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Episode 13:

I did not ask you to be a shield

I awoke to a thunderstorm, lightning filling my bedchamber as I stand and move to the window. The flashes of light fill the sky, illuminating the thick clouds and the haze of rain makes it impossible to see the city in the distance. I set my jaw in thought and reflect on things, something I did a lot these days.

My mind wanders while I stand there alone, then I shift my gaze to the large thicket of trees adjoining the grounds of the mansion. I could see my teeth showing through the glass, clearly showing the anger on my face.

I reign in the fury in my soul and turn from the window, quickly dressing in something more casual. I could see the look of shock on your face when you saw me emerge in blue jeans and a short-sleeved shirt of black. I show my teeth in a grin. "With me my pet."

"Powers are lovely, it's nice to streak across the sky in bounding jumps. Likewise, it's fun to find yourself moving at speeds that would leave an Olympic runner green with envy."

"I myself... there is something therapeutic about a late-night drive in the rain..." I hum the words as I pull the fifty-something-year-old sports car from the garage as you sit beside me with an excited grin showing.

The wiper blades glide back and forth against the windshield, batting the rain away while I drive on the dark roads. A long silence hangs between us before I simply start recalling what was on my mind earlier. "Elias summoned me to his chamber while I was training. It had been nearly a month since our return..."

#

"You called upon me, Master?" I spoke out to the fox upon entering his study. A servant had fetched me from the training facility in the basement area. I hadn't bothered to change and still wore the beat-up black shirt and torn blue jeans. Both articles of clothing flecked with blood stains and rips.

Elias folded his hands on the desk and gave me a long calculated look. "Are you well, my Lady?"

My white ears lowered and I felt my posture relax a little, assuming his casual address meant it wasn't official business. "I am my love, why do you ask?"

"Katrina expressed concern to me because you did not come to bed upon the dawn. She says this has happened multiple times, ever since our return from house Lakestone a few weeks past." The white fox shifted his gaze to look intently into my eyes, as if reading me like a book.

I frowned and put my hands on my hips. "I have just been focused on my training. I didn't mean to neglect her."

"Why so dutiful? Even Alex has expressed concern with your nearly... obsessive routine." Elias rose to his feet and stepped over to the window sill, placing a hand upon a pane of glass.

I pursed my lips and followed his movements then spoke out pointedly. "I wish to be stronger to protect what I love."

"Protect it from what pray tell?" The fox looked at my reflection in the dark windowpane, his ears lifted as if gauging for falsehoods in my words.

"Hunters, celestials, demons and... other houses. Just to name a few." I cut my eyes away at his gaze, feeling him seeing right through me.

"Other houses? We are not hostile towards any houses, Alice." The fox locked in on my hesitation with the words right away.

I frowned and straightened my back before speaking. "Several members of our family have mentioned houses can fued. I simply wish to-"

"Enough!" The fox barked the word out and pushed his hand out towards me. I felt his will slam into me and the words in my throat caught. "I can sense there is more to this. Explain things to me, now." The words came out as a commandment and I clenched my teeth.

"My lord... with all due respec-"

He was on top of me in a blink of an eye, his fingertips under my chin lifting my face to gaze upon him. His teeth showed in anger and I saw flames starting to flicker at his folded ears. "Do not deflect with me, Alice."

I folded my own ears and felt my own teeth show. I tried to jerk my head away but he clenched my chin and pulled me back to look into his eyes. I gave him a glare at the motion and my own flames showed before I pushed my will forth and broke his grip, taking a step back. "I love you, my lord, but you ask me to speak of things I have sworn to not talk of! Would you have me go against my word?"

Elias folded his arms, his own foxfire flaring up as we stood there in his office, apart from one another. I clenched my teeth trying to maintain my resolve in his overbearing presence. However, deep down I knew that if I could not stand before him even slightly, how could I if he needed me against someone on par with him. I clenched my jaw and dug my heels in, spreading my legs and thrusting my hand out, flames lapping at my fingers.

"Why this display of defiance?" He called out with a snarl. "I can feel you testing your resolve against mine. I do not wish you to break your oath, but if this concerns your family. I have a right to know!"

"If I cannot stand against you, how can I protect you?" I spat the words out with a glare, my sharp canines showing and my flames growing brighter.

I saw the look in his eyes, saw the pieces come together in the flaming blue of his irises. The anger turned to understanding as he spat the name out. "Sarnai..."

I clenched my teeth and eased my stance. My shoulders slumped and I willed the fire out, before folding my arms over my stomach to look away. His own flames continued to burn as we stood there in a long silence for several moments.

Elias gave a long frustrated sigh and calmed his own flames, looking up at the ceiling of the room. "My brother has a big mouth..."

"He simply worries... Will you draw ire with me for talking about this?" I asked cautiously, lifting an ear as I glanced upon my lord from the corner of my eye.

There was a hesitation before he gritted his teeth. "I will control myself, but if I tell you to stop, you do so without question."

I lifted my ears and frowned. "Of course, Elias. You know I love you and only wish to be a shield for you and our family."

"I never asked or expected you to be a shield for our house, Alice. Only to be happy." He growled the words towards me, his tail whipping about in agitation.

"You did not, I chose to do so." I set my jaw and put my hands on my hips, giving the fox before me a defiant glare. "You, Katrina, Alex and Val. You are my everything and I will not let anyone or anything take you from me."

The fox stood there, his white tail cutting through the air while gazing into my red eyes. "I applaud your love and desire, but there are some things that will always be beyond you."

"My lord... I will lay my life down before I see harm come to any of you. I do not care how insurmountable the obstacle before me is. I will overcome it if it means protecting you and her." I showed my teeth and felt my flames spring to life once more.

"Ah... the heart of the matter. Before It was the four of us, but now it's just me and Katrina?" Elias lifted his brow curiously.

"Do not make a mockery of my feelings for Alex and Val. I cherish and hold them dear. However the three of us, we are family." I frown and look away. "Likewise... if it came to it, the three of us would be in the line of fire. Alex is a member of a powerful pack and would be able to avoid the situation."

"Do you think he would?" The fox asked me curiously.

I gave a bitter laugh and shook my head. "No... that dog is loyal to a fault, he would stand and die with the three of us..."

Elias's voice took on a more gentle tone as he spoke. "Alice... no one is dying. It is simply an awkward meeting and nothing more. Sarnai is within her rights to hate me, but she is no fool. She would not start a house war lightly."

"I spit in the face of her rights!" I snarled the words and thrust my hand out. "She of all people should know the circumstances. If the bitch tries anything, I will end her!"

The white fox fixed me with a hard look. I saw the conflict in his eyes at my words, his new lover having just proclaimed she would end his former wife's life. I'm sure it was a lot to take in. He walked past me towards the exit of his study. "Douse your flames and come with me."

I willed the fire from my form and followed after him. We left the study and moved outside of the mansion. I walked with him through the lawn and into the thicket of trees on the outskirts of the property.

We walked in silence for several minutes, sidestepping trees and bramble, while the forest grew thicker around us. Finally, we came upon a large clearing of grass. I looked up and could see a canopy of trees with a small opening to show the twinkling stars of the night. The field of grass spread out and even had a small brook cutting through one portion of it.

"By the gods, this is beautiful..." I grinned and strode through the grass, my tail flicking about. My senses were filled with the strong scents of the forest, the earthy tones of dirt and grass, mingling with the soft odor of the flowing water.

Elias smiled upon me, seeming to take some comfort in my moment of childlike wonder. "To me, Alice." He called out as he walked further into the blades of grass.

I gave pursuit and we stopped a few paces later. Elias sighed and put his hands on his hips, looking up at the night sky. I stared at his profile and saw the pain in his eyes. I frowned and spoke out gently. "Master... it was wrong of me to speak so callously when I know not how you still feel towards her."

He snapped his crystal blue eyes towards me. For a brief flash, I saw rage in them, then they softened to understanding. "Alice, half a century may seem like a long time... but when you're almost six centuries old, it's still a very fresh wound. It is not her I feel the anger for."

I frowned and nodded. "I apologize..."

He held a hand up. "Do not... you as my lover, are in your right to defend me. This is a path I knew I would eventually go down if I chose you and Katrina as my mates."

My tension eased slightly and I looked away. Elias turned to face me fully as he continued to speak. "She is within her rights, Alice. For fair or foul, I did a great wrong to her."

"I care not..." I clenched my teeth, not looking at him. I felt tears fill my eyes and I snapped out. "I do not care if you were the lord of evil! You are my Master and I will not-"

"Stop!" He barked out in commandment and I shut my mouth, blinking tears from my eyes.

"Summon your fire, Alice." Elias folded his arms, barking out the command, his own flames bursting forth.

I shook my head of thoughts and lifted my ears, my eyes shifted to red with crackling energy of blue filling my vision. The large flames spilled forth from my ears and tail, wisping from my fingertips.

"I did not bring you here for a moonlight stroll. I brought you here to not bring the house down upon our heads!" The fox clenched his fists, his eyes glowing bluer. The flames grew brighter to almost look white and I could feel the heat pouring off them.

The grass at his feet set a blaze and burned away where the flames licked at his shoes and rode up his legs. His hands were bathed in the ethereal blaze and it moved along his arm's length to his elbows. "You wanted to feel my full power of will... this... this is almost six centuries of quelling the constant hunger of fire..."

The display shook me and I felt my own flames weaken before his. It was as if his sheer presence and will, were sapping their power straight from my body. "It's... it's beautiful and... I'm afraid..."

"You should show fear, Alice. I do not lie when I say I could easily lay low thousands of mundane if I willed it so. Indeed, I have rampaged a few times like this against the church..." The fox showed his teeth, his eyes looking wild and eager, as if the thought of such a thing sounded fun to him. "The fire has a thirst just like all our demons, rabbit..."

I felt a shiver go down my spine, my fire fading out completely and I frowned. "Master... you're scaring me..." I huffed the words weakly. I did indeed feel terror from just seeing him like this, as if he were entropy incarnate.

"This is Sarnai's power as well, Alice. If she came for me and the family. This is the power you would stand against? This is the power you would stay off and lay her low?" The fox barked the words mockingly, a contemptuous glare on his face.

I shivered at the overwhelming force of his words and curled my hands into tight fists. I set my jaw and slowly looked up at him. My eyes shifted back to red and my flames reignited with some effort. "Yes."

"Then you are a fool and you will die to her!" Elias sneered the words and pushed his will forth, a gout of white-hot flames washing over me.

I felt the heat pour over me and gritted my teeth, my whole body breaking out in a sweat. I thought about the concept of losing him, I thought about losing Katrina and my wolf. I snarled and focused my will, my eyes burning with tears.

"Then I die a fool, but I die protecting what is mine!" I screamed the words, pulling on both my blood and energy. His sheer presence was all around me, so I fed upon it deeply. I didn't need to touch him, it was just pouring into me, regardless if he liked it or not. I could feel the fury fill my very soul. The demons no longer wanted to feed, they simply wanted to lay waste and destroy.

My flames seemed to feed upon the gout and burst into their own white-hot fire. The fox blinked upon my form as a circle of flames surrounded me and seemed to pull into my own. I thrust my hand out, flames spilling from my fingertips and running along my arms and legs. I willed the demons to silence and spat out defiantly. "I am Alice Blackpaw, countess of house Blackpaw!"

Elias showed his teeth in a wide approving grin. He thrust his own hand out and mimicked my stance. "I am Elias Blackpaw, Marquis of house Blackpaw!" He spoke the words with authority that sent a shiver down my spine.

He crossed his arms and I crossed my own. We stood there before one another, sharing a knowing grin. The fox ran his fingertips through his long white hair, leaving flaming wisps through it. "You ready for this?"

I gave him a cocky smirk and pulled my ponytail out of my hair, letting my blonde hair tumble down my back. "Of course."

The fox bent at the knees and launched himself before me. He didn't so much move as simply blur out and appear before me. I don't even know how I kept up with him but I did. We locked in a martial grab, both hands on one another's shoulders, foreheads pressed together.

Our fires mingled while our eyes focused upon each other, my red eyes had little crackles of blue energy coursing through them, his were simply flaming white-hot. I felt him shift his stance and grab my elbow before hooking my foot and slamming me back-first into the ground. I gasped out from the impact and felt the earth below me displace several inches.

"Done already?" The fox growled the words out, hand pressed to my chest, purposefully squeezing my left breast.

"You know I'm not a quickie kind of gal..." I huffed the words with a lazy look and then sprang out from under him.

The fox perked his flaming ears up as I slipped from sight, then gave a furious growl as he felt me at his back. "A little trick, Alex taught me..." I snapped the words as I swept his leg from behind, grabbing at Elias's shoulder. I had to hop off the ground to apply the last pressure given our height difference, but got the results I desired. I slammed the fox chest first to the earth in a mighty blast of flames and pressure.

"He has used the technique on me in some... creative sparring matches..." I puffed the words into the foxes' flaming ears, sitting atop his back.

Elias snarled like a wild animal as he threw me from his back and righted himself. I stepped back several paces, then began to hop back and forth, shifting on my feet. "Aww... you're not getting jealous, are you... Maaaaster?"

"Of course not!" The white fox gave me a wide grin and summoned a large sphere of flame to his fingertips. My eyes widened at the volleyball sized fireball that he casually flung at me.

"Shi- t!" I yelped out and quickly summoned forth my own sphere and threw it to intercept. The two balls of flame struck together and erupted in a small nova of energy that sent flames raining all around the glade. Several small patches of grass caught fire from the raining bits of energy drifting to the ground.

"Your control is admirable as always, Alice!" Elias yelled the words of praise, showing me a proud grin. "I almost wish we could go raze a city to the ground together!"

"You're such a sweet talker, I bet you say that to all the girls." I folded my arms over my stomach and grinned back at the fox. The thought of it sounded amazing, I felt myself getting worked up at the concept of tearing apart a city with him. I frowned and shook my head, showing my teeth in focus. "Damn... why does that sound so great right now?"

"Because it's what the power craves... we're monsters, remember?" The fox showed a grin, holding his hand out towards me.

"Bullshit... I know you better than that, you would hate yourself for such a thing." I thrust my own hand out. "If you're going to lose focus, I will just go home!"

The fox showed me a smirk and cut his eyes away. It was unfair of me to say such things, he had obviously been fighting this battle longer than I had. "Apologies... you are correct." He gave a focused breath and planted his foot, giving me a cocky grin. "I will just have to focus fully on you then."

"As it should be." I hummed the words and bent at the knees before springing forth. I darted left, then right before digging my left heel in and swinging my right foot out in a sharp blindingly fast snap of a kick. My shin and foot were covered in white fire as the strike blurred forth.

The fox simply caught my leg in mid-flight, my eyes growing wide as he spun me away, gripped my shoulder and shoved me chest first into the smoldering grass. I gave a heavy huff as I hit the ground, again several inches of earth shifting to make a small impact crater. "Ngh..."

"Was that how it's done?" The fox snarled the words in a coy tone of voice.

"A little lacking on the finesse, but not bad..." I pushed on my palms to rise then grunted as he shoved me back to the ground hard. "Damn, Master... take it eas-" I gasped as he grabbed my hips and rolled me over onto my back.

I gritted my teeth and blinked up at the fox as he went for my jeans. He grabbed the front of them and jerked the zipper down, my blue panties coming into view. "Elias... what happened to staying focused during training?"

"Oh rest assured my rabbit, you have my full focus right now." He snarled the words and tugged my pants and blue panties down together, stripping them down my legs. I giggled a little at his frustration as he fussed to get them past the cross-trainers I had on.

"You could have just taken the shoes off, love." I moaned the words then folded my ears and grunted as he spread my legs, fully exposing my soaked folds to him.

"Looks like I'm not the only one that was worked up..." Elias growled the words before tugging his dirt-covered suit pants open, his length pushing out heavy and eager.

I grinned at the fox, white flames rolling off our bodies while we lay in the dirt and burned grass. "I'm always drenched for you, Elias... my love."

He grabbed under my knees and I bit my lower lip hard, feeling him push into me eagerly with no teasing. He didn't need to tease, I was soaked and burning up for him, pardon the pun. I shuddered and let out a blissful moan once he was fully within me, happy to have him inside once more.

"I missed you..." He snarled the words and loomed over me, a hand resting on the earth near my head, his other moving to cup my face.

"And I you..." I moaned the words drunkenly, having already given in just upon his entry. I pushed my own hand to his face, my white flames flickering and moving up into the flames on his ears.

The fox began to push against my small body on the ground, his length pumping eagerly through me. I clenched my teeth and drooped my ears, feeling the force he was using with his thrusts. I pressed my left hand to his chest, digging my nails in hard, the flames lapping across his shirt and jacket.

He grabbed my wrists and shoved them to the ground, pinning me down as I gave an excited gasp at the motion, my eyes drifting to his chest, seeing the welled up blood against his shirt from my nails. "Ha... Master..." I panted the words as he loomed over me.

The fox growled and shoved his mouth to my own while grinding and pushing hard into my smaller form. It hurt feeling him thrust so heavily, but the pleasure it brought was so much more. I loved feeling him take me so roughly and eagerly. Our tongues rolled against one another in a desperate kiss and I tested his grip, pulling against it to feel him strengthen it.

Pulling from his mouth, I moaned out as he drew another release from me, my hands clenching in fists while he held me. My eyes then locked to his own, my lower lip bit hard. I watched the flames in his gaze while he saw the crackles of blue energy in my own. I gave him a challenging look and locked my legs tight around him to halt his thrusts. The fox barked out, then lowered his ears and gave me a growl.

I showed him a playful grin and threw my doors open for my demons. My will rushed out violently, fueled by my fire and I felt the fox shudder from it. It was enough to slip from his grip and shift things. I rolled him over to his back and pushed him to the ground. He blinked up at me wide-eyed at my force of will, then gave me a furious growl.

"Shhh... be a good dog... let your countess please you..." I cooed the words, stroking his chest while my hips ground and circled upon him, feeling his tip jab deep against my core while I panted.

I bit my lower lip watching his struggle, he didn't want to give in to my will, but he was enjoying himself too much to fully resist either. "Y-you think you can... enthrall me s-so... easily?" He panted the words while I jerked and ground my hips in a slow steady motion.

"Ha... you think this is easy my love? Ngh... I can feel your will threatening to tear my walls down..." I cooed the words then licked my lips and jerked my hips down hard, feeling him dig deep into me as I ground there while clenching my walls. "I wonder what will break first... my will... or your endurance?"

The white fox fixed me with an approving grin and I felt his hands grab my hips hard. I lolled my tongue and felt myself give in to his touch. It wasn't a matter of losing to his will, I simply wanted him to finish how he pleased.

"Good girl..." Elias growled the words and sat up. I put my hands on his chest and blinked up at him in adoration. He gripped my hips and jerked me down hard into his lap, I gave him a sharp moan from the impact, then my ears folded when I felt him fill me with heat.

"Ha..." I sighed out and nuzzled his chest, my small tail flicked drunkenly, making my ethereal tail wag about happily. I felt him fill me with everything he had, his energy pouring forth like fire. I bit my lower lip hard, feeling him finish with another heavy jerk of his hips and I fully relaxed into his arms.

Elias growled gently into my ears, a hand holding against my head possessively, his other resting on my backside. I nuzzled his chest and sighed blissfully, humming in satisfaction.

The training wasn't finished though, ever since the trip to Val's home, I had made a point of something. I clung to my master and focused on our euphoria, focused on the energy we had shared. I willed it between us, cycled it back and forth when we were in the throes of it all. I had been doing the same thing with Katrina as well. I might not be strong enough to be their shield yet, but I could damn well make them stronger while moving towards that goal.

Elias gave a soft gasp and moved his fingertips to lift my chin and looked down at me. I blinked up at him and gave a gentle smile. "Is something wrong, Master?"

He clenched his teeth and folded his ears. "Are you doing something?"

I blinked at him innocently and tilted my head. "Eh? Nothing I don't always do."

I saw the skeptical look in his eyes as he moved down and kissed my lips briefly. I gave him a smile and shook my head. "Don't worry... it feels good to do it."

"Does it?" He asked curiously, cocking a brow.

With a nod of my head, I gave him a grin. "Of course, I'm impressed you could feel it though. Normally you're so wrapped up in ravaging me, you don't notice."

The fox put his fingers to his chin in thought. I found the whole view rather cute looking. He looked so introspective despite a roaring inferno of blazing white and blue flames coming off him. "Does Katrina pick up on it?"

I took a long deep breath, feeling I had cycled enough of our energy for now and relaxed. My white flames flickered back to blue then died out completely. "She does, she scolds me every time." I gave him a lazy grin.

"Maybe she is more in tune than I am." Elias nodded while speaking, his own flames dying out, his white ears and tail coming back into view.

"Or it could be she has more sex and contact with me." I hummed the words gently and gripped the collar of his suit, pulling him down to me for a kiss. Our lips brushed and I spoke gently against them. "Maybe... you should start sleeping with us nightly... I wouldn't complain... I know she wouldn't as well."

"I did not want to so fully impose upon your lives, my lady. Would you not be remiss at losing such private time with her?" The fox asked me, concern clear in his voice.

A giggle was my answer. "Oh, my fox..." I cooed and moved a palm to his cheek, looking into his eyes. "If only you had heard the talks we would have of you, both awake and in dreams... Both of us have lamented your absence on multiple occasions."

"Truly?" He lifted his ears and moved a hand to grip mine while it rested on his face. "I will counsel your sister as well, if you both desire it so, you may share my bed every night with me."

I gave an excited grin and wiggled my tail. "Of course!"

Elias grew silent in thought then looked into my eyes. "Why have you never come to my dreams?"

I tilt my head at the question. "Well I have tried and could not seem to do so. I think it may be a willpower thing. I could not slip into Val's dreams either unless he willed it, but he could enter mine."

"Have you tried recently?" He asked me curiously. I shook my head in response, my flopped over ears swaying about. "Perhaps try again today, it would be a good test of your growth."

A grin showed on my face and I gave him a nod. "Alright, my Master."

#

"Well... here I am." I laid on my stomach on the mattress of his bed, arms folded and propped on my elbows. My feet lazily kicked about behind me, my little black silk gown having ridden up to show off my blue panties and fluffed white tail.

"So you are..." Elias smiled and took a seat next to me. He was dressed in silk sleepwear and moved a hand to curiously rub at my backside and tail.

I shivered at his touch and grinned. "Hmm... Master... you know my tail is sensitive..."

"This feels so real... it's like I'm really with you..." Elias looked around his bedroom, everything precise and in order.

"Well... I am currently shoved up against your chest along with Katrina." I cooed the words and kicked my feet. "Oh... did you see how happy she looked when you asked?"

The fox smiled and nodded. "Yes... it did my heart good to see the look of joy upon her face."

I rolled over and shifted to lay my head in his lap, looking up at him. "I have a question."

"Ask it, my Lady." He smiled and began to drag his fingertips through my hair and brush my ears.

"Does your consideration extend to her, as far as laying with others goes, or am I an exception?" I hummed the words and wobbled my ears at his touch.

"I had not... I didn't consider it if I'm being truthful." Elias spoke the words and rubbed at his chin.

I clicked my tongue and hopped up off him and to my feet. "I only ask because I get some interesting vibes from her and Alex." I start to pace about on my bare feet, my hands behind my back. "I mean... if they like one another, I wouldn't begrudge them laying together. Likewise, I wouldn't begrudge you laying with another if you fancied someone."

Elias thought on it and gave a shrug. "She doesn't need to feed like you do, but I wouldn't be upset. I do not want to restrain her. Well..." The fox shows his teeth in a grin. "I do so enjoy restraining and hold her down..."

"You, enjoy doing that regardless." I poked his nose playfully and grinned. "Most of our sessions end with you holding me or pinning me down in some way!"

"Ah, I apologize if I am-"

"You're not sorry and you know it!" I huffed out and slid into his lap, throwing my arms around his neck while grinning. "I do not complain... I enjoy it... as does she."

"Truly?" The fox growls and brushes his lips to my own.

"Of course..." I spoke the words gently before we both drew into a fervent kiss. I could feel his energy at my fingertips and on instinct began to draw it forth as my own before returning it to him.

The fox didn't notice and parted his lips, his tongue eager for my own. I rolled my tongue against his while we kissed, then felt him grasp my wrists and roll me over onto my back. I lifted my ears and gave an excited gasp. "Master... are you really so eager for me once more?"

He gave me a hungry grin. "I always hunger for you, for both of you."

I gave him a knowing grin and lifted my ears. "Then awaken and have us both, no need to leave Katrina out of the fun."

He tilted his head in thought. "Couldn't I just have you here, and wake after to have her?"

I giggled and hummed the words. "You could... but remember giving in here, would leave you quite a sticky mess upon waking..."

The fox frowned at the words and eased his grip. "Hmm... when you put it like that..."

"Ah... you would rather fill your cat or rabbit up, instead of wasting it in your undergarments eh?" I cooed the words teasingly.

"As it should be." The fox spoke out in a cocky tone, a grin on his face.

My fingers drifted over his chest as I looked into his eyes. "Before we wake, I wanted to ask you something."

"Of course." He moved his hands to mine and gave me a gentle smile.

I folded my ears and frowned, pulling from his grip and sliding out from under him. He looked at me with concern as I pulled from him and stepped away from the bed. He asked with concern in his voice. "My Lady?"

I set my jaw and gave him a hard look. "Was my power today comparable?"

He looked me in the eyes, knowing I wouldn't be satisfied with anything but a direct answer. "No."

I clenched my teeth and jerked my gaze away, feeling the pit of my stomach twist in a knot. Elias rose and stepped over to me, placing a hand on my head gently. "Alice, you have limits. Your gift is amazing, but you can't compare to nearly six hundred years in a season."

"And what if she stood before you soon? What if I don't get the luxury of time!" I spat out angrily.

Elias gave me a long look before shaking his head. "If she wanted just me and left the family out of it, so be it."

My eyes widened at his words and I slapped him across the face, hard enough to make him take a step back. The fox gripped his cheek, his teeth showing in anger. I didn't care as I spat the words out. "How dare you! How dare you make such light of your position in this family, of... mine and Katrina's love for you!"

"Alice..." My name came out in a growl in his voice. "This is more tha-"

"Do you still love the bitch?" I spat the words out, shaking the numbness from my fingers.

"That is none of your conc-"

"Answer my fucking question, Elias!" I spat the words out, flames erupting from my ears and tail, they didn't start blue, they went straight to hot white.

The fox followed suit and his own tail and ears erupted in flames. I sneered and raised my hand giving a dramatic snap of my fingers. The fox let out a shocked gasp as his flames guttered out abruptly. "What was that!" He barked out in demand.

"Answer... my fucking question." I hissed the words, fury dripping from my voice.

The fox clenched his teeth and looked away. "I... don't know... I don't hate her though, and I don't want to see her harmed."

I folded my arms over my stomach and frowned. "I wouldn't care if you still did love her... you were with her longer than I have existed. However, you hear my words now, Elias Blackpaw."

I set him with a hard look, my eyes blue and crackling with energy, not a spec of red to be seen in them. "If she comes for you or any member of our family, I will one way or another end her, and if you offer her your throat, I will never forgive you."

"You are not the one to make threats to me, Alice!" Elias showed his sharp teeth in a growl.

"Not threats, promises. If you hold mine and Katrina's love for you in such low esteem, then strike me down upon waking." I spoke the words dryly while keeping my arms folded. "If she raises a hand to any of us, I will put her down."

"Alice, you do not have the strength to make such statements!" Elias snarled the words at me.

"Then I have to get stronger, I have to make you and Katrina stronger." I hold my hand out, seeing the flames roll off them. "I've been doing the life force thing with Alex too... not sure how it would help him though..."

"This really weighs upon you, doesn't it?" Elias spoke the words, calm returning to his voice.

I shifted my gaze back to him and willed the flames out, stepping back over to him. "In my mundane life, I was a weak rabbit that had nothing and no one. The only love I had was from my parents. I now have so much love from all of you, I won't... I can't lose that!"

"Alice..." The white fox reached a hand to stroke my hair. I started to slap it away and go off on another rant, but relented. He put his hand to my ears and hair, his will flowing into me. I met his eyes with my own and shoved his will back and flooded my own into his own form instead. His eyes widened at the surge of energy flowing into him.

"The dreams are where beings like I and Val are strongest. That is the answer to your question on how I snuffed your foxfire out." I spoke the words calmly and pushed my forehead to his, looking into his eyes.

"Really?" Elias asked, cocking an eyebrow curiously.

"You have centuries of power and so does she. However, you both might as well be puppies once I'm in your dreams like this." I clicked my tongue and leveled the fox with a look. "So yes, my love... It is not an idle threat. I can and will lay her low if she raises arms against us, I only have to do it on the proper battlefield."

"I understand... realize that I cherish you and Katrina. I do not make light of your love." Elias spoke the words gently to me.

I glared and showed my sharp canines. "Then do not speak, let alone think of rolling over and offering your throat for that bitch. She is the past and the two of us are here right now."

The white fox looked away and set his jaw. I frowned and spoke out pointedly. "What would you do if she struck the two of us down?"

I saw the look of rage in his eyes and had my answer before he even parted his lips. He moved to speak and I pushed my fingertips to his mouth to silence him. "Do not speak, I have my answer and I am satisfied."

I stepped from him and turned away, putting my hands behind my back before looking over my shoulder at him. "Understand I do not mean to make light of your position and I apologize for my outburst. I do not apologize for slapping the shit out of you though and I will do it in reality too if I hear you say such things. Do with that knowledge as you wish."

He didn't speak and I wouldn't have allowed him to even if he had tried. I gave him a long look before folding my ears and sighing out. "I love you, Elias. Katrina does as well. Please remember that." With those words, I willed the dream to end.

I didn't bother to rouse him, I didn't have the desire for sex and doubted he would either. I chose to just sleep out the remainder of the day pressed close to him, my hand holding Katrina's against his chest, his arms holding both of us securely.

#

My ears wobbled as I felt them rubbed and stroked. I blinked my eyes open slowly to see Katrina smiling across from me. I stared into her green and copper eyes while she purred and looked back upon me. Elias was gently rubbing both sets of our ears affectionately and stroking our hair. "Good evening, my cat and rabbit..."

We both answered him in time together. "Good evening, Master."

He sat up in bed and we both eagerly clung to his chest, sitting up as well. He gave me a look and I gave him a shake of my head before laying in the crook of his arm against his chest. I closed my eyes and let him hold me, enjoying his embrace along with the constant sound of Katrina's happy purrs.

I sat in a long contemplation about everything, I had changed so much these last few months. Was this my love or a convenient excuse to turn the monsters in me loose. I blinked my eyes open to see Katrina smiling at me in adoration, I then shifted my gaze to look upon my fox. He gave me a knowing smile and kissed my forehead. I thought about Alex and Val, then closed my eyes. No, this was not an excuse.

A few days later I was summoned into my lord's office officially. I presented myself before him and folded my arms over my stomach. "You summoned me, my Lord?"

Elias nodded and folded his hands upon the desk. "I just got off a conference call with the council. I have expressed my concern over this hearing, but Lady Lorelai has insisted I must fulfill my obligation to stand as a witness."

I frowned and shifted my hands to my hips. "Why? You just had a hearing with me."

"You were my candidate, that's different." Elias spoke pointedly. "You see, the way the selection works is as follows. There are five members of the council. The patron head of the family may handpick one council member of their choosing."

"Ah... and that is why Val sat upon my hearing?" I asked curiously.

The fox nodded. "Indeed. After that Lorelai will always be present, because she is the head of the council. That makes three witnesses. The last two are randomly selected."

"But there are like twenty houses, why be such a hard ass over this particular hearing?" I grumbled the words, feeling irritation building in my chest.

Elias peaked his fingertips together. "Could be, powers are at work I'm not aware of. Subterfuge is not unheard of in our court." He lifted his ears and frowned. "It could also simply be that Lorelai hopes I and Sarnai will work this out if we see one another."

I gave a bitter laugh and folded my arms. "How likely is that?"

The look of resignation on his face was absolute. "Unlikely to say the least..."

I sighed and shook my head. "I can't wait to give that bitch a piece of my mind..."

"You very well may get that chance." Elias spoke out simply and gave me a flat look.

I blinked in surprise and couldn't help but show my teeth in a grin. "Go on..."

Elias frowned at my response and folded his hands once more. "Lorelai has deemed that given the tension between our houses, we are each allowed one additional member present, as a sort of deterrent for hostilities."

"Uh... wouldn't that have the opposite effect?" I quirked a brow, my tail flicking in irritation.

"It means there would be multiple witnesses to an altercation." Elias spoke out pointedly.

"Sure but it's not like the other person is going to take any side but their lords." I mumbled the words as I folded my arms.

"Oh, believe me, if Lorelai wanted answers, she could break any of our wills and force us to speak the truth." Elias spoke the words, a bit of respect in his voice.

"Really? Is that some special power of hers?" I frowned and put a finger to my cheek.

"Yes and no. It's just a testament to her sheer force of will. That sheep could easily dominate mine and Sarnai's will at the same time if she desired it. I've personally witnessed her dominate and command entire squads of mundane soldiers to defend her." Elias drummed his fingertips together as he shook his head.

"Damn... She sounds scary." I spoke the words, feeling fear creep up my spine at the thought of it. My brain then finally caught back up with the rest of his previous statement. "Wait... you said you needed someone with you. You want me to come with you?"

"Actually..." Elias frowned and shook his head. "Given your obvious hostility towards Sarnai, I'm very concerned about you going."

I grumbled and tapped my foot. "Ugh... then why did you say I would get my chance?"

"Because Lorelai said you come with me, she wants to see how you're doing. Said the escort thing would make a good excuse to check up on you without having to come to call." Elias grumbled the words and rubbed his head.

I lifted my ears in surprise. "T-the head of the council wants to see me? Did I screw up or something?" I felt fear grip me full-on, especially after just hearing how powerful she was.

Elias waved a hand. "No no... it's standard practice for her to check up on every new member after a few months. This is protocol."

I felt relief fill me and relaxed slightly. "So... what now?" I frowned and looked upon him intently.

"Now you go with me to this train wreck in three days..." The fox gave me a serious look. "Alice... Please behave yourself. If you instigate anything before the council, I can't protect you from them. I'm strong but I'm not five on one strong."

"You mean five on two." I gave him a cocky grin.

"Joking aside... Lorelai is one of the most powerful of our kind that walks amongst the world still. Do not tempt fate around her." Elias spoke the words sternly at me.

"Walks the world still?" I asked curiously.

"Well... there are rumors and hushed whispers of elders of ancient power. Beings of us from thousands of years past. Creatures that walked among the mundane when they were still fashioning crude spears and bows." The fox gave a shrug. "Who knows if it's true."

"Well, how old is Lorelai?" I flicked my ears in thought while folding my arms again.

Elias drummed his fingertips together. "I'm not sure of her exact age, but she talked about riding horseback during Genghis Khan's times of conquest. That alone easily pushes her to eight hundred. She has mentioned things that would also imply she was over a thousand."

I whistled at that. "I want to get to know that sheep better... I bet she's full of all kinds of interesting history!"

The fox smiled and gave a shrug. "You could always ask her about it. Regardless... Alice. Please behave yourself. Unless Sarnai does something drastic, keep your cool. I don't want to lose you... I don't... I can't lose you, okay?"

I gave the fox a smile and nodded. "Alright, Master. I promise to keep it cool unless the bitch tries something."

"Thank you... and I have one more request of you before we leave." The fox gave me a coy smile.

"What's that, my Lord?" I spoke the words with a smile on my face.

"Go for a hunt." He spoke point-blank.

It wasn't what I was expecting him to ask for and took me by surprise. "Uh... go for a hunt? Why?"

Elias gave me a smile. "Because you've been cooped up for a month doing nothing but training, when you're not banging me, Katrina, and Alex."

I gave the fox a grin and shrugged. "So you're asking me to go out and have sex with someone else?"

"No, I'm asking you to go out and let your hair down, enjoy yourself a bit." The fox showed his teeth as he grinned. "Even I go out and hunt once in a while, it's therapeutic. Just don't kill."

"Is that an order, or a request?" I hummed the words playfully.

"A request. I wouldn't want to deal with how depressed you would become afterward." He spoke the words to me gently.

I gave him a nod. "Fair enough... I really would feel awful... I don't want to kill if I don't have to."

"Good, so go out and have some fun my rabbit. Relax for a bit until our council business. I don't want you to be so high strung." The fox gave me a warm smile.

"Hmm... that does sound nice... no one has taught me how to transform yet, and I can't exactly do the crazy jumping thing either. Highest I've gotten is about four stories. I mean I can go to ten if I'm burning foxfire, but I doubt you want me flying through the night sky like a blue fireball." I giggled at the thought of it.

"Just take one of the cars, Alice. It will take over an hour to drive to the city though, so keep that in mind with the sunrise." Elias nodded and slid a bank card over to me from across the desk. "This will cover any funds you need to expend."

"Cool, thanks for letting me borrow the car, Dad. I will be sure to come back by curfew." I spoke the words childishly and pocketed the card.

The fox showed me an amused smile and waved me out of the office. "Yes yes, now off with you rabbit. Have fun."

I considered inviting Katrina along with me, but decided Elias probably wanted me to do this alone for the experience. I felt my tail flicking as I made my way to the room to pick out a wardrobe. Yes, maybe a fun night out hunting would do me some good.

#

I pull the car to the side of the road and sit there staring at the pouring rain, feeling your eyes upon me intently. I look back upon you and show my teeth with a cocky grin. "Yes, my pet... your mistress can be quite possessive and scary... Are you having second thoughts about this?"

My grin fades to a gentle smile as I look away. "So certain... still, we have time... let us enjoy it..."

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