist tongue causing her to writhe, twisting on the bed as moans escaped her lips, accompanied with the occasional gasp.

She did want him. She wanted every inch of him - every moment to be around him, but half of her screamed to get away. If she smelled different..did she taste different? It was a frightening notion - what would he do when he found out? Would he be upset with her for simply not telling him? That was nearly certain.

Celeste shuddered suddenly and he left her momentarily only to return the now craving space between her legs with the head of his cock.

She forced her eyes open, staring up at him as she panted, her back arching impatiently. When he thrust inside of her she couldn't help but to cry out, drawing her legs up even more only to lift them, wrapping them around his waist as she reached for him, tugging him toward her.

This wouldn't be so terrible then, would it? Having his child? It was frightening, however - simply due to the fact that he had begun this quite literally hating her..and wanting her to feel nothing but pain. What was it now? What were they now? She was to have his child but was that what it was? Or was it simply something that she was to do to ensure that the numbers of the clan increased?

It was really a frightening situation. She wanted Michael - heart and body and yet she had to share him with other women. How could she even know if he wanted her in the same? Sure..he wanted her body - but was that all?

She whimpered as she pressed her lips to his own, sitting up slightly to do so. Now she was concentrating on putting any discomfort far from her mind. She couldn't show any weakness..not that anything was wrong. If she did - he would know.

It was bad enough that he had caught her so incredibly off guard in the kitchen..and she had to make up for it now.

 

[dryfter]

Michael didn't know what to think.

On the one hand, he found himself pumping once more into the girl he had always wanted....had loved, and yet hadn't the confidance to admit it.....the woman who'd destroyed his chance to with her betrayal.

His feelings for her only seemed to grow stronger now that she was under his roof once more, Michael could even somewhat understand her reluctance to spend time with his other mates. That hadn't stopped him from coupling with them as well....he'd just taken extra precaution not to do so in front of Celeste, as if such a thing would bother her.

And why did he care if it bothered her? She was his property now, though she seemed to be struggling with the fact. Sure, she called him Master readily enough....as if she knew the act alone pleased him. But to offer herself to another male.....

Michael's eyes knit hard in consternation and perhaps just a little anger. It didn't matter how much he had loved her once.....maybe even loved her now.....

Should her actions reach the ears of the others, he would be everything Justing had claimed......a weak Master incapable of reigning in a simple fox slut. Such thinking would only promote more indiscretions by the rest of his clan.......

As his thoughts towards her darkened, his gentleness slowly slipped away.....until she was getting it as roughly as she had the day he had first bitten her, each brutal lunge of his body making the very frame of the bed creak as he hammered away inside of her.

He waited for it once more.....just as he had then.....that special moment when she began to shake beneath him.....crying out his name in passion she thought he mirrored......

Pulling her towards him savagely, he delighted in just how easily her tiny frame was ripped from the mattress.....its curvature still arched in exstacy and bliss as his manhood filled her completely......

Such jubilation was short lived as his fangs found her again, his head dipping low to sink deep into her shoulder, tearing through muscle to carom off the bone of her shoulder blade even. He could hear her cry out even as his own release was found.....his virility flooding into her in a thick wash of heat, his jaws working as he chewed and mangled her flesh.....deliberately causing pain....wanting his message sent......sent to all in the house who heard.

Heard.....and knew. Knew that he was displeased.

When he finally released her, the fury he had felt just moments ago had already begun to fade. Her blood was thick in his mouth, and he didn't miss the look of confusion and fear in her eyes.

"Don't ever think you can escape what I've done to you, Celeste. I'll kill you before I see you with another man. Remember that before you go about thinking your life is your own, and you can offer yourself to whomever you please. You're mine, and you will always be mine.....for the rest of your life. Or....until someone kills me. And then...if that happens.....you'll wish you were dead."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soft sobs....mixed with whimpers....

It hadn't been hard to find her. At least....not this time.

"So....this is where you've been hiding."

Kira's head shot up, a look of sudden alarm flashing across her cute face. It wasn't enough to make her hand move from where it was however....two fingers firmly imbedded in her own sex....her palm grinding against her taut little clit as they moved in and out......a soft panting filling the dirty and abandoned hogshead she'd taken shelter in so many times before.

"Angel....no....."

The dark haired were-panther scowled down at the blonde tomboy at her feet. It was so easy to be angry with this one.....especially since she had broken her promise....a promise made to the master.....

"You know he's gonna be pissed, Kira. Master's punishment is going to be a lot worse than mine will be. Just look at you....you're in heat again....hiding yourself away just like you've always done."

A soft moan escaped her suddenly dry lips.....a tremble made of both arousal and fear rippling through her thin frame.

"Please.....don't tell him.....please."

Angel scoffed, kneeling before the stricken Kira, a suddenly tender hand reaching forward to brush a stray bit of filth from her tousled hair.

"He's not stupid, hun. He's gonna figure it out on his own.....it might be better for you to just get it over with and out of the way. It'll hurt....yes.....but you know he loves you too much to kill you over something like this."

The were-cheetah shuddered softly at the gentle touch, her eyes glassy, her body responding almost instantly to the presence of another.

"For now though, love....somebody has to take care of you. You're going to hurt yourself carrying on like this."

A gentle hand moved from her own swollen belly to the slimmer one mixing up Kira's insides....gently pushing it away to one side to replace its touch with another that would bring about more than just the torture that the edge of release could be.

As the brunette lowered herself into a more comfortable position for them all....baby included.....a soft purr could be heard throughout the dim shack as lips claimed the cheetah's own swollen ones.....

A purr meant just for the two of them.....

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste hadn't even seemed to realize at first that their coupling was beginning to become more savage.

In fact, it was completely obvious that until she was whimpering mixed in with her moans that he had every intention of stopping the rough treatment but instead it became more brutal..more reminiscent.

Even when she found her release and he pulled her slender frame from the mattress she cried out, simply due to the fact that he had been so roughly slamming into her that she wasn't even certain that she would be able to recover as quickly as she would like to.

Her amber eyes shut tightly as she felt the fangs, as she arched against him in an effort to free herself, palms flat against his chest and pressing with as much strength as she could possibly muster.

It hurt.

It hurt more than anything that she remembered - even from that night, and she hadn't even understood what it was for.

He had just wanted to ravage her..and now that ravaging had so quickly turned to punishment. Her vision was bleary, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks - there was no desire now to be anywhere near him.

Even as he went off on her..even as he held her there despite the fact that she was dealing so suddenly with far too much yet again she glared up at him, snarling and attempting to shove him away from her.

"I..I have...to get up.." She was squirming then, her entire frame trembling as she so suddenly went from ecstasy to pain,..to nausea. The snarl was silenced with a whimper and she managed to get from under him, crawling toward the edge of the bed only to lock herself in the bathroom.

There wasn't even time to go to the safety of her own bathroom...and it had been the scent of the blood that had done it. Celeste was so suddenly lightheaded, her pulse rapid with short, quick breaths. The colour, save for the pinks of her cheeks had faded to an almost white shade of skin tone.

Briefly..so briefly her eyes found the mirror, and seeing her flesh in the current shape it was in despite the healing, that put her over the edge.

Within a moment she was over the toilet, clutching at her stomach and cursing him under her breath for doing this to her.

 

[dryfter]

Cold eyes scanned the two nude and hanging bodies before him. Chains held each aloft and spread eagled, their naked glory displayed to all....or at least the few that could bring themselves to look upon them.

For all her sudden fury, Celeste had been easy to overcome. All it had taken was a considerable amount of patience as he silently awaited her emergence from the bathroom. He was still the master, the dominant male....though perhaps she had lost that impression since the day he had first turned her. No matter.....she could be taught. Cruel fingers had seized her by the throat, lifting her tiny body off the ground where she had no leverage at all but to kick and struggle.....

A struggle that had ended the second the first of the shackles had closed around her. That had been three days ago.

He had left her there to her own hunger, expressly forbidding all from feeding her. Not even Siobhan dared to disobey such a thing, despite her friends pleading and sobbing.....it was the little catgirl's purpose in life to keep her master pleased.....and by now, even Celeste would have learned the true strength of her loyalty.

Kira on the other hand, was another matter entirely. After running from him, the were-cheetah had bravely returned to face the punishment that she knew had to be coming. After all he had done for her, she had broken the most simple of promises.....

He made sure they faced each other.....each able to look into the other's guilt filled eyes, barely more than a dozen feet apart. Michael hadn't missed the initial look of hunger in Kira's eyes as she gazed upon Celeste.....thinking perhaps that master would be merciful and had brought her down here for something else....more pleasant. It was the look of shame that followed suit moments later that confused him. Kira wasn't normally so timid.....

"Celeste......I'm sorry....."

Emerald eyes closed in shame, the vivid memory of their last encounter and how it ended rushing back to her.

Crack!

Her jaw sagged, eyes widening suddenly.....Kira's lithe body writhing beneath the sudden kiss of a whip....moving as if to scream....yet no sound forthcoming.

Again and again Michael struck, each powerful blow causing the others to wince as they drew ugly black and red welts across Kira's luscious tanned skin. And yet, despite it all.....the soft scent of arousal could be detected by any who cared try.

"Master! Please! I'm sorry! I won't do it again, I swear!"

Crack!

The words ended instantly as the cheetah was cast again into a painful abyss, again and again until she sagged against her bonds.....no longer having the strength to even struggle. Michael made sure Celeste could see it all.....right down to the thin ribbons of crimson that trickled across the blonde's caramel flesh.

When he was done, he returned the brutal weapon to its place.....not on the wall.....but in a small metal vat. The stench of iron tinged blood filled the room, poor Kira's battered body trembling softly even as she struggled to lift her head.

"Master.....so sorry....."

"Nastaja.....release her."

The stockier of the two women fairly jumped into motion....not wanting in any way to draw the further ire of the master. Long seconds passed as shackle after shackle fell away.....Kira slumping to the ground with a groan almost immediately.....the true mess of her back shown to the still captive fox mate for the first time.

"Take her to her room."

Leaning forward, Nastaja struggled to get herself under a shoulder.

"No."

It was a whisper, and yet more than enough to stop her fellow housemate. Nastaja watched on, horrified, as Kira slowly began to crawl in Michael's direction. Whimpering softly, those tousled blonde locks nudged him softly....her face turning to stroke against the flaccid bulge of his manhood through his jeans.....

"Please....please forgive me, Master....."

A gentle hand reached down to stroke her tear stained face....

"You've been punished....that in itself is forgiveness, Kira. Go now and heal, so that next time you can serve me well."

Turning back to Celeste, he could see the mixture of emotions running through her eyes.....fear....perhaps some hatred for him.....probably for doing this to her as well as what he did to Kira.....a woman she'd not even known a year ago.

"Curious?"

Michael watched her....saw her eyes following his every move as his hand dipped into the vat once more. This time however, she could see it......the liquid dripping copiously from its leathery length....

"Silver nitrate. Those wounds of hers won't be healing any time soon."

"Master, don't!"

Even as he approached her, more than ready to administer a similar punishment.....another form interposed.

"Angel.....why do you assume that you can forbid me this? Celeste has been nothing but antisocial towards you and the rest of the household since she got here. She even tried to find herself a new master."

The brunette flinched suddenly, her eyes widening in surprise. It was only momentary however, as the pregnant were-panther slowly settled onto her knees....gazing up at him with adoring eyes.

"Master....I must beg you not to do this.....not to circumvent your will.....but to enforce it."

Michael's scowl deepened further, though she had his attention.

"Master please.....using such a weapon on Kira is sure to make her ill as the silver sickness takes her. She's strong, and will survive as you know.......but Celeste....."

Michael reached down, catching Angel's chin between thumb and forefinger....forcing her eyes to lock with his own dangerously smoldering orbs.

"Are you saying that Celeste isn't strong enough?"

It was all Angel could do to even remotely shake her head in his grasp.

"Not Celeste, Master........the child that she carries......"

It was like a bolt of thunder, Michael straightening almost reflexively to stare at his captive vixen, Siobhan's own startled gasp ringing clearly in his ears. And yet when their eyes met, she could hide nothing from him.....and he knew.......

It was true.....every word that Angel spoke......was true.

"How long have you known?"

Silently, the were-panther rose to her feet once more behind him.

"Since the day you brought her into this house. I am a healer after all. That's also why I've not tried to invade her privacy or space. Foxes can be notoriously solitary when trying to make peace with the changes in their own bodies. I knew you'd become aware of it eventually, so I felt no need to tell you before now....."

Michael regarded the still hanging vixen with a thoughtful gaze. This changed everything. Slowly.....he turned to place the whip back in its receptacle, moving seconds later to strip the protective glove that he wore off.....his fingers flexing as they felt fresh air once again.

"Very well, Celeste. You're free of this punishment, though don't think I haven't thought of a new one for you."

Turning towards Angel, Michael's smile twisted just a little as he offered her his arm.....an arm that his mate was all too willing to take.

"Come ladies.....and let us leave our lovely Celeste down here for one more eve. I've an interesting tale to tell you......have I ever spoken to you about the day I was turned?"

Their silhouettes faded slowly as the three of them tread softly back up the stairs......the basement door closing long seconds later.....leaving her in the dark once more......

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste had been expecting something when she emerged from the bathroom, a sudden exhaustion taking over her entire body and refusing to let her go from it. It didn't even matter. Even if she had been at full strength she doubted that she would have been able to fight him off. Even when human Michael was strong...and now he held a completely different power over her.

His fingers found her throat, lifting her and immediately causing her to kick with the little energy that she had left. It was no matter - within minutes she was shackled there,..and it was days before she was given any sort of attention.

Without food her entire body weakened considerably - water did the same. Her head hung weakly and the damn thing inside of her demanded her to eat..to drink. Not for herself, but for it. It was a horrible feeling. She was nauseous but couldn't move, but the worst of all things was even though she wanted to nourish the growing thing inside of her...she couldn't. All that she could do was hang there.

She of course begged, crying for them to bring her something. Surely someone would come..would realize it wasn't her who wanted food. But they didn't.

When Kira was positioned away from her she lifted her head with extreme difficulty. She had apologized, and Celeste's lips parted for she saw the whip zipping through the air before Kira would have heard it. At the first crack against the skin of her back her eyes went wide, but she couldn't say anything. She couldn't do anything to help her..just like they could do nothing.

Kira was pleading and Celeste had tears streaming down her cheeks. He could not love them if this was what he did. And of course...after all of Kira's begging, Celeste's little notion was confirmed. There was no love.

He lifted a vicious weapon from the vat and the words made her tense within the restraints, her eyes widening. Angel was in front of her - in between them and Celeste was begging...whispers for her to stop..for her not to say anything because in that moment..she knew.

And of course Michael threw her under the bus. 'Tried to find herself a new master'. What was he trying to do? Every word that escaped his foul lips was making Celeste want to run. And she shook her head immediately in response, wanting to correct it. She had been trying to save Kira. Did that count for nothing?

When the word 'child' escaped her lips, Celeste dropped her head in a weak sob.

Yet still he didn't let her go.

Instead the most horrible of punishments was spoken as he turned to leave the room, her chest heaving as she forced her head up, staring after him.

"No! Michael!" Her cry echoed through the walls that held her and she sobbed as she hung there. This was punishment enough. Making certain that everyone knew she had left Michael to die there and become something that they both feared and hunted together.

They would see her as a betrayer, and she would be the outcast that she had made herself since she realized she was pregnant.

It wasn't long before blackness took her exhausted form, the hunger coming from the child inside of her making her groan occasionally in her unconscious state, stains upon her pale cheeks from tears.

 

[dryfter]

Nastaja watched as her charge slowly came around.....drawn the the scent of a fresh kill. Celeste had to be hungry.....she'd been down here for days.....with Angel being the only one the wiser.....

More than just a haunch, Michael had told her to bring the entire deer carcass to her. The brunette shook her head softly, wondering just how this little fox girl could relate to her master.....and the fact that she was carrying already.......was staggering.

Oh, she had heard. The news had spread to those absent like wildfire.....sibilant whispering even reaching Kira, who as of yet showed no signs of silver poisoning. Instead, the cheetah's eyes had widened even further in her pain.....as if coming to a conclusion of her own somehow.....a soft breath of relief escaping dry and cracked lips.

"Once a year."

She knew she was making her presence known to Celeste, hastening her wakening. But it was simply mind boggling.....the odds beaten with such ease.

"Inter-species coupling only results in child during a time of heat. A heat that happens only once a year. How is this possible? Yes, I realize that the two of you have been fucking like rabbits for the last two weeks, but still.....I thought....."

A soft hand reached down to brush her own taut belly.....

"That I was the only one touched in such a way. It seems that we've more than a little in common now, Celeste. I'm glad Angel spoke up....even though you probably aren't. You're so secretive.....its like you don't trust any of us.....don't want to."

A booted foot prodded the still bleeding meat towards her.

"Here. Eat. I know you're hungry, you're probably both suffering right now. Though don't worry.....the little one can draw off of your body's strength.....at least for a time."

There was no chains, no shackles.....only the two of them, and food....lots of it.

"You saw him take me, didn't you? That first day?"

The hand on her stomach stroked softly, meaningfully.

"I'm of the same species of lycan as Michael. I'm afraid I'm not quite as....resistant....as you."

A soft smile spread across her face then as their eyes met. In that second, Nastaja knew that Celeste had come to a realization as to what exactly she was hinting at.

"You have two breasts.....that's what he told me."

The athletic were-panther waited patiently as the ravenous fox ate, her dark eyes never leaving her. When she had finally finished, Nastaja cleared her throat.....not wanting to alarm the reclusive mate with a sudden touch.

"Please....follow me.....its time perhaps that I be a little less secretive as well."

Celeste was free to do as she pleased, that was the master's orders. And yet.....Nastaja couldn't help but hope, just a little.....that this once she might have a chance to share more than just a thinly veiled threat with the newest of her master's mates. Something truly meaningful.

Yet that decision....hung on Celeste. Silently, Nastaja turned for the basement stairs. The immediate sound of footsteps close behind her wasn't surprising.

It would be what happened at the top of the stairs that made all the difference.

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste had at some point smelled the kill. Her brow knit in an obvious frustration as she attempted to draw herself from her unconscious state, her amber eyes struggling to focus..and of course all that she could focus on was the food. The need to eat.

Everything ached..the nausea had long since turned to a dull pain, and of course this food was something that she wanted probably more than anything else at the moment.

The words drew her more rapidly from what shouldn't even be called a slumber for it was no more than blackness, and she struggled to sit up, rubbing her eyes, her gaze following her arms to see if she was still restrained. She was not.

Nastaja went on to explain heat,..and a child that would result and she cringed at the term. 'Fucking like rabbits'. The turn of phrase was something a bit more crude now that they could turn into animals and if she wasn't as weak as she was at the moment she probably would have laughed outright.

Instead she remained silent, staring up at her with wide eyes, but her eyes quickly found the deer..she needed it. The child inside of her, growing so stubbornly inside of her was aching for it.

And then she went on to say that she didn't want to trust them. It wasn't that at all of course, she simply had been so ashamed of everything from the beginning that she figured they would all hate her..and she was still weary of that hatred even now. Did he not tell them of how she left him there? How horrid of a person she had been to him?

When the meal was pushed toward her she immediately took it up in her arms, drawing it to her mouth and for lack of better term, digging in. The hunger was so intense that she felt like she had to finish everything that she possibly could. The little one, as Nastaja put it, had been drawing off of her. Celeste felt so incredibly weak at this point that she wasn't certain if she would be able to carry it any longer if this continued..and now there was food. There was sustenance.

She was speaking again, and Celeste was struggling to concentrate. She managed a nod, glancing up at her and cringing in response to her words.

When she was offered to follow, Celeste was already wiping her face with her hand, and resorting to licking any excess blood off of her hands, sucking on her fingers like a spoilt child.

She of course followed after her. Soft, quick footsteps until she was behind her, following with her head bowed. She was still trying to be cautious,..and silent. What was it that Nastaja wanted to show her? And why was she still showing her some sort of kindness? She of course had expected to be fully shunned from them all..and yet...the child inside of her caused Nastaja to be far less than repelled...perhaps even helpful.

 

[dryfter]

Tensing slightly, Nastaja put all of her focus towards her hearing. Even the slightest glance in her direction might send the skittish Celeste tumbling back down the steps, her haggard appearance more than enough testiment to her frayed nerves.

And so it was that she didn't even try to hide the sigh of relief that spilled from between her lips as her housemate reached the top of the dark stairwell.....staying firmly in tow, as if curious. Part of her had been so sure that the tormented girl would run at the first chance she got. While perhaps effective at first.....it would have been a bad idea.....and one that she would definately come out as the bad guy when she had to stop it from happening.

Through long corridors and hallways, Nastaja remained silent. Minutes passed where only the soft padding footfalls of their bare feet could be heard on the plush carpet. There had been a reason Celeste hadn't been shown this wing of the manor yet.....

Turning finally, the brunette gave her best smile despite her charge flinching in response to suddenly finding herself face to face with her. A single finger raised silently to her lips.....urging quiet.....

As the door slid open on well oiled hinges, only the soft sound of gentle breathing reached them. A startled Angel rose noiselessly from a hand carved rocking chair that she had been reclining on, her eyes darting from one to the other in silent askance. A simple nod of the head, her smile never wavering.....and her sister was put back at ease.....

Nestled up against the far wall, shadows cloaking it from immediate view, was a small cherrywood crib. Strong fingers reached back to close around Celeste's own....though definately in a non-threatening manner.....tugging the suddenly uncertain fox mate forward gently......

Nastaja peered over the edge of the stained wood lovingly, watching the soft rise and fall of her sleeping daughter's chest. She could feel more than hear the other two slowly moving closer behind her to take a look. This time, with a genuine smile, the were-panther turned back to both of them.....placing a soft hand on each belly.....one much more noticably swollen than the other.

"Her name is Nikita."

And just as quickly, they were being nudged in the other direction....not wanting conversation to disturb the child's slumber. Almost instinctively, Angel led the three of them towards a small antechamber door that closed solidly against the wood of its frame as the last of them passed through.....

"Master's daughter. Though soon to be granted a few playmates, yes?"

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste certainly hadn't been expecting the change though she was grateful that Nastaja was remaining at a distance..it was a terrible thing, but she felt so incredibly threatened by everything at the moment..and she was more frightened than anything else.

She had heard the sigh of relief and obviously didn't quite understand it. Had she thought her to run? Probably. Though if Celeste had attempted any sort of escape at this point she would not get far. No, she needed her strength for that..and strength was something that she didn't have at the moment.

With weary eyes she eyed the motion for silence, nodding her head immediately. Almost as though hiding behind her, she glanced to Angel, cringing immediately, nearly ducking behind Nastaja and remaining silent, flinching away from the possible contact. What had Michael told them? Had it all been a rouse to make her believe that he was betraying her that much to ruin any chance at friendship? At family?

Quick, quiet breathing was the only sound that escaped her as she eyed the room cautiously, the crib. She couldn't help but flinch at the touch, though upon realizing within only a moment that there was no threat she forced herself into a somewhat calm state. That was fine. They were perfectly fine as long as there was indeed no threat.

Tilting her head to the side as she approached the crib she looked down to see the child in the crib, her own eyes widening momentarily, only to fall to the hand on her stomach, cringing somewhat. How was she to raise a child?

In all reality, Celeste was not very old. She of course would be expected to start 'breeding' in this environment, but for her..she wasn't expecting to have children for a few years yet..and then all of the sudden she was pregnant. When they were nudged, her own hand replaced Nastaja's on her stomach as she attempted to force herself to accept the new state that she found herself in.

She of course followed after, and said nothing at the comment of 'a few playmates'. She was still trying to accept the fact that she wasn't being killed viciously for what she did to Michael, how he got to be what he was. Surely the threat from earlier when the woman was very much killing the punching bag still held? Would hurting him - leaving him in that was have no effect? She was still obviously very confused at exactly what had happened...and her exhaustion and evident weakness from the past few days was not helping the situation.

 

[dryfter]

The room they had come to was small, yet cozy. A single window set into the wall let the outside light filter in while Nastaja and Angel slowly settled into plush velvet backed chairs....motioning for Celeste to settle herself in a third. No soon had she done so that Nastaja leaned forward with a smile and a mischievous wink....

"So....do you think its a boy, or a girl?"

Angel flinched suddenly, leaning forward to give the more muscular of the two a stinging swat on the arm.

"Hey now! Don't set upon her like that! She's been in the dungeon for just under a week, and starving to boot. Can't you see she's half frightened out of her mind?"

Nastaja sniffed the air plaintively, "Well she's not starving anymore at least, I did feed her as master ordered."

Angel shook her head softly, then glanced upward in Celeste's direction. A gentle hand softly caressed the growing swell of her own belly as if the action could carry through the the life within.

"Me, I hope its a son.....I'd love to give Master his first true heir. I'll be praying for you too of course, Celeste.....that you birth one of Master's clan."

Both women turned to regard her cautiously....and perhaps with a little pity in their gaze. Confusion must have been evident on the fox mate's face, as after a long pause, Nastaja felt the need to explain.

"There's only a 50% chance you'll carry a panther, you see. And not actually having had an offspecies of lycan carrying before in this house.....I can't say what effects that will have on your pregnancy."

Nastaja grew suddenly silent, lips pursed as if in thought. When the room's silence broke once more.....it was Angel who continued.

"If it is a panther, that will greatly elevate your status in this house....a den mother suited to carry the master's children. However....there is an equal chance that the child is fox. In which case....."

Another sudden pause....this one much more ominous......

"In which case, the child is raised until it is off its mother's milk.....then given to the Fox Clan for rearing."

Lord Vargas had warned that he may return one day.....though now the words held a much more sinister promise than before......

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste of course pressed herself back as far against the wall as she possibly could at Nastaja's sudden closeness, inhaling sharply as though in a defensive state when Angel stepped in. She apparently didn't want anything to do with the chairs.

She wasn't used to it, to people coming up to her like that...she felt terrible and was certain that she looked the same, and so instead of saying anything she simply remained quiet and glanced from Angel to Nastaja as they went on about the possibilities of what she would give birth to.

The worst part was that Celeste didn't even care at the moment. She didn't care about hierarchy..being 'elevated' as they had suggested.

All that she wanted to do was shower..and get rest.

Apparently it wasn't in the cards at the moment as they went on to tell her about the 'fox clan'.

The defensive nature had returned almost instantly and she heard the growl from the back of her throat before she realized she was even doing it.

"I won't let them take anything from me... I don't care...I don't care about the rules and how it works here..they'll not be taking a child of mine should it be Fox Clan even if they are the rules...if it is not his clan...then I will flee. That bastard will have nothing to do with me..you see the trouble he's gotten me in when I was only trying to help Kira! And...and now.."

She was already trembling from it, from just thinking of how she had been down there by herself for too many days.

The panic returned to her wide eyes as she shook her head somewhat, glancing around the room.

"..I..I have to go....rest my head...get this filth off of me...I can't just sit here in a chair when I've done nothing but sit and lay for however long..."

 

[dryfter]

Surprisingly enough, neither woman seemed to flinch as Celeste suddenly showed a flash of aggression.....her teeth baring in a smile. Her words were met with a sad, almost pitying nod of the head.....

"You're not a bargaining chip, Celeste. Please remember that at least."

Fingers closed about her shoulder as she turned to leave, a soft flinch in their solidity as Nastaja felt the firm cords of muscle ripple beneath her touch in response.

"You're too valuable to be giving yourself away to another......and.....and you've no idea how that particular game is played just yet. You should know the rules before you make a move......you're lucky Lord Vargas didn't kill you."

It was true. A mate that wandered wasn't good to any male, and many would simply slay the offender rather than bother keeping an eye out for indescretions. Still....Nastaja knew.....Celeste had been turned only recently.....there would be no way for her to know this. At least.....not until she opened herself up to them a little more.....showed a desire to learn more about what she'd been brought into.....

Just as quickly, she released her....giving her a sympathetic look all the while. She had been left to suffer for what must have seemed an eternity.....of course she would want to freshen up. No doubt a shower was exactly what she needed.....

"This way.....I'll lead you back to your room."

Long minutes passed as they disappeared into the maze of bannered corridors once more. The sure feet and surer memory of her guide enabling Celeste to arrive back at her room relatively unnoticed.....the were-panther not even taking offense to the poor woman's swift disappearance. Not even a good night given as the door closed firmly behind her.....

And yet, the sound of running water was unmistakable. It was to that cascading ambience that Nastaja took her leave......

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste was not used to being stopped, that much was certain, and the touch upon her shoulder made her tense instantly. It probably wasn't the best moment to be touching her - attempting to stop her from what she was obviously determined to do, and she nearly swatted the hand away - but stayed still for the moment simply because she knew who it was.

At the mention that she was lucky Vargas didn't kill her, her eyes shut tightly. Just the thought of the man at the moment made her stomach churn. Still, however she was silent. She was trying to collect herself, to become somewhat composed under the touch that was gone within moments - something she was all too grateful for.

And yet now that she was on her way back to the room she felt the exhaustion begin to creep back in right where her rage had just recently been, her hand upon her forehead for a moment still as she tried to keep herself calm, stable. She was a wreck at the moment and was doing her very best not to show it - not to crumble. It wasn't her nature.

As soon as she saw her room she had slid past her, closing the door - locking it despite the fact that she knew there was no use in that. She wanted nothing more but to leave..to escape everything that was happening and everything that she was..but more than that she wanted to try to clear her head.

As soon as the water touched her frame she began to tremble as though she were cold, but as the dirt was scrubbed firmly away by her shaking hands it became all too clear that she was crying.

She had somehow managed to clean herself rather well before sinking to the ground of the shower, sitting with her knees drawn to her chest. She was too vulnerable...too dependent for her liking, and she wanted none of it. Michael had brought her into this life to punish her and that punishment seemed to be hitting her only now.

She had such a hatred for him at the moment for doing this to her - but it was mostly because she was now pregnant that she hated him. She didn't want to have his child. Something that could be taken from her when they found out to which clan it belonged..and she didn't want to even think of the possibility of something going wrong with the pregnancy.

But beyond that..she simply didn't want to be anywhere near him in fear that she would either attack..or flee - both of which would be punishable and she was certain that he would show less mercy than prior. And despite all of this she wanted nothing more than to be in the safety of his grasp.

It was really the most frustrating thing that she could even think of and she had no one to blame but herself for leaving him there that night. If she had not - if she had tried..perhaps none of this would have happened. But they wouldn't ever know - and she was left to suffer the consequences.

The water ran cold and still she hadn't moved from her position on the floor, her eyes staring rather blankly through the shower, stains from tears covering her cheeks, though now her frame trembled simply due to the cold.

 

[dryfter]

Bat.....

Bat.....

Bat....bat.....

A gentle sound.....a soft rapping against the plastic wall of the shower door.....

The little white kitten outside of the steamy shower chamber really wasn't surprised that Celeste didn't answer......didn't really even want to be in there where it was all wet.....

But she could hear well enough.....the gentle racking sobs that not even the flowing water could truly drown out. Her friend was upset.....and if it meant getting all wet and miserable.....she was going to do what she could to help.

Needle like claws scrabbled across moistened plastic, seeking the aluminum edging that composed its frame. Siobhan could sense that she knew.....she'd been heard.....and hoped it was ok.....

Slowly, the runner slid open just a little.....her mewling plaintive and hardly secretive as she edged the door open just enough to slip inside. Instantly, her beautiful white fur matted to her body as she padded across the dripping wet floor to her fox friend huddled miserably there. Even as Celeste looked up to regard her, Siobhan gave the tip of her nose a gentle lick.

Are you going to stay in here all day? You'll get sick.

While she wished she could say the words out loud, her current form managed a concerned purr.....her own body trembling slightly out of discomfort as she found a way to slip beneath Celeste's chin. If she was going to be miserable....at least it wouldn't be alone. And maybe....just maybe....she could find out what was bothering Celeste so much......

Had master been to harsh with her? Siobhan thought he had been rather lenient....though she still felt somewhat curious about that story master had promised and then had never told. Still....it wasn't her place to insist. Perhaps Celeste wasn't used to being punished? Well then, Siobhan could teach her how to behave in a manner that would leave her free of punishment.....a rather.....daunting task seeing as how the very thought of punishment sent a naughty shiver down her own sodden body.

For now, she was content to stubbornly ignore the hated water.....ignore her own misery in favor of easing that of Celeste's......

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste hadn't even flinched at sound of rapping against the door. She was far too lost in her own little world to take notice that someone had been noticing her.

It wasn't until Siobhan's face was in front of hers did she realize that she was there, and she flinched at the lick, forcing her own hands away from her face to shiver, perhaps just then realizing how cold she actually was in the shower.

"Cats don't like water.."

Her voice sounded incredibly distant as she glanced up at the water knob, reaching up with obvious difficulty before turning it off. She hadn't really wanted to be interrupted but it seemed that no one could leave her alone for very long. Of course she couldn't be sure if it was out of concern for her or just to make sure that she didn't do anything stupid.

Celeste had the trouble of trusting people that much was always certain. She couldn't help herself - and she never really wanted to. It was difficult enough to open up, so when someone decided to hurt her after she took at the time to open herself .. no, it was just easier to remain a closed book.

And these women in the house wanted her to trust them, to let them in and perhaps to want to know more about the live that she was thrust into..it wouldn't be as simple as perhaps it had been for them and even moreso now that she discovered she was pregnant. It would probably be the worst time ever to introduce her to a family. An already closed off girl topped off with a large helping of a newfound protective nature.

It took another few minutes before she actually did manage to get to her feet, her amber eyes lifting to see her own reflection. Again, she didn't recognize who she saw but this time it was due to a well of new emotions, as well as the incredible fatigue that was still wearing her down.

She looked angry and frightened..there was hatred in her gaze but so much worry and even distant love as well. The emotions were enough for her to turn from the mirror and move out of the room.

"I don't want to talk, Shio..I don't feel well..I don't want to be here...and you love a man with your whole heart who I would really like to kill at the moment."

She growled out the last words as she pulled back the blankets on the bed before moving to the dresser, pulling out a simple nightie. She wasn't about to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her nude anymore than she had to be - and after pulling it on, she was beneath the covers in moments, curling up tightly and holding the blankets around herself - once more allowing her eyes to be lost in a daze.

"Can't anyone understand that...or is that just..not normal for anyone here..."