It was just on night fall when we arrived at what Tiona said was Trestons house. It was not what I expected at all. The house was just a three bedroom shack on the outskirts of Lexington. The wolves that guarded it we're having a open grill? They looked more like bikers then neutral territory between packs.
When we emerged from the cover of the trees all eyes turned towards us. On instinct I growled baring my teeth. Tiona shifted to human form spreading her hands out showing that she bore no weapons. Meanwhile her voice through the mindlink.
'Doran stop! If you threaten them on neutral ground it's grounds for them to kill you.'
Forcing myself to stop growling Tiona addressed everyone present.
"Excuse him he's not long ago come back from being full wolf."
She looked at me briefly then back again.
"He still has some wild tendencies. We would like an audience with Treston."
Tiona was speaking extremely formal considering the house before us or rather the shack and the leather clad biker look everyone seemed to be sporting. One of the particularly burly males before us stepped forward a scowl on his face.
"Who's asking?"
Tiona straightened up crossing her arms across her chest, but just as she was about to answer a male exited the door of the shack. He stood out of place among the others from his dark blue suit to the way he held himself. His back straight and head held high his very air ozzed charm. From the blond hair and blue eyes it wasn't hard to tell that this was Treston. Even his smile as he eyed Tiona spoke of charisma.
"Tiona my girl I knew it wouldn't be long before you came seeking me out."
I had expected Tiona to swoon over as I'm sure he was used to but surprisingly she scowled.
"Is that so? Then you know why I'm here?"
His eyes gave her a knowing look.
"But of course come inside let us speak in my office."
Turning to the others he ordered.
"See that we aren't interrupted These two are under the protection by silver tongue law."
Silver tongue? Clearly the pack name was meant to refer to their ability to sweet talk the deals they organise. I followed Tiona and Treston as they made their way inside keeping my eyes on the others until the door closed behind me. To my surprise the inside of the house was nothing like what it looked like on the outside. From the lavish furnishings to the size of the rooms. Seems there's some kind of charm of the house to make it seem smaller then what it actually is because inside was like a top ranked pack mansion.
We followed Treston into a room that was obviously his office. The room consisting of a large mahogany desk complete with sitting around and decorated with all sorts of artefacts from all over the world. Treston lead us to the sitting area rather then the desk indicating or Tiona to sit as he took up residence in the one seater across from her. I opted for sitting at Tionas feet not trusting any of them neutral territory or not.
"So since I already know why your here let's cut to the chase shall we?"
Tiona sat back appearing relaxed when I knew full well like me she was ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.
"We shall, I want to make a deal with the black claw pack."
He eyes brows rose as his smile widened.
"I know what you want and I can say this they will not give up the name. If they gave the name of every benefactor that put out a bounty they would surely loose business, I'm sure you understand."
Tiona reaches into her jacket pulling out the vile full of vampire venom.
"Not even for this?"
She handed it over as Treston examined it I surprised look in his eyes when he realised what is was.
"My dear you surprise me last I heard this was in possession of a witch named Phyllis. Can I assume that dear Phyllis is no longer with us then?"
My eyes went to Tiona as a smile spread across her face.
"I hope your not suggesting I would kill a known coven leader just for vampire venom, because I can assure you his coven would not be pleased if such a rumour were to spread."
His small chuckle had him looking at Tiona in a more cunning why.
"Not at all I'm sure Phyllis's demise was indeed by natural cause as his symptoms suggest."
"I'm sure it was. So can you make the deal or not?"
Treston handed back the vile his eyes going to me.
"I see you have a new pet."
I growled at him.
"He's not a pet I can assure you."
His eyes still on mine he answers.
"Indeed."
Standing he buttons his suit up and smiles looking back at Tiona.
"I will present your offer to the cunobelinus alpha of the black claw. You may stay here under under our protect until such time as the negotiations are done. Jallal will show you to your rooms."
As if on cue the burly man that had greeted us out front appeared only now he was dressed in black slacks and and button up shirt.
"You follow me."
He led us down the hall stopping at one of the rooms. Eyeing me then addressing Tiona he asked.
"The wild one will have to stay outside."
I snapped at him.
'There's no way I'm leaving you alone!'
Tiona nudged me with her hand smiling at the burly man.
"Surely that won't be necessary. He's no more wild then I am."
He chuckled.
"Doesn't say much missy you forget everyone here knows your reputation."
Tiona chuckled at his words.
"Come on Des i take full responsibility."
Des groaned.
"Alright but I'm warning you he causes any trouble here both of you are out and even with that bounty on your head we won't left a finger to help."
She nods a broad smile on her face.
"Thank you now if you'll excuse us we haven't slept in two days."
He grunted as he walked away leaving us to enter the room on our own. Once he was out of sight Tiona frowned down at me.
'Did you have to keep growing at everyone?!'
Opening the door she let me in then closed it behind us. Looking around the room inside was just as lavish as the rest of the house complete with its own bathroom and sitting around. Finally away from prying eyes Tionas shoulders slumped her fatigue obvious.
'Go to sleep Tiona I'll keep watch in the meantime.'
She shook her head.
'There's no need they won't do anything I've already told you this place is neutral territory no one is even allowed to pull a weapon out.'
'You may believe that but I'd rather be safe then sorry.'
She throw her hands up in defeat.
'Fine if you want to deprive yourself of more sleep that's your choice but I'm telling you it's not necessary.'
I watched her as she started towards the bathroom pulling her clothes off before she'd even reached the door. My mind went but to the hot springs. With each bit of skin that showed as she undressed her scars were revealed more. The horror she had been through, the pain she must have endured, how did she even survive? Not even bothering to close the door she entered the shower leaving me the wait in the room and all I could think about was even with the scars she was beautiful.
I growled to myself what am I thinking? True that I had given my word that I would keep her safe but that was just me excepting my punishment, wasn't it? Did it really feel like a punishment? I had kissed her cheek, sure it was the wolf equivalent of a kiss but a kiss none the less. What was wrong with me? Sure she had a certain charm about her, she was beautiful and strong in mind and will. I groaned inside my mind. It's not like anything would ever start between us, for one I was still wolf with no idea when or if I'll even be able to shift into a human ever again and two while I did feel drawn to her there was also something dark inside her. Something that fed her need for power. She claimed it was so that she could be strong enough to protect herself but I wasn't so sure that was all it was.
The shower turned off and Tiona stepped out getting dressed into a new set of clothes that looked exactly like the old ones thick cotton pants and cotton hooded shirt with jacket on top all of which allowed for easy movement when fighting. Turning to me she smiled as she pulled back her dark hair and tied it up into a messy bun.
'I don't suppose you want a shower?'
I glared at her, if she thought I was going to let her wash me like she would a domestic dog she had another thing coming.
'That's a definite no.'
She chuckled.
'Suit yourself but just saying you don't exactly smell the best.'
I growled.
'I smell like I wolf which is what I am.'
She walked over to the bed and lay on her side her eyes watching me.
'No technically your only half wolf.'
I huffed at her.
'What does it matter what I smell like?!'
She laughed.
'I do if your going to sleep in the same bed as me.'
I stared at her confused, what did she mean by that?
'Well if you're not going to let me clean you then come on guess I'll just have to put up with the smell.'
I grumbled at her.
'I'm fine I told you I'm keeping watch so I don't need the bed.'
'Oh come on Doran how longa it been since you even been in a bed? One year two? I for one barely ever get to sleep in a bed so I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.'
I watched her as she lay on her back stretching as she moaned in pleasure empathising her point. I ignored her taking up positioning front of the door as I lay down rest my head on my paws.
'Suit yourself but you'll regret it later.'
I turned back about to say something when I realised she was already asleep. That was fast she must have been more tired then I thought. I went back to watching the door. I knew I wouldn't regret my decision to stay with her. My brother didn't need me nor did his pack. If I went back I would just be in the way, I'd rather stay where I'm needed and right now Tiona needed me more then anything. I had to help her overcome her throat for power, her fear that someone would hurt her again. Whatever happened to her has planted a seed of darkness in her I'm determined to rid her of it. I know deep down she is a good person.
Everything she does is because she feels she needs to do it to survive. Maybe if I can show her she's already stronger then even she thinks she might stop stealing, stop looking for more power and most of all stop killing. What she said to Treston and what he suspected. Had she really killed a coven leader for that vile. Her response was answer enough. I need to take her away from this world of underground wolves where thieves and murders reign. The darkness inside here only feeds of it getting that much stronger.
Yawning I kept my eyes on the door however despite my efforts my eyes started closing. I tried to fight it but something was making me fall asleep. I sniffed the air that's when I realised something in the air was making us sleep.
'Tiona!'
My voice came as a mere whisper through the mindlink as my body was drained of energy. I knew it was a trap. I tried to move, grow anything but I was too tired before I knew it my eyes were closed and sleep took over.