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Chapter 4: Seduction and Confrontation

Raine sat on her bed, her head in her paws. "Why Father?" She asked herself, "What reasons do you have that you would do this?"

Her father's things, the book and dirk, were hidden beneath a loose plank underneath her bed. Hidden from her mother, for there could be no telling what may be written on those pages or the significance of the long dagger. 'How can Mother not see that she committed suicide? Is it not plain? All the blood, and Mother is use to treating such injuries on Father! Surely she can realize and see the truth!' Raine thought as she cried. She had not spoken with her mother since she had witnessed her father's suicide and her mother had made no attempt at coming to console her only daughter. Raine's thoughts came suddenly to the diary hidden beneath the bed. 'What could be in it that would hurt Mother so much?' she wondered as her curiosity rose. She sat up straight and wiped the tears in her green eyes with the back of her reddish furred paw. Listening carefully, Raine made sure that her mother was still in the kitchen crying over her failures as a wife and mother. A part of Raine wanted to go and comfort her mother, and share her mother's sad burden. Curiosity, however, gained control of her mind and she leaned over the side of the bed and reached beneath it. Her paws fiddled with the loose plank trying hard to get a grip with her finger like appendages and finally the plank slid away revealing a hollow space beneath.

Raine sat with her father's diary in paw and leaned her back against her white bedroom wall. The bed beneath her seems to be too soft for the situation and she moved the harder wooden floor. Her paws traced the leather cover of the diary and thoughts flowed through her mind. 'How old is this?' she wondered, 'How long has Father been writing in this.' The book was thick and heavy, with a musty odor. Not unlike the other books in the house. It had the appearance of heavy use, and age. The pages had changed to a hue of yellow. It was these books Raine liked best. Her keen sense of smell brought more than just old pages and rotting binding, but faint scents of past years. She could smell her father thickly on the binding, cover, and pages. It comforts her to know that her father's scent can remain with her even if he could not.

Opening the book she saw the date on the first page, X day, X year, X month. She was amazed at how long ago her father had began to keep this diary. Her claws ruffled through the pages, turning to a more recent date. She read a bit of the writing, but grew bored by the lack of anything pertaining to the recent events. 'There has to be something in here that would give Father a reason to kill himself!' she thinks and flips closer to the end of the book in determined strength. This time the page that turned up was a few seasons before, and she read with increasing speed. There was nothing exactly interesting in it, the same as the first. As Raine was readying to move on she noticed the mention of Clarice and she began reading:

Jaec told me today that he would not be returning for at least another season. I was really amazed when he told me. Everyday he writes a letter; everyday he says a prayer to his family. He has been waiting for this damned war to end longer than I have. I've told him several times to leave the army, but he seems determined in his desire to continue fighting. He claims it's his duty, but I am not to sure. He also asked me to take care of his family needs in his absence and I agreed. I will do whatever I can to help him, I just wish that for once he would consider leaving. It really is Hell out here and he refuses to take leave of it to visit his family. I know he is fighting this war to protect them, but what if there is nothing left to protect when he returns. My own mate Fayr complains about my long absences during campaign, about how I countless miss the time of her breeding season. She keeps telling me that she misses my company in bed. I am pushing the limits with her, I know, but what about Clarice? She must be going through a greater Hell than Fayr. When I reminded Jaec of the upcoming breeding season last week he told me he would be missing it again. He can't possibly know of what he is putting Clarice through. Even though there is a war going on, everyone here has been home for breeding season over the past few years. Except Jaec, that is.

There was mention of Clarice in a later text:

I've brought the news that Jaec told me to bring to Clarice. She seemed somewhat angry that he was missing another season again. However, she did not seem as angry as usual and I was pretty naïve as to why she was. As I was leaving her house she grabbed me from behind and whispered mad words in my ears. They were barely discernable, and completely horrid to hear. The only meaning I got from them was that if Jaec would not satisfy her than I would. Then she released me and walked away.

Raine covers her muzzle with her paw. She knew relationships had been strained during the war, but Clarice had tried to mate with her father. There was a noise in the hallway and Raine quickly hid the book underneath the bed and fell quickly into bed. Her mother opened the door quietly and peaked in. Raine pretended to be asleep, not wanting to talk with her mother at the moment. Fayr stood in the doorway and watched her daughter. Thoughts drowned her mind. She had found her mates body on their bed: dead. There was nothing that she would rather do than talk with Raine, but that seemed almost impossible. Too many events had just occurred, and she only knew a half of them. She was sure Raine knew them all. Raine watched her mother leave, closing the door behind her as she left. All Raine could think about was what had happened between her father and Silver's mother, but she fell asleep before she could sit back up.

*

The air around her was stagnant and unmoving. The sounds of loud voices flew on the wind whipping around the schoolyard. Raine watched the area around her with curiosity. It was her school. Not exactly hers', but she felt like she owned it. Hundreds of wolf cubs ran around playing. None of them spoke to her or even acknowledged her existence. Some looked familiar, others forgotten over the years. Most of them had left. She had not been here in months. School had closed, for vacation, but this school seemed newer than the one she went to. Mist swirled around her and she found herself inside the school. It was definitely her school, but from a time long ago. The halls were empty. Of course they were empty, because the students were out running around with their friends, having fun. There were two who were not. Raine stared in horror as she saw herself standing across from her. Silver stood there as well, and Raine felt her body merge with her younger self. "Why don't you come and play?"

"I don't want to... none of the others like me," he answered ears drooping.

"That's not true! You just are too chicken to try and play with them!" Raine stated, smiling, and poked him in the chest.

"No one likes me!"

Raine bounced happily. "I like you, Silver!"

*

Raine woke up, sweat clinging to her fur. Her eyelids were pasted shut with salt, evidence of her dream. She turned on to her side and curled up in a fetal like position and rested. Why had she had the dream? It had been so many seasons ago she had forgotten it. Buried it deep in the back of her memories. 'Silver always had trouble making friends... he was always afraid of what they thought of him. That was what I liked about him... he was always so self-conscious about his actions. I just wish, for once, he could have act like he does around me at school. Then he might have made some friends... guess it's too late now. Silver, I hope you're alright!'

*

Clarice felt the pillow next to her. Cold, just as she thought. Clife had left the room long before. She sighed and scratched her head with her white paw. Clife had an awful habit of leaving after sex. Never once was he in bed next to her when she awoke in the morning. Yawning, Clarice climbed out of bed and felt immediately tired. There was still much to do, however, and she pulled on one of her pale blue work dresses that hung in the closet next to her bed. As she pulled it on and guided her tail through the hole in the back she looked at the clothes hanging there in the closet. She had never cleaned out the closet, even though it was something she had always meant to do. Clife would be moving in soon, and it was about time to get rid of some of the old stuff that was definitely of no use at all. Reaching in she unhook several suits, and uniforms and tossed them on the bed. 'Useless these really are! Why did I even keep them for so long? Especially if I hated him so much! It's like I am asking for him to return from his grave!' In disgust Clarice stormed out of the room leaving the pile of clothing on the bedside.

*

Raine made sure that the hiding place was secure underneath the bed. She had not figured out the actual importance of the dirk, but figured if her mother found it she would realize something that Raine, herself, did not know. Then she pulled on the lightest clothing she had. She pulled them on hastily being careful of her tail and ears. Last night, she had made a decision. Her mother was indeed in great distress after the affair with Silver and the death of her mate. Fortunately Fayr was too blinded by grief to notice any self-inflicted wounds on the body of her male. That seemed to Raine to be incredibly sloppy. Fayr had nursed her mate back to health several times. Times when he had even worse injuries than the ones he received last night. This still made Raine happy, as if her mother had realized it was a suicide; she would not stop rampaging until she found out why. Taking the diary she tucked inside her shirt and then opened the door quietly Raine walked carefully through the hallway balancing on the tips of her footpads. She had lost track of where her mother had gone. One thing that she was sure of was that her mother did not sleep in the bed last night. The images when she awakes would have been horrible. So Raine continued with caution as she headed to the front door. It was not that she was afraid of running into her mother, she just did not feel like talking right now. Her mother would probably want to know why Raine showed little sadness for the father she had just lost. Raine would not be able to tell her the truth of course, and so they would get into an argument. It was better that Raine avoided contact.

The sun was shinning brilliantly in the early morning. Raine welcomed the sight with open arms. All the events that had transpired since the day before yesterday had left Raine incredibly gloomy and depressed. Yet, the sun warmed her and encouraged her as she began her mission. Clarice would surely have to answer for her actions.

*

The four of them had stayed up the rest of the night. There seemed little point in falling asleep when the night was already half over. Over the night they had become friends, but none of the four shared any of their backgrounds. Silver was unsure of their pasts and wondered why none of them asked questions on his own. All they really ended up talking the whole night about was the school, and life here, that was it. As the morning light filtered in through the windows a sonorous bell began to ring. "What is that bell ringing?"

"That's just the wake up bell. Tells us when we need to get our asses out of bed and dressed," Moodna answered, pushing his brown figure from the bed.

Silver watched anxiously as the three got dressed, wanting to get a move on. He was excited to be in this new place. This was the first time in his life that he had ever been some place outside of his homeland. This was the first time he had seen such strange creatures as the ones here. He had already met an otter, a fox, and a coyote, all of which were strangers to his home. He wanted to see more. Silver noticed Laz looking at him strangely. "You aren't planning on going dressed like that are you? Cause, if you are, you might want to reconsider hanging around me."

"Wha!" Silver exclaimed, and then blushed as he realized he was still wearing his tattered clothes, which he had worn for the past four days. They had not been well made, and had not lasted the bumpy carriage trip; they now left barely anything covered.

"That smell too! When was the last time you bathed? You smell worse than an otter cub in need of a changing!" Moodna exclaimed, holding his nose in mock disgust.

There was a knock on the door that interrupted the jesting and Silver immediately grabbed a sheet from the nearest bed, not wanting to be caught in his current state by a stranger. The door swung open and in walked Sin carrying a black bathrobe in his arms. "Silver, you are going to have to leave your friends for awhile and come with me. Those clothes you arrived in are not in any state to be walking around this school in. I also encourage regular bathing. Here is a bathrobe to cover yourself with."

Sin tossed Silver the robe and began walking out of the door. Silver followed as quickly as he could, making sure to say goodbye to his friends before leaving.

*

"I'm amazed that you've adjusted so well to this school. It's odd, though, after all that has happened to you, I can see you smile. You've matured a lot quicker than anyone I've ever met."

Sin continued his quick pace through the hall, his sandy brown tail wagging behind him, almost beckoning Silver to come closer. Silver noticed that throughout the walk down the hallway he elicited numerous numbers of stares. He was unsure whether or not it was the bathrobe or a unfamiliar face in the school. Many of the students, who were walking the opposite was to the kitchens and dinning room, pointed varying types of paws at him. Silver began to feel extremely self-conscious and walked quicker to remain with Sin.

*

The three friends sat around a circular maple table. "I wonder how he's doing," Lazerous spoke, breaking the opposing silence.

Moodna sat, head resting on paws, paws resting on table, his rudder-like tail hung lifelessly to the floor. "Give it up Laz! He already told you he had 'is female. It's not like you can steal him from her unless he had an interest in males!"

Giggles erupted from behind them and Camio immediately sat up straight. "Morgan!"

A wolf and a fox, both female, sat down at the table. Morgan, the vixen, just about sat on Camio's lap. "So, this new wolf is not what we thought he was. Must have been the only empty room, I can't imagine Sin sticking him in that room for any other reason. I thought he was saving that room for a future lover of Laz! All the better for me, I say, since this wolf here isn't interested in me!" Esca giggled.

Lazerous scrunched his face, and arched his back angrily, and turned away from Esca. He hated her. Moodna sat back in his chair and waved off Esca. "Don'tcha worry, Laz, you stand a better chance in sleepin with Silver than that slut. Look, no offense, Esca, but Silver doesn't seem the type to stray. He may be younger than us, but he was raised as a wolf, unlike you who... pardon me for saying, were raised by a tramp. Most of us, canines especially, mate for life. If you believe this that gods have mercy on Laz, we all know he didn't do it willingly."

Esca rose quickly to her paws, enraged by the talk. Her muzzled quivered menacingly, showing her sharp teeth. She slapped Moodna hard across the muzzle, digging her claws in. Moodna did his best to he could to not flinch as Esca stormed off. "Bye Esca!" they all shouted.

The four friends waved the angry she-wolf off, laughing softly. "Wow, I'm kind of impressed! I never thought anyone would tell her off like that! Thank you Moodna you finally brought that bitch down! May be she will stay away from now on," Morgan laughed, now sitting in Camio's lap with her bushy tail wagging and her arms wrapped around him. She looked up at the dog fox holding her and smiled broadly, "see, we mate for life don't we Cam!"

Camio blushed, but his red fur concealed it. Moodna cheered with one paw, while the other was pressed firmly against the five scratches Esca had left on his muzzle. Lazerous sighed, unable to laugh at the situation. It had always been hard for him, and he really felt the need for companionship. He also felt hurt that Silver did not return the feelings he had for Silver.

*

Clarice sat on the stairs, her tail drooping. Clife was no where to be found and she was beginning to feel the pangs of loneliness she had forgotten. Silver had not returned, and she felt abandoned by him. Shaking her head she thought, 'What did I expect! He's the same bastard that his father was. I will probably better without him...' Her mind felt convinced, but something in her heart nagged her. Silver was her child, her baby, her pup. She felt like he had been torn away from her. These feelings that were stirring in her seemed alien and wrong. Her mind was telling her that these were fake and believed everything Clife had ever told her. Without Clife being here to reassure her, she was lost. Clarice heard a sudden and heavy knock on the door. Jumping up she hurried to the door with a smile. As she opened the door her smile vanished. Clife was not there, and neither was Silver, and her heart sagged. "Why did you sleep with my father!" Raine had been waiting hours to speak those words to her and now she felt the satisfaction that she had. Clarice sat heavily on the floor, it seemed more of a fall than a known motion. Her paws were shaking and her white ears drooped. "What is happening to me? Why does every male leave me? My mate, your father, Silver, and now Clife! They've all abandoned me!" she cried.

Raine remained standing at the door, not feeling and sympathy, but rather disgust. "Your mate, my father, and your son never abandoned you! You abandoned them all for some asshole male who now seems to have abandoned you. Why did you sleep with my father!" Raine demanded.

"I-I-I," she stammered, "Never remember spending a night with me! I remember asking him, but never anything else! Nothing! I can't remember anything at all, it's all just blank!"

Raine pulled out the diary and opened to the page she had bookmarked last night. She read out loud the words her father had written. Words that hurt her deeply. "My God, what have I done! I've betrayed the trust he placed in me, the trust my family placed in me."

Clarice stared blankly at nothing. "Silver, where are you?"

Immediately Raine's ears pricked up and she stared at the white female in front of her. "Silver is gone. My father is dead. All because of the male you claim to love. I've lost both my father and Silver! What losses do you mourn for? For whom do you mourn for? No one! We...we mate for life. It's what we've always done, even back in the days of dark and uncertainty we've always remain true to the one mate! Why have you turned your back on him. My father believed this, but was convinced by you wasn't he! Everything you touch you destroy. Your life, your son, you've lost all this for a wolf who doesn't give a damn about you!"

"I didn't sleep with your father."

Raine turned around, disgusted, and tucked the diary into her shirt before leaving.

*

Silver sighed; once again he was sitting alone in a bath, surrounded by steam and hot water. He was frightened. Every time he has been alone in a bathtub bad memories reassert themselves. Even if Silver did not want to remember. There was a knock at the door, and for a moment Silver was back at Raine's house depressed and lost in pain filled memories of the past. The door opened slowly, the brass hinges squealing. "Do you need any care?"

Silver held the laugh in him. He was relieved, he was afraid he had slipped into another painful memory. Instead, it was only one of the servants. "No... thank you."

The door opened wider and Silver's muzzle opened wide in protest. "Shh, Sin sent me here to assist you and that's what I'll do!"

"But... umm... I can do it by myself. I have done so before. Why does everyone think I need help bathing? Do I seem that pathetic?"

"Because you seemed to be sitting in that tub for twenty minutes without moving. That look of a lost puppy on your muzzle. Actually kind of cute."

"Forget it!" Silver growled, keeping his back to the female.

"Oh come on! I've been sent here to wash you and I will, willingly or not!" she answered storming over to the side of the tub. "See! Look at this awful film over the top of the water! It's disgusting! It'll probably take them weeks to clean out all the fur!"

Silver shot an angry look at the servant, which immediately melted away. The servant was a she-wolf. She was tall and mature, with a beauty that Raine was too young to attain. She knelt down beside the tub and began squirting some kind of soap onto her paws, her knees resting against the cold, marble tub. Silver felt embarrassed. Here he was in front of a beautiful female wolf, naked, and in a bathtub, about to be washed by her. There was thoughts of Raine that passed through his mind and he felt guilty at how soon he forgot about her, and about how he viewed this female beside him. It was odd how he had quickly forgotten everything and Silver felt he was betraying his wish. He jumped a little as he felt her paws slide sensuously through his fur. Lubricated by the soap. She bent over the side of the tub and rubbed the soap into Silver's back, allowing the front of her white dress to fall open. Silver moaned in pleasure as the paws worked his muscles, and his eyes stared at the opening in her dress. He felt dirty as he stared at her breasts. It was not something he had ever thought of staring at before. "Esca!"

The female shot back immediately. Sin stood at the door of the bathroom holding clean clothes in his paws. "What are you doing!"

Silver watched the young, voluptuous wolf stand up, crossing her arms, her muzzle scrunched up. "I was helping a friend of mine! He needed my help..."

"In what!"

"Wash..."

"Bullshit! Silver doesn't need 'washing' from you! Now get out of my sight!"

Esca made a move to head out of the room, but darted over to Silver and brushed her paws through his fur, feeling his body and fur hidden beneath the film of dirt covering the water. "Goddamn you, Esca!"

Sin had thrown the clothes down outside the door and had a hold on Esca. He began to drag her out, but tearing a jinker such as Esca away from as potential, same species, lover is a difficult task. "Ugh! Let go of me! I want him!" Esca shouted, biting, scratching and kicking. "I'm sorry Silver! My name is Esca. Just talk to Laz if you want to meet with me privately!"

Sin pushed Esca hard out of the bathroom and Silver heard the sound of Esca banging against the wall and falling to the floor. "Stay away from Silver. He is not one of your [fucking] toys!"

There was a soft whimpering noise that Silver could hear faintly. It was heart breaking. "Look, Esca... I'm sorry, but you can't have this one. He is here specially..."

There were more words spoken, but Silver could not hear them. He wondered what indeed the female was talking about, and why she had touched him in such ways that made his fur curl. Sin stepped into the bathroom again and smiled at Silver. "Don't mind her! She spent most her life on the streets of big cities with her mother, selling their bodies to anyone who would take them. They are a disease. Don't get involved with her. She'll use you and discard you. I picked her off the streets and brought her here... but she has to be kept on a short leash, she's broken to many hearts here. Probably wishes I never came along... Come on Silver! Get out of that tub and I'll take you to see the doctor about that arm. Then I'll return you to your friends for breakfast."

'That's right!' Silver thought as he remembered his broken forearm, 'Stranger... it hasn't been bothering me at all...'

"Come on Silver! Don't dawdle! I have things to do as well do you! The day is only just beginning."

From half way through the last chapter, actually, on out I haven't taken the time to fully polish or edit the chapters.