Hunter reborn.

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste had been dismissed within a matter of moments and actually found herself a bit dejected from it, but was on her feet in moments. She could hear it - the apology, something that she was nearly certain she wouldn't ever receive.

But when Kira came to the door she looked up, still lapping at some excess blood. She had been quite proud of herself for not feeling the least nauseous at the sight or taste of it, her amber eyes glancing from Kira to Michael, easily seeing the annoyance in his eyes that seemed to be lingering.

Jackals. She flinched at the word, and almost immediately the confusion her face disappeared and was replaced with something more along the lines of anger. That wouldn't work very well.

When Kira explained how they worked to her she merely watched her politely, not really wanting to admit how many they had hunted, her and Michael both even, but when Michael spoke - the word Werewolf making her flinch.

She was given her orders and the fact that she didn't even flinch at the words. That was simple enough. Protect the children. Though when Michael said she was to come back she looked up at him, her own expression quite easily matching Kira's.

When Kira's expression changed, however - hers remained the same. She clenched her teeth after a few moments, attempting to figure out exactly how she would help them - without getting more or less in the way.

Her own thoughts were interrupted when blood was smeared on her arm and scrunched her nose up in response to it - though it made sense as soon as he started speaking.

Kira's word..almost a plea not to have Celeste join them made her look up at her, though she quickly lowered her gaze - simply because to think of killing one of them now as she had before was practically unthinkable.

It was simple enough to find Shio, and Celeste did as little explaining as necessary. In fact she used the words Michael had. "Go with Angel to the nursery and guard her with your life."

It was simple enough and she knew that she understood. But Celeste was still unsure. what was easier still was ignoring the scent on her arm to find the two. It was only the beginning of something that she was dreading. Something was telling her that this wouldn't end well, but he only real question lingering was for who.

 

[dryfter]

Siobhan doubted she'd ever seen Celeste move quite that fast before. Of course....she'd missed the fox mate's first day of training with Kira, but still, nothing good could come of this.

The hair on the back of her neck stood with an increasing sense of foreboding as her friend skidded to a halt before her.....her soft grey eyes wide with alarm and a dread that only enhanced tenfold when Celeste finally did speak.

"Go with Angel to the nursery and guard her with your life."

With a soft mewling cry, the young catgirl slowly picked herself up off the ground. Oh, she knew this drill....far too well. It was one of the only times the master allowed her the ability to walk, or in this case.....RUN. She only hoped she didn't seem too wobbly to Celeste as she did her best to adjust in her haste to take her naked self to the nursery as fast as possible. Siobhan didn't know how well she would be able to fend off intruders if the rest of the manor's defenders failed.....

But damned if she wasn't about to try.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------'

The garden was a mess. Flowers broken and scattered everywhere, the occasional crushed bloom spattered with crimson. It hadn't taken much to find the corpse. The poor bastard had already begun to drag himself towards the house when death claimed him. The stench of jackal was all about him.....and Michael knew that Kira's information had been good.....there had been more than one here.

They came much more slowly this time......the three survivors skulking from the surrounding woods, knowing full well that it would be pointless to hide their scent, instead trusting in their numbers to bring the prey down. That....and their new leader.....

There would be much blood today..

And just like that, the pretense of caution was over. Just as they drew into definate view, the mangy hybrids rushed Kira and Michael.....their drooling howls echoing throughout the manor's courtyard.

Niether of them were exactly what you would call slackers either, Kira shifting to a more deadly form with a blurring swiftness that had her immediate opponent skidding to a sudden halt just seconds before a well aimed paw would have split his muzzle in half. With an agility that belied his ugly form, the creature backpedaled quickly, though not nearly as quickly as the cheetah attacked.

Not that Michael could help her any. He had to trust in Kira's well honed combat abilities with the other two closing in on him. They seemed much less keen on the fight however as they found themselves facing another were-panther, the memory of their leader's death all too fresh in their minds. The fact that this one was the alpha male.....couldn't have helped any.

Fur and fangs flew as they came at him in tandem. It was all Michael could do to keep from giving up a crippling blow on his person while dealing his own level of savagery back to them. A gashing blow across one doglike cheek split the flesh right down to the creature's teeth, which showed clearly now through the gaping hole.....its resulting scream only adding to the pain it felt.

The other gnawed on his foreleg, fangs cutting cruelly into the muscle and tendon there. Yet its stubborness would be its undoing, as a brutal swipe of claws splattered brain matter amongst the already gory surroundings, Michael's claws easily finding the soft spot in the dog man's skull and ending the pathetic creature's life.

When Celeste had joined them, he wasn't certain. Only when he heard a cacophony of sound to his right did he concern himself with any fight other than his own.

A vicious canine snarl reverberated throughout the garden, but it was nothing......nothing......compared to the shreik of feline agony that was in truth what had captured his attention.

Its target more than handled, the jackal that had been on Kira veered hungrily towards the newcomer. Surely a tiny little fox bitch like this wouldn't cause nearly the problems that a cheetah posed. It was a good thing their plan had worked.....

Michael cursed himself for not seeing it until now. Of course....that was why the female had only gotten one attacker. Not because he was the bigger threat, not if indeed they had a werewolf on their side, but because she would have been the harder of the two of them to kill.....unless....distracted of course.

Kira stared at him now, horror filling those beautiful green eyes of her as she glanced down at the clawed hand protruding from her chest, a clawed hand that held her own heart still beating in its grasp even as her lifeblood spurted and poured from around it......a grotesque mess of shredded bone and gore staining her normally pristine golden fur. And with a truly evil toothy grin on his face, it stood there.....clutching his prize, daring Michael to make a move......knowing full well that only a split second separated the even now slumping Kira from a permanent oblivion.

If the second jackal fighting him thought to take advantage of the situation, it was the last mistake he would ever make. Coming in on what he thought was Michael's blindside, fangs and claws alike reached for that dark flesh as he leapt....committing himself to the attack completely.....

A clawed finger slammed into the creature's exposed throat so fast the monster barely even had time to recognize its own death, spinal vertabrae exploding from the other side of its now ruined neck. Further to his right, he could see Celeste sparring yet with the last one......at least he had been right in counting on her.....

"Let her go. NOW."

The beast's grin widened, even as Michael dropped into a crouch. He would have to be quick if he had any chance at all.

"What....when there is so much to gain here?"

Michael watched, grimacing to himself as the creature's fingers tightened, the body still impaled upon its wrist trembling in response, too spent to even whimper.

And just like that, the trophy was released, sickening Michael with the sound of its lumpy mass hitting the ground.

"You're weak. You let females fight for you. I'm certainly not going to follow your orders, but women like these....the cheetah especially....can be made to bear many pups. All I have to do is break their bond first. So....cat....are you going to come at me? Or do I have to...."

A furry, padded foot lifted, as if to stomp down on the same item it knew the panther before it would try so desperately to preserve.

And as Michael threw himself at the werewolf, a deadly fury in his eyes, blood still dripping off his claws.....the creature smiled.

Good. Things were going exactly according to plan.

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste saw the problem as soon as she entered the garden, and knew immediately when someone came at her that she had to defend herself. She knew from her brief training with Kira that she was quick, but it wasn't what she was used to. This was far different than any battle she had had with any of her previous partners against these beasts.

There were enough of them, and thankfully Celeste felt strong enough to fight, or perhaps she had just been itching to since she had gotten there. Going from hunting these bastards down quite often to doing nothing but biding time away in a house was not something that she was used to, certainly not something that she enjoyed. So when the fur covered her skin just as it had done when Michael first turned her, when she had wanted him so badly. The growls, the sounds that escaped her snapping jaw were actually something rather frightening, eyes glowing with delight at the situation.

What happened next was something she couldn't even comprehend and it was the moment of weakness that sent everything into a downward spiral. Amber eyes found Kira as soon as she heard her cry, her eyes flying wide even as she attempted to hold off the attacker. A heart...her heart. It was in that moment of weakness - the brief hesitation where her breathing caught in her chest that she was released. In that instant she looked back to her attacker, only to be met with a brutal kick - directly to her abdomen.

Celeste hadn't even managed more than a groan as she struggled back to her feet - not realizing yet what damage was done - though the pain that graced her features was enough for anyone to know.

The creature was over her again, grinning at some sort of success that she had not comprehended - but she did well to quite literally tear the grin from his face with sharp nails that quite literally tore through the skin. She followed by tearing into the flesh of his throat before stumbling backward, a new pain taking hold while the creature attempted to recover.

Her vision blurred as she looked down, seeing what she thought was not her blood - but it was, and the pain had her frozen in confusion and fear. Her breathing was rapid, her own heartbeat erratic as she took another few steps back, then realizing what the blood was actually from.

Her hand was on her stomach, clutching as the damned thing got up again, practically towering over her. Another blow - perhaps what could be considered a final blow was delivered after a swift punch to her jaw, sending her yet again to the ground. The second, she knew, was to ensure that his job was finished - and it was obvious that she was in an incredible amount of pain at the moment, but what the beast didn't realize was that while she was trembling, huddled on the ground as he stood over her she was also prepared.

He reached down, perhaps to pull her to her feet to bat her around more, and instincts took hold. Slender bloody fingers wrapped around his throat, pulling him downward while she thrust her other hand upward - through his chest. Repeating the same action that he had done to Kira, she pulled her hand back - removing the pulsing organ, though instead of really reacting the only thing that she could do was lie on her back - struggling at this point to hold consciousness. She actually almost looked feverish as she squeezed the heart, struggling to keep her focus. By this point there was a small pool of blood between her legs, which - besides killing her - was the most damage that he could have done.

 

[dryfter]

How long had he laid there. Eyes staring blankly, his nose buried firmly in soil that had once fed beautiful flowers.....

For all purposes, he was dead. Though slowly consciousness began to filter back in....just enough to make things confusing. A small flicker of light....a shadow passing over him.....he hadn't yet begun breathing.....so scent was not an option.

More distressing was the lack of feeling.....a numbness that Michael was sure he should be grateful for. Sensitivity would return all too soon.....and with it came the pain.

Celeste was hurt. Kira....poor Kira....how was she? Were they both alright? Had he done enough? They were so close....

To mortal eyes, he was finished. Great rents in his flesh that trembled and shivered as they tried to mend themselves. His ribcage was split, cracked and broken ribs tearing through his own flesh....holding his heart on display for any who chose to come along and devour him.....end his pitiful existance. It was the last memory he had....of shifting at the last second as the werewolf struck him again....both very much alive combatants in a shower of blood, gore, and teeth. The blow meant to rip his own heart out instead caroming off his breastbone, shattering it beneath the brutal force of the blow......

His arm.....his right arm had been completely ripped off at the shoulder.....discarded like so much trash. It hadn't fazed him in the slightest, just another injury......they both had lost so much blood already.....

If he could just feel.....had he done it? Michael truly didn't know.....the slumber of regeneration claiming him even as he launched his final attack. Was he holding the monster's heart even now? If so....it wouldn't be long....until he died. The wolf would recover first......he was sure of it. At least in this state he wouldn't feel anything......

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

Gentle hands tended to her, unfamiliar and decidedly male. A shadow darting across her form....darkening even the deeper shadows found beneath Celeste's pain clenched eyes. Throughout it all had been a cacophony of sound, snarls and cries of pained agony.

That was over now, as the werefox was slowly turned over onto her back, her body still reflexively trying to curl inward on its injury.

"This one was with child. A child I'm afraid she lost during the fight."

A stern growl.

"This is why you don't send females into battle when they're burdened. What was he thinking?"

The first voice again....gentle....soft....and decidedly feminine.

"There was another.....much more swollen than this one.....we found her concealed in the house. She fares well however."

A soft and respectful chuckle.

"She had a......rather fierce guardian. She had to be called off before we could make contact."

A long pause.

"There is another one, panther as well.....injured inside. Her wounds are deep, but her child is safe. My guess is that she was attacked first....I scented jackal blood on her fingers yet."

"You've done well, Alexa."

"And this one?"

"The rumors were true. Michael found himself a fox bitch. The young one continues to surprise even me. This is what.....the second wolf he's killed now?"

Another pause.

"If you can call that killing him. We have three hearts to contend with, Master. What would you like done with them?"

The longest pause yet.....

"I respect him for putting up one helluva fight. None of my children would have been quite so eager to throw down with a monster like that. Nor would I say you either, yes Alexa?"

More silence.

"Well they both hold the hearts of their enemies in their hands. Let's feed them their prizes before these dogs wake up. I'll deal with Michael, you get this girl...."

"And the cheetah?"

"A mate of Michael's....let her recover. I've seen her here before, I've no doubt those wounds on her body were gained defending her home."

"Understood."

Dark and slender fingers reached for the jackal heart in Celeste's hand, completely unaware the girl clutching it might still be awake, much less might have heard the whole conversation. The soft sound of the tearing of the muscle reached Celeste's ears, shining green eyes widening slightly as the girl beneath her touch stirred softly.

Feline lips pressed against her own insistantly, even as she felt the girl resist slightly. Pushing firmly, Alexa slowly forced a piece of the torn trophy into the fox mate's mouth where she could chew or swallow at her leisure.

"Shhh...relax.....this strength will help the healing. You fought well...."

Platonic in nature, the were-panther returned long moments later with another already chewed piece of meat to deliver.....the substance passing from mouth to mouth much more easily.

A certain sadness crossed the woman's dark-furred features as she pulled away again.

"You've lived.....as does your master and the cheetah girl.....but I'm afraid this battle wasn't without casualty."

"Alexa....hurry up and get that girl mobile again."

An annoyed expression....patience interrupted....

"What's the problem, master?"

If Celeste turned and looked she would have seen a huge and scarred specimen of their race.....dark fur tipped with grey at spots, belying his age. A frustrated look of concern painted across his face as he regarded the corpse-like Michael.

"I can't get this damn heart anywhere near him without him trying to take my fucking hand off. One of these two are going to have to do it, and I'd say the fox is a damn sight better off than the cheetah is. He might at least recognize their scent....."

"Understood. I'm sorry, love.....but we're going to have to hurry this. If that monster gets back up again, it will be trouble for all of us. Not that master couldn't handle him.....I just don't want to be tending more injuries than what I have to......"

Spoken first to the old panther, then to Celeste, Alexa only hoped that she was up to it. From the looks of her.....she'd been through a lot already.....and once she found out about the loss of her child....if he didn't know already from the small hint she'd been able to leave.....

It was going to be a looong day.

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste couldn't help but flinch as she felt herself turned, rolled onto her back, her body aching in places she didn't think possible to ache, her eyes squeezed shut. The words were muffled in her ears, making her certain that she was not conscious..that her body was trying to fight it.

The first thing that she managed to hear was that Angel was safe - and that Shio had done well and had done her job to protect her - but she didn't seem to realize the gravity of the situation quite yet.

Hell, she couldn't even pull herself to wakefulness.

The names..the voices were all unfamiliar, the words all coming in a rushed blur to her ears. Something about Kira and hearts that she couldn't quite make out - not until she felt fingers prying something from her hands that she wasn't even certain that she had been holding.

She heard her biting into it, and couldn't help but stir, trying desperately to force herself back into a world of consciousness - back into something that she could control.

There were lips then, and with a weak groan of protest her own lips parted, tasting something she was all too familiar with. She was incredibly tense wanting nothing more but to recoil from the voice - be somewhere that she knew she was safe but it wasn't working. She gave in almost immediately. The heart was making her feel a bit more awake, and she heard something - a comment that seemed to be directed toward her.

She hadn't really understood who had not survived - when she had heard that near everyone had been found perfectly safe, and forced her eyes open only slightly.

She looked confused - exhausted..beaten down in quite nearly every sense of the word and still she didn't realize the severity of what had actually happened.

She could do it..she could give him the heart - though she would have to be able to get to her feet first which proved to be the biggest problem yet. "..Okay.."

Her voice was almost foreign to her. She sounded so incredibly out of it, lifting her hand and rubbing her jaw where the bruise was already healing, though the ache seemed to be remaining. It was when she sat up that she realized something was wrong.

The dizziness that accompanied the movement was enough to draw a groan from her lips, but Celeste held a shaking hand out for the heart, her other hand instinctively resting on her stomach - though this time it was because of the ache that she felt there - a pain that she was unable to really understand at the moment simply due to the fact that she was concentrating on the task at hand. It didn't help that any blood evidence was gone from her thighs.

She seemed to have known when in battle, though it was almost like her brain was tricking her, making her believe that what she had thought to have happened never did.

It was probably best - if only for the moment, as she would be able to attempt to get the heart to Michael without having to get too incredibly upset in the process. If she realized what had happened now, there would probably be no helping the hysterics or possibly catatonic state that would surely follow.

 

[dryfter]

Gerald watched patiently as Alexa handed the fox girl the heart. Weak and unstable, the poor girl looked like she might not even be able to traverse the short distance to her master.

"Alexa....lend our friend a hand, will you? I've no idea how much time Michael's bought, and I agree with your earlier assessment of not really caring to find out."

The werepanther to Celeste's right nodded softly, gently aiding the poor woman with gentle, delicate touches. As the fox mate stood finally, she could see her take them all in......even as a soft gasp reached them all. As one, the five of them tensed, trusting in their senses and the sight of a sixth comrade as they relaxed again just as quickly.

"Celeste! Oh....my.....god.....Kira.....M-Master!"

Trembling hands lifted to her face as Angel stared at the wreck of what had once been her beautiful garden. A tiny streak of white shot between her legs and raced towards the fallen Michael, only to be caught by a dark furred hand......the pathetic kitten mewling frantically, only to shift suddenly, Siobhan a fury of claws and bared fangs.

"You leave him alone! Master! Wake up Master!"

"Well now, what have we here?"

"Si...Siobhan stop."

Angel could barely contain the tremor in her voice, and yet it was enough to still the catgirl.....a sour look on her face as she eyed her now chuckling captor.

"So you must be the warrior I've heard so much about."

Releasing her as quickly as he had seized her, Siobhan found herself placed gently back on her feet.

"Good. Perhaps one or both of you can help this one?"

Gerald gestured towards Celeste, the ring of panthers closing in around them more out of concern than any show of aggression.

"Angel, on second thought.....why don't you tend to cheetah girl over here. I think your little warrioress should be enough aid for the fox."

Angel finally tore her gaze from the bloody mess that was her master, only to suck in a deep breath at the sight of Kira.

"Yes, Lord Gerald."

The aged panther gave a stout nod.

"So you remember me. Good. That will make things go much smoother. Now, as for you, my little kitten...."

Siobhan's fur stood on end as she regarded the much larger male through slitted eyes.

"I beleive your master might be needing this back, please make sure he gets it, ok?"

A quizzical cocking of the head gestured towards the discarded arm, a soft smile painting across his face as the white haired teen's eyes widened with understanding. Soundlessly, Siobhan rushed towards the ragged appendage, scooping it lovingly up into her arms.

Giving a glance back at Celeste, the catgirl paused.......something was wrong.

"Celeste....you're hurt too?"

Funny.....she sported a wicked bruise.....but the ever observant catgirl smelled the distinct scent of blood. But where was it? Perhaps Celeste had healed quickly? Then why did she look as agonized as she did?

Pausing for just a moment, she ignored the strange old panther's frown and went to her friend, still carrying her grisly package.

"Here....I know I'm not strong.....but you can lean on me if you like. I know you want to see him Celeste....."

Her voice dipped low with concern and desire for none but the fox mate to hear.

"I know you don't really hate him......."

She didn't know actually, but she hoped, hoped with all her heart that she was right. Glancing down, she recieved the second largest shock of her afternoon as she noticed the still bloody package that her friend carried with her........the largest heart she had ever seen......

"Hurry, Celeste.....that will help master......you'll see. He'll be so happy that we're ok.....at least I think we're all ok.....poor Kira......"

One step at a time they neared the fallen Michael......

As the body of the werewolf gave a soft....almost unnoticable twitch......

 

[TieMeTightly]

Where did they all come from? That was the first question. She flinched as she heard the familiar voices, her eyes struggling to focus on them as she stood there, rubbing at her jaw as she seemed to be ignoring what was happening - but now she was hearing it all.

Celeste thought she would fall at any moment really, but it was fine. She was doing well - even on her trembling legs she was refusing to let herself slip back to the ground.

It was Siobhan's voice that drew her back - that made her focus. "I'm okay.."

No that wasn't right. She felt so out of it - the knock must have made her hit her head or something. Maybe that was what everyone was so upset about.

When Shio came over to her, helping her toward Michael she flinched just at the sight of him, the mangled arm nothing worth looking at at the moment. And there he was. She so easily saw the twitch, the slightest movement - and she pulled herself from Siobhan slowly, taking the last steps by herself.

They were difficult, yes - but she managed, and as soon as she stood in front of him she fell to her knees - just inches away. It seemed at the moment that she didn't quite care if he tore her to shreds or not.

"I need you..to eat this.."

She nodded at her own words - holding out the heart and refusing to move away from him in the slightest - not even flinching in response to any slight movement or sharp inhalations coming from around her.

She didn't care. If he really wanted to injure her he could very well do that but in this state she would have gladly welcomed to return to a wonderful state of unconsciousness.

"Master..please.."

Her tone was begging as she held it out to him again with a trembling hand - the title that she had given hiim something that she hadn't even wanted to call him. She wanted to call him Michael, to have him recognize her as that as opposed to him recognizing a stench of a heart - and perhaps her own scent. The blood from the muscle had coated her hand, leaving the foul stench on her skin. That was what she wanted..a shower. A warm shower to wash the grit off of her skin from the battle.

After the brief reverie of daydream she was brought back to the sight before her, of Michael, her other hand held up momentarily, not wanting Shio close at the moment just in case he did lash out. More people than one didn't have to get hurt in a day. It wasn't necessary - and she wouldn't allow it even in the wonderful state she was in.

 

[dryfter]

He had lain there for what had seemed like ages.....his awareness slowly expanding to the world outside of his own body.

Pain.

Yes....everything was as it should be during a regeneration. His nerve endings were beginning to waken. Soon....very soon, he'll be feeling the full brunt of their wrath. For now it was just a dull ache....one that would not go away no matter how he tried to ignore it.

He wasn't sure at what exact moment he had started to breathe again, only that he smelled his opponent, closer than what he cared to have him at. Oddly, the taint was mixed with something else....something only vaguely familiar. Michael did his best to sift through the memories he'd accrued since being turned. Not for the first time....he came up blank.....

Whatever it was fell away from him sharply. He wanted to strike at it, to grind it to dust between his jaws.....but in his condition.....was unlikely to do any more than just wish it, right?

Again, the strange mixture of scents......and again a hasty retreat. What was wrong? Was something occupying the creature's attention? Celeste?! No, no, no.....she couldn't fight something like that alone.....and with Kira down already......

For the first time since falling in battle, Michael struggled....railed against the lethergy that threatened to consume him as his body mended itself. Yet outwardly, he was incapable of so much as the most minute of movements....as still and unmoving as the second they had found him save for his renewed breathing.

Long minutes passed without the strangeness returning. Michael began to panic.

I should be dead right now. Why would he just leave me be like this? Why risk me returning to fight on?

Images tormented him...visions of his mates being brutally raped by the monster he had failed to protect them from. One, then another, until they all appeared before his vision.....begging, pleading for mercy as each fell under control of the werewolf, too weak from the severance of the bond they shared with their master to even mount a sufficient fight.

NO!

The scent returned, the rank aroma of the wolf's flesh causing his muzzle to furrow almost instantly, bearing his teeth. And yet this time it was different.....

Familiarity.....Celeste......

Slowly, the feral snarl relaxed into normality once more.....his ears yet deaf to her pleading, even as his now relaxed jaws were slowly pried open.

It was warm....glowing with vibrance.....and even in his current condition Michael had a pretty good guess what it was. Carefully, his mouth closed, razor teeth piercing the bloody mass easily as he struggled to chew. The first swallow was like the purest of ambrosia.....the life of another monster renewing his own depleted vigor.....and then some.

Gore drippled from the corner of his mouth as he moaned softly, the last of Celeste's gift barely down when his nerves decided to come awake at last. It certainly didn't help that Siobhan chose that exact moment to press mangled bone to mangle bone, holding his tattered arm against his torso with a stern strength that would have surprised any observing.

Long minutes passed as his body mended itself.....much quicker with the aid of the lycan heart he had consumed. Until first one....than the other.....blue eye opened, noting immediately the fox that hovered above him still.....worry etched deeply in her eyes.....

"Is...everyone....ok?"

He had no idea yet that there were more there than what should have been. His first thought was for his mates.....

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste was almost disappointed that she hadn't been knocked away..or something close to the like - but when he did take the heart she sighed in relief. She had to. And as she had before when he had had silver poisoning, she was by his side.

Hesitant to touch him, of course, instead just choosing to remain kneeling. When he asked the question of if everyone was alright she nodded slightly - her gaze wandering as though to take in the horror that had happened to the garden.

That was when her eyes caught something that drew back what the pain was from.

There was a stain on the ground. Blood - and as soon as she saw it she could pinpoint the scent. Her blood.

Her face paled visibly and she recoiled from the spot he was kneeling - but when she got to her feet it was obvious that she stood far too quickly, her breathing uneven.

The kick to her stomach. That had done it first but a second blow had confirmed it..had ruined it. She felt sick..but it wasn't because of what had been making her sick..it was something far different. Disgust, fear, hatred, anger, loss. It was loss. How had she not noticed? Had she been so out of it that she couldn't realize what was missing? What had been plaguing her stomach?

And if Michael found out..."I need..to..sit.."

The worry for Michael had so quickly been replaced with an incredible sadness that she couldn't hide, the sudden expression of something that may have resembled emptiness - and the colour that suggested if she didn't sit - she would most likely pass out.

And still her gaze was upon the spot. Staring at the blood..the scene playing over and over in her head as she literally dropped to the ground, drawing her knees to her chest only to wrap her arms around them. She shouldn't care..she didn't even want the thing..but now that it was gone - so quickly..painfully gone, it made it hard to breathe, which was proven by the near hyperventilating breaths and rapid heartbeat as she pressed her forehead to her knees.

 

[dryfter]

Michael noticed the changing of emotions as they played across her face. Celeste had always been so very easy to read. And yet, what he saw there now confused the living shit out of him.

"And you? Are you ok? What's wrong.?"

Concern rang heavily in his voice as he continued to watch. Yet only two people had any idea of what was really wrong with Celeste.

"She's had a trying time of it, Michael. Best let her get her rest....."

Strong hands slipped beneath her, never once demanding that she move, lifting her gently with little stumbling.....Alexa's voice kept soft and soothing, sympathetic eyes turned towards the sexy little fox.

"Come child....I'll make sure you're seen to."

Angel neared, concern written plainly across her face.

"Is she ok? I'm the one usually charged with medical duties here."

And yet, Alexa suspected that Angel would be the last person she'd feel comfortable caring for right about now. And so she lied, giving her fellow werepanther a simple nod of the head as she turned back towards the house.

"Gerald.....when did you get here?"

Michael's voice was weak and unsteady, yet at least he was speaking. His senior looked down upon him with an almost disapproving frown.

"Since Giorgio alerted us to a werewolf in the area. We let the jackals through of course, figured if you couldn't handle that crap, you weren't worth having in our clan. A werewolf......well, that's a different matter."

Michael watched as Celeste slipped further and further from sight....sighing deeply.

"They're ok, Michael. Even the cheetah should start coming around soon. You were very lucky, though perhaps it wasn't all just luck. I can't believe you managed another attack in your condition."

A weak smile.

"You saw that, huh?"

A soft chuckle.

"We all did. Seeing kind of strength made Alexa's scent just a little stronger....if you know what I mean."

It hurt to laugh....yet he managed.

"Yeah....like she'd ever want a loser like me when she's got the clan-lord. I'm more worried about the mates I do have than adding to them right now. I doubt I'll breathe easy until every one of them is healthy again."

The frown returned to the old panther's face.

"Michael.....you weren't without loss today."

Confusion.....dread.....anxiety.

"That lovely little fox of yours was the first one Alexa tended to after we determined there were no more lycans skulking about on your clan grounds. I'm sorry.....but she seemed to have taken some.....internal damage."

Long seconds passed before Michael stiffened suddenly, his eyes widening even as he turned just enough to lock stares with the old cat.

"The baby..."

"It's gone, Michael. The fox miscarried.......its why I've told you never to send a burdened female into battle. Though from the looks of things......you didn't have much choice, did you? One mate down, another even more burdened, and yet another barely able to defend herself.....a cat, Michael? What possessed you to take her in? Such a girl is for perverted humans, not strong lycan clans like ours. Toss that trash aside."

He had no idea that she was even still there, and definately within hearing distance when he spoke his answer....

"She's a part of this household. And as such, is under my protection as well. She's a reminder that no matter how I suffer through these battles, I'll never suffer as much as she has. I love her as I love the rest of my mates. I'm sorry, milord......I cannot.....will not cast her out of my home."

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

"Poor dear.....I see you've begun to take notice...."

It took some doing to find a bedroom in a mansion she wasn't familiar with. Yet as the mattress formed around the pained form of the werefox, Alexa did her best to soothe the woman's more obvious aches.

"It will heal, love......though how soon your heart does is another matter. You'll bear fruit again, at least you have that."

There was nothing but sympathy shining in those soft grey eyes....no mockery what so ever.

"Rest now....there will be time for mourning.....time for understanding later. Please trust me when I say that now....is the time for healing."

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste flinched at the touch - momentarily attempting to pull herself from it. She didn't want to be touched..to be..helped. For the first time in awhile she actually looked lost as she got to her feet, attempting to contain herself - though she wasn't sure which of the two things would be worse.

Depression? Some form of it was still to come, though Celeste really hadn't been one for tears before she came here. No. The more likely and almost obvious of the two would be silence. A detached little thing, perhaps relating even more to what she was in her form. Skittish - prone to hiding.

When Celeste found the bed she did well to curl around herself, her eyes staring into the nothingness of the room.

"I can't rest..maybe...because he can heal...maybe it healed.."

Her voice was so distant as she clung to something she knew was an impossibility, and eventually managed to shake her head in response to her own comment, covering her face easily with her hand, ignoring the pain that she received from touching her bruised jaw.

"Didn't heal..I hated that thing..and..now it's gone..and I hate myself for letting it happen.."

Something she didn't understand - the incredible amount of need and desire that she actually had to protect the thing that had been growing inside of her. What would he do now?

She almost shuddered at the thought of being fucked like mad until she was again with child, though to even be touched now didn't seem to be helping her very much. Every faint movement in the room made her flinch.

"He'll..he'll be upset.."

That was the next thing on her mind. The now more frantic thing. "..He can't know...if...if he just...he can just take me..and maybe..he won't notice.." That was a better plan for her, the hand that covered her face lowering to her stomach where she clutched at it. Her ribs were most likely bruised - perhaps broken even - but she didn't care. They would heal.

"No..he knows.." Again she corrected herself, shutting her eyes tightly. "..I'm going to lock the door I think...just for a little while.." That wouldn't keep them out if they really wanted to get in, but she figured that it would dissuade anyone from trying.

Whatever thing that she killed had managed to take something that was important to the clan, not just important to her even if she didn't realize it. And now even that was gone. It just managed to add as something else that Celeste had failed at in the time she had been there.

Even though she had said she was going to lock the door - her exhaustion was quickly winning over any premeditated thought of movement. It was obvious that she did not fall asleep, rather passed out - her slight frame remaining tense on the bed.

 

[dryfter]

Alexa listened to it all.....the feverish, confused, and increasingly paranoic mutterings of the poor woman before her.

"Yes, I'm sure he's been told by now."

Slowly, the fur receded from her body, leaving her full bodied and naked before the smaller woman, a soft and tender hand reaching for Celeste's, drawing another flinch as well as a small frown in response to it.

"You won't be locking this door. I'm not leaving you while you sleep, dear. Not unless my master commands me otherwise."

A long and tenurable silence.

"And if you think your master will be that angry with you....should he be....I will offer him my womb in appeasement. You have nothing to worry about, little one.....now sleep. May you wake to find such fears unfounded....."

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

"How is she?"

A male voice, unfamiliar.

"Her mind has been damaged far more than her body has. As to be expected of one who has lost a child. She's terrified her master will be disappointed....no....angry with her. She thought to lock herself in the room before she passed out. This little fox has been through a lot today, and its not going to get any better when she wakes up. Please relay this account to Michael for me, he should be aware of what her thought patterns are like. She'll need him more than anything else when she wakes up."

Alexa reached over to tuck the blankets she had found just a little tighter around the smallish frame slumbering on the bed. Gerald hadn't called for her just yet.....so there was time......

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

"Where do you go from here?"

Michael stared off into space, acutely aware of the burning in his chest and arm as tendon and ligament alike attempted to stitch themselves back together despite the fiery protests of his delicate nerves.

"I'm certainly not against youth begetting youth. Have all the mates you want, Michael....but for the love of all things unholy, you can't have them all burdened at once and then expect them to fight for you. I'll tell you what you need to do....get more mates either through alliance or force....or stop fucking them! This whole charade might have gone completely differently if you'd have had one or two competant and able mates to help. Instead....I counted one.....the cheetah. Lovely piece of work she is by the way.....she's the one you should be breeding like mad. Hell....if I had one of those....."

A soft chuckle.

"Alexa'd be out of a job?"

Gerald scowled down at the impertinant young "noble."

"Hardly. That woman has more talent than your whole harem of pets combined. I was going to say, that if I had a cheetah amongst my mates, my clan size would be triple what it is now."

Michael merely grunted, a sudden wave of discomfort preventing any response.

"What the hell are you doing? You shouldn't be moving in your condition!"

Tiny droplets of crimson splashed across the hardwood floor to paint its haggard landscape with a sudden blush of color.

"I told you before....my mates are important to me.....every one of them. I have to go see to their healing....."

 

[TieMeTightly]

The voice wasn't something that she had recognized and it sounded so far away as she had slept. She had wanted all too desperately to lock them all out - to be by herself despite the fact that she knew they wouldn't ever allow it.

Even as she slept she had flinched at the noise, her mind seemingly more aware of it than anything else - her body simply reacting to it.

Her breathing was somewhat uneven as she slept - seeming to be aware of another in the room - while unaware of what was really happening, especially unaware of the fact that Michael would be told what she had said, what she had thought necessary.

That was of course a betrayal in her mind, thinking that even her ramblings were in confidence, however it was a foolish thought as the woman with her was someone she didn't even know.

That was something else that was bothersome.

The worst of it was that as much as she wanted to force her eyes open - stay awake and perhaps plot another plan. Michael would probably think her crazy if she actually thought her own little plans were something worthwhile.

Even in the deep sleep she was in she remained curled possibly tighter than usual, though she did relax somewhat as the blankets were tucked around herself, providing some sort of security and more warmth. Who was it with her..who had been standing there asking how she was?

Curiosity made her want to know, her brow knitting in frustration as her body refused to nudge - refused to return to wakefulness. It didn't seem to matter, however, the brief action of tucking the blankets around her - wrapping around her in a way seemed to have had a calming effect.

Even her dreams were plagued with images. Just images of the battle. Of the blood - of Kira, of the grin that she had seen just before the first kick. Things that brought slight shudders to her form - even as she drew her knees closer still to herself.

Siobhan had previously been upset with her - had been upset that she had not wanted to give Michael a child, and now Shio had nothing to even envy her for, be jealous of. She had lost it. She hadn't been paying attention and the moment of weakness had made it possible for the attack to happen. If she had been trying harder, she would have been able to prevent it. Yes, that was where her head was as the images of the battle flooded her mind.

 

[dryfter]

The werepanther at the edge of the bed never moved. Even as the door behind her creaked gently open. Alexa could tell from the sound of his irregular movements who it was long before Michael's scent reached her....

"Shouldn't you be resting too?"

A long pause.

"And how do you know that's not exactly what I came here to do?"

She turned then, a brief flicker of surprise etched across her face as she cast a glance over her shoulder. That one glance told much....

"You're worried about her."

Michael nodded, doing his best to ignore how the motion set his still mending joint on fire.

"Giorgio told me most of what I needed to know. Your master told me the rest."

The now human looking brunette reached forward once more, cooing softly as she ran a hand down Celeste's blanket swaddled form. She hadn't missed the soft trembling of the werefox. It seemed that even her dreams denied her comfort today......

She was beautiful.....svelte and lovely, naked as the day she was born as she cared for the fallen fox. And yet, it was all Michael could do to even notice....a fact not missed by Alexa.

Slowly edging towards the bed, he needed to see her with his own eyes. Needed to know that she at least was alright. Michael flinched at the thought of what she might be like when she woke once more and reality set in.....

"You may go."

Nodding submissively, the brunette stood confidently, almost wistfully hoping that in her full glory, she might at least be noticed. But it was in vain.....Michael already leaning far over Celeste.....easily taking the retreating woman's place in soothing her troubled dreams through scent and the sound of his caring voice.....

"It's ok, Celeste.....you'll be ok.....I'm not angry.....I'm just glad you're still alive.....please don't be mad at me......for failing you......"

It was little more than a whisper......yet it was all she needed to hear......

As the door slowly closed.

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste hadn't noticed until her subconscious could smell him - her Master, And when he did actually come to the bed to speak was when she seemed to stir. His words, words she never thought she would hear from him reached her ears, made her force her eyes open just for a moment as she struggled to focus on him.

"Michael.."

The pain could be seen so clearly in her eyes, even as she rolled to face him. She was so tired - the mark on her face looking more like a bruise that was days old though it was still a good bit sore to the touch.

She realized at some point that she had called him by his name as opposed to calling him Master..as he wanted her to do - practically wanting her to say it without thinking. It was what he was to her, after all, but she couldn't even bring herself to correct it.

She wasn't aware enough to cry..she certainly wasn't aware enough to actually stay awake, but she did understand what was happening.

The only thing that she couldn't grasp..that she couldn't understand was why she was so upset to have lost something that she didn't want in the first place - something that had been put in her by no will of her own, by a man that she didn't want to love or even like. But even now as she struggled to hold onto what small amount of consciousness that she had in her, she was so incredibly upset, and wasn't even trying at this point to understand why. That would all come later, when she had more strength.

"I'm so sorry.."

The words were sincere - so sincere in fact that she couldn't even understand it herself. She was genuinely sorry for losing something that he needed so desperately, something that would expand the clan and perhaps put another protector in it as well.

He hadn't failed, she had.

 

[dryfter]

Strong arms held her, even as she struggled to bring her head around enough to look at him. In the years he had known her....he had never seen her this weakened before. It was disconcerting.

The actions drew a sharp hiss of pain from him, the flesh where shoulder and arm joined still laid bare, with only the newly repaired ligaments and tendons around the bone holding it in place.

He wasn't letting go. Not even when she sagged against him once more.....his own eyes closing in a brief flash of pain that had nothing to do with the battle and everything to do with his heart.

"What do you have to be sorry for? You did what I asked of you, not knowing or thinking of the risks. You fought beautifully, Celeste....."

It was his fault for asking her to be there to begin with. He was to blame for her even being able to be targetted for such a vicious attack. Slowly, he eased her further back into the mattress, hoping she wouldn't at least for now, notice that this wasn't her room. Nastaja was recovering swiftly, or so he had been told, but it would take time for her to be up and walking about too....

"Rest, love.....I'll take over from here. You've nothing to worry about. I'm going to go check on Kira.....and then I'll be right back......and I won't leave you again.....I promise."

Even then he waited.....time dragging on until he could hear her breathing soften, deepening slightly as slumber stole her away from him once more. It was longer still before he actually released her fully. It had felt so good to just hold her....scared and helpless.....in his arms. Had it been like that for her? He couldn't help but let his mind drift back to the horror stories the others had shared with him about his silver poisoning. She hadn't left him.....

And yet, she had only him to care about then. Practically his whole household was injure in some way or form......as much as he wanted to stay, he had others to look in on.

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

What an interesting trip that had been. The door closing silently behind him once more. He had only been gone for twenty minutes, and yet it seemed like an eternity to him.

Kira had been awake.....and woefully apologetic. It was Celeste all over again, with the pretty little blonde almost to the point of tears, blaming herself for her own failure to take notice of an ambush that had been meant just for her. Of course.....it hadn't helped that she had almost died. At least the others had kept their mouths shut....hadn't told her that her very life had been used to bait him into combat....to lure him into a dance of fang and claw that could have all too easily meant his death.

She had an interesting way of dealing with things it seemed. The skinny blonde had practically begged him for a fucking, as if pounding his seed into her would absolve her personal shortcomings. She was nowhere near healed enough for such a tryst, yet for some reason she felt the need to feel physical love.......almost as if she needed proof that he did still love her despite her "failure".

He had left her, broken and sobbing, refused with what he had thought was a gentle and loving explanation. He was becoming very poor at easing the souls of his mates it seemed.....fortunately, he had Angel at hand yet......

The werepanther had assured him that it was just post traumatic stress, and that Kira would be herself in no time. Michael even managed a small smile at the mention that he should take her now, she'd probably just be running again when her heat crept up on her soon enough. It earned a soft chuckle, Angel was always so solemn and caring......it was perhaps the first joke he'd heard from her since she came into his fold.....

That was all forgotten as soon as he looked down upon her once more.....his tiny little redheaded fox mate still whimpering softly in her sleep. Slowly, he eased his form back onto the edge of the bed.

"I'm back.....just like I promised......Kira's going to be fine.....and you will be too......you'll see....."

 

[TieMeTightly]

Michael had left. She had heard it, had noticed it, but was far too broken at the moment to care. But he said he would be back. He'd promised.

Her sleep was not restful, and actually made her wish for wakefulness even though her body didn't want it. It was a horrible thing to keep reliving something and that was exactly what her mind was making her do. Why? She didn't want to see it again, to feel it again.

The only time that she had felt nothing but sleep take over was when he had been there, talking to her. Twenty minutes was not long but it was long enough for her to realize that she did actually sleep better when he was there.

If she had heard Kira begging to be fucked as punishment for failure she probably would have yelled at her for it. Kira had done absolutely nothing wrong, and the best of it was that she had done an incredible job. Who wouldn't want a cheetah?

She flinched as she heard his voice though rather quickly relaxed back against the bed. Her breathing had become momentarily uneven, but she didn't waken. Instead she just settled back down just a few minutes after.

This was the Michael she remembered. He hadn't died when she had left him there afterall..it just took a bit of coercing to get him back out. This was the time when the rough exterior of a master left..something she was not sure possible after he had come behind her in the bathroom.

She would never know what to expect..what sort of mood he was in depended on so many things that she couldn't even keep it straight, and there was always the fear of if she were to be the person to set it off. One wrong word, one wrong action and he would be back, and Michael would be gone. He was nearly a Jeckyll and Hyde.

Celeste didn't know how long she slept for - she didn't care. Her eyes opened slowly - so slowly with an incredible reluctance. A groan followed, when the ache set in, and she just curled herself a bit tighter, making herself just slightly smaller as though to protect herself from any sort of pain.

And then it set in again. What had happened. Her amber eyes stared blindly, glossing over with moisture though no tears actually fell from her eyes. She didn't know what to do..how to act - what to say. And she doubted anyone else did, either.

 

[dryfter]

A soft hand caressed her face gently as Celeste gradually stirred. He hadn't slept much at all, himself.....though he was sure he would soon enough. Even with her, he just couldn't get comfortable.....the pain of his injuries plaguing him, conspiring to keep him awake no matter how he tossed and rolled in search of comfort.

And so he had sat here.....knowing that she would have need of him when she woke. And when she realized once again that it hadn't just been a horrible dream.....

"Good evening."

No light filtered in through the thin curtains, though the thick glass did allow for the sound of the cicadas music as they filled the night with chirping wings.

For a second, he felt a pang of sympathy as he watched her eyes fill to the brim with moisture, admiring how she refused to let go with her tears in his presence.....

"It's ok.....you can cry, Celeste. I understand.....we all do."

His voice was soft and caring as he once again moved to take her into his arms, lifting her supple from from the bed's cushiony surface. There was no struggle....almost no life in the body he held as she put up no resistance at all.

She had said his name though, so there was hope that her psyche hadn't been damaged too badly. For now....he held her tightly and as close as pain would allow. She could still scent his own blood, both dried and fresh as his body struggled to mend itself. He only hoped she wouldn't be mad at him for a change.....Angel certainly was. His only concern was for that of his mates.....it had always been that way in these times of duress.

"Shhhhhh."

He didn't want her to speak just yet, though he didn't know if that simple shushing would prevent it. He just wanted her to know....to know how sorry he was.....that, and how much he truly did care for her.....for all of them.

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

It was his own eyes growing moist as he replayed the battle in his mind for the thousandth time.....the same question playing over and over again.

What could I have done differently? How could I have prevented this?

He could have sent her with Angel and Siobhan of course....safe while he and Kira dealt with the intruders.

He could have died.

 

[TieMeTightly]

She didn't even flinch when he moved her, allowing herself to be lifted with no fight. Surely if it had been any other day she would have been squirming. But not now.

When he had said that she could cry she cringed, but didn't allow herself. Weakness - no, she was being strong right now, wasn't she? She wasn't crying - the rest was necessary. It was obvious even from how she was acting that she was far from alright - and that she was far from being strong at the moment but she felt so lost.

Even with his arms around her she didn't seem to understand the situation any better. So it was simple. She would push it aside...just like she always did with problems. Sweep it under the rug so to speak, turn the other cheek. It was what she had to do to survive - to keep going and not slip into a frightening abyss.

He shushed her, though and she let her head rest against his chest.

"It's fine.." She still sounded so distant, closing herself off completely to any sort of emotion. It was what she had to do.

"...I didn't want it anyway,..right?"

She smiled then - though it was false - and she still didn't move. She didn't want to get out of his grasp at the moment. Every bit of pain that she was feeling was at least lessened when he was around.

She seemed to ignore the apology. What was he sorry for? She left herself unprotected. Even in battle she should have been aware at all times and yet she wasn't - she hadn't been. Instead she had been too worried with Kira and that gruesome sight.

No, this was how it had to be - this was how she had to deal.

"I..think that the only real loss...is that you lost it...I didn't mean..for you to lose it."

This was a horrid thing. She was telling lies left and right, and now that she was speaking about Michael losing a new clan member she was feeling horrible about it all over again. She had failed him - and the clan by losing the child.

Still the tears wouldn't leave her eyes. Neither by falling or by absorption of the water - simply remaining glassy. "..Everyone else...they're okay?" She had to care about something else..to think of something else. "..You're not okay..I can smell it.." There was no tonal quality to her voice, just the detached words as she focused on something in the dark room.

 

[dryfter]

"..You're not okay..I can smell it.."

"I can pretend, can't I?"

There was no musical tone of humor in his voice as she pulled back just long enough to check for its presence in his eyes.

"Just like you can."

And just like that, she was being pulled towards him again, buried thoughtfully beside his chest. Michael had no intentions of letting her go....certainly not in the fragile state he knew her to be in.

"They're all right, Celeste. Its you I'm worried about....."

He could feel her stiffen within the warm confines of his arms. She hadn't wanted the child? Perhaps. He had pounded his seed into her whether she wanted it or not, both of them nowhere near able to resist her heat when she had first been turned. So why did he feel like there was so much more to this story?

For now though, he was content to hold her.....rocking her softly as she trembled and fought against tears that wouldn't fall. Now wasn't the time to pressure her, and certainly not a time for blame of any sort. It was time for him to assert himself in another way.....

Making sure she knew that he was there for her.....

This calmness of hers probably wouldn't last forever, and come what may, Michael was ready to ride out whatever coming storm lurked on their horizon.....

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste had flinched at the words. 'Just like you can'.

He knew she was feigning whatever sense of relief that she told herself she now had now that she was not carrying, yet still her slender frame trembled visibly against him as he pulled her back to him, wrapping his own tortured arm around her still, making it quite impossible for her to pull herself away.

She didn't really want to anyway. He was rocking her..and at any other time she would have complained..would have tried to pull from him - but it was a calming gesture..despite the fact that she felt much like this was almost ironic. Soothe a baby by rocking it to sleep..a child that she now wouldn't have, and yet she couldn't pull herself away.

"Y..you need to sleep.."

Again she didn't know how to respond to him, but the rocking was wearing her out quickly, her eyes feeling heavy as she leaned against him fully now, slender fingers lifting, tracing patterns on his chest.

Maybe Kira had the right idea. "Master...f..fuck me.."

There was no hesitation in her voice as she fought the oncoming desire to sleep. Almost immediately after saying the words she reached down with her opposite hand, shifting enough so that her fingers could toy with the organ she knew too well at this point.

And she had called him Master. It was almost like losing the child set off some..strange trigger - one that was obviously unpredictable..but not only was it that, it wasn't really..Celeste. It walked like her, and spoke like her - but the actions were off..almost empty as she spoke his title and not his name, her breathing somewhat uneven.

Still she didn't look up at him, her hand massaging, coaxing as best she could at the moment. She didn't seem to realize the odd calm..or how much she was suppressing what had just happened.

 

[dryfter]

"Y..you need to sleep.."

Celeste had to have known that argument wasn't about to work on him from the look he gave her in response. But even Michael felt a sudden surprise as thin fingers slipped downward to slide with a practiced ease around his cock, easily teasing him within seconds into a raging erection.

"Master...f..fuck me.."

He wanted to......he really did.....

So why was he hesitating?

Her eyes. Celeste's eyes looked vacant, and it was then that Michael knew.....knew that she was burying everything......the true depth of a pain she wouldn't even admit to herself. Emotions that tormented her were stripped away to be buried within the deepest recesses of her mind....at least for now.

She was vulnerable.....more so than he had ever seen her. And in seeing her this way, Michael was torn for the first time, as to what to do. It would be the perfect time to train her.....to mold her subconscious into what he wanted her to be. On the other hand, if it didn't work......he'd just be driving her even further away by taking advantage of her temporary weakness. Was it worth the risk....?

He could feel his length sliding in and out of her fingers even before he gazed down on her once more, admiring not for the first time just how perfect her body was, built for sex and seduction. She'd caught the attention of two clan lords now as well......

"That's good, Celeste.....just like that....."

She barely responded, simply continuing the motion, her hand tightening slightly at the compliment. He could feel her stiffen slightly, moving forward as he guided her towards him.....a long and shapely thigh slowly sliding its sinuous form over his own to straddle him.

"This is your purpose here, love.....and you do it so well.....come Celeste.....and let me fill you with my love."

Michael groaned at the slightest feel of her own heat, shivering slightly at the thought of burying himself in that tight little body of hers once more, his voice dropping to a whisper....

"Take it yourself, Celeste......just like the first time. Show me that you understand.....that your body craves this.....this is what you were made for....."

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste, while she wasn't doing well in some instances,..in this she seemed to excel. Her amber eyes were somewhat unfocused even at his sudden praise, and instead of responding verbally, her fingers helped her actually do most of the talking. If she kept him occupied..she didn't have to speak. And if she didn't have to speak, she didn't quite have to think. Not thinking seemed to be the best thing for her at the moment, even though everything was screaming at her to deal with all of the pain that was already so easily eating away at her.

It was the words, however that seemed to make her flinch, perhaps shy away from what she had wanted him to do to her. This was what she was made for? This was her purpose here?

She was having a difficult time grasping it, but the fact that she was literally in the most vulnerable state of her life, she didn't even complain...nor protest his reasoning.

Perhaps this was the first time that she was attempting to comprehend his thought pattern - and what was worse was that she could actually quite possibly turn into that and simply that. Her purpose was to be fucked. To breed, to make the clan bigger, though that was what she had failed in.

Her inability to think quickly, and act just so made her lose one thing that would have helped to fulfill the purpose he claimed she had.

Her movements were slow, visibly hesitant as she rubbed herself along the tip of his cock, barely even pausing to lower herself. She didn't want to feel at the moment. She just wanted to be,..and thought that perhaps if she could be what he wanted her to be, she would somehow feel better about what she hadn't accomplished.

Not even a sigh escaped her lips as she seated herself fully on his hard shaft, her forehead pressed against his chest as she attempted to relax herself...to 'accept his love' as he had wanted her to.

 

[dryfter]

Michael groaned as he felt her teasing him along the length of her tight slit for agonizingly long seconds. It wasn't long however, before she engulfed him, her grasping pussy reassuring him just how much his little pet wanted this....even if the rather dead look in her eyes belied something else.

Her forehead bowed to touch his chest as she felt his raging arousal invade her, an incredibly sexy vision of submission, and one that turned him on more than the incredible first penetration of her. Things only seemed to get better as Celeste started to move over him, her hips rocking with an instinctual desire to milk the stiff organ that she had speared herself on.

Michael in turn, wasn't about to slack off. Reaching for her, he didn't disturb her current bowed position, instead reaching around her....beneath her.....seeking those not quite yet erect nipples of hers. If this was going to work, he had to make sure she felt the rewards of pleasuring him, to show her the passion that he had for her.....until she craved it whether or not he wanted to give........

Tweaking...pulling....he wasn't exactly gentle with her.....but was a far cry from being truly rough too. Each soft tweak of her hardening nubs was designed to send an illicit thrill through her body....the tiniest of jolts of pain mixing well with the sensation. Michael smiled softly as she pulled herself upward to look questioningly into his eyes, no malice or even wickedness in his gaze.

"You're doing well."

He pulled her towards him gently, his head rising from the pillow to taste those full and delectable mounds of flesh....suckling so much more than just their sensitive crests into his mouth. Sharp teeth scraped across the surface of her skin, just enough to threaten, but never enough to even break the delicate surface as he eventually narrowed his attentions on one stiff peak. He could hear her squeak as he gave the trapped nub another sharp tug, even as his tongue danced across its helpless surface.

A soft tremor.....more encouragement even as his own body struggled to stave off the urge to spill inside of Celeste just yet. She was going all out it seemed, her inner walls flexing and massaging him as only she could....coaxing relentlessly as if a fresh wash of his seed could wash away her percieved failure.

A firm hand rested on her perfect ass, though she needed no encouragement with her working of his cock. For long minutes, he simply let it rest there....caressing the soft flesh with an admiring lover's touch. So it was with little warning when she felt a fingertip tease the puckered rosebud of her ass.....never pushing forward.....yet letting her feel its presence. He could tell she was building, as he was.....and the thought pleased him immensely.

"Tell me what you want from me right now, pet.....my lovely mate.....my Celeste."

 

[TieMeTightly]

Celeste was trying to put everything negative from her mind..though it was almost as though not only could him fucking her make her feel like she hadn't actually done something wrong, but every few moments she was convincing herself that she could be with child again - and soon, if they only tried hard enough. If she tried hard enough.

She had been quite content in the position she placed herself in, not making much noise at all until she actually felt the tugging and twisting of her nipples, teasing them with an edge of harshness, drawing barely audible whimpers from her lips.

It wasn't until he actually spoke to her..her eyes confused, - which was good as moments ago there had been no emotion, no reaction really, that she managed only to lower her gaze again as though ignoring the fact that perhaps she should have actually acknowledged the bit of encouragement.

He didn't seem even the slightest bit upset with her..even the smile was reassuring. But she was still confused..unable to even really comprehend how he couldn't be the least bit upset with her for what had happened, what she had allowed to happen.

It didn't matter, however - now she could focus only on one thing at a time. And at the moment she was focusing on him...not herself - not what happened. She knew that it would only be when she was alone with her thoughts that it would plague her..which was why she had wanted to keep him there - keep him awake.

His mouth was on her breast then, and she couldn't help but inhale sharply as she felt his teeth, practically yelping when the attention was given further to her nipple, tugging on it, then soothing with a skilled tongue.

Emotions were piling up now..ones that she had managed to repress as she squeezed her eyes shut. She was trying so desperately not to feel..and yet he was drawing things from her - making her body ache for him in ways that she couldn't understand - nor did she want to.

She understood now why punishment was craved by them...how they would do anything in their power not to upset him - and when they did, it was necessary for them to be punished as though to get on his 'good side' again, graces that they never had wanted to leave in the first place.

She felt his hand on her ass, her hips still moving at a stable pace, though she froze upon feeling the wandering finger, simply stilling upon his lap, her breathing uneven as she listened to the words.

Even 'pet' didn't sound awful..she would have rather been a pet to him then his bitch any day. And she couldn't help but whimper in response to her name, faltering momentarily, losing her reserve for only a moment. Her eyes were still shut tightly, refusing to look at him - not wanting to see that he was simply pleased with her.

"Can't I just.....want you?" The words barely raised above a whisper, as she moved again with him inside of her. "Please..." She paused, her voice nearly cracking as she tried to keep moving at an even pace, rocking her hips slowly, evenly. "I want you to take me..as your pet.." She figured then..if she had said as a mate, he would be gentler with her as opposed to as his pet. She needed him to be angry with her for what she did, and he was doing nothing of the sort. Just that was eating at her.