"Put him on the table." Mouse commanded as the team came into the house. Alec placed Justin onto the table before flipping him onto his stomach. The husky had changed back into his human form to reveal deep wounds. The skin had been torn away to leave crimson blood gushing from the wounds to reveal muscle and bond. His shoulder had been crushed which caused for the flesh to turn a deep purple and blue. It twisted in a way that it pressed against the skin with part of the bone having skewed its way out. Justin's body trembled in pain as he whimpered under his breath. Sweat mixed with the blood, and his lips parted as he panted. His body was already burning with a fever, yet he did not wake. The man had simply fallen and was refusing to gain consciousness again. The sight was defeating, and it had made Freya sick to her stomach.
She had gutted and cleaned her own kills thousands of times. This, however, was nothing of the sort. This was... She moved her hand to her lips and turned away as she breathed in through her nose. No one seemed to notice though as Mouse moved to the side of the male. He cursed low under his breath.
"Can you save him?" Alec demanded to know as his jaw clenched harshly. His hands balling into fists as he tried to control himself. His very body looked pained. His eyes, for the first time, showed emotion that carried regret and anger. It was not towards his foes though, Mouse, or even Justin. No, the regret that spilled from him was for choices. He had taken Justin. He had not been able to react fast enough, and once more he was watching someone he loved die by the hands of the felines. The hands of the felines that he had once wished to offer peace too, but now he stood there... once more horrified at their blood thirst. It took everything in the beta to no break down there and then. His chest tightened at the idea with the knowledge there was nothing he could do. Alec, after all, had commanded Freya be protected at all costs until they determined her worth.
"The chance is slim." Mouse informed him and frowned as he placed a hand just above the wound. "This is why I keep telling you to stop being so rash!"
For the first time, Freya flinched back from Mouse as the canine raised his voice. His head snapping around to flash his fangs in his anger. "Get out. The sight of you sickens me."
Alec flinched away, and for the first time Freya watched the male's head slowly lower. She looked in the direction of Mouse as she spoke. "It's not his f-"
"Don't." Alec whispered as he closed his eyes and sighed softly. "Mouse is right. They gave us the chance to talk. I was the one that allowed this to happen." The male looked over at the coyote who was now focused back on Justin. His hand was glowing the same soft light as before in an attempt to heal. "Please save him. Please Mouse."
With that, the beta walked from the room. After the beta closed the door, Mouse seemed to relax slightly as he whispered a few words. Justin seemed to relax and begun to slow his painful panting. "This was not his fault Mouse." Freya growled low in her throat.
She did not get another word out before Mouse spoke. "His job is to make choices for his people, not for his own selfish gains." He chuckled bitterly under his breath while moving his hands slowly. The blood had begun to slow down, yet the wound refused to close. "In his ten years of being a beta, you would think he would have learned that by now. Yet, he continues to engage his anger and lingers in the past. THAT is why this is his fault."
Freya huffed and whipped away. She stormed over to the kitchen to find the healing kit from before. Without saying another word, she grabbed what she needed and exited the room. Neither one looked at each other as she opened the door, slammed it behind her, and started on her way to find Alec. He needed to be bandaged as well. Mouse said nothing to this though as he listened to the soft mumbling of his patient repeating the same words, again and again. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry.."
---
Freya found Alec towards the back of the house in a small open area. He was curled up under a tree with his ears pressed down against his skull. The wolf's large head was laid against massive paws while his tail remained tucked under his form. She followed the eye line of his deep green eyes to find him watching Drole and the bulldog. They were curled up together resting under a tree as well, but she could not blame them. It was already starting to get darker out, and no doubt they had been out all day. Both had to be tired after such a fight as well. She was glad to see though that the bulldog's ear had been bandaged most likely by the dhole. She never imagined the fights could be so bloody and filled with such... hostility until today. They could have not even known each other, but it was evident they still would have tried to kill each other. This brought a shiver down her spine.
Glancing back towards the timber wolf, she slowly approached him. A low snarl slipped from the canine, yet she only frowned at him. "Shut up and let me bandage you." The wolf's snarl only grew louder. Ignoring him, she came to his side and sat onto the ground. She leaned against the tree and slowly she reached her hand out to him. Alec's maw parted as he curled his lips. Displaying his fangs, he narrowed his eyes in a clear warning. His hackles had even stood on end as he tensed up. For some reason though, Freya did not believe he would attack her. Deep down, she knew that was his intent. She knew enough about the body language, but there was no fear. There was no instinct telling her to stop. So, instead, Freya watched him with her golden eyes before opening up the healing kit.
It was a simple leather bag full of bandages, creams, and other items. "Lay on your side or change back. I can't treat your wounds in this position." Alec whipped around suddenly. He stood on his paws with his tail snapping straight up. His whole entire body tensed, hackles raised, and he curled his lips further. The large canine pressed his ears upwards as he stepped slightly closer. Slowly, he parted his fangs and allowed his tongue to curl to lick along the large canines. Spit dripped from his lips and mixed with the blood from his fight. He was covered in it from head to toe. Everything reeked of it. The smell burned her nose, down her throat, and into her chest. It choked her. Narrowing his deep green eyes, he stepped closer and breathed in her face. His muzzle inches away as he snarled deeply. His body vibrated with primal wishes to sink his fangs into her flesh, drink her blood, and bath in the violence.
However, as he stood there Freya only stared back. Golden eyes stared into those endless green eyes. Neither one moved, neither one said a word. The only sound was the growling and snarling from the canine before her as his tail vibrated with energy. It was only when the male snapped at the air in her face did she react. Yet, instead of pulling away or screaming she did the unthinkable. Her fingers gently brushed against the male's cheek. It silenced the wolf as her fingers moved to touch along his muzzle, and finally brush her thumb against his scars. Involuntarily, Alec's eyes closed and leaned into her touch. His ears pulled back to flatten onto his skull in comfort from her touch. "You aren't going to scare me Alec." Freya whispered.
The words slowly caused for him to change back into his human form to where he was kneeling in front of her. He nuzzled his chin against her palm again, and with it she felt the smile on his lips. "You have guts fish bait." He mumbled and reached up to take her hand. She let him as he pulled it around and kissed her palm. Freya blushed slightly as she yanked it away. He only chuckled at that as he leaned back and hissed out in pain. It was easy to see why. He was covered in dirt and blood. Slashes covered his ribs and chest. He had a few bites and bruises as well.
"Why do you call me that?" Freya huffed while coming over to his side. She was glad there was a rag and a container of water in the bag. She doubted it would help cleaning him much though. She could at least start on some of the bigger wounds before they got infected. So, she got the rag wet, and begun to wash the grime away.
Alec grumbled in pain, but answered. "This is twice I saved you from cats. You must smell fishy or something."
"I do not!" Freya snapped out in offense causing him to laugh. Blushing even deeper, she muttered about the male losing his balls.
Which was why, she did not notice him leaning over and brushing his nose softly against her neck. Freya's hand froze in shock while she felt his lips move against her skin as he spoke. "You're right. You don't. You smell like prey." She shivered at the response, and found herself disappointed when he moved away. She had a feeling he was not speaking of the... prey most would mean. She had not forgotten she was a female, and he was an animal. Swallowing thickly, she choice to not respond while working on the wounds. She was happy to find they were not as deep as she thought. They were still atrocious, but not life threatening. They were not like Justin's. Thus, after cleaning them up she applied the same herb mixture that Mouse had turned on her in hopes to combating any further damage. Alec grunted at it and clenched his eyes slightly as if resisting to take her hand off. She knew it was not comfortable, but soon she was wrapping his wounds.
"I was wondering where that one got to." Alec whispered to break the silence. Freya glanced up to find two green eyes focused on the longma she had taken. The beast was walking free and grazing on the green. She was slightly surprised it had not run off, but she supposed it was maybe taught to remain close.
"What's his name?" Freya asked in wonder.
"Her name is Blue." He answered in slight amusement.
"Blue? What kind of name is blue?" She raised her eyebrow and smiled a bit. For a strange world, that name seemed to simple. Then again, many of the names here were not to far fetched from her own world. It made her wonder how they were even introduced.
Alec clicked his tongue as he leaned back. His two arms reaching out to place behind him. "She was born under a blue moon." He grinned. "Well, when I was a kid I thought it was blue." Freya glanced up at the sky where his own eyes had traveled to. True to his words, the moon shined in the sky and looked to actually be almost blue. However, what surprised her the most was just how close it was. It looked close enough that she felt she could reach up and touch it. It was huge, maybe triple the size she is used to. Without even realizing it, she had begun to reach for it. Alec's eyes softened as he looked to her from the corner of his eyes.
"Beautiful. Isn't it?" He whispered gently making her smile. Freya did not have to even force it. Rather, she felt it slip onto her lips. Her body warmed, and for the first time she felt as if she belonged there. Under the blue moon, the stars, and next to the wolf she struggled to even think of her own home. There, she was alone but here she found the presence of others. It was comfortable, warm, and she felt free.
"Yes, it is." She agreed and turned her eyes to look over at the man. She found her eyes meet his again. Her breath was stolen then, and she found herself struggling to breath. Alec in that moment looked young, and not the fierce beta that had stood before her. She swallowed thickly while he moved to brush his fingers along her cheek. He allowed his thumb to tuck her hair behind her ear before leaning forward to place his forehead against hers. Freya tensed and closed her eyes.
"Thank you for taking care of my wounds." He whispered and pulled away again. However, it was only then that Freya realized how cold it was out or maybe it was the feeling of absence of his touch. Unable to decide which and in craving for warmth, she leaned against him before going back to watching the stars and praying for Justin's recovery.
---
Freya sat in the darkness with half closed calm eyes. Ember flowers laid around her with a gentle soft glow. It was comfortable, warm, and remained her of Alec's touch. He had been gentle with her despite trying to scare her away. Although, as she sat there she found herself slowly glancing around in the darkness to search for where she was. She was back in the stillness again with the large blurry creature in the distance. She blinked at it, yet she was unable to gain a clearer look of it. She simply stared... and stared. Both of them sat there without speaking a word or attempting to engage. After Mouse's story, she had to wonder if this was connect to everything. Was there a reason for these dreams or maybe she found comfort in the silent darkness. She smiled a bit at that as she leaned her head back and closed her golden eyes. A touch of warmth brushed against her shoulder, which made her shiver. Her lips parted as she breathed out deeply. The softness of touch moved down her body, brushed along her neck, and then to her chest.
The contact left a trail of warmth that only grew to flames with each second that past, but when she opened her eyes the creature was gone once more. It was always out of reach, and yet close enough her fingers could touch it. The question was though... what was it? Freya's hand reached out slowly for it, but her hand connected with a softness. Light begun to shine into the darkness, and soon the chirping of birds sang in her ears. She groaned at that while her fingers pressed against the silky softness. She creased her hand along it, traced upon the form, and moved to seek out the source of the warmth. Her hand game to feel along something round while breathing rocked her body. Freya smiled a bit as she rolled and curled up closer against the form. It was so warm and soft. The black fur did well to keep the wind from assaulting her.
Wait... black fur? Freya's eyes snapped open before she jerked away from the body. Yelping, she fell backwards before pushing herself back up. Her eyes turned to the large wolf form who had snapped his head up. He had been curled up around her, but at the abrupt movement he had stretched out. His ears perking upwards as he looked at her in confusion before looking around as if to find the danger. She could not stop the blush that burned along her cheeks, however Alec did not seem to notice her embarrassment. "Good morning." Wagging his tail contently, he leaned down and licked upon her chin in greeting.