Alec and Freya did not speak much afterwards. She was fine with that, although as the night grew colder she found herself caring little about speech. Instead, Alec had pulled her back against his chest with his legs on either side of her. His arms had wrapped around her form to lean his chin on her shoulder. They had been watching the dancers that were performing. They were moving with feathers and staffs. Each movement a bell chimed out. Although, her eyes kept wondering away to smile a bit at the sight of a group of pups playing, wrestling, and running about. "What are you watching?" Alec's voice vibrated behind her.
She glanced back at him before nodding in the direction of the pups. "Them." Alec's eyes moved to travel in the direction she had nodded. He said nothing to it though. She didn't need him too though. "They remind me a bit of my brother. After... his accident though I didn't have anyone my age to play with. My grandfather entertained me instead."
"You didn't have any other pups in your clan?" Alec asked in confusion, unable to fathom the idea.
Freya hesitated for a moment. She had not thought of the fact this might give away any information, but she couldn't help her next words. "Sorta. I lived with my parents for awhile, but after my brother passed I stayed with my grandfather in the mountains. My parents... passed away in a fire not long after." She begun to shrink in on herself. Her eyes downcast to the fire instead. "After he passed, I was alone. I couldn't stand to be around others."
Alec frowned at that as he turned his eyes away from her. "You were alone."
"Yes, I was, but now I'm here. I wanted to go home at first.." Alec snarled at that, although she didn't know why.
"If you think of running away again..." His lips moved to her ear, as he hissed out his words. "I will personally find you and tie you to my bed. Understood?" Blushing red, Freya nodded stiffly. Loud and clear.
Still reeling from the statement though, she perked her head up at the sound of urgent foot steps. Alec seemed to have noticed as well because his body tensed. His lips pulled back slightly while she noted several of the canines now stared behind their beta. Their lips pulled back and their eyes narrowed in obvious displeasure. Freya did not like this one bit, which was why she slightly turned in the direction. Her attention was instantly caught by the sight of the white coyote. Her eyes widened as she saw Mouse stop before them. His head lowered while his tongue flopped out in a harsh pant and muscles trembled in exhaustion. His ears curled back against his skull while pink eyes glanced around the area. His defense up even now, although his eyes finally landed on her. His eyes hardened at the sight of her, and for a second she thought she saw him flinch.
"What happened?" Alec was the one that broke the silence. His attention, once suffacating her, was now solely focused on the coyote. His voice urgent, yet commanding.
Mouse took a few more seconds to compose himself before speaking. "A Jormungand. Jus-"
"What?" Alec snarled out and straightened up. His arms left Freya as he shoved himself into a stand. His body turning to him.
Freya, in her confusion, turned to Alec to clarify. "Jormungand?"
It was Mouse who answered. "Feline royalty." Freya made a note to have that clarified further. Alec's last name was Fenrir, same as the Beast God as well. It must be a custom for 'royalty.'
"She is with Justin." Mouse snapped at him.
Alec snarled and pulled himself from her. She could not help but shiver from the lack of his touch. She almost puled him back, but she forced her hands to her side. Her head slightly lowering. "Escort her back to the castle."
"W-Wait!" Freya yelled in protest, but Alec was already on the move. Alec bolted forward as the wolf took over his form. Although, as his paws landed, two more followed after him. For a moment, Freya moved to follow after him, yet it was Mouse who came to stand in front of her. Blocking her, they stood there together as the watched the raven black wolf disappear into the night.
--- Several Hours Before ---
A knock sounded on the door making Justin look up from where he was sleeping. He had been staying at Mouse's home, although most of the time the coyote was not even home. He went out early, and he came back late at night. More often then not, he was covered in dirt and grime from where ever he went. Justin cared little. He ate, slept, and bathed as he waited for his wounds to heal. They felt tight, itchy, and Mouse insisted on putting a disgusting goo on them everyday. He hated it, but at least he didn't bother him otherwise. Well, besides for that day Justin had caught a fever. He had to admit, Mouse did keep his word even after their talk. Despite that, he refused to forgive the man. He refused to forget what happened that night.
Sighing, Justin slowly stretched out his body and groaned as each muscle cracked. The bear skin blanket fell from his form and collected onto the floor beside him. Rolling over, he yawned and glanced around to find the house empty. It was maybe the middle of the day... evening? He was not sure. He had long lost the ability to tell since he slept most of the time. The only reason he woke up now was the pounding of the door. "I hear you, just hold on." Justin barked as he finally stood up. Yawning again, he rubbed along his chin, his jaw, and then reached down to scratch the back of his neck. Just a few steps brought him over to the door.
Still half asleep, he groaned and pulled open the heavy wood door. For a second, the man just stared at the visitor before him. Suddenly, he was wide awake, and his blood boiled. Smirking darkly, he folded his arms along his chest. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Mrs. Tessa Jormungand?"
The young girl smiled sweetly as she shoved passed the male. Her bare feet followed along the floor until she came to the bed where she threw herself down against it. Justin did not stop her, although he watched her from the corner of his eye. It rubbed him the wrong way seeing the curly grey fur vest she wore. It was canine hair, long silky, and smelled familiar. Nothing covered her chest though considering she had not buttoned it closed. At least passed her hips were covered by brown dog hair. For a second, he could not stop his eyes from flickering to her exposed breasts, before they traveled to her white hair. It had black along the tips true to her feline form. Narrowed, pale blue eyes looked back at him. She had long legs, tanned skin, and perfectly shaped form. She had curves that any man would die to trace with their finger or tongue. If only she was not a feline, he would be sure to make her his.
Huffing, the male slowly closed the door and turned to her. Justin was more rational than most, he knew better than anyone he could not taken down a royal. There was a reason she would be so confident to find her way here. "Alec turned down my invitation. So, I want you to fetch him like a good puppy." Her voice purred as she waved her hand at him.
Tessa had not changed one bit since last time he saw her. That had been when he was a child. His mother had served under her mostly as a servant. He had rarely come across her when he was born, but each time she held a sickly sweet grace. She truly believed herself to be above others, and that she held the power to claim the world. He had always believed she was closer to a snake that refused to bare its true colors, than a feline itself. She spoke pretty words, and she sang tales of honor only to poison them with her hands. Justin could remember a time when a servant had hit on a male she had liked, thus she had drugged the female. She woke up the night day under a man she did not even know. She was never seen again, and Tessa soon got bored of the man. That had been Justin's aunt... his mother's sister.
When he learned of this and confronted her, Tessa had patted his head. Her smile soft and gentle as she giggled. "Well, she should have known better to not touch what's mine." At the time, he could not stop himself from taking a snap at her hand. That had earned him a smack across the face and a kick to the gut. He struggled to eat anything for a week after that, but his mother... his mother had been brave enough to stand up to her. Only she had gotten away telling that women off.
Justin shook the memories away as he pulled his lips back slightly in a low snarl. Tessa only smiled, but she was sure to flash her teeth this time. "You already intruded on our territory, so I suggest you watch your mouth." Despite the aggression in his body, his words came out cold and sure. They had known each other long enough, that he did not dare challenge her alone.
Tessa's eyes became slits as she stood slowly. She moved forward until her lips came to his ear. "And I suggest you watch your tongue, bastard child. Otherwise a cat might have to take it." Patting his chest, she stepped closer until her bare breasts brushed against him. Justin did nothing but watch her from the corner of his eye.
"Why are you here, Mrs. Jormungand?" He forced out once more as he leaned back against the wall.
"A tit for a tat. Your bitch-"
"Your laws hold no ground here." He snarled in warning. There were only a few laws that traveled across lands, but this was not one of them. The felines believed in the law of 'an eye for an eye' no matter where they were from. Justin's mind flashed to Freya... the night they had found her. They were on the edge of the two territories, but that night... her deep wounds and the sight of her shaken up in confusion...No origin, no true identity, and no story. No one knew exactly what happened that night, including her. She had no recollection of why she had been attacked. What had happened that night? Why was she attacked by the felines, and how did she catch the eye of Tessa? Why did Tessa come personally for this? Something did not seem right. Every single time, Freya got involved always seemed amiss.
"No? Do you even know what that girl is?" Tessa asked him.
"What are you talking about?" Justin narrowed his eyes and bared his canines to her.
"You don't know anything, do you? Are you stupid?" Tessa giggled and placed her hand over her lips. Stepping back, she tickled the man under his chin. Baring her fangs, she spoke. "That girl will be the death of us all. She will bleed this land of life, and Bellaroos will be blamed."
Justin said nothing to that. Although, he didn't have to because the door opened just as Mouse walked in. Pink eyes snapped around to stare at Tessa... back to Justin and then at Tessa again. Frowning, the male turned away. "Justin, w-"
"Tessa Jormungand." The women smiled innocently as she turned to Mouse. "Now, go fetch your beta." Her hand shot out before either man could blink. Justin yelped out as her claws bite into his throat and removed his air way. Choking him, he tore and twisted in an attempt to be removed from her grip. Yet, she refused to budge as she glared down at Mouse. Her blue eyes filled with darken pleasure. "Otherwise, I may just snap his neck."